- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAbby Forbes was in drug rehabilitation for the second time when she had to overcome an unexpected hurdle. By the time she was in her mid-twenties, Abby had been battling addiction for nearly a decade. She began consuming alcohol at 15, drinking to the point of blacking out. She later began experimenting with marijuana and ecstasy before moving on to heroin. Her addiction led her to Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s drug and alcohol treatment facility, where she was determined to get clean for good. But a new obstacle stood in her way. This time, it was in the form of adventure therapy, Pathways’ hands-on outdoor activities course designed to challenge patients’ problem-solving skills. Abby remembers standing on a wooden platform with about 15 other people. Each person had to climb up a rope and swing to another platform several yards away. As Abby struggled with the rope, the others tried to help. Still, she was determined to do it herself, insisting to the group that she could handle it despite falling twice. Mark Sakraida, Pathways’ adventure therapy coordinator, walked over to her. His words remain clear in Abby’s mind, 16 years later. “How is that like recovery?” he asked her. It was as if a lightbulb went on in Abby’s mind. “I learned to ask for help,” she says. “I couldn’t do it alone” Abby first came to Pathways in 2000, after her parents had kicked her out of their home. “I was in a very child-like state,” she recalls. “I wanted what I wanted, when I wanted it.” She briefly moved in with a boyfriend, living in his family’s basement in squalid conditions. After a few days, she called her parents. They told her she could come back home – as long as she went to rehab. She remembers having a chip on her shoulder the first day at Pathways, though she felt better after receiving treatment for drug withdrawal symptoms. Abby stayed at Pathways for 15 days. She loved the supportive community there, but didn’t know what to expect upon being discharged. “I was scared,” she says. “I left with knowledge of coping skills. And then it somehow evaporated.” Abby says she got back in touch with other users, and fell back into her old habits. Seven months later, she returned to Pathways. This time, she was in a different place mentally. “I wasn’t as nervous. I was excited about who I was going to meet and learn from,” she says. Abby had been through adventure therapy when she was at Pathways the first time, when she learned the importance of teamwork. Yet it wasn’t until she was back for a second round, standing on that platform and working hard to climb up the rope, that the lessons hit home. “I couldn’t do it alone,” she says. READ MORE: The benefits of play: Why the playground is essential to a child’s development The benefits of adventure therapy Now 42, Abby has been sober since 2001. She works as a peer support specialist with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, connecting addicts with community resources such as Pathways. Abby says Pathways gave her a strong foundation that has served as the basis for her successful recovery. She regularly attends 12-step meetings, where she met her husband. And she’s still not afraid to ask for help when she needs it. Mark, who has served as adventure therapy coordinator since 1994, cites an ancient Chinese proverb when explaining why adventure therapy works. “Tell me, I’ll forget. Show me, I’ll remember. Involve me, I’ll understand,” he says. “I tell patients that my job is to take them out of their comfort zone – and I think I do a pretty good job of that.” More than a decade and a half after leaving Pathways, Abby finally got the chance to thank Mark. She was at a work meeting at Pathways this summer when she walked past him in the hallway. She stopped and told him how she still thinks about the lessons she learned so many years ago. “He has a special place in my heart,” Abby says. Mark says he relishes every chance he gets to give his patients a dose of Vitamin A – “pure adrenaline.” “Every day I do this is a blessing,” he says. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKnowledge is power. When it comes to breast cancer, this statement rings true. Understanding your personal risk factors for breast cancer can empower you to make healthier choices. It can also make you more aware of any changes in your breasts early on, before cancer develops or while it is still highly curable. Every day we take action to protect ourselves from harm. We wear bike helmets, change passwords and slather on sunscreen. Understanding your risk for breast cancer is no different. This starts with a conversation with your healthcare provider to help you make informed decisions about your health. You can control some risk factors. Maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol are all ways you can lower your risk for breast cancer. Other risks are outside of your control, such as inheriting a BRCA gene mutation or having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Each of these risk factors are red flags, and women should talk to a healthcare provider about risk assessment testing and genetic counseling. Risk assessment and prevention programs help women understand and do something about these red flags. With innovative resources including genetic counseling, breast specialists work closely with each woman. They can talk with you about making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of breast and other cancers, customize a screening schedule to help detect changes in your breasts at an early stage and, in some cases, recommend medications or surgery to reduce your risk. While risk assessments can give you valuable information, they can’t give definite conclusions. No single model can predict whether a woman will or will not develop breast cancer. Even women who have no detectable risk factors may still have a high risk of developing breast cancer. All women have about a 12 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. And risk increases with age. One in eight women who live into their eighties will develop some form of breast cancer. Most will be cured but even so, it can be a devastating diagnosis with lasting impact. Here are five questions you should ask yourself to help assess your breast cancer risk: Do you have a mother, daughter or sister who has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer? Has any man in your family been diagnosed with breast cancer? Have any of your aunts or cousins or grandmothers been diagnosed with ovarian cancer? Have you been told that you have very dense or lumpy breasts? Have you had multiple breast biopsies? Have you been treated with radiation for Hodgkin’s disease? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be at risk for breast cancer and should consider taking proactive measures for your breast health. Talk with your healthcare providers about your risk and about steps you can take to prevent cancer. For some women, this might include consulting with a breast cancer specialist. Unfortunately, all women are at risk of developing breast cancer, even without having any clear risk factors. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, have regular check-ups including breast imaging as recommended by your providers and be aware of any changes in your breasts. If you notice anything that concerns you, talk to your healthcare provider right away. An ounce of prevention is indeed better than a pound of cure. But, the best chance of cure is early detection. Talk with your doctor to determine the right breast cancer screening schedule and methods for you. Call 888-909-XRAY (9729) or schedule your mammogram at Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging. Read about two more ways to fight breast cancer: Ways to Fight Breast Cancer: Get Support and Ways to Fight Breast Cancer: Get Physical. Author Robert Buras, MD, is an AAMC breast surgeon and part of the Fortney Breast Center’s Risk Assessment and Prevention (RAPP) program. Originally published Sept. 30, 2016. Last updated Oct. 5, 2018. Save
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen your child says their first word, it’s an exciting step into constant chatter, a lot (A LOT) of questions, and some pretty funny ‘kids say the darndest things’ moments. But what happens when your child stops talking, stops opening up and shies away from sharing their day with you? As kids grow, they move through different stages of social development. Knowing which one they are in can help you navigate and initiate meaningful conversations with your child. Keeping your kids talking is important. Not in a hovering way, but to keep connected, to check in, and keep the lines of communication open. Easier said than done, right? It can be a challenge to keep the dialogue going with your child when the day has been long for both of you. Here are some easy-to-remember conversation starters to help. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL At this age, kids will still be willing to chat with you if you take initiative and make it fun. Ask questions that focus on playful ways for them to share their emotions, interests and abilities. “What’s something really cool we could do/build/play later?” “Who was your favorite person at school today? “What did you do today that made you feel accomplished?” “What is the best thing in your backpack right now?” READ MORE: The 5 emotions you should talk about with your child TWEENS Ah, the middle school years. Your child wants to feel competent and show you that they are capable, so try to give them opportunities to share their thoughts and skills. They are also starting to form their identity, which can be tricky at best. You can learn a lot by listening to them talk to their friends and then try to pick up those same conversations later on. “Can you show me how you did that…” “In middle school I remember being…” “How is so-and-so doing?” “What’s the kindest thing you did for someone this week?” READ MORE: Understanding how your child experiences social pressure TEENS + YOUNG ADULTS Your little one isn’t so little anymore. They are fast approaching adulthood. This means you can really start to get on their level and vice versa. Current event and pop culture topics seem cliché as conversation topics, but being open to your child’s perspective and feedback can make a huge impact as they are figuring out who they are and where they feel comfortable and safe. Avoid ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions and don’t be offended if they don’t want to talk. You can share parts of your day to give them space to be themselves but still show you’re there. “What do you think about the latest updates on…” “Let me tell you about my day…” “Are there any movies or shows you’ve been wanting to watch?” Remember, if you’re having trouble getting your child or teen to talk, try not to worry. If they aren’t talking to you, they might just be opening up to friends, a cousin, another parent etc. It’s time to be concerned if you see them stop communicating with everyone, if their eating or sleeping habits change, or if you see a big shift in their mood over time. Every day, there are hundreds of opportunities to connect with your child. Time only allows us to take advantage of so many, but when you see your chance — start the conversation. Looking for some inspiration? Our printable cards can help you get the conversation started! Author Jo Deaton is the senior director of nursing for Mental Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 410-573-5454. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Originally published Sept. 25, 2018. Last updated Nov. 5, 2019.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRemember when you used to play on the playground as a child? Going to the playground didn’t only mean you were going to play, it meant you were going to laugh, run around, scream, fall, probably cry a little bit, just to get back up and keep laughing and running without a care in the world. It was the best thing ever. What we didn’t realize as children is that a lot more was happening. Not only were we having a great time while our parents were not watching our every step, we were also getting physically, mentally, emotionally and cognitively stronger. A playground should be thought of as an “opportunity ground.” Recent research attests to the fact that play is an essential tool in a child’s development. Actually, play is so significant to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. Outdoor free play gives kids invaluable benefits. But not just children – everyone really. As the adventure therapy coordinator at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility, I’ve witnessed how adventure and play can help, even with individuals who are fighting the very serious issues of addiction and substance abuse. READ MORE: What do Healthy Minds Need? Adventure therapy allows folks to see that they can do something they deemed as impossible. We try to convey the lessons learned during therapy in their day-to-day lives, showing them how to trust themselves and trust others – even when those “others” are people like them going through rehabilitation. Play is an opportunity for children to use their creativity while developing other crucial life skills, according to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here are some of the many benefits your child attains when playing: Physical. For children, it’s just fun to run and jump around. But research shows active play is critical for a child’s physical development. When kids are playing, they are honing their coordination, balance, space awareness and fine- and gross-motor skills. Physically active kids also tend to be leaner and healthier. In addition, physical play uses up natural stores of energy, which leads to better eating and sleeping habits – which also means better sleep for parents! Double win. Emotional. Play can be an emotional outlet, acting as therapy for some children who might be emotionally distressed from a traumatic situation. Research shows that play helps children release and “play out” their current emotional state – from fear, frustration, anger and aggression – all while teaching them how to express and regulate feelings. It’s also a chance for them to practice empathy and understanding. Social. By playing with others, children learn how to create and maintain friendships. Cooperative play helps kids sharpen their social skills while learning how to negotiate group dynamics. It gives them the opportunity to learn how to collaborate and cooperate with others, recognize and respond to different feelings, share, show kindness, resolve conflicts and follow the rules. Plus, social skills also support academic success. Cognitive. The most crucial time for a child’s brain development is from birth to age three, when the brain is developing at the fastest rate in a child’s lifetime. During this time, their brains are like sponges, quickly absorbing learning skills, like paying attention, reasoning, remembering what they’ve learned and motor skills. Play with your child to stimulate brain development and reinforce these skills! Choose brain-teasers, puzzles and strategy-based games to help strengthen their critical thinking skills. Creative. Creativity will continue to serve kids throughout their lives. Play is a chance for kids to let loose their imaginations and create their own worlds, giving them the freedom to explore new possibilities and think outside the box. Communication. By listening, observing and sometimes noticing subtle clues, such as body language or facial expressions, they’re developing this skill. Pretend play comes in handy for communication development and literacy. Role-play is also a chance to use words kids have heard from adults and other kids, improving their vocabulary. The list could go on and on. It’s not all about just fun and games, play is really an important teaching tool that can lead to developing necessary skills for the rest of a child’s life. Next time you’re out with your child or at home, join them. The benefits of play apply to everyone. Author Mark Sakraida is the adventure therapy coordinator at Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogConfidence. Balance. Adventure. Focus. Support. These are just a few key qualities kids need in order to develop the mental strength required to become strong, responsible adults. Mental strength isn’t about being strong-willed, defiant or tough. It’s about teaching kids how to cope with what life sends their way and giving them the courage and confidence to reach to their full potential. As a parent, how do you instill these values while navigating the changing tides of society? You’re told to make kids brave, but cautious. Raise them to be confident, but humble. Give them freedom, but not too much. Keep them active, but let them rest. In the coming months, we’ll explore the “how” with you. Our age-by-age conversation starters will help you foster open communication as your child grows. Our article “Is it puberty or something else?” will explore what’s within the normal range of emotions and behavior and help you determine when you should seek professional help. We’ll talk about creating a stimulus barrier for yourself and your children, how play is therapeutic and how to navigate the pressures of social media. Raising mentally strong kids also takes self-reflection. When you get emergency instructions on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first before attempting to help anyone else. It’s a metaphor that extends to all aspects of life — you need to take care of yourself in order to best take care of others. So as you read our upcoming articles, participate in online discussions and use our tools to help encourage better communication with your child, reflect on how you too handle difficult situations, show resiliency and communicate. Let’s build mental muscle together. We need to make caring for our minds, and the minds of the children looking up to us, a priority. Because ultimately, healthy minds need YOU. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
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