Page 8 - Boca ViewPointe - September '19

Page 8, Viewpointe September 2019

Mood – Mental Health – Inhale… Exhale, Take a Breath????

By Sheila M. Cooperman, some fatty acids. Often supplements are taken to boost these that lead to potential serotonin lift. Unfortunately, for some
LMHC, Licensed quantities. it is just a sweaty, tiring event.
Psychotherapist In the case of Vitamin D – should be intrinsically included Again, these concepts will not change the organic brain
in some of our foods, yet for reasons we may just not be chemistry sufficiently.
Mood and mental health – getting enough. For those that do not know, Vitamin D, it is Seriously, where do they come up with these ideas? The
let’s start there again. Often, hugely important on a cellular level. reality is mental health issues and mood disorders are based
people who are experiencing Vitamin A is in carrots, spinach, green and yellow on the levels of serotonin in the brain. Case in point, when
mental health symptoms fruits and vegetables, apricots and even liver. Vitamin A is I speak to someone who is not sleeping, immediately I ask
and/or mood disorders will quintessential for people suffering with eye and sight issues, them what else is going on. 100% of the time, they are also
turn to self-medicating with and therefore, they need to make sure they have enough. experiencing other mental health symptoms.
supplements and other mood Vitamin B one finds in so many foods, but many people This is evident to me, since I know that Melatonin is a
enhancers. do not like vegetables, and therefore they need to use derivative of serotonin, and with no serotonin, no Melatonin
There is nothing wrong with supplements, but you can’t supplements. and no sleep. Be realistic with yourself and others and stop
expect to take them all. This is routinely the case with a lot Herbs “washing cars” that need repairing just stop.
of people who want to use natural supplements to help their Next you have those that want to use herbs, but fail to
mood. They don’t do their research, and just begin arbitrarily recognize these can at times be contra-indicated by some
listening to people and buying and consuming all types of medications. Some people are also allergic to herbs, and
products. therefore, they when using herbs, should take some caution,
First of all, it is important to make this strong distinction do your research and know the potential adverse effects.
between vitamins/minerals, herbs and homeopathic products. Homeopathic Products
They are not the same, and not even close. Homeopathic products, routinely consist of ingredients
Natural Vitamins/Minerals that are toxic, but they are so diluted, that they are safe for
Our foods naturally contain vitamins, minerals, and use. Again, one needs to research this more carefully, and get
instructed by a certified professional. I know personally after
being given arsenicum for a stomach condition, I suffered
arsenic poisoning and paralysis many years ago.
Although, I am more sensitive than most, still caution
and concern needs to be implemented by everyone.
Marijuana
Last but not least, there is this new idea that marijuana
helps with mood disorders. Above all, please recognize there are reasons “why” you
I disagree completely. I witnessed so many adolescents are feeling this way. Sit down and write down the last time
that were experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, OCD, and you were feeling happy. For some of you, this may mean
the common denominator – smoking weed. having to go all the way back to when you were 10. Others
Just like Alcohol, another substance that people run to it could be just recently. Don’t stop there -
when they feel stressed, or life is becoming unbearable, the Sit and think about all your life events, the good, bad and
result is temporary. At the time of consumption, they may the ugly. You too will start to see, just how your serotonin has
be feeling better, more mellow, but 36-48 hours later, it will been going up and down – fluctuating with each and every
detrimentally affect your serotonin levels. event.
In the long run Alcohol and Marijuana, you can begin Recognize if your serotonin continues to fall too low, and
to feel even worse. What the common trait of both these there is nothing good to raise it up, you are on a crash course.
substances have in common is bringing down the serotonin It truly is not too difficult for you to see the blueprint of your
levels. life, and pin point just when your mood symptoms began.
So, I have seen the suggestion of deep breathing, That would at least be a beginning. It is just that simple.
meditation, and exercise surfacing to help with mood issues.
This is like washing your car, and expecting the engine to Sheila M. Cooperman, LMHC has been a licensed
run better. It ain’t happening. psychotherapist for more than 20 years. Unlike the majority
Some of those can present a temporary mental vacation, of therapists, she follows a psychodynamic cognitive
but they are not a true resolution. Meditation is effective, if process. Sheila is Holistic, and has helped thousands restore
you know the process how to push extraneous thoughts from their good mental health without the use of medication.
your head, and train your brain to be quiet. She adheres to a serotonin nutrition application. She
A good, soothing deep massage or Yoga is always a nice can be contacted at Naturallywellinc@gmail.com or
release. Exercise for some may release those endorphins, DACounselinginc@aol.com. 