‘ADD meds and my brain’ and other such keywords

WordPress is pretty neat because it can show the webmaster terms people have searched that landed them on your page. For instance, AAES gets a lot of hits for ‘mental health awareness’ and ‘suicide prevention’ – which is exactly the kind of information this website caters to!

Oftentimes people searching similar keywords to articles discussed on this website get directed here.

Nearly every week, terms like ‘adderall abuse,’ ‘will taking unprescribed adderall make me bipolar,’ and ‘ADD meds and my brain’ pop up. It’s time this is addressed.

What you do with your life, only you can decide. It’s important, however, to gather up all the facts you can. When I was in high school and college, and even now in higher, higher education (medical school and such) I see, hear, and/or read about adderall abuse. In the United States, Adderall is a controlled substance because it contains amphetamine salts, the parent compound for methamphetamine. When used as prescribed, Adderall treats symptoms from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy by increasing the activity of norepinephrine and dopamine, two prominent neurotransmitters in the brain.

For the adderall abuser, that is, a person who has no medical necessity for the drug and is therefore not prescribed the drug, amphetamines have many desirable effects. Taking someone else’s adderall can produce increased feelings of euphoria, increase libido, improve arousal, enhance cognitive control, increase muscle strength and reduce fatigue. It’s long been a drug of choice for truck drivers, athletes, and students despite the heavy emotional and physical burden it bestows.

(According the Acadiana Addiction Center, “Full-time college students were twice as likely as their non-college counterparts to abuse Adderall nonmedically in the past year in a 6.3% for full-time college students and 3.0% for non-college counterparts.”

Many individuals with an amphetamine addiction also struggle with a co-existing mental illness, including, but not limited to Depressive disorders, Anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, Alcoholism, and Schizophrenia. People with an addiction to adderall are also more likely to be addicted to benzodiazapines, nicotine, the THC in weed, and crystal meth. There is currently no evidence to suggest adderall addiction causes bipolar disorder, but a side by side comparison of the symptoms of each are strikingly similar.

Adderall Abuse Symptoms
Mood:
Euphoria
Pleasant sense of wellbeing
Anxiety
Depression
Mood swings

Behavioral:
Marked increase in energy
Increased athletic prowess
Ability to stay awake for hours
Improved memory and recall
Decrease in appetite
Decreased need for sleep
Improved scholastic or occupational performance
Reduction of normal, expected social inhibitions
Altered sexual behaviors
Increased risk-taking behaviors
Unrealistic goals for achievement
Unrealistic beliefs about personal power and ability

Physical:
Dilated pupils
Addiction
Tolerance
Increased respiration rate
Cardiac arrhythmias
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Malnutrition
Cardiovascular system abnormalities
Hypertension
Angina pectoris
Skin disorders
Seizures

Psychological:
Psychosis
Hallucinations
Delusions
Paranoia
Hostility
Aggression

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms (NAMI, SAMHSA)

Never, EVER, accept medications from someone that are not PRESCRIBED TO YOU. The ideal road to recovery is to never step foot on that path to begin with. If you, or someone you know, is addicted to adderall, YOU CAN GET HELP. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are many, many resources available.

Check out the Coalition Against Drug Abuse here: drugabuse.com

In addition to their live chat services they also have a hotline you can call that operates 24/7. Need Help Understanding Your Addiction Treatment Options? Call 1-800-943-0566.

Overdose Awareness and Memorial Vigil, Eddystone, PA Saturday August 23

An overdose awareness and memorial vigil/walk is being held tomorrow (Saturday, August 23) in Eddystone, PA at 5:00 pm.

The walk will begin at 1000 E. Fourth St. and conclude at Dom Marion Field, behind Lighthouse Hall, where a candlelight vigil will commence to remember loved ones lost to addiction and overdose.

Pre-registration is $25. Same day registration is $20. Children under 12 are $10.

Please contact Christine Cocker at 610.803.6934 with any questions.

Find Your Light Within

It may not be just a ‘city thing’ but growing up in New York City taught me a thing or two about public transportation. Some are obvious social cues – you know, don’t put your wallet in your back pocket, stand clear of the closing doors (please) – that sort of thing. Others are vestiges of a more primitive time, when any and everything could become a step in a dangerous direction. One thing my father, who’s lived in a city all his life, taught me growing up was more reminiscent of canine behavior than human. “Keep your head down but on a swivel. If you look someone directly in the eyes, they’ll take it as a challenge,” he’d tell me on the Brooklyn cross-bound local (The next stop is… a life lesson.) Whether he was right or not I never questioned his sage advice for fear of him not being wrong, and so I learned to keep my head down and grind forward. But somewhere in the “be aware of my surroundings” initiative I forgot to be aware of my surroundings in a literal sense.

When I relocated to Philadelphia in September 2006 I continued the well-worn habits of my NYC self. It wasn’t until recently that I began to really look and take in what I was seeing. There’s a SEPTA bus that takes you all the way down Chestnut from Wycombe to Penn’s Landing. I ride this bus often enough the route has rendered itself habitual to the extent I can signal my stop through muscle-memory alone. All those times I neglected to look outside the window of that bus as we passed 31st and Chestnut, I missed a most marvelous mural dedicated to a cause near to my heart.

The mural, ‘Finding the Light Within’, is meant to be a conversational piece about mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Created by lead artist James Burns, a member of the Mural Arts Program, the painting tells a story of all faces, races, and ages – not just of those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide, but of a community struggling to come together during times of crisis.

Whether we think we do or we don’t, we all know someone struggling with mental health issues. Oftentimes the stigma masks and blurs the hurt on a familiar face. Visit the mural. Contemplate it. Then go on the website and tell your story.

Finding the Light Within
Horizon House
120 S. 30th Street, Phila, PA 19104

website: http://www.storytellingmural.org

Image courtesy of afsp.org

 

Mental Health First Aid: Step 1 – Assess Risk for Suicide and Self-harm

Preserve Life — Airway — Assess risk for harm                                                           Prevent Further Harm — Breathing — Be there                                                            Promote Healing — Circulation — Continue support

1. Assess for risk of suicide and/or self-harm
2. Listen non-judgmentally
3. Give reassurance or information
4. Encourage appropriate professional help
5. Encourage self-help and other strategies

In order to properly help someone distressed, self-harming, or considering suicide, it is important to have at minimally a basic understanding of what the person is going through. Wanting to help is wonderful and welcomed – however misguided attempts at helping can result in serious psychological and physical damage. Understanding the mentality behind self-injury is essential and the right way to effecting positive change. If you don’t think you’re the person for that, turn to someone that not only you know and trust but whom the person you want to help knows and trusts as well. Your attitude is crucial to how things are going to go down. Self-harm is a way of expressing and dealing with deep distress and emotional pain. As counterintuitive as it may sound, for some self-harm is a coping mechanism – a way to feel better. In fact, it may feel so much better that some people may become addicted to it and come to a point where they can’t stop. Those who self-harm ARE NOT ATTENTION SEEKING. In fact, more often than not, people who self-harm keep their actions secret. They may experience shame and fear. This can make it very difficult to come forward and ask for help especially in a world harboring preconceived notions of self-harm. It’s also important to note self-harm may be more than cutting or burning; it can also include less obvious means such as driving recklessly, binge drinking, taking too many drugs, and having unsafe sex.

It is a myth that people who self-injure want to die or that self-harm is a failed suicide attempt. The intention is to feel better and usually not out of want to die. They are trying to cope with their pain to go on living. However, studies have shown people who self-harm have a higher risk of suicide than the general population – which is why it’s so important to seek help. Also, don’t assume nor judge for yourself whether the wounds or injuries are minor – seek medical attention. And remember, wounds on the outside may not run as deep as the psychological pain. If you are concerned about someone, let them know you’re concerned. Let them know you want them to be safe, especially for someone who may be experiencing a psychosis. The person may not be open with you at first or even not at all. Try to tailor your approach and interaction to best suit the situation. Be sensitive to the way the person is behaving. If they are avoiding eye contact, give them the space they need. Recognize the person may be frightened of their thoughts, feelings, and of being seen as “different” or “crazy”.

So you suspect someone is self-harming or suicidal. Or they have come to you for help. What do you do?

• Approach the person about your concerns/Let them know they can talk to you. The only way to know for sure how someone is feeling is to ask. Talking about it doesn’t encourage suicidal or self-harming behavior. It has just the opposite effect more often than not (of course like everything there are exceptions to the rule). Asking someone how they are feeling often lowers their anxiety in the long term. Your openness and concern may reflect itself in the person, allowing them to talk confidently, feel less isolated – maybe even relieved. Choose a suitable time and place where you are both comfortable and available to talk without interference. Don’t pressure the person. Respect them – talk to them with the respect and dignity you’d want for yourself.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t corner or trap the person. When a person is hurting they may already be experiencing high emotions and be on the defensive. It’s not you necessarily – its our natural fight or flight response to stressful situations. Sit next to the person like an equal, not towering over them. Speak calmly but not like you’re speaking to an infant.

• Take them seriously. If someone opens up to you, do not get judgmental, horrified, derisive or shocked. Don’t try to minimize what they are experiencing. Allow the person to talk about their beliefs and experiences without speculating or assuming a diagnosis. Remain calm and confident. Do not get emotionally blackmailing. You cannot shame someone into stopping – if you intend to guilt-trip them, or yell at them, then just find someone else to help. You will just do more harm than good, maybe even to the point of having that person drive the behavior underground.                                                                                             

• Educate yourself. Try to understand and be empathetic of the person’s behaviors whether it be self-harm, suicidal ideation, drinking or substance abuse, psychosis or eating disorders, even if you disagree with it. Learn as much as you can by reading books, finding resources online (like this website!), asking a professional or seeking out other RELIABLE sources. 

• Be ready to listen to them. Like, REALLY listen. The best thing you can do is be there in a caring, non-judgmental manner. (This will be especially important for step 2). 

• Respect the person’s privacy and confidentiality. Don’t go around telling others their business. Trust is what this is all about. It may be a coping mechanism for yourself to joke about it or gossip about it, but you’ll be doing more harm than good. Consider or research professional help together. If you feel the person or yourself is in mortal danger, however, get emergency or medical attention immediately.

• Do not get frustrated and try to make them stop overnight. Remember – this is a coping mechanism that helps the person deal with distress they’ve been experiencing for more than a day. Removing or attempting to remove a coping mechanism without at least attempting to understand the problems is a quick trip downhill.

What if I don’t feel comfortable talking to the person?                                                It’s okay to feel nervous! If you’re hesitant about approaching the person, don’t avoid them. You may find it more helpful, however, to find someone that you both mutually trust. You’ll feel better and the person in distress will get the care they need. What should I say?                                                                                                        Focus on empathy not pity, validation not change, understanding not diagnosis. Be open and honest. Some helpful things to say:

1. I’m concerned about you
2. How long have you been feeling this way?
3. Have you spoken to anyone about this before?
4. Is something troubling you?
5. I’ve noticed you haven’t joined us for _____ lately – are you alright?
6. It’s difficult for me to understand exactly what you’re going through but I can see its really distressing you.
7. Something seems to be troubling you. Would you like to talk about it?
8. I think your health is important – would you like me to help you find a professional/self-help/other support strategies?

What if the person doesn’t want my help/reacts negatively?                                       It’s difficult and practically impossible to predict how a person will react if you approach them with your concerns. Some may be relieved. Some may just brush it off. And others may react very defensively. This may be for several reasons: they aren’t ready to make a change, they fear change, they have trust issues, and/or they don’t see a problem with their behavior. If someone reacts negatively to your concerns, just remind them you care about them and they can come to you whenever they’re ready. Resist the instinct to get angry or offended – you just can’t force help on a person.

The next post in the Mental Health First Aid series will focus on Step 2 – Listening non-judgmentally.     

In the meantime, these are some helpful books on the topic of self-harm:

 

And remember to wear orange on March 1st, Self-Injury Awareness Day:

An Open Admonishment Concerning the Roddy White Tweet Following the Zimmerman v. Florida Verdict

Roddy White’s inflammatory suggestion to the Seminole Six shortly after a not guilty verdict was reached in the George Zimmerman trial

In 2008 my mother took her own life. Ever since, her decision has put me on an arduously ineludible road where everyday I try hard to understand, deal with, cope with, and ultimately accept with guarded yet hopeful forgiveness, the chasm her death has created. Within that journey are the ever-present opportunities for personal growth, even if I can only see them for what they are in retrospect. Everyday I strive to improve upon my understanding of the complex and heavy situation given to me in the hopes that I’ll come out of this, and in doing so, show others shouldering the burden of similar pain life is still beautiful; the struggle is worth the strife. Believe me when I tell you I feel much akin to Sisyphus – the Greek king punished for his hubris through the perpetual rolling of a boulder uphill, only to have it roll back down when he gets close to the top, forever repeating the act in a vexatious loop.

My mother’s suicide is my boulder; the precipitous incline is the culmination of the social stigma, the pain of her loss, the guilt, the denial, the betrayal, the struggle to understand, the self-blame… and when it all gets to be too much, the gravity of the situation pulls me back down again.

Yesterday, because of the harsh words of another spoken in naked pique, I watched my boulder roll down that hill again. Seeing those words so carelessly thrown around really hurts. I sat down after seeing the tweet and reflected on the degrees that I thought separated me from the George Zimmerman v. State of Florida verdict – the case involved two strangers in a far-away state I’ve only twice visited. I’ve held a gun only a handful of times. I grew up in Brooklyn and I don’t currently live in a gated community. I’m not a black youth nor am I a Hispanic man. I’ve never witnessed a violent crime. I should be so far removed if not for my interest in the case and empathy to the families.

When Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White implacably tweeted: “All them jurors should go home tonight and kill themselves letting a grown man get away with killing a kid,” he facilitated and condoned the very violence that flared his emotions in the first place. No matter what you thought was right and just or whom you thought was wrong, no matter if you were for the defense or for the prosecution, no matter your opinions on the racial implications of the case, a loss occurred. A young man in his prime lost his life. A mother and father lost their child. A sibling lost his brother. Can’t we just stop the violence there? Why must encouraging suicide be the visceral reaction? The Seminole six jurors have families. They are mothers and daughters. Sisters and wives. They did what they were asked to do by society under due process of the law and they delivered a verdict after long (16 hours) and careful deliberation. Even if you don’t agree with their decision to acquit George Zimmerman on all charges, they did what they thought was just, unbiased, and right.

For someone in the public spotlight to say such disgusting and insensitive words baffles me. Roddy White is paid a lot of money to be a role model, to entertain, and to bring joy to football fans. He may not be able to take his stupidity back but he can surely apologize for it. An appropriate punishment, in my opinion, would be to take classes on mental illness awareness. Roddy White, take some responsibility. Take some initiative. Hate and fear governed hearts and minds the day Trayvon Martin lost his life; if we respond to it in kind, hate and fear will govern our hearts and minds today, everyday, and in all the days to come. We’re better than that. Let’s show it.

Thank you.

Update: NBCSports stated: “There’s a lesson here about making public statements while still emotionally riled up, even if you can understand and/or empathize with the anger of the person making it. Inviting other people to kill themselves for fulfilling a civic obligation because you don’t agree with their decision is a bad road to go down and the light of day seems to have reminded White of that fact,” and reports that Roddy White tweeted an apology. You can read more http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/14/roddy-white-apologizes-for-post-zimmerman-verdict-tweet/