Depression in Men - is it really different? Do we really understand it?

“Depression is an illness that affects both men and women. But people working in mental health services see far fewer men with depression. It seems likely men suffer from depression just as often as women, but they are less likely to ask for help.”

This article by Natasha Tracy has some interesting points. Check out this link to read it:

https://www.beckercounseling.com/depression-in-men-do-we-really-understand-it/

Rehab for Technology Addiction? Check out what this gamer has to say.

"After years of spending 50 to 60 hours a week playing video games, Charlie Bracke, 28, decided to seek help at a treatment facility for technology addicts. This is his story."  as seen in Prevention.com.

http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/i-went-to-rehab-for-my-technology-addiction

Using Facebook Too Much Makes You Feel Less Awesome About Yourself

What they found wasn’t pretty: Overall, researchers concluded that the use of Facebook was negatively associated with a person’s well-being. Meaning, the more you use Facebook, the crappier you feel.

Read on…

http://www.menshealth.com/health/too-much-facebook-makes-you-feel-bad

If you have children in middle school, you all know the challenges of getting them off their "smart phones" and Ipads - now check out what this blogger says about social media and middle schoolers.

Social Media was not meant for these tweens – they are still “trying things on” – check out this article on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/commercialfreechildhood/posts/10158583831205422

Sometimes we have to "forge meaning" from adversity instead of just finding it. Check out this interesting TED Talk from author Andrew Solomon:

How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are and how to forge meaning through adversity. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_how_the_worst_moments_in_our_lives_make_us_who_we_are

Tiger Woods Has a Very Common Problem

When he was found recently asleep in his car in Florida, it was learned that the golfer was reportedly high on prescription pain medicine, also known as opiates. Even though he was not actually driving the car, he still had allegedly broken the law. Unfortunately, his fame and the media made this a very embarrassing event for him. His opiate problem is a common story in the U.S. and the statistics behind it are scary.

Opioid and opiate abuse is becoming a wider and more dangerous epidemic every year in America.  To demonstrate the growth of opiate abuse, it is known that in the 60’s, 80% of users began their addictions with heroin, but currently 80% start with prescription pain medication instead.

The number of people abusing them is stunning. Five % of Americans used opiates illegally in 2010, reports the NY Times.  In 2015 almost as many people died from opiate overdose as in car crashes. Also, opiate abuse was called by the Times “the worst drug crisis in American history”.  More people died from heroin (one form of opioid) abuse than from gun violence in 2015.  18 to 25 year olds were the worst abusers of these prescriptions statistically in 2011, per HHS.gov. Even 11 % of 12 to 25 year olds also used them non-medically!

Other opioids include codeine, morphine, methadone and many other pain medications. Oxycontin is a synthetic version of opiates, as well as Percocet, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl and Dilaudid.  You may have used one of these yourself, as they are commonly prescribed.

Abuse often results in dependence on these drugs. Withdrawals from opiates are severe and include pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and hypertension.  This makes them very addictive, since users are lulled into an increasing level of higher use to avoid these side effects.  Dependence is easily reached and the ugly cycle starts. Liver and brain damage can also develop over time.

So it is not surprising that someone such as Woods has the problem so many others suffer from.

Contact Becker Counseling if you think you or your loved one may have a problem like this.

Can you afford counseling?

I get many calls from people seeking a therapist. There is a typically a pattern in the conversations and common threads that future clients ask about. Paying for my services is always one of those.

Many of my potential clients do not know much about their insurance plans, so to make it easier for you, WE WILL CALL YOUR PROVIDER FOR YOU, before you come in and determine what it will cost you out of your pocket. This way you can be prepared, there are no surprises and one less thing for you to worry about.

Most people have insurance coverage for mental health, but what is covered is often different than their medical benefits. For instance, their copayments and deductibles are usually not the same for different specialists, such as a cardiology versus counseling. So, you may not know your own coverage and what it will pay for unless you have been to counseling before. Also, plans change from year to year and your benefits may be different than in the past. So, remember Becker Counseling is here to help. We will check for you and find out all of the details, before you come in for an appointment.

Most importantly, your health and happiness are a priority for us. We want to try to make it as easy as possible for you to start therapy. If you cannot afford the copayment WE CAN WORK WITH YOU, on a case by case basis, to make it manageable for you to get the help you need.

Give us a call at 732.406.4422.