Pine Rest Mission Statement
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is called to express the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by providing behavioral health services with professional excellence, Christian integrity and compassion.

Medication and the Patient

Anyone can develop a mental illness—you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Some disorders are mild; others are serious and long-lasting. These conditions can be diagnosed and treated. Most people can live better lives after treatment. And psychotherapeutic medications are an increasingly important element in the successful treatment of mental illness.

Medications for mental illnesses were first introduced in the early 1950s with the antipsychotic chlorpromazine. Other medications have followed. These medications have changed the lives of people with these disorders for the better.

Psychotherapeutic medications also may make other kinds of treatment more effective. Someone who is too depressed to talk, for instance, may have difficulty communicating during psychotherapy or counseling, but the right medication may improve symptoms so the person can respond. For many patients, a combination of psychotherapy and medication can be a more effective method of treatment than either on their own.

Another benefit of these medications is an increased understanding of the causes of mental illness. Scientists have learned much more about the workings of the brain as a result of their investigations into how psychotherapeutic medications relieve the symptoms of disorders such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

RELIEF FROM SYMPTOMS
Just as aspirin can reduce a fever without curing the infection that causes it, psychotherapeutic medications act by controlling symptoms. Psychotherapeutic medications do not cure mental illness, but in many cases, they can help a person function despite some continuing mental pain and difficulty coping with problems. For example, drugs like chlorpromazine can turn off the "voices" heard by some people with psychosis and help them to see reality more clearly. Antidepressants can lift the dark, heavy moods of depression. The degree of response—ranging from a little relief of symptoms to complete relief—depends on a variety of factors related to the individual and the disorder being treated.

How long someone must take a psychotherapeutic medication depends on the individual and the disorder. Many depressed and anxious people may need medication for a single period—perhaps for several months—and then never need it again. People with conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness), or whose depression or anxiety is chronic or recurrent, may have to take medication indefinitely.

Like any medication, psychotherapeutic medications do not produce the same effect in everyone. Some people may respond better to one medication than another. Some may need larger dosages than others do. Some have side effects, and others do not. Age, sex, body size, body chemistry, physical illnesses and their treatments, diet, and habits such as smoking are some of the factors that can influence a medication's effect.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR
You and your family can help your doctor find the right medications for you. The doctor needs to know your medical history, other medications being taken, and life plans such as hoping to have a baby. After taking the medication for a short time, you should tell the doctor about favorable results as well as side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and professional organizations recommend that the patient or a family member ask the following questions when a medication is prescribed:

• What is the name of the medication, and what is it supposed to do?
• How and when do I take it, and when do I stop taking it?
• What foods, drinks, or other medications should I avoid while taking the prescribed medication?
• Should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach?
• Is it safe to drink alcohol while on this medication?
• What would be the effects if I used illicit drugs while on this medication?
• What are the side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
• Is a Patient Package Insert for the medication available?

It is important for you to be well informed about medications you may need. You should know what medications you take and the dosage, and learn everything you can about them.

When you go to a new doctor, always take with you a list of all of the prescribed medications (including dosage), over-the-counter medications, and vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements you take. The list should include herbal teas and supplements such as St. John's wort, echinacea, ginkgo, ephedra, and ginseng. Almost any substance that can change behavior can cause harm if used in the wrong amount or frequency of dosing, or in a bad combination. Drugs differ in the speed, duration of action, and in their margin for error.

If you are taking more than one medication, and at different times of the day, it is essential that you take the correct dosage of each medication. An easy way to make sure you do this is to use a 7-day pillbox, available in any pharmacy, and to fill the box with the proper medication at the beginning of each week. Many pharmacies also have pillboxes with sections for medications that must be taken more than once a day.

This article was excerpted from the NIMH article located at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/medicate.cfm. Additional information and references may be obtained there.

Stress

What is Stress?
Stress is a natural response to an accumulation or piling up of many different kinds of pressures from daily life. The stressors can be positive or negative. The body responds in both a psychological and a physiological way. The psychological response is often feeling overwhelmed. Physiologically, a chemical reaction occurs, leading to the "fight or flight" response. When the chemicals produced are not used up in a physical response, they build up and keep a person in a constant state of "fight or flight." If that state remains "on" for too long, the body will "shut it off" for us - often in unhealthy ways.

What Causes Stress?
People face three major sources of stress.

Stress of Circumstances: Intrusions into our lives we cannot control, such as loss of a job, loss of a loved one, a family member who has a substance abuse concern, or a sudden, serious illness.

Stress of People: Our relationships with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. People let us down or set expectations we cannot achieve.

Stress of Self: Our own attitudes about our world and ourselves. Sometimes our own feelings of insecurity, fear, anxiety, anger, or sadness can create added stress in our lives.

Personality, environment, mental abilities, emotions, and spiritual state can also affect a person's ability to cope with stress.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress
High levels of stress can affect a person physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Responses can include increased risk for cardiovascular disease, lower back and neck pain, hypertension, depressed immune system, allergies, fatigue, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, migraine headaches, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, irritability, crying, increased drug or alcohol use.

Treatment Options
There are a number of treatment options for stress management. Some people find short-term counseling - talking through the stressors and developing a coping strategy - very helpful. Increasing exercise can also be helpful. Our bodies were designed to respond to the "fight or flight" impulse in physical manner. Exercise uses up the 'stress' chemicals and reduces muscle tension. Proper nutrition also helps as does giving our bodies downtime. Other suggestions include relaxation techniques and deep breathing, maintaining perspective, simplifying, learning to say no, talking with a friend, knowing your limitations, spiritual methods, and more.

Information source: Pine Rest TODAY Magazine, "Feeling Frayed? How to Handle Stress." This article is available online at: http://www.pinerest.org/education/conditions/stress.asp

May 3, 10, 17, 24
Anger Management Classes for Adults
Led by Jim Bottenhorn, MA, LLP, Director of Pine Rest’s Contact Center. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Pine Rest's main campus, 300 68th Street, SE, Grand Rapids. Open to adults and older teens. Registration is required. Cost: $65/individual or $95/two family members. Class fee due at first class. Call 616/493-6033 for more information and to register.
For more information click here.

May 8, 15, 22, 29
Anger Management Classes for Teens
Led by Ryan LaRue, MSW, LMSW, ACSW, outpatient therapist at Pine Rest Campus Clinic. 4:15 -5:30 p.m. in the Van Andel Center on Pine Rest's main campus, 300 68th Street, SE, Grand Rapids. Open to male and female teens ages 12-17. Cost: $75/person. Call 616/222-4584 for more information or to register.
For more information click here.

May 11, 12
'It Takes a Village: Effective Practices in Family and Community-Building in Northern Michigan'
Cosponsored by Pine Rest Traverse City Clinic, Northern Family Intervention Services, and Teaching Family Homes of Upper Michigan. This conference is geared toward professionals in the mental health and human services field who work with children. Times: Friday, May 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Holiday Inn West Bay, 615 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI, 49686. Cost: $125 for both days ($100 for Friday only and $50 for Saturday only). For registration information, call 231/947-2255. This program is approved by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative for a total of 10.5 CE Clock Hours. Course Approval #030207-02.
For more information click here.

May 22
'Communicating More Effectively Across Poverty Barriers'
Featuring Dr. Donna Beegle. 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Bay View Wesleyan Church Auditorium, 720 Wayne, Traverse City. Cost: Free. Co-sponsored by Pine Rest Traverse City Clinic and Poverty Reduction Initiative Grand Traverse Community Collaborative. To register by May 15, send an email with your name, agency affiliation and daytime phone number to: medicalconference@nwmi4c.org. For any questions, call: 231/935-9261. 3.5 MI CE Collaborative Clock Hours. Course Approval # 031707-10.
For more information click here.

May 5, 12, 19
Pine Rest Family Institute 'Secrets for Successful Marriage'
Pre-marital workshop taught by experienced marriage professionals for couples who want to grow their relationship in preparation for marriage. Because it is skill-based, it is a valuable addition to traditional pastoral or professional premarital counseling. 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $95/couple. Call 616/455-5279 for more information.
For more information click here.

May 8
Pine Rest Family Institute Marriage and Family Building Series
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Pine Rest' main campus, 300 68th Street, SE, Grand Rapids. "Marriage and Family Building Resource Fair: The Latest Tools for Marriage Ministry." This series of speakers and topics equips pastors, church, and lay leaders wit the tools and resources for strengthening marriages and supporting families in their congregations. Cost: $5 (includes lunch). To register or for more information, call 616/455-5279.
For more information click here.

Support Groups

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Eating Disorders Educational/Support Group
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services’ Northeast Clinic will continue offering a free, confidential eating disorders educational support group. This group is geared for persons with diagnosed eating disorders who are also receiving treatment from a health professional. An assessment or referral is required prior to joining the group. To schedule an assessment or for more information, interested persons should call Pine Rest’s Northeast Clinic at 616/364-1500.
For more information click here.

May 14
Pine Rest Family Connections Support Group
Monthly group for families who have a member with a diagnosed mental illness. Helps spouses, parents, siblings, and other caregivers more effectively deal with stress created by symptoms and behaviors. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Pine Rest's Southwest Clinic, 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville. Cost: Free. Facilitated by Jim Vander May, LMSW. Call 616/222-3700, ext. 4 for more information.
For more information click here.

May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14
Early Stage Dementia Support Group & Caregiver Support Group
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan chapter, west Michigan region, will offer an early-stage dementia support group and a caregiver support group, facilitated by Mary Mathieu, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association and Laurie Arnswald, NP, Pine Rest. Funded by the OAA, Title IIIE Family Caregiver Support Program, the sessions are free and open to the public. Participants must complete an intake screening prior to joining the group. For more information and/or to schedule an intake screening, call the Alzheimer’s Association at (616) 459-4558 or (800) 272-3900.
For more information click here.

Professional Lecture Series May 16

"Family Psychoeducation In Schizophrenia: Why It Is As Important As Medical Treatment"
Featuring David Levine, M.D., from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Drive, Hudsonville, MI. 3 CAC contact hours (related) for MCBAP accreditation. 3 NASW CE clock hours. Call 616/455.6500 for more information or
For more information click here.  

Pine Rest Services

Subscription Information

If you received this email from a friend, and would like a free subscription of your own, please click here to get to our subscription page.

You are receiving this email because you asked to be added to our subscription list. If you wish to cancel your subscription, please [removal_link].

Disclaimer

Copyright © 2007, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. All rights reserved. The contents of Mental Health News & Information are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.