Debbie Riley’s Post

🌟 Breaking the Silence on Bulimia 🌟 Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. It's a hidden struggle that affects many, often going unnoticed due to the secretive nature of the disorder. Bulimia is more than just a struggle with food; it’s a complex emotional battle that many face silently. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. At The Harmonious Mind, we believe in addressing the root causes—unraveling the emotions, stressors, and patterns that lead to this condition. With professional support, recovery is possible, and life can regain its balance and joy. Recognizing the Signs: - Binge eating episodes - Purging behaviors (vomiting, laxative use, excessive exercise) - Fluctuating weight - Dental problems - Social withdrawal - Low self-esteem If you or someone you know is struggling with bulimia, please reach out for help. You don't have to face this alone. #BulimiaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #TheHarmoniousMind #EndTheStigma #EmotionalWellbeing #HealingStartsHere #Psychotherapy #EatingDisorders #MentalHealthSupport #SelfCareJourney

In a world where beauty standards often overshadow health, many are silently battling disorders like anorexia nervosa. I wrote about anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder that goes beyond just dieting. It’s a condition rooted in emotional struggles, societal pressures, and sometimes, major life events. 💡 Did you know anorexia nervosa can weaken the immune system, trigger mental health challenges, and, if left untreated, become life-threatening? In this blog, I explore: 👉 The emotional and societal triggers of anorexia 👉 Its types: restrictive vs. binge-purge 👉 The critical role of education, therapy, and community in recovery "Having anorexia nervosa is not a life sentence. With the right support and personal commitment, recovery is possible." If you’re curious to learn more about this disorder or know someone who might need support, read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dfpB4uP6 Let’s continue spreading awareness about eating disorders and fostering a world where health comes first. 💪 #HealthBlogging #PharmacyStudent #Day19

During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client to recall a distressing memory while simultaneously providing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds). This process helps the brain reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional intensity and helps the client integrate the memory without being overwhelmed by it. Over time, EMDR can help clients change their negative beliefs, reduce emotional distress, and improve emotional resilience. https://lnkd.in/gQFDEAzq #Community #Healing #Art #HolisticHealth #IntegrativeTherapy #IntegrativeMentalHealth #MentalHealth #Holistic #Wellness #SanDiego #AlternativeHealth #CouplesTherapy #Nutrition #Maternity #ArtTherapy #IntegrativeBodyTherapy #MusicTherapy #SpiritualDirection #MaternalHealth #Trauma #Anxiety #Depression #Grief #Addiction

Terms that I (personally) try to stay away from: 🚫 CRAZY, INSANE, ILLNESS The first two might be obvious. "Illness", to me, communicates a malfunction, something viral or inherently sick. My belief around mental health is that certain "conditions" or even "disorders" arise in response to traumatic events in life, paired with a genetic predisposition to receive these events more intensely. It can be argued that a mental "illness" is actually an adaptive pattern of behaviors created in response to a proportionally radical and challenging set of circumstances. My position is that mental conditions are signs of radical resilience, not illness. Healing individuals from the original trauma or source should be the work, not demonizing or hyper fixating on the behaviors or symptoms. Instead of illness", I use "condition" or "disorder", or just reference the behaviors in question. At the end of the day, a mental "illness" diagnosis is just a collection of behaviors. 🚫 DRUG This is in reference to psychedelic medicine. Drug vs Medicine is based on one's intention. Anytime I refer to a psychedelic substance in this space, I refer to it as a 'medicine'. I am showing respect to it and referring to it in a healing capacity. Anything can be made into a drug. Love, sex, food, etc. 'Drug' is not a concrete thing - it is the intention behind the use of something. 🚫 BAD TRIP I try to not refer to challenging and even scary experiences in the spiritual realm as 'bad trips.' I certainly have had moments of extreme discomfort and perpetual fear during experiences. And I'm sure there are many cases that are similar and have gone far deeper. "Bad trip" reduces and strips an experience of it's potency, and does not acknowledge the surrounding factors that might have contributed to the discomfort during the experience. I have found the greatest meaning and lessons from my darkest moments in medicine - it would cheapen them so much to call them a broad, dull word like 'bad.' --- Let me know if you agree or push back on these sentiments 🙏 ❔ #onewayforward #behavioralhealth #holisticmedicine #psychedelictherapy #psychedelicmedicine #mentalhealth #businessdevelopment #consulting

Mental health challenges for athletes can be complex, intertwined, and multilayered. Commonly co-occurring conditions such as body dysmorphia, problematic exercise (including exercise addiction and compulsive exercise- I believe they are two different entities!), disordered eating (and eating disorders!) and other influences (often originating within the fabric of sport culture) can create a “perfect storm.” Downstream, these challenges can lead to other clinical conditions such as relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S). Hot off the press: “A Perfect Storm For Athletes: Body Dysmorphia, Problematic Exercise, Eating Disorders, and Other Influences” explores the complexities that these conditions can create for athletes. This article is available for free through this link until 25/07/24! Cindy Miller Aron (she, her, hers)

Today, we’re shedding light on dysthymia, also known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. Dysthymia is a long-term, chronic form of depression. Unlike major depression, which can be intense and overwhelming, dysthymia involves a consistent low mood that lasts for years. Chronic Low Mood: Imagine feeling down or “blah” most days for years. This is what living with dysthymia can feel like. It’s less intense than major depression but much more enduring. Daily Impact: This constant low mood can make it hard to find joy in everyday activities. Simple tasks can feel like a chore, and the motivation to engage in life can be low. Symptoms: Common signs include:  - Low self-esteem  - Poor concentration  - Feelings of hopelessness  - Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)  - Changes in appetite (eating too much or too little) Treatment: The good news is that dysthymia can be treated. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications can help manage symptoms. Building a strong support network of friends and family also plays a crucial role in treatment and recovery. Understanding dysthymia is important because it helps us recognize that some people live with this ongoing struggle every day. By raising awareness, we can foster empathy and provide better support. Thank you for taking the time to learn about dysthymia today. Together, we can create a more understanding and supportive world. #MentalHealthAwareness #Dysthymia #PersistentDepressiveDisorder #MentalWellness

Feeling like #anxiety runs your life? Turning to alcohol or drugs for relief might be making things worse. Explore the science behind anxiety and substance use—and how to regain control—in our latest blog. https://lnkd.in/edPv_uZR

Let's talk anti depressants ❤️ I am not a doctor and so this is not medical advice ❤️ As your wingwoman I fully support your choices whether that involves medication or not ❤️ During consultation I always recommend that a check up with your doctor be the first point of call ❤️ Checking bloods for hormones, vitamins and any other physical aspects that may need attention ❤️ I have twice in my adult life taken anti depressant medication. The last time being when I was struggling with Post Partum Depression ❤️ What no one told me was that this was not the sole answer ❤️ I learned that doing the personal development and implementing the supporting habits in my daily life were imperative to me feeling well ❤️ It did however provide a "springboard" to assist in giving me the hope that things were going to get better ❤️ The main issue I have with medication is..... Every one else's opinion about it! ❤️ Any stigma is misplaced and needs to be shut down ❤️ Both times I have taken medication I have been weaned off under the supervision of my doctor ❤️ I never just stopped ❤️ Therefore I personally have not encountered any side effects ❤️ If you are struggling please look at ALL the ways in which to feel well again and if you would like to discuss this further let's get a coffee and a zoom call in the diary ❤️ I am here for you ❤️ #medication #antidepressant #medicaladvice #stigma #postpartumanxiety #postpartumdepression #nojudgment #support #simplesustainableselfcare #steppingintoparenthood #thescottishsoulsister

🔴 BODY KEEPS THE SCORE 🔴 The cognitive cacophony of “It’s ok not to be ok”, and, “Have you checked in on your mates recently?” is becoming tragically tedious. It’s so outdated and inaccurate, it’s preposterously painful to watch the health tech bros cloning their klümpatz with different infographics. Anyone who’s come close to doing a Britney circa 2008, will know that pharmacology and psychology are no longer enough. If talking to your mates worked, people wouldn’t be wading through the largest and most exigent mental health crisis we’ve ever endured. The latest research shows the body, does, in fact, keep the score. Poor body health is a more profound manifestation of mental health compared to changes in the brain. 85,748 adults with BPD, depression, schizophrenia and general anxiety disorder were studied along side a control group go 87,420 healthy individuals. Metabolic, liver and immune systems went offline across the mentally ill board, moreso with those with schizophrenia. Diabetes is three times more common in those with a psychotic illness. One in five patients with heart failure also have depression. The bidirectional pathways between body and brain are paramount to understanding why sitting on your asshole is going to make you sad. If you’re sad, and shouldn’t be, give us a call. I don’t do disassociation between body and brain. Movement is lubricant for the body and medicine for the mind. #redrehabilitation #RehabPilatesLondon #exerciseismedicine #movementformentalhealth #ScarlettRoberts #ReformerPilatesTowerBridge #PilatesTowerBridge #TowerBridgePilates #ClinicalPilates

Just had a conversation about brain fog! With the lovely Samantha Garstin🩸Period Princess 👸 Now, as it's Mental Health Awareness Week I really want to say on record that this isn't something I say in jest!! Nor is it something to ridicule! 🚫 Brain fog is an actual problem! 🧠😶🌫️ In fact, a consistent symptom described by many people is “brain fog.” It's also a symptom in the following of my conditions/disabilities etc... ↙️ Pernicious Anaemia Chronic Pain Menopause Anxiety Neurodivergence What does brain fog mean for our everyday lives? Brain fog is also known as “executive dysfunction” and affects us in the following ways: Difficulty planning and prioritising activities and tasks. Difficulty estimating how long things will take. Having to read or listen a few times to “take in” information. Not being able to think of the right word, or forgetting what you wanted to say in the middle of talking. Taking longer to learn new processes or activities. Brain fog can be debilitating, and very shocking for those who are not used to it. It is worsened by sleeplessness and causes anxiety, as we feel out of control and stressed by our everyday lives. So the next time someone says they have brain fog....please consider this post and try to be a little bit more understanding. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk 🫡 #LivedExperienceMatters #ResilienceConsultant #BrainFog #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek image description: a.i generated cartoon image of me with pink hair and blue eyes wearing grey glasses and blue pyjamas with pink flowers on. Both ankles are in black casts with black velcro straps as I've got 2 broken ankles. Teddy, my fluffy grey Burmilla cat is next to me. I have 1 hand raised above Teddy with a v for victory sign.