- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere is a sense of comfort that comes with the feeling of certainty. As humans, we like to be in control and know what is happening at all times and when it’s happening. And when things feel uncertain or we don’t feel safe or in control, we feel stressed or anxious. This reaction is designed to protect us – like with a fight-or-flight response. But, it can cause mental havoc and ignite conflicting information around us that aggravate anxious feelings. With the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s natural for many of us to feel stressed or anxious. But it’s also important to remember that, although you might not be in control of everything happening around you, you can always choose how you decide to respond. Focus on what you can do. Identify what is in your control and what is not. There are many things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus your energy on those. Wash your hands often, and remind others to wash theirs. Practice social distancing and limit your news consumption, as this can increase stress and reduce your overall wellbeing. Keep a healthy routine. Your immune system weakens when you’re stressed, making you more susceptible to illness. It’s important that you continue to look after yourself. Follow a consistent sleep schedule, consume a balanced diet, exercise, wash your clothes after coming back from outside and take warm showers to help you relax. Stay connected. Isolation doesn’t need to equal loneliness. Although it can be challenging to keep the dialogue going with your child when the day has been long for both of you, try these easy-to-remember conversation starters to help and plan for fun things you can do together. Set up virtual gatherings with friends and family or watch a movie through a Netflix Party. You can also find different ways you can get involved in your community, such as by showing your appreciation for health workers or helping your local hospital. Practice what feels right to you. Do what works for you, not others. Everyone has a different coping mechanism, so it’s important that you don’t compare yourself. It’s okay if you want to read a book all day or do a home workout because it gives you a sense of safety. Enjoy the fresh air. Being locked inside all day can make you feel trapped. Try opening a window, standing outside your balcony or going for a walk around your neighborhood to get some exercise and vitamin D. Be in the present. With so much uncertainty around us, it’s easy for you to worry about what is happening and start projecting into the future. Be mindful of when you catch yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet to slowly bring yourself back into the present moment. Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences around you at that moment and start naming them. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded when things feel beyond your control. Help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. We are in this together. Author Daniel Watkins is the director of substance use services at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach him at 443-481-5434.
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSitting in a dim-lit room – where the only lights are the neon wire lights fading in and out along the black walls and under the desk – Sam, sitting with his back towards Sara’s back, asks, “Are you online?” Sara replies with an attentive ‘yes’ as she, too, prepares to embark on an online-gaming session that can last hours. For Sam Mitchell, 37, and Sara Hays, 31, this is not a new scene in their Bowie residence. They’ve been dating for eight years and continue to perfect their gaming skills together. They spend many evenings and weekends doing this because they play on a team. “We have a hard time getting out of the house sometimes,” says Sara, 31. “Sometimes we want to go out to eat, but other online gamers are depending on us to come online so they can also play.” Although Sara had a very active childhood – playing sports like soccer, basketball and softball all the way through high school – she struggled with her weight, asserting she was always a heavy person. “I grew up with parents who would have meat, a potato and a vegetable for dinner and encouraged me to always clean up my plate,” she says. “That resonated with me for the rest of my life and I think that was part of the problem.” Sara tried countless diets to no avail, describing the results as a yo-yo effect, where she would lose about 50 pounds and regain 70 pounds soon after. Sara tried the gym, but didn’t feel comfortable working out in front of others. “I always feel like I’m being looked at or judged,” she says. In an attempt to look for a different alternative, the couple purchased an elliptical to workout at home. The solution lasted for merely a week before the piece of equipment was put away. The turning point Weight and self-image is something that has always been on Sara’s and Sam’s mind. But despite their many efforts, nothing seemed to work. They had thought about potentially undergoing surgery, but felt there was a negative stigma attached to this option because others claimed it was ‘cheating’. Their perception changed when one day an opportunity to look at things differently came knocking at their door, literally. The woman who I met weighing over 300 pounds was now 120 pounds. “One of our friends came over to talk to us about his wife who had done weight loss surgery,” Sam says, jokingly adding that his friend felt a little jealous because his wife was now getting more attention from others. “We had seen her before and didn’t think it could be that big of a deal. She came to our door two weeks later and when I opened the door, the woman who I met weighing over 300 pounds was now 120 pounds.” Shocked with the results, Sara and Sam decided to look more into weight loss surgery. “I didn’t even recognize her; she was like a whole new person,” Sara recalls. “I thought to myself, ‘You were my size, how did you do this? What happened?’ She went through the process with us and her feedback was that she wished she had done it 20 years ago. That was the turning point for us.” The couple started looking up the doctor their neighbor had used after the raving review, but were not fully sold on the idea until they came across Courtney Doyle, MD, general and bariatric surgeon with AAMG Surgical Specialists in Annapolis. After talking to other people who had done the surgery and meeting with Dr. Doyle personally, the couple was ready to move to the next step. The surgery The AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program performs more than 700 bariatric surgeries every year, a steady increase over the last few years. Recent research by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery found that 90 percent of patients were successful in maintaining 50 percent or more of their weight loss after their bariatric surgery. There are also health benefits that result from this, with data showing remission of Type 2 diabetes in more than 80 percent of patients after undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. After a gastric sleeve surgery, most patients can expect to lose up to 33 percent of excess weight by three months, 50 percent of excess weight by six months, and up to 70 percent of excess weight after the first year following the procedure. LEARN MORE: Dr. Courtney Doyle discusses bariatric surgery at AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery program, and how it can change patients’ lives. Dr. Doyle first met the couple a few months ago. She recalls Sam was the first one to come in to the office and said he wanted to do this together with Sara. “They felt like they were in a position where they were ready to do well and support each other through the process,” she says. After attending AAMC’s free bariatric seminar, where Sara and Sam learned about the types of weight loss surgery, program requirements, insurance specifics, and other details to start their weight loss journey, they put a date on their calendar for an official consultation. For Sara, the best option was to opt in for the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. “This surgery is performed laparoscopically, which is the way most bariatric surgeries are performed these days,” says Dr. Doyle. “This means that we make a few very small incisions as opposed to one very large incision, the way we used to do bariatric surgery.” The smaller stomach pouch limits how much food a person can eat at one time and in turn, will help Sara to feel full more quickly and for a longer period. They’re looking for a way to do that and this surgery is a really nice way to help them get to a healthy lifestyle without having to feel every day like they’re constantly on a diet. “They want to be active and healthy for the rest of their lives together,” says Dr. Doyle. “They’re looking for a way to do that and this surgery is a really nice way to help them get to a healthy lifestyle without having to feel every day like they’re constantly on a diet.” Sara underwent surgery in January. While she continues on her successful recovery, Sam has yet to schedule his surgery due to a fractured arm. However, his excitement of being by her side while she recovers is adding to the anticipation. Stay tuned in to the Weigh Beyond series for part 2 as we continue to follow their journey in real-time. Take the first step on your journey to weight loss. Register today for one of our free seminars to learn more about weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery). Courtney Doyle, MD Dr. Doyle is a board-certified, fellowship-trained laparoscopic general and bariatric surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She is an expert in both primary bariatric surgeries and bariatric revision surgery. To schedule a visit with her and explore your personal bariatric journey, call 443-481-6699. Originally published March 18, 2019. Last updated March 9, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) marked a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its new mental health hospital, which will officially open its doors to patients late March. Attendees included AAMC leadership, community members, patients, donors and public officials. “The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center will be an important part of our work to care for the whole person while they are receiving inpatient and outpatient mental health services,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “We are thankful to our long-time supporters of this project, our generous donors, the state of Maryland and Anne Arundel County, and our dedicated behavioral health team for support in bringing this project to fruition.” READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center partners with Sheppard Pratt Health System to provide mental health and addiction services “This is an important day for our community,” said Sherry Perkins, president of AAMC. “Together, we have worked diligently and passionately to bring our region the mental health care and services it needs and truly deserves. We are proud of this milestone in our journey to deliver the care our community members need, when and where they need it.” “Cutting the ribbon on the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center signifies the start of our vision of an integrated behavioral campus coming to life,” said Eric Anderson, MD, medical director of the McNew Medical Center. “When we started on this path more than four years ago, we set out to address the gaps in mental health care. What emerged was a commitment to delivering state-of-the-art, patient- and family-centered care in a safe, calming and comforting environment.” The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center is located in Annapolis off Riva Road next to Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility. The 16-bed facility will care for up to 900 patients a year who would otherwise be transferred out of the area. The campus offers: Inpatient mental health care A psychiatric partial hospitalization program Intensive outpatient programs Residential and outpatient substance use services Referral and care coordination to community-based treatment and support services The McNew Medical Center is not an emergency facility and cannot receive walk-in patients. Patients are admitted to the inpatient unit upon referral from a hospital’s emergency department when a patient has presented voluntarily or on an emergency petition, has received an emergency psychiatric assessment, and has met criteria for admission. The 56,000 square foot, four-story building was designed with both safety and aesthetics in mind for the care of patients and families. The new facility includes a courtyard, patient and family lounge space, a secure ambulance bay to allow for the safe transfer of new patients into the building, a meditation room and a community conference room.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogI sent the group chat a message literally 10 minutes ago. Why aren’t they responding, are they mad? I can see they read it. Did I do something wrong? Maybe I annoyed them. Are they busy? No, they’re mad. Do they think I’m pushy? I shouldn’t have sent it. But I’m just trying to make plans with them, why would that be wrong? Maybe I’m not funny enough? Is it because I don’t have that many friends? Social pressure can be best defined as the influence that society has on an individual – or for the purpose of this post, children and young adults. The scenario above is a representation of what can go through a child’s mind when they’re experiencing the pressure of wanting to fit in or being liked by others. This can also often lead to anxiety, which more children are experiencing today than just a few years ago. In fact, there was a 20 percent increase in diagnoses of anxiety in kids ages 6 to 17 from 2007 to 2012, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics with data collected from the National Survey of Children’s Health. The data on anxiety among 18- and 19-year-olds is even more concerning. Since 1985, the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA has been asking college freshmen if they “felt overwhelmed” by all the tasks they were assigned to do. The first year, 18 percent of students replied yes. By 2000, that increased to 28 percent. Six years later, this number was nearly 41 percent. But why? There are many reasons. There’s more data available today than there was before that allows us to examine these numbers more in depth. There’s also more emphasis on “success” and “not failing”, more demanding tasks, more focus on “happiness”, joining sports teams, participating in enough activities, and parents pressuring children to do more of these activities. And then there’s digital devices and social media. A lot of times children have access to a computer or internet and are constantly connected to everything that is going on outside of their world. It never shuts down. So from the time they wake up in the morning to the time they go to sleep, they’re being pressured by somebody or something. How many people have liked my picture? Are there any comments? Have I gained new followers? How does this impact my child? Continuous access to digital devices allows kids to escape emotions they deem as uncomfortable, like boredom, loneliness or sadness. Escaping to a cyber world lets them “do something” at all times, even when they’re away from situations or places that might make them feel pressured or anxious. Their electronics have substituted opportunities to develop mental strength, such as coping with discomfort, spending time with their very own thoughts or connecting with others. These are basic skills we all need in our everyday lives. Social media has created a culture of constant comparison and the need to portray a specific lifestyle. And this, in turn, adds to the social pressure of often feeling the need to “show” others what you’re doing and documenting everything. Is it “kids just being kids” or should I be concerned? Around age four to six, it’s normal for kids to want to play by themselves. However, once they get a little older and they refuse to talk to others because of their anxiety, that’s when you should start paying attention. If they don’t interact with other kids or don’t want to play, that’s when you want to reach out to them and check in. If they can’t feel like they can be themselves, struggle to adapt to their environment or start losing a sense of themselves because that hasn’t been developed yet, talk to them. For teenagers, you’ll see their anxiety expressed more outwardly. It’s normal for them to want their own space and start developing relationships with others. However, if they want to stay at home a lot, they’re not talking to anybody or start avoiding activities that involve interacting with others, that should be a red flag. They might have many friends on the internet, but it’s also important to have friends in real life so they can have meaningful conversations with others and develop basic social skills. Is anyone to blame? No! It’s not anything that anyone does wrong. It’s kids going through phases of life and learning how they cope with those phases. Most of the times, children want to be listened to without being judged. A good way to keep the pressure down is creating an environment where they can feel they can communicate with you without feeling judged. Don’t just dismiss certain behaviors because for children, events that might not seem like “a big deal” for parents can be a very big deal for them. Don’t judge them or their friends. Give them correct alternatives but don’t force them into behaving a specific way. All children are different. What can I do? A lot, actually! Here are a few tips you can follow: Pre-teens: Pay attention. Take some time with your child before bed or in the morning to talk. Encourage self-expression. Allow your child to express him or herself. Try things like art and music. Get them involved. Your child should engage in outside activities away from tablets and video games. They should also have interaction with their peers so they can learn appropriate social behaviors. At this age, you still have a lot of control over the activities your child does. Get them involved early on! Set family time. Without electronic devices! Playing a board game together, cooking together and building something together is always a good idea. Monitor access. Pay attention to their YouTube channels and the things they’re watching on TV. Be careful with the news, scary movies or shows that are not age appropriate. Teens: Know their social circles. Knowing their friend group and the kids they’re spending most of their time with is important. It’s OK to ask questions and want to be involved. Know their social media. It’s hard for parents to do this because very few kids, especially teens, want to be friends with their parents on social media. But this goes back to communication. If you can communicate with your child then you can know what’s going on and understand what pressure they have. Get them involved. Make sure they’re not spending all day in their rooms. Find some fun activities to do together, both in and out of the house. Make sure they have a schedule. Teens need structured time as much as possible to avoid any negative influences. You can’t sleep all day and stay up all night. Your child needs motivation and their body needs to be productive. It’s healthy to have proper sleeping hygiene and a routine. Open communication. Have family time without electronics. It’s crucial to have time set aside in your home where you can talk to each other and open conversations. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000. Originally published Aug. 27, 2018. Last updated Feb. 21, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe heroin epidemic in Maryland continues to make headlines, with both Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Anne Arundel County officials having declared it a “public health emergency.” But as any parent would tell you, it’s not just heroin they worry about but a whole host of temptations that seem to be impacting kids at even younger ages. Parents are still the primary influence on their teens. According to research done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 93 percent of teens reported their parents would be disappointed if they used alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs. Education is definitely one of the biggest keys in the fight against adolescent drug use. The earlier we can teach them about the importance of decision making and what drugs and other substances can do to their body, the better chance we have of them not wanting to try them. Information changes every day. It will be hard to combat something you know very little about. Educate yourself and make sure that you are really listening to your child and talking to them without bias and judgement. Our children are informed of many things and it is our job to make sure that the information they get is valid. The Academy of Pediatrics calls it Purposeful Parenting. The National Institute on Drug Abuse cites the importance of family bonding saying it is the bedrock of the relationship between parents and children. Some tips to keep in mind: Be a parent to your child, not a friend. Educate yourself about what’s happening in your child’s school, in the community and about resources available to help. Be a positive role model and promote positive behaviors. Communicate effectively. Good communication helps reassure family members that they care about each other and appreciate each other’s efforts. Good everyday communication can also make it easier to bring up issues, make requests when needed and resolve conflict when it arises. Every family needs ongoing communication about shared interests and concerns, such as running the household, recreational activities and solving problems, to name just a few. Family members also need to be able to express feelings to each other and talk about motions such as happiness, anger, sadness, concern and anxiety. Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation offers these tips on things to remember for effective communication with your child: Expressing Positive Feelings We all feel good when our efforts are acknowledged. Try deliberately expressing positive feelings using these steps: Look at the person. Tell the person what he or she did that pleased you. Tell him or her how it made you feel. Expressing Negative Feelings To air negative feelings in a way that will help resolve them, try these steps: Look at the person and talk with a serious tone of voice. Tell the person what he or she did that displeased you. Tell him or her how you feel as a result and be specific. Make a request for change, if possible. Express Feelings Clearly with “I” Statements Describe your own feelings and avoid putting others on the defensive. For example, instead of saying “you really ticked me off when you were late for dinner last night,” try saying “I was angry when you came home late for dinner last night. I’d appreciate it if you’d be on time or call if you’re going to be late.” You will be surprised how comfortable a child is about talking about drugs, especially if it is something that is so prominent in their environment. A parent’s knowledge of drugs, positive influence and productive conversations with children can carry their child a long way in having a healthy and productive drug-free life. Author Keshia Brooks, BSPH, MBA, is supervisor of Prevention Education and Family Wellness at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach her office at 410-573-5422. Originally published Jan. 15, 2016. Last updated Feb. 11, 2020.
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