Kay Walker – Page 12

Factors that relate to wellness

May 31, 2015 By Kay Walker

What is: Wellness?

The term “wellness” means having a mostly positive state of mind and a physically fit body, which results in a feeling of satisfaction for your life.

I say “mostly positive” because your state of mind changes on a moment to moment basis. Wellness doesn’t mean you are always happy. It means you have a baseline of happiness that comes from being satisfied with your life, this does not go away when difficult life challenges arise.

How do you know if you’re “well”? Defining wellness:

Wellness is difficult to measure because it’s not something tangible we can see. It can’t be graded in distance, time, or form. It can only be measured by the way you feel. And while feelings are valid, because they dictate what we do in life, they can’t be seen or mapped. Feelings are individual. It’s a personal evaluation that relates to the overall level of satisfaction that you have for your life.

But what satisfies one person doesn’t necessary satisfy another person. In general wellness can be characterized in the following way:

If your desires match the actions you’re taking – in other words, you are working towards what you’d like to accomplish -, and you’re body is functioning properly, you are well.

Factors that relate to wellness

Evaluating Wellness:

Many experts and organizations try to evaluate wellness by suggesting that humans have basic needs that must be met for us to feel well. What those needs are vary from expert to expert. Most wellness experts suggest that up to six of these areas of overall wellness make up what a person considers a satisfactory life:

Occupational health: satisfaction with your career

Physical health: satisfaction with your body and level of physical health

Spiritual health: connectedness with yourself and your values, which is often connected to a vehicle for you to connect with yourself, this could be Religion or Meditative practices.

Emotional health: understanding your feelings, why you feel them and how to deal with them

Intellectual health: challenging what you think and increasing your learning continuously

Social health: connecting intimately with people, this could be friends or family members

Global health or environmental health: being aware of your environment and how you relate to it

Financial health: how much money you have and what you believe you can achieve financially

The 6 spoke wheel metaphor:

Rather than look at wellness in such broad terms, I like to think of wellness wheel with six spokes. In the center of your wheel is the nut that holds all spokes together. This is represented by your relationship to yourself. It is at the centre because it relates to what you think, believe and the actions you take that make up the representation that is your current life.

If you have an unhealthy relationship with yourself – that is, you hate the way you look, your job, etc – it will affect all the other spokes on your wheel. If you don’t believe you’re good enough, you’re career is probably a reflection of this. You probably aren’t working in a field you enjoy. And if you are, you are likely always feeling like your disappointing or not quite getting to where you want to be.

Remember this: All spokes are bound by your relationship to yourself. If you don’t like yourself, working on your relationship to yourself will have you produce better results in your life.

Here are the components that I believe you need in your life to be “well”:

Self love
Physical health
Financial health
A career you love
An healthy environment
A community you can rely on
Fun!

I explain the model in the book Read This Before You Kill Yourself. Get your copy here.

Who can diagnose depression?

May 31, 2015 By Kay Walker

There are five types of doctors that can formally diagnose major depression. Below is a comprehensive list with descriptions.

Who can diagnose depression?

Here is a list of the only doctors that can formally diagnose depression:

General Practitioner (GP) – commonly referred to as an MD, medical doctor, or “family doctor”. A physician trained in all illnesses and injuries that can affect human biology. They treat both acute and chronic illnesses. They can prescribe medications.
Psychiatrist: A doctor who has chosen to specialize in mental health (illness that affects human biology). They are trained in general medicine first, then specialize. So, understand all medical issues, though they have a deeper understanding than a doctor would of mental health issues.
Psychologist: A Ph.D specialist trained in mental health. They can diagnose you but they are not true M.D.’s. That means, they can only provide you with therapeutic solutions, but cannot prescribe medications.
Nurse Practitioner (NP): A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced understanding in medical science and clinical application. They often take a more holistic approach to treatment that involves assessing patients by considering total wellness.
Naturopathic doctor (ND): Physicians trained in natural treatment methods. An ND’s approach involves a combination of traditional medicine and natural healing methods such as using herbal supplements holistic or learning prevention tactics. Most ND’s work in private practices, hospitals, and clinics across North America.

Health professionals that cannot formally diagnose depression -, but can help you understand if you might be depressed – are: Crisis workers, Therapists (with a Masters degree), Social Workers, Mediators, Dietitians, Nutritionists, Suicide Preventionist Experts, Life Coaches, Nurses, Pastoral Therapists, Addictions Counsellors

Who should you see first?:

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, they have lasted at least two weeks, and they are affecting your ability to function, your first step is to go see a medical doctor. That is, you need to go see a general practitioner – your family doctor or a doctor at a local clinic . They are trained in all disorders of the body, and this includes the brain. They are easier, and in most cases, less expensive than a psychiatrist, and they will be able to refer you to one if you need to see one.

Depression is a symptom that appears with many other illnesses. Sometimes it takes a deep investigation that involves other physical tests (like blood tests) to rule out all other conditions.

When your GP thinks you might have a mental illness he will refer you to a psychiatrist so, save yourself the hassle of sourcing one yourself. And if he diagnoses you with a mental health issue without having you see a psychiatrist, ask for a referral.

You should always get a second opinion, and it is best to get it from a physician that is trained in the type of illness its been suspect you’re dealing with. A psychiatrist will also consider counseling-type therapies. These are as important (if not more) than simply taking a prescribed mediation.

Remember: Your body is your foundation:

Depression is complicated. Some people get better without medications. Some people need medication to live and feel happy. Some people will feel better when they make major life changes. Some people need to do all of the above.

What’s important to understand is that while assessing lifestyle choices is often a crucial part of feeling better, ensuring your body is functioning properly is as important. If you have a hormonal imbalance or brain chemical issue, you can take all the actions in the world and it won’t help lift your mood.

Mental health laws in Canada

April 22, 2015 By Kay Walker

There are four forms under the Mental Health Act that you need to know about if you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health issue in Canada. The following article outlines the regulations for Form 1 and Form 2. They are the ones you’ll likely encounter and will need to understand.

Mental health laws in Canada – Form 1 and Form 2 overview:

Form 1: A Form 1 is also known as an APA (Application for Psychiatric Assessment). It’s called into effect when a doctor or a law enforcement agent legally suspends the rights of an individual. They are placed under a psychiatric hold for 7 days.

Under a Form 1, a person must enter into hospital for a formal psychological assessment for 72 hours anytime within the 7 day suspension period. The individual is only allowed to leave when they are deemed mentally stable by a qualified physician (a Psychiatrist or Doctor). The ruling doctor must make the decision within 72 hours.

The Form 1 does not give law enforcement officials the legal right to detain an individual in jail or a facility that is not a hospital specializing in psychiatric treatment.

When the Form 1 is up the patient will either: 1) Be admitted to treatment facility, or 2) Be deemed fit and will become a voluntary patient.

Form 2: The Form 2 is the most valuable for family members and friends. Anyone can sign a Form 2 if they are concerned that an individual they’ve been in contact with should be sanctioned under a Form 1. The Form 2 demands a psychiatric assessment for a person who is in imminent danger (mental health crisis) or there is potential for self-harm.

When a Form 2 is filled out it can be taken to a law enforcement agency. At that time, a police officer is able to make the judgment call to put the individual under a Form 1.

Here is a link to the Form 2: http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/collaborative-mental-health-care-network/a-blank-copy-of-a-form-2.pdf

Mental health laws in the U.S.

April 22, 2015 By Kay Walker

If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness (or have a loved one that has) it’s important you understand your rights. This article will help.

Mental health laws in the U.S.

In the United States, mental health laws are governed by state. In most regions there are three types of court-ordered treatment that vary by name. Here is the basic premise for each type:

1. Emergency hospitalization: This is for individuals dealing with an immediate mental health crisis.

The person’s rights are suspended by a law enforcement agent or a Doctor. They are placed on a temporary 72-hour hold and must enter into hospital for an assessment. They can only leave if they are deemed fit to do so by a registered Psychiatrist or Doctor.

It is often referred to as a psychiatric hold or a pick-up.

2. Inpatient civil commitment: When a judge orders a mentally ill individual to remain in hospital after the emergency hospitalization period (72 hours) it is called an inpatient civil commitment.

The person must meet that state’s legal criteria for mental illness in order to be held in hospital against their on choosing and beyond 72 hours. In all states this criteria differs.

3. Outpatient civil commitment: This is an agreement between a state and an individual allowed to live in the community. The patient must adhere to a mental health treatment plan.

There are approximately 45 states with outpatient civil commitment laws, though the standards differ.

Other names for outpatient treatment are assisted outpatient treatment (AOT), outpatient commitment or mandated outpatient treatment.

To find out about the particulars of laws in your state, click this link to visit a PDF form with state particulars: State regulations on court-ordered mental health

Understand and empathesize so you can help

April 1, 2015 By Kay Walker Leave a Comment

If you’ve been dealt the job of taking care of a friend or family member that isn’t mentally healthy and/or suicidal you might have one of these thoughts:

“Why do I have to take care of her?”

“He’s being so selfish.”

“Why can’t she just get out of bed. Doesn’t she get how difficult this is. I have to do everything.”

“I feel like I should stay home and watch him. But, I have to go to work…I have a life to live too!”

“I wish she would just get better”

“I can’t deal with this anymore!”

Your thoughts might be a version of one of the above. You could be pissed off at the person or the situation. Or, sad that it’s happening. You might feel powerless to what you are dealing with. You might resent your loved one. You might be having trouble taking care of your own life.

What your dealing with isn’t easy and it sucks. It’s could be one of the most difficult times you’ll ever have to deal with in your life. And, these thoughts are normal to have.

BUT – these thoughts won’t empower you. And they won’t help your friend.

Shifting your context:

The thoughts above suggest that life right now is happening to you and you don’t have any control. It may seem that way. What’s happening to your loved one is out of your control. While some circumstances of life are out of your control, the way you deal with them will relate to how you feel and the results you produce.

An easy way to get into control of the situation (any life situation for that matter) is to shift your context. Because context is decisive. For example, If person A throws a ball to person B, person B will make the decision that 1) The ball is going to hit them, 2) They need to catch the ball. Thought 1 will produce a result of person B ducking to take cover from the ball. Thought 2 will have person B attempt to catch the ball. Nothing is different. It’s still the same ball, it’s just viewed a different way.

If you are entertaining any or a version of the thoughts above, you are viewing the situation from your situation only. It’s having you feel in more pain than power. So, the easiest way to get in power is to view it from the situation of what your loved one is dealing with.

And, just to be clear. Here is what you need to know:

They are in far more pain than you are. Dealing with depression is physically debilitating. Not in the way a broken leg is debilitating. It’s almost harder to deal with depression because often people don’t understand.
They feel completely alone. If your loved one has no one to relate to, they likely feel very alone. Though there are many people that deal with depression and suicide, it’s not widely talked about. And, it’s sometimes very hard to talk about, which is why he stays quite. If he feels understand it will help him explain what he’s dealing with and get it out versus being inward. If you haven’t had depression or been suicidal you have NO CLUE. So, don’t try to pretend what he is dealing with. It’s okay to say: “I can’t imagine what you are dealing with, but what I read, or what I know is…”
Your loved one doesn’t want to be like this but they can’t help it. Your loves one is not lying in bed all day because they want to. They are lying in bed because a) they are in pain, or b) they are avoiding life because they haveno clue what to do to get help with either issues or physical symptoms. So, he’s not doing this to you on purpose.
They are not stupid and/or completely helpless. In most cases, people with mental illnesses are very able to understand, speak and express what they are dealing with. They can easily learn new behaviors. They just need help. Many people who kill themselves actually don’t truly want to die. They feel they have no choice.
They are not being selfish on purpose. When you’re sick you can’t physically and mentally be there for your friends and family members. So, if your loved one is completely absorbed in their own life, they are not being selfish on purpose. They are sick.

Sometimes, and especially if you’ve never had depression or been suicidal yourself, it’s really hard to empathize. But the minute you understand what he is dealing with you can really help. You can be grateful that he’s come to you for support and get you are the one who trusts enough for the role. You can get into action and produce fantastic results. Think of a time when he helped you. You owe it to this person to save them.

You can’t be empowered if you point the finger. So be on his team and get in action to help you both out of the situation as fast as possible.