Gooden Center
A residential drug treatment center for men located in Pasadena, CA. The Gooden Center is a proud member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP).

(626) 356-0078
191 North El Molino Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 US

map Pasadena Drug Rehab Center for Men

Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category

Financial Stress and Wellness

Posted on: February 14th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Financial Stress and Wellness

Different aspects of our lives can have an affect on wellness including family life, relationships, work and stress. One of the biggest stressors that people often experience is related to financial difficulties. The struggle with money is a leading source of stress in the U.S. and can cause all kinds of physical and mental health problems.

Financial stress can lead to feelings of guilt, low self-esteem and can cause relationship problems. People with money problems are more prone to depression, insomnia, and forms of physical distress such as migraines and high blood pressure. When someone worries about money on a regular basis it can be detrimental to them in multiple ways.

People tend to worry about their debts, unpaid bills, or living paycheck to paycheck. They might have problems with unemployment or job insecurity that make them deal with a feeling of stress every day. As financial stress builds up it can lead to mental health issues if the person does not find a way to handle the stress effectively.

Even though financial problems can be difficult to resolve, there are ways to improve wellness by coping with stress. One of the best ways to relieve financial stress is to talk to someone who is experiencing similar problems or who can listen compassionately to what you are going through. Talking to a friend, family member or therapist can be helpful in reducing stress and making it easier to cope with money issues.

Taking small steps to improving your financial situation can provide some relief and help you feel more in control of your money. Putting aside money into a savings account, paying off some of your debt gradually or balancing your budget can help you feel less stressed. You may not solve all of your money problems right away but small actions can improve your outlook and help you manage the situation more effectively.

How to Relieve Winter Depression

Posted on: February 11th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

How to Relieve Winter Depression

The seasons can have a strong effect on our mood, especially during long winters. The cold weather, lack of sunlight and shorter days can all cause feelings of sadness and depression. People with seasonal affective disorder are particularly affected by the winter and may have more serious symptoms that they need to cope with.

One of the most common treatments for winter depression is the use of light therapy to improve the mood. During winter, people are not able to experience much sunlight especially in colder areas. Light therapy helps them get the exposure that they need to regulate their sleep schedule and fend off feelings of depression.

Melatonin supplements can also be helpful in resetting a person’s body clock back to normal. People use the hormone melatonin to help them get regular sleep but it can also be useful in improving a person’s mood during winter. Issues with the sleep/wake cycle that occur during winter can cause symptoms of depression so improving sleep can have a positive impact.

Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and plenty of exercise can be important factors when it comes to improving mood. Bad weather can make people less likely to get out and move around so spending some time at the gym a few times a week can be crucial. Physical health can have a big impact on mental health so focusing on lifestyle during the winter can make a big difference.

When depression symptoms are more severe, traditional methods of treatment such as talk therapy can help provide relief during the winter. For people with seasonal affective disorder, having a regular therapist is an important resource when their symptoms become problematic as seasons change. For anyone experiencing depression or seasonal depression, talking to a professional can help reduce symptoms when you are struggling.

Giving Up Coffee to Treat Anxiety

Posted on: February 6th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Giving Up Coffee to Treat Anxiety

Most people know that caffeine is not good for your health but evidence suggests that it can even worsen symptoms of anxiety. People rely on coffee as a stimulant to keep them awake and focused but along with those affects come jitteriness, tension, increased heart rate and other symptoms. These physical effects very closely resemble some of the symptoms associated with anxiety.

Even for people who develop a tolerance to caffeine, the drug will always contribute to anxiety symptoms as a person is never completely tolerant to its effects. Higher doses above 250 milligrams are more likely to trigger anxiety and other side effects such as insomnia and cardiac arrhythmia. People with existing issues with anxiety tend to be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

For someone suffering from anxiety who is particularly vulnerable to the effects of caffeine it may be helpful for them to quit or at least cut down on their intake. Gradually cutting back by switching to tea or decaf can be a good way to reduce the overall amount of caffeine that you drink. Being aware of the caffeine content of certain drinks and keeping your intake below 250 milligrams can be a helpful start.

Quitting caffeine completely can be especially beneficial for anxiety but you are likely to go through some withdrawal symptoms if you are a regular coffee drinker. Things like headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and even depression can result from caffeine withdrawal. Cutting back slowly can help you avoid withdrawal and you will start to see some of your anxiety symptoms reduced over time.

It can be helpful to make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep every night and try to boost energy naturally by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. Staying healthy can reduce your need for caffeine and make it easier to quit completely.  

 

Money Doesn’t Equal Happiness or Depression?

Posted on: January 29th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Money Doesn’t Equal Happiness or Depression?

A traditional saying tells us as that money can’t buy happiness and most people agree that having everything doesn’t make you happy. But in many cases, a person’s income can determine how and when they are able to heal. People with depression or anxiety are not always able to afford treatment, especially some of the more costly options available to those with a higher income.

People with more money are not necessarily happier, but they do have more opportunities to pay for mental health recovery. When a person is simply struggling to survive and is worried about their financial situation, they may not have the luxury of working on their mental health. For people with severe depression and other mental health issues, money can be an obstacle that prevents them from getting the treatment that they need.

When someone has a higher income they will find it easier to pay for a highly qualified therapist without worrying about their insurance or being put on a waiting list. They can also afford more alternative kinds of treatment that insurance may not cover such as acupuncture, energy healing and other methods. They aren’t necessarily less likely to be depressed, but they do have a wider range of options to help them recover.

Recognizing financial obstacles in getting help is important in improving the overall state of mental health for people in the U.S. Providing more affordable options for treatment is crucial so that everyone can have equal access to recovery from mental illness. For many people, mental health is a luxury that they cannot afford to focus their energy or finances on.

Mental health should not be a privilege but unfortunately that is the case for many people. More mental health programs for low income individuals may be able to help improve the situation and make it possible for people to get the help they need.

 

Stopping Your Downward Spiral

Posted on: January 29th, 2019 by The Gooden Center No Comments

Stopping Your Downward Spiral

For people that struggle with mental health issues, and even people who are simply dealing with a lot of stress they might be familiar with the downward spiral. When you start to have negative thoughts and emotions that start small, they can begin to spiral into bigger and bigger problems in your mind. This is a common issue for people with anxiety and depression who allow their negativity to spiral out of control.  

The subconscious mind can cause a downward spiral because of deeper wounds and insecurities that become triggered by something in the present. In order to cope with the tendency to spiral it is helpful to learn to identify triggers and recognize the beginning of feelings of shame as soon as possible. When feelings of shame come up you can try to give yourself compassion and reassurance instead of continuing the cycle of shame and guilt.

If you are able to stop some of your negative thoughts and feelings you can try to reclaim your power and get back on a more positive path. You can start to assess the situation and regain your sense of mental balance by recognizing which of your feelings are legitimate reactions in that moment. If you are really struggling to get back on track then it might be a good idea to call a friend or reach out for help from someone that you trust.

The most important way to stop a downward spiral is to try to focus on positive things. Feelings of gratitude for even the most basic things that you have in your life – your health, your family etc can all generate a more positive mindset. Trying to find something positive to keep you grounded can prevent a downward spiral from progressing and get you back on track quickly.