Marijuana: Anti-depressant for Teens?

My work over the last 16 years has included many hours of therapy with teenagers. They are one of my favorite groups to work with. Their lives are always changing. Stressed one day, depressed the next, elated the next; frequently depending on what relationship is on or off that week. There is one thing that I have come to learn from these kids. If they are chronically depressed, marijuana works. Simply asked why the smoke pot, the answer is always the same: "it helps" "I feel better after I smoke weed." Most are not willing to give it up when confronted with treatment and the possible effects marijuana has on their minds and bodies. There is no downside for them when they know that they can smoke pot and feel better. I try to give them all the stats so that they make an informed decision: today's marijuana is 10 times more potent than ten years ago, marijuana is a gateway drug for other drug use, use of marijuana can actually trigger anxiety, panic and even psychosis. This usually falls of deaf ears. The ongoing legalized marijuana for medical purposes debate got me thinking about this very issue and how kids report pot's "medicinal value." Encouraging them to try a legal drug from their doctor can be a challenge but it is certainly worth a try. My suggestion to parents is usually giving the teen a chance to stop on their own with counseling and if they are unable to stop then admitting them to a long term program usually 30-55 days. Don't be misled, marijuana can be addictive and the teen may not be able to stop on their own. When he or she is so depressed the kid will find someway to change how they feel whether its legal or illegal. Unfortunately marijuana can be an attractive option when given the choice by their peers.

Anxiety is Disabling

I'm a huge St Louis Cardinals fan and their star shortstop is currently having problems with anxiety. The St.Louis Post Dispatch has been following this story closely and the Cardinal manager is considering putting the player on the disabled list. I applaud this as anxiety can be just as disabling as any other illness a person may encounter. If he had chronic headaches or stomach pain everyone would be okay with that right? Now bloggers are telling the player to "grow a pair", "get over it' , and make references to his salary (which is over 6 million dollars). It amazes me that some people continue to minimize the disabling effects of mental illness. Fear and anxiety can make a person avoid going to work, care for their family, or getting their needs met. Further it is worse by the sufferer constantly beating himself or herself up with their own thoughts that he or she " should get over it," or "grow a pair." When the person cannot get over it, despair and depression can be the result. The good news? 90% of people with anxiety and depression get better with medication and therapy. Maybe this is what our shortstop needs. Above all, a little support and compassion is due here.

Miss Your Teenager? Texting is the New "Lets Talk"

I have two teenagers and I miss the day to day talks we used to have. The kids were always home, hanging out together, perhaps their friends would come over. As my son got older the less we talked and I missed that a lot. Lately he has been texting me often and at first I felt "pick up the damn phone and call me!" however, my attitude has changed. If this is the way the kids want to chat with the ol' man I'm cool with that. You see it wasn't an occasional text but a conversation that went on for several minutes. Both my teens tell me "stuff" and you parents understand what that is. It wasn't a "be home a little late" message but a meaningful talk with my kid who was trying to talk to me about what is going on with him. If this is how we are going to talk and how I am going to stay connected, then I am all for it. My daughter text me for about 20 minutes the other day and I loved every minute of it. She also told me stuff about her, thoughts stories, funny things that happened that day. It was great! To all parents of teenagers, join the texting revolution. Stay connected to your teen. They are watching the phone. Send an "I love you" just because and when your oldest child says "I love you too Dad" (or mom) you know you are connected. Just not the way it used to be. Technology may be the way we can still be a close family no matter how far apart we may be.

FYI follow up

In my own quest to understand the unexplainable I located some research. There is an article in Newsweek online at http://www.newsweek.com/ entitled "Better off Dead" that give some insight into this issue. You may also google search "family annihilators" to find more. Thought readers might be interested.

Sorry but its Usually the Husband

I follow the news pretty closely and after reading about the murders of a wife and children in Columbia Ill my first thought was "it was the husband." Secretly I hoped and prayed that it wasn't. Surely a man would not kill his own family. It had to be a stalker, or a jealous lover on the brink of insanity, or possibly a co-worker who had been mistreated and wanted revenge. It couldn't be a father and husband, not in our area of the midwest, and not in a quiet surburban town. Yet I knew clincally, logically, once I removed emotion from the equation, it was the husband. I knew it day one after the crime happened. The fact is that it is almost always the husband or boyfriend. This would be no exception. This case pointed to the husband from day 1. As a clinician who is supposed to have an explanation for these events, I have my theories but again there is no explanation good enough that would bring resolution to the tragedy. My theories include, threat of divorce, having his kids taken away and financial problems as well life insurance money, or perhaps he is just a sociopath who acted without conscience. It does not matter what the reason is, because there is no explanation that would shed light on such a tragedy.

Secondary Trauma from Your TV

People who work in emergency rooms or work in crisis intervention services often experience what is called secondary traumatization. They may not directly experience a trauma, such as an injury, or find themselves in a dangerous situation but they witness such events and are therefore indirectly exposed to the same trauma as the patient. Those of us glued to our TV on and after 9/11/01 experienced this type of secondary trauma. We may not have been in New York to see it first hand but seeing it played out repeatedly on TV exposed us to the trauma again and again. Thus we may have similar feelings as those who were there at ground zero. Repeated exposure to bad news about the economy, violence in schools and families being killed in their homes leave us feeling helpless, fearful, and anxious. At the same time, we may tune in to the news to get updates on the traumatic stories. Repeated exposure to news of this kind may traumatize people if they do not limit themselves. As with anything else, moderation is the key. Limiting exposure is a way to maintain a healthy emotional outlook. In addition, be sure to tune in to what is positive about our world and the good things that happen everyday. This "glass half full" approach to life can do wonders for your emotional health.

Suicide Risk Highest in the Spring

Many people relate the holiday season as the time when people become suicidal. There is a connection between depressed mood and dark winter days. poor economic times and family problems. I would suggest that the holiday season is the highest risk for substance abuse and relapse. However, and this may come as a surprise, but this time of year has the highest risk of suicide. Yes, its the Spring. Picture someone who is depressed and attributes it to the winter blues, or seasonal depression. As Spring comes around things begin to grow and renew, there is relief and renewed hope for fun and activities. Seasonal depression sufferers can come out of their sadness and find renewed hope. The depressed person may not come out of their blues or depressed state and feel that "everything is growing but me." They see their depression as more severe than simply dark winter days and can become more despondent and hopeless. Fearing that they will never feel better they may contemplate suicide. This time of year there is a rise of emergency room visits and psychiatric hospitalization due to suicide thoughts and those who have attempted to harm themselves. The national hotline for suicide prevention is 1-800-273- TALK. If you know of someone who has contemplated suicide they need to be taken to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital for evaluation. All suicidal thoughts or statements must be taken seriously. It is a cry for help.

Nerves Don't Really Break Down

Throughout my years as a therapist, I have heard many stories of people having a "nervous breakdown." Most people describe the onset of mental illness in their family as someone having a nervous breakdown or having to take nerve pills. Well folks, there is no such thing as a "nervous breakdown." Again, this is a term coined by our elders to describe something that is difficult to talk about. What they are actually referring to is the onset of a mood disorder, anxiety disorder or psychotic illness. We calls these Major Depressive Episodes, Manic Episodes or Psychosis. These illnesses are real and there are good quality treatments for them. Research is getting better all the time. If a person states they feel like they are having a nervous breakdown its time to seek professional help because that person is under extreme stress and could benefit from treatment. As our society becomes more open about mental illness, maybe we can open the door to call the illnesses by their clinical names instead of vague descriptions we have been accustomed to using.

My Theory is Valid!

In the news today there was a follow up report about the soldier who killed five fellow troops in Iraq. The father of the shooter alleged that military officials questioned him, making him "crack" and thus he "snapped" under the pressure. If you read the article (at stltoday.com) it also reports this person had a history of violent behavior and that there had been an order of protection against him that his former wife filed. It also reports that he had a few minor problems with law enforcement prior to enlisting. So lets add a prior history of violence with the horrors and trauma of war. That does not equal someone snapping in my view. This person had issues long before this incident. It does not excuse his behavior, but may provide for one explanation as to how tragic things of this nature happen.

Snapped!? pt 2

To further expound on my "snapped" theory it should be noted that I understand the emotional reaction that most people have. It is heinous, horrible, unbelievable, unconscionable , etc how people can be so violent after living so peacefully. There is no rational reason. There is no reason good enough for me or anyone else to explain why someone would take a gun to school, or why a pastor would molest a child. Some of my colleagues become angry that these behaviors are blamed on mental illness. The closest of mental disorders that I can surmise to explain these events lie in the personality disorders spectrum. These are chronic disorders of character. The definition of character is "who you are when no one is looking." So this may shed light on one aspect of violent people. We don't know who they "really" are. More later on this topic!

Snapped!?

Do people really simply snap and get violent? Seemingly calm, rationale people living in the suburbs engaging in violent crimes against their children or spouses. My opinion is that people do not simply "snap" rather there is ongoing stress or trauma; or there is another mental health issue that lays dormant or goes untreated until a severe stressor (i.e. infidelity, loss of retirement plan) causes a person to act out the violent behavior. This is not an excuse, they are still responsible for their actions. Saying someone "snapped" is a way for people to explain something that has no rational or acceptable explanation.

Greetings and Good Mental Health to You!

This is a new blog where I present information about mental health, psychological thought and philosophy and commentary on issues as they pertain to current events going on in our region, country and the world. I am a real Psychotherapist. I have a Ph.D in Psychology and I graduated with honors. I have been a therapist for over 16 years. I am licensed to practice Psychotherapy in Illinois and Missouri. The information I write about are my thoughts and opinions about real mental health issues that people face everyday. I call it The Daily Psychobabble because people who attend therapy often tell me they "don't usually buy into all that psychobabble." I am not a Shrink I am an expansionist. We don't shrink minds anymore we expand awareness and insight. I look forward to your thoughts so check back often for posts by me in this blog! Good mental health and self esteem to you!