Strategies for Coping with Adult ADHD

Since 2015, Dr. Christie Mensch has served as a psychiatrist at the Wyandot Center, an outpatient facility in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Christie Mensch treats adults who present with a range of mental and emotional challenges, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can make it difficult for people to complete tasks and focus on their daily responsibilities, including paying bills and getting to work on time. It can lead to impulsive behavior and procrastination, which can in turn interfere with a person's success both at work and socially. Many adults with ADHD believe that their challenges are an inherent character flaw or permanent limitation, though there are many strategies that can help.

One of the most helpful approaches is to break down long-term goals into actionable steps. Each step should involve no more than a half hour to an hour of sustained effort, which the person can track with a timer. After the timer goes off, a small reward or break is in order.

If there are many goals to pursue, as there often are in adult life, a prioritized list can help. If necessary, this can become a schedule with a specified time frame for each task. If a task is particularly difficult to focus on or complete, a third party can help to keep the person accountable.

Systems for impulse control are equally important, as thoughtless words and actions are responsible for many of the struggles of a person with ADHD. For those who find that they are prone to impulse spending, a strict budget is necessary, while a breathe-before-speaking approach works best for those whose words get away from them. Each person must determine what strategies are most necessary for him or her, though a skilled and experienced therapist or coach can help.

Studies Demonstrate Effectiveness of Yoga in Treating Depression

As a psychiatrist at the Wyandot Center, Christie Mensch provides outpatient services for adults. Christie Mensch comes to this role with experience in developing and implementing treatment plans for depression.

In early August of 2017, researchers from the United States and the Netherlands presented new research at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association. One pilot study, conducted through the Netherlands' Center for Integrative Psychiatry, offered weekly yoga classes of 2.5 hours each for nine weeks. The 12 participants, all of whom had struggled with depression for an average of 11 years and had continued to receive traditional treatment, reported a reduction in depression symptoms as well as in anxiety, stress, and ruminating thoughts.

Similarly, research out of Massachusetts General Hospital offered Bikram yoga training to 29 individuals with diagnosed depression. In general, symptoms decreased while positive cognition and quality of life improved. Bikram yoga also proved effective in a population of young to early-middle-aged women, who reported a particularly notable reduction in self-judging thoughts after yoga training.

The correlation between symptom reduction and yoga practice is consistent across studies that include a quality control group, the women's Bikram group being a positive example. Additionally, a follow-up study through the Center for Integrative Psychiatry showed a reduction of symptoms in college students with moderate depression, who fared better at the end of the study than peers who had participated in basic relaxation exercises.

Scientists stress that more research is necessary to determine best practices in using yoga as a treatment for depression. Potential factors to consider include type of practice, instructor qualifications, and role in a comprehensive treatment plan.

Depression Types - Bipolar Disorder

An experienced psychiatrist, Dr. Christie Mensch treats patients with mental health issues like bipolar disorder in Kansas City, Kansas. In preparation for her medical career, Dr. Christie Mensch completed her psychiatry residency at The University of Kansas.

Sometimes referred to as “manic depression,” bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness characterized by rapid swings in mood from high-energy or “manic” periods to low-energy or “depressive” periods. During manic periods, patients demonstrate abnormal exuberance to the degree that they may appear agitated and engage in risky activities.

During depressive periods, patients demonstrate abnormally low energy levels along with coinciding symptoms like hopelessness and problems concentrating. People experiencing a depressive episode may also think about suicide.

Psychiatrists can help patients with bipolar disorder by prescribing effective drugs like mood stabilizers. Moreover, health care providers can assist patients in their efforts to access community services such as bipolar support groups.

Further, bipolar patients may benefit from such treatment strategies as cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies. Self-care techniques, including avoiding alcohol and maintaining healthy sleep habits, can also improve outcomes.

Three European Hot Spots for 2017 Travel

Dr. Christie Mensch serves as a psychiatrist at Wyandot Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Apart from her professional obligations, Dr. Christie Mensch enjoys traveling and is particularly fond of visiting destinations in Europe.

European travel is especially popular in 2017. Consider this list of trending hot spots as you plan your next vacation.

- Iceland is one of the biggest hot spots this year, especially for American tourists. The capital of Reykjavik offers a wealth of tourist destinations, including an abundance of natural sights in the vicinity. Tourists may enjoy the Vatnajokull Glacier, the Blue Lagoon, or the Gullfoss waterfall.

- Mediterranean islands. While Greece is always a popular destination, this year it is the islands that surround it that are getting the most attention. Malta offers a wealth of history-rich attractions, including three World Heritage sites. It is also home to beautiful beaches. Nearby, visitors can see famous Minoan palaces, ancient art, and impressive landscapes in Crete.

- Croatia and Montenegro. Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, these emerging hot spots are less expensive and crowded. Visitors may especially enjoy Southern Dalmatia in Croatia, which features a walled city and many hiking trails. Those who prefer a beach trip should consider Montenegro, which has over 180 miles of coastline.

The Symptoms and Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder

Based in Kansas City, Kansas, Christie Mensch practices outpatient psychiatry at the Wyandot Center. Christie Mensch’s range of experience includes treating patients with conditions such as attention-deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety. 

One of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, social anxiety disorder often carries with it an avoidance of public places and social events due to a fear of being judged. Those with the disorder may experience worry surrounding events that others take in stride, and this can begin days and weeks before the event. With children, the condition may manifest as a tendency to cling to parents, a refusal to talk in public, and tantrums prior to the occasion. 

Physical symptoms associated with social anxiety include accelerated heartbeat, stomach pain, muscle tension, and hyperventilation. The fear of others noticing these signs of anxiety can make the symptoms even worse. In addressing the condition, therapy approaches often seek to provide exposure to situations that generate discomfort. This helps patients to gain confidence in dealing with situations that would otherwise cause anxiety.

The Traditions of Midwestern Cooking

An experienced psychiatrist, Christie Mensch assists Kansas City patients in an outpatient setting with disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Outside of her professional life, Christie Mensch has a passion for cooking and particularly enjoys creating traditional Midwest recipes that incorporate local ingredients. 

The roots of Midwestern cuisine lie in German and Scandinavian traditions, with meat and potatoes a mainstay in traditional dishes such as soups and casseroles. Many of these recipes were perfected through communal dinners of the church and potluck variety. 

With agriculture at the forefront of the traditional Midwestern lifestyle, vegetables are also an essential component to many dishes. These range from simple side dishes, such as corn on the cob, to soup that incorporates wild rice. Other dishes combine fruits and meats in various ways. One classic pairing is pan-seared sausages with Granny Smith apples. This involves cooking bratwurst in a skillet with olive oil and adding fennel, thinly sliced apples, and vinegar to create a contrasting combination of flavors. 

Traditional Midwestern etiquette maintains that, at all costs, room must be saved for dessert. Classic examples include mouthwatering standards such as apple pie and strawberry rhubarb cobbler.

Key Ways in Which Pets Help with Depression

 

Dr. Christie Mensch is an experienced psychiatrist who treats patients through the Wyandot Center in Kansas City. In this position, Dr. Christie Mensch helps patients with anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Many people have had success combatting depression and its symptoms through pet therapy.

Pets have the power to improve mental health in a number of ways. First, pets provide unconditional acceptance, and they teach us that we are worthy of loving. In addition, pets provide a calming, consistent presence.

In many situations, pets directly alter human behavior. For example, imagine coming home annoyed, angry, or upset. When a pet shows excitement and wants immediate attention, we let go of those negative emotions.

A number of researchers have documented the healing power of touch. Pets provide a constant source of touch, and petting a cat or dog has been shown to lower blood pressure while also increasing dopamine and serotonin levels.

Finally, pets provide individuals with a sense of responsibility, which is key to promoting mental health. By having ownership of a task, such as taking care of a dog, you get a boost to your self-esteem.