Anger Management With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Have you ever been in an argument and found yourself in a rage before you knew it? Or like many people, have you ever experienced road rage that is so sudden that it surprises you? We all experience anger, which is a normal and healthy experience. Anger is an emotion that can be extremely helpful when it is expressed in a healthy way. Experiencing anger brings about insight into out triggers and helps us navigate many relationships. However when we go from controlling our anger to allowing our anger to control us is when problems arise. There are many physical and mental ramifications for letting anger run rampant, like hypertension or depression. Therefore it is imperative to our well being that we are able to manage anger in a useful way.

There is a wide spectrum of interventions that address how to process unhealthy anger, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) yielding the some of the best outcomes for learning how to cope with out of control anger and related behaviors.

The core of CBT is cognitive restructuring, which is working to change the way we think about situations and anger triggers to in turn change the way we feel and act. For example, this type of therapy would work on changing thoughts like “You don’t care about me” to “Do you understand what I need from you?” which in turn changes the way one would feel and act in that situation. Working to restructure the way we experience anger is one of the main aspects of this type of treatment.

However CBT also adopts a multiplicity of approaches & systems to aid in anger management. Some of the frequently used methods are:

• Working on Acceptance &Nonjudgmental Stance
• Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Exposure & response prevention
• Problem-Solving Techniques
• Mindfulness Techniques
• Communication Skills

Also, during your cognitive behavioral therapy session your counselor will facilitate learning with a variety of strategies including:

• Recognizing the behavioral issues
• Recognizing the triggers to unconstructive feelings resulting in behavioral issues
• Finding ways to reduce unconstructive feelings
• Designing alternate reactions & behavioral patterns
• Practicing and treating the source of unconstructive sentiments by changing the sentimental pattern of a person.

Anger is a healthy and normal emotion that can teach us a lot about ourselves. If you struggle with managing your anger, cognitive behavioral therapy could be of great benefit to you. Working with a qualified therapist can help you along your journey to better control your anger.

For effective cognitive behavioral therapy in Claremont, contact Verdant Oak Behavioral Health (VOBH) - a group of collaborating psychologists located in South Pasadena.

Chronic Illness – Mental Support Is Equally Important As Medication

A chronic ailment is medical condition that takes place or carries on over a long period of time. Many factors can contribute to having a chronic illness, such as heredity/genetics or lifestyle choices. For instance alcohol consumption and smoking are lifestyle factors that increases the risk of obtaining a chronic disease. Another important factor that may contribute to having a chronic ailment is aging, as human beings tend to be more susceptible to these sorts of illnesses as our bodies mature. For instance, some elderly people may obtain chronic illnesses like cancer, due to aging regardless of sound lifestyle choices.

There are various types of chronic disease, affecting different areas and functions of the body. Examples of chronic diseases include cancer, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, hypertension, arthritis and asthma. While most of these ailments can’t be cured completely, they can be controlled with the help of medicine.

A valuable asset when coping with a chronic illness is social support. Having the support of friends and family helps to offer individuals hope in their journey and a moral booster along the way. Furthermore this support can practically help someone with chronic illness in many ways, from medication adherence to accessing treatment.

Understanding how a chronic illness works can also aid in coping with a particular disease. For instance with ailments like diabetes, understanding the how the disease works can aid in making healthy diet choices that are crucial in managing diabetes. Furthermore, understanding the symptoms of an illness can help you provide better information and feedback to your doctor and other healthcare professionals.

As such, and given that chronic disease a last over a long duration of time, management by a medical doctor is usually necessary. In addition to management of physical symptoms by a medical doctor, many people need additional care to help with the mental and emotional toll that comes with chronic illness. Chronic disease does not affect your body physically, but it can also impact your emotional and mental wellbeing. As a result many individuals with a chronic illness find therapy and counseling very helpful in order to cope with the negative emotional and mental effects of living with chronic illness. Psychologists are especially qualified to help individuals process the emotional ramifications of living with a chronic illness. Psychologists can aid in processing many mental issues related to having a chronic disease including depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and feelings of loneliness.

If you are looking for a Psychologist for chronic illness in Claremont, contact Verdant Oak Behavioral Health (VOBH) - a group of collaborating psychologists located in South Pasadena.

Things Involved With ADHD Testing Claremont

Does your child find it hard to focus? Do you worry about your child’s inability to pay attention? Or does your child find it hard to sit still? Determining if your child suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperacticity Disorder (ADHD) can be difficult considering the many other possibilities to explain such questions. For example many symptoms of ADHD overlap with generalized anxiety disorder and even learning disabilities. The American Psychiatric Association has detailed the symptoms of ADHD breaking them down into three categories:

• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
• Predominantly inattentive type
• Combined (Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive) type

In each of these categories, separate symptoms define three different ways ADHD manifests in children and adults. Psychological testing is an effective way to diagnose these symptoms and determine if you or your child suffers from ADHD. Here is a quick overview of ADHD testing and diagnosis.

ADHD Testing and Diagnosis 

Psychologists at Verdant Oak Behavioral Health offer ADHD testing in Claremont that comprises of psychological assessments adept in discerning ADHD. Psychological assessment will require certain steps in order to accurately diagnose ADHD including:

• An interview with you and your child
• An ADHD behavior rating scale, (usually completed with the input of parents and teachers)
• Educational and behavioral history of your child
• Review of your child’s medical records

Furthermore, psychologists may recommend that your child’s physicians administer additional medical testing along with their psychological tests to rule out other possible medical diagnoses that may be a cause of behavior. Examples of such conditions include:

• Thyroid disease
• Seizures
• Hearing & vision problems
• Contact to lead
• Anemia

Again psychologists at Verdant Oak Behavioral Health offerADHD testing in Claremont comprising of comprehensive testing and diagnosis. They can help you answer many questions like:

• Does my child have a learning disability or ADHD?
• What is causing my child to have behavioral issues?
• Are my child’s attention problems due to medical issues?
• Can I do anything to help my child focus better in school?

Contact Verdant Oak Behavioral Health for more information and for answers to questions like these.

Therapy for Drug Addiction– Some Important Facts To Know

Drug addiction is something that affects many people’s lives and wellbeing in devastating ways. Also because of the combination of biological and psychological factors involved in drug addiction, recovering from addiction can be very difficult. Recovery from drug addiction is possible, but usually requires the help of medical and psychological professionals. If you are looking for therapists who treat drug addiction in Claremont, read this brief article to give you valuable information to have on your search.

First, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, drug addiction is “a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting.” Examples of common drug addictions in America include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, pain killers, prescription sedatives and stimulants, cocaine, ecstasy, heroine, and methamphetamines. Also important to know about drug addiction is that relapses (occurs when after a period sobriety, an individual starts using the drug again) are common to this disease. As stated above, it is possible to successfully treat drug addiction and the goals of most treatments are to help the individual cease the use of the drug of choice and maintain sobriety while also increasing their ability to function in the world.

Therapists work in a variety of settings helping people reach such goals. Furthermore, many mental health professionals work alongside medical professionals to treat the addiction both biologically and psychologically. Many times a client will go through a detox phase at the beginning of treatment, which may involve medication treatment to help stabilize the person as well as treat other disorders the person may have. The help of a qualified therapist is important in this stage, as the withdrawal symptoms may include psychological symptoms like anxiety or depression. Once the person is stabilized, therapists begin treatment to help the client gain more insight and develop skills to cope with their addiction.

A common treatment used to treat drug addiction is behavioral therapy. Even if behavioral therapy is not the only intervention used, it is likely to be among the treatment strategies if not the only one. The National Institute of Drug Addiction also cites the following as common forms of behavioral therapy used to treat drug addiction:

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• multi-dimensional family therapy
• motivational interviewing
• motivational incentives

When seeking a therapist to treat drug addiction, it is helpful to understand their approach to treatment. Furthermore, it is important to have the help of healthcare professionals when starting the detox process. For effective therapy for drug addiction in Claremont or for more information, contact (VOBH) - a group of collaborating psychologists located in South Pasadena.