Elevation Behavioral Health

  By Steven Booth, Founder of Elevation Behavioral Health   How odd the world seems after spending a couple months cooped up at home. When it was finally okay to venture outside again, to many it felt like an alien world. Even driving a car felt foreign, and many felt a sensitivity to noise and felt over-stimulated in general being back out in the world. In addition to the strangeness of reentering society after the lockdown, many also experienced social anxiety. This can be so pronounced that some thought, “ I think I’m losing my mind !” Social anxiety is characterized by a sense of fear or dread when in a social situation. Symptoms of social anxiety include: Nausea Irrational fear of being judged or humiliated in public Blushes easily Shortness of breath Racing heart Feeling faint Dizziness Sweating Trembling The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has reported that approximately 15 million U.S. adults suffer from social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety can be cri...

  By Steven Booth, Founder of Elevation Behavioral Health   "Don't be a downer!"    "You're fine!"    "There's nothing to worry about."    We've all heard them. These mostly well-intentioned admonitions to suck it up, focus on the positive, and keep smiling that feel dismissive to our suffering. How long have we been fed the sugary-sweet mantra that we must go through life seeing the glass as perpetually “half full?” But some of life's problems are hardly solved with cheerful quips, and it's important to note that it's okay not to feel okay !   This mask of positivity is thus termed "toxic positivity". But how could it possibly be toxic to be a positive person, you ask? Well, in real life with real human beings, the expectation to hide our sad stuff is simply unrealistic. In reality, life is chock full of real ups and real downs, and to attempt to suppress any negative emotions we might experience will only come back ...

    By Steven Booth, Founder of Elevation Behavioral Health   Depression remains a mysterious mood disorder not fully understood in the scientific community. With so many possible causes that can factor into a depressive episode it is difficult to know what exactly sparked it in the first place. There are, however, some non-pharmaceutical interventions that may help alleviate the symptoms to some extent. If possible, it is always a good idea to first tackle a bout of depression with holistic treatment options, including vitamin supplements. Nutrition plays a significant role in our mental health, which helps us understand why vitamin supplementation is worth a look. Some of the vitamins and herbal supplements that may help manage the symptoms of depression include: St. John’s Wort SAM-e Vitamin D Omega-3 fish oil 5-HTP Vitamin B Ashwagandha Major depressive disorder is recognized by its signature symptoms. Symptoms of the mood disorder include persistent sadness, fatigue,...

    By Steven Booth, Founder at Elevation Behavioral Health It can be safely stated that this pandemic has not been kind to people in addiction recovery. For those folks who also have a co-occurring mental health condition, called a dual diagnosis, the past six months have been especially brutal. Increases in anxiety and depression have placed an additional burden on individuals in recovery, which has unfortunately resulted in relapse for many. Some may not recognize the signs of an impending relapse sneaking up on them until it is too late. Warning signs of a potential relapse include: Neglecting sobriety support system. When someone begins to avoid connecting with their recovery support community, such as their sponsor or their 12-step group, it can be a warning sign for relapse. Isolating behaviors. Individuals in recovery who begin to avoid social events or just communicating with friends and family members may be veering towards a relapse. Forgoing healthy habits. Negle...

At a time when there’s an app for this and an app for that, it comes as no surprise that there is now an explosion of mental health apps available. At first glance, this might appear to be a positive, one more way that technology can streamline our lives. But when it comes to our mental health, leaning on an online app may not only be ineffective, but could also present some significant downsides. Some may argue that the availability of a mobile mental health app is beneficial for the individual who lives in a region where mental health services are difficult to locate. It could be beneficial speaking with a mental health professional online given the circumstances we are living today due to the pandemic. Additionally, a mental health app may be a tool that someone could use who may otherwise never seek psychiatric treatment. While these points have some merit, the next question should be, “What exactly is the individual actually  receiving through the app?” If a m...