By Joseph Smullen, LCSW-S: “Many people suffer from the fear of finding oneself alone, and so they don’t find themselves at all”-Rollo May Rollo May (1909- 1994) was an American and existentially oriented practicing psychologist and author of many works including his 1953 book “Man’s Search for Himself” from which this quote comes. Existentialism is…
By Joseph Smullen, LCSW-S: As described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), a substance abuse or behavioral addiction involves the problematic pattern of use that results in a constellation of pathological cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms. That is, an individual continues to compulsively overuse a substance or engage in…
Magdalena R. Hernandez, LPC Anxiety and fear are normal responses to what’s happening in the world right now. However, these anxieties and fears can be overwhelming and may even cause a trauma response. In fact, some professionals have reported that these emotional responses can be categorized ascollective trauma and can also worsen symptoms for those…
Click on the link below to view a recent news article featuring BBH: https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/covid-19/crossroads-residents-mental-health-also-at-risk-during-covid-/article_7857f358-6862-11ea-b4ee-a766ec906f28.html
3/17/20 Joseph Smullen, LCSW The unknown related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has created an extreme effort to control a perception of scarce resources resulting in panic shopping and hoarding of goods. To a lesser extreme, a more prevalent experience has been an exasperation of anxiety related to a slowing economy, worries about loved ones, changes in routines and habits, and altered lifestyles.…
Powerful Psychological Quotes for Personal Growth: Part I Joseph Smullen,LCSW “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am then I can change” -Carl Rogers Car Rogers (1902-1987) was an American and humanistic psychologist who valued empathy, authenticity, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate change. Humanistically oriented…
The Gift of Opportunity: Stuff You Can’t Buy On Amazon “There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity” –Gen. Douglas MacArthur I’m not 100% sure but I am betting that referencing the controversial5-star Gen. MacArthur in a mental health blog is probably an atypical and unconventional move. At Believe Behavioral Health we have high…
teen·ag·er /ˈtēnˌājər/: A person between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. Synonyms: Juvenile, Rebellious, Moody, Irrational, Extra etc… If you are raising or caring for a teenager, you can probably relate to this short description. Moreover, I can imagine that if you are reading this you likely struggle to handle and make sense…
Anxiety gets a bad rap. We avoid it, retreat from it, or even deny it. To reduce it we merge and fuse with a variety of persons, places, behaviors, or things such as partners, the couch, acting out, or chemical substances. Despite the negative implications surrounding anxiety, it is a beneficial experience for us. In…
Summer –for some, it is means attending backyard barbeques with family and friends while drinking ice-cold glasses of lemonade. For others, it may highlight a sense of loneliness, despair, or meaninglessness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2015), the 12-month prevalence rate for adults to experience a major depressive episode is 6.7% which…