May is recognized as “National Mental Health Month” to help recognize mental health conditions and mental wellness for all. This is a very important awareness factor because people do not chose to have a mental health disorder and seeking treatment is crucial.
It is a national statistic that 1 in every 4 adults in the U.S. live with a mental health condition. It is important to bring awareness that when treated properly, who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and the fact that they can go on to live full and productive lives. Mental health disorders include depression, bi-polar, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, adjustment disorder, gender identity disorder, dissociative identity disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), antisocial personality disorder, self-defeating personality disorder, passive-aggressive personality disorder.
Fairwinds Treatment Center has been treating mental health disorders since the doors opened in 1989. Fairwinds is a dually licensed psychiatric and substance abuse rehabilitation center that has earned accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). We have a unique appreciation for the complex and often heartbreaking issues surrounding our clients and their families.
Contact Fairwinds Treatment Center here or simply call 1-800-226-0301
This article from USA Today shows how out of control the abuse of pain pills have gotten. This problem doesn’t stop at the drug abuse, it can explode to overdoses, illegal behavior and even death.
Even our own county’s here in Florida rank very high for pain pill abuse and continue to rise. This is not an issue that an individual can control by themselves, professional help is necessary.
Read full article here.
If you or a loved one are questioning a problem with these substances please call Fairwinds Treatment Center today for a free and confidential assessment. You can reach us at 800-226-0301 or email us here.
Fairwinds has a support group offered to the community for anyone struggling with an eating disorder. The support group will also be part of EDA (Eating Disorders Anonymous).
The next group will meet on Tuesday, April 10th at 6pm at Morton Plant Hospital (455 Pinellas Street Clearwater) in the Tuttle Room (across from the cafeteria).
The group will meet every other Tuesday. Please contact Elizabeth Cross at admissions@fairwindstreatment.com or 727-449-0300 for more information.
There are some great blog sites out there that can be used as helpful resources for people dealing with different eating disorders. Hope that some of these can help you on your path towards recovery.
http://foodandyoutopia.blogspot.com/
http://www.eatwhatyoulovelovewhatyoueat.com/
http://haesmed.blogspot.com/
http://reba-edct.blogspot.com/
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center Helps Stop the Abuse and Starts the Healing
“Why can’t my wife stop drinking?”
“If my son really wanted to stop abusing drugs, he would.”
“I want to stop, but I just can’t face the day without it.”
If any of these statements sound familiar, please don’t wait contact Fairwinds Treatment Center today. Fairwinds Treatment Center provides highly effective alcohol and drug rehab treatment designed to heal the physical and emotional abuse of addiction.
What is Addiction?
Addiction, or chemical dependency, is a medically diagnosable brain and behavioral disease that is chronic, progressive and potentially fatal. But like many other diseases, drug and alcohol dependency can be successfully treated. There are three aspects of addiction:
- Biological – Addiction tends to run in families. If a parent or other close relative has struggled with chemical dependency, you are at greater risk because you may have inherited this family trait.
- Psychological – Depending on chemicals, such as alcohol and drugs to cope with problems and stress, contributes to addiction, as does having certain personality traits, such as impulsiveness, self-destructiveness, or the need for high levels of excitement.
- Social/Cultural – Easy access to alcohol and drugs, peer pressure, or relationships in which a friend or loved one uses alcohol or drugs can all contribute to addiction.
What are the Warning Signs?
An individual doesn’t have to experience all of these common signs or symptoms in order to have an alcohol or drug addiction:
- Uses alcohol or other drugs excessively or inappropriately
- Spends a lot of time getting or using substances
- Has trouble cutting down or stopping once he/she starts using
- Experiences withdrawal symptoms when he/she cuts down or stops using
- Uses alcohol or other drugs to avoid or stop withdrawal symptoms
- Uses substances even though they are causing problems in his/her life
- Gives up important activities or loses friendships because of substance use
- Stops using for a period of time (days, weeks or months), only to start up again
- Gets into trouble with the law because of use
- Has blackouts, or forgets conversations or actions while under the influence of chemicals
If you or your loved one is exhibiting any of the warning signs of addiction or abuse, please don’t wait. Fairwinds Treatment Center provides highly effective alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation services for this dangerous disease. Contact us via email or call 1-800-226-0301 today to find out more.
If your son or daughter has developed an eating disorder, it is crucial you take action now.
If gone untreated an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating can become a lifelong struggle for your child and in many cases become deadly.
- Fairwinds Treatment Center is one of the nation’s leading teenage eating disorder treatment facilities, offering specialized programs for adolescent males and females ages 12-17.
- Fairwinds is a dual diagnosis
psychiatric facility
- Fairwinds has been treating teenage clients for eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other complex issues for over 14 years.
- Our physicians, therapists and dietitians work together to develop an individualized treatment plan for your child, identifying and addressing the underlying issues causing the eating disorder in order to ensure a lasting recovery.
School:
- We are sensitive to the educational needs of our teenage clients.
- Together with the Pinellas County school system, we offer Homebound Educational Services to ensure that students maintain their current academic schedules while in treatment.
- Through this program, each student receives an individualized educational plan that works in tandem with his or her personal treatment plan.
- Every effort will be made to have the adolescent continue in school and receive credits so that he or she will not have to repeat a semester of school or fall behind.
Family:
- Family treatment services at Fairwinds Treatment Center are critical in assisting teenage clients with their eating disorder treatment program and recovery process.
- Our goal is to help improve communications between the adolescent and family members, as well as identify family dynamics and intervene for positive outcomes.
- In addition, a parent education/ support group meets once weekly on the weekends, and family visitation is highly encouraged for support of the loved one.
Without treatment, up to 20% of people with eating disorders will die. With treatment, that number falls to 2-3%*
If you are concerned your child has developed an eating disorder contact Fairwinds Treatment Center here or call our admissions team at 1-800-226-0301.
As part of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Dr. Vicki Berkus, Medical Director of Eating Disorder Treatment at Fairwinds Treatment Center, was interviewed on Daytime Channel 8 in Tampa.
Dr. Berkus was able to provide an enlightening overview on eating disorders, how to indentify one that may be developing and how to seek treatment.
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it is necessary to seek professional treatment. For further information regarding eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, call Fairwinds Treatment Center at 800-226-0301 or via email here.
As reported on foxnews.com, Lady Gaga, real name Stefani Germanotta, said: "It's easier for me to talk about it now because I don't do it anymore. I used to throw up all the time in high school.
"Bulimia made my voice bad so I had to stop. The acid on your vocal cords - it's very bad. But for those of you who don't sing, you maybe don't have that excuse until it's too late. It's very dangerous."
The singer told how she began making herself sick growing up in an Italian-American household, eating pasta.
She said: "I wanted to be a skinny little ballerina but I was a voluptuous little Italian girl whose dad had meatballs on the table every night.
"I used to come home and say, 'Dad, why do you always give us this food? I need to be thin'. And he'd say, 'Eat your spaghetti'."
The Born This Way singer blasted the media for portraying unrealistic body images, revealing pictures of her are always altered to look thinner.
Gaga said: "Every video I'm in, every magazine cover, they stretch you, they make you perfect. It's not real life."
"I'm gonna say this about girls. The dieting wars have got to stop. Everyone just knock it off! Because at the end of the day, it's affecting kids your age. And it's making girls sick."
Read full article here.
Teenage eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia are deadly diseases. It is crucial for parents to take action if they suspect their child is developing or has developed an eating disorder. For information on treating an eating disorder contact Fairwinds Treatment Center by clicking here or calling 800.226.0301.
A recent SAMHSA survey found a higher rate of substance use disorders among those who reported a mental illness in 2010. The study found that among all adults, 20 percent experienced mental illness last year.
As many as 1 in 5 adults experienced a mental illness last year, reports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in its National Survey on Drug Use and Health released in January. This group, according to the survey, was three times more likely to meet the criteria for substance abuse or dependence than were adults 18 years or older who reported no mental health symptoms in 2010. About 20 percent of adults with mental health disorders had co-occurring substance use disorders, whereas only 6 percent of adults without mental illness met the criteria for substance abuse or dependence.
Only 39 percent of those reporting symptoms received mental health services, the survey indicated. "The data underscores the importance of substance abuse treatment as well," said SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde.
Full report here.
A dually licensed treatment facility, Fairwinds Treatment Center helps those with co-occuring disorders involving substance abuse and mental illness. To find out more, contact Fairwinds Treatment Center here or call 800.226.0301.
Trying to quit drinking is a difficult task, especially if most of your friends and family drink around you on a regular basis. There seems to always be a temptation to have a drink or two yourself – thinking “why does it matter” or “If they can, why can’t I?” But if you are reading this post, you have reasons you have decided to quit drinking and know that just having “one or two” will lead to more.
It can feel very isolated being the only one not drinking. Before, you were used to being part of the party, but suddenly everyone seems to be having a great time, while you feel left out.
This feeling is normally accompanied by concerned friends or relatives, pressuring you to just give up.
This will probably sound familiar:
• “What’s wrong with you?”
• “Come on, you can have just one…”
• “You’re a lot more fun when you are drinking…”
These comments make it even harder to refrain, and your fun evening can just turn into a stressful event. Of course this all depends on the company you’re with. If you’re just with your family or your partner in a restaurant then obviously the pressure won’t be so awkward, going to but pubs, bars and clubs where most people are drinking and will take some getting used to. It’s best to simply avoid these places for a while (or all together) once you’ve made the decision to quit drinking.
In situations where the temptation cannot be avoided, it helps to get a friend on your side. This would be someone who doesn’t drink, has also decided to stop drinking is prepared to be sober for the evening to keep you company. This way you won’t feel quite so alone and you’ll have somebody else who’s on your level and provide support for you if/when you feel like giving into your cravings for a drink. This won’t be necessary forever and it will get easier the longer you are sober.
Fairwinds Treatment Center is a dually licensed psychiatric treatment facility helping those recover from alcoholism and live sober, healthy lives. If you or a loved one is struggling with a drinking problem, Fairwinds Treatment Center is here to help. For more information, contact Fairwinds Treatment Center today.
Actor Christina Ricci is opening up about her past battle with anorexia and says her work as a young actress added to the pressures of trying to fit a Hollywood standard or risk being criticized.
The star told The Talk on Friday that she was one of the fortunate ones to receive help early on for her anorexia. "Well, I was lucky. I only really suffered from it for about a year and a half." She added that many people suffer from the disease for many years or perhaps all of their lives. "But I was put into therapy very quickly, so I was able to overcome it."
"I think it's just really awkward to go through puberty, and go through growing up and becoming a woman, when everybody is always kind of looking at you," Ricci said. "And especially -- you're doing fittings for a movie, and people are judging how this looks on you and how that looks on you. And you just get very uncomfortable and you never want anyone to be able to criticize you."
When asked what advice she would give teen girls currently suffering from anorexia, she said, "I would say that if you feel like you are starting to obsess too much about the way you look, then definitely get some kind of therapy or help very quickly. Because that can just grow into an obsession that you can't control."
Read full article here
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, you are not alone. Millions of people across the country fight these deadly diseases everyday, they key is knowing when to say "enough is enough" and seek help. Fairwinds Treatment Center is here for you when that time comes. Contact us today.