Discover the future of mental health treatments and whether prescription drugs are the only answer. Learn how to handle everyday stress and why being more successful won't necessarily make you happier. Explore genetic predispositions to fear and anxiety, as well as the impact of comfort, safety, and relationships on resilience. Dive into the physiological impact of stress and the importance of meaningful relationships for happiness and well-being.
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Chronic stress triggers fight or flight response with cortisol and adrenaline, leading to exhaustion.
Psychiatry recognises mental health complexity involving biology, psychology, and social factors for holistic treatment.
Understanding the Impact of Chronic Stress on Mental Health
Chronic stress triggers the body's fight or flight response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. However, if stress becomes chronic, it can lead to exhaustion and a shut-down response. Additionally, chronic stress can affect the reticular activating system, which filters our conscious awareness and confirms our perceived threats. This can result in a confirmation bias, where our brain only focuses on the dangers we perceive. To increase our threshold for perceived stress, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help us identify and challenge negative thought patterns, helping us reframe our perceptions and manage stress more effectively.
The Biopsychosocial Model and Psychiatry
Psychiatry recognizes that mental health is influenced by biology, psychology, and social factors. While medication can offer support, it is not a cure-all. Taking a holistic approach involves addressing genetics, social circumstances, socioeconomic status, education, and support systems. By considering the biopsychosocial model, psychiatrists can provide more comprehensive and effective treatment plans for their patients.
The Power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Addressing Anxiety and Depression
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for dealing with anxiety and depression. By identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, individuals can reframe their perceptions and manage their emotions more effectively. CBT helps individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, empowering them to break negative cycles and develop healthier coping strategies.
Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Building Resilience
Childhood trauma can have a significant impact on mental health and perception of the world. Building resilience involves processing and addressing traumatic experiences, developing coping strategies, and reframing negative thought patterns. Through therapy and support, individuals can learn to overcome the effects of childhood trauma and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Identifying and challenging core beliefs
One key point discussed in the podcast is the importance of identifying and challenging core beliefs that contribute to negative thoughts and emotions. Core beliefs are deeply held beliefs about oneself and the world, such as 'I'm a terrible father' or 'I'm unlovable.' By recognizing and challenging these core beliefs, individuals can overcome the evolutionary process of preparing for fight or flight or withdrawing into depression. The goal is to re-teach the brain and challenge these negative beliefs to promote positive thinking and emotional well-being.
Cognitive distortions and their impact
The podcast also delves into the concept of cognitive distortions, which are non-reality-based thinking patterns. Examples of cognitive distortions discussed include discounting positives, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing. Discounting positives refers to the tendency to focus on the negative and discount positive aspects of oneself or life. Overgeneralization involves splitting things into strict categories of good or bad, lacking nuance. Catastrophizing is the tendency to focus on and magnify worst-case scenarios. These cognitive distortions can contribute to anxiety and negative thinking, highlighting the importance of challenging and reframing them.
The impact of relationships on well-being
The podcast highlights the significance of meaningful and satisfying interpersonal relationships for well-being and happiness. It draws attention to the Harvard study that followed individuals for over 80 years, which found that the closeness and quality of relationships had the most significant impact on overall well-being and life satisfaction. This emphasis on relationships challenges the common notion that material wealth or achievements are the keys to happiness. Cultivating and nurturing healthy relationships was found to be essential for long-term happiness and resilience.
Breathing and mindfulness as self-regulation tools
The podcast emphasizes the power of breathing and mindfulness practices as tools to regulate the autonomic nervous system. Deep breathing techniques, such as the four-by-four breath, can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and overall sympathetic tone. The importance of incorporating these practices into daily routines, along with gratitude journaling, physical exercise, and other self-care strategies, is underscored. By leveraging these methods, individuals can enhance their resilience, manage stress, and promote overall mental well-being.
Dr. Sportelli is a Medical Physician who received a Bachelors degree in Biology as well as a Masters of Science degree in Biology from Montclair State University. He attended NYIT School of Osteopathic Medicine, and upon graduating with Honors in clinical science, Dr. Sportelli pursued a Graduate Medical Internship year in General Family Medicine at NJ Medical School. He is the Associate Program Director of NY Medical College Psychiatry Residency at Prime Health, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Touro School Medicine and a member of the Advisory Board of NYIT School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sportelli is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and he is Fellowship Trained in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He holds an unrestricted medical license in the State of New Jersey.
In this episode we discuss:
Are prescription drugs the only answer?
Why being more successful won’t make you happier.
The future of mental health treatments.
How to better handle everyday stress.
This episode is brought to you by Vivo Health, Ned, PaleoValley, InsideTracker, 1stPhorm
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