6 Reasons Why Men Avoid Going to Therapy (When They Really Need to Go). By Dr. Lena Pearlman & Dr. Bryan Pearlman Data shows us that 90% of people who sought treatment for mental health related concerns reported an improvement in their symptoms and quality of life. National statistics also show that twice as many women go to therapy than men do. In addition, the amount of time between onset of a mental health concern and seeking out treatment is also twice as long for men than women. If we know that therapy is effective, why do men avoid going to therapy? Below are six possible reasons that guys avoid seeking out mental health therapy. 1.) Throw Some Dirt On It & Walk It Off! How many guys received this advice from their dad growing up? This could be in response to a sports injury, splitting up with a girlfriend or not doing well on a school project. Many guys were taught from a young age to just deal with it. 2.) Boys Don’t Cry! “Boys Don’t Cry” was a hit song by the British band – The Cure. This is also a message that guys have been taught for generations. Expressing feelings and emotions has been reserved for females. 3.) Stay Out of Our Business! There is a belief among many guys that health concerns, relationships, and family business are private. These are not to be shared with others. 4.) I’m Not Stopping & Asking For Directions. I Know Where I’m Going! Many family road trips featured the drive around until we maybe get to our destination. Some guys believe that they aren’t lost and don’t need help. This pertains to driving to a vacation getaway and also struggling through stress, depression or anxiety. It can be very challenging for guys to seek out help. 5.) No Big Deal. I’m Fine! When dealing with health or mental health related items, many guys downplay the symptoms and pain that they are feeling. To some guys, it is easier to avoid and downplay the issue than it is to admit there is something wrong and deal with it. 6.) I’m Not Singing Kumbaya, I Hate The Smell Of Essential Oils & I’m Not Laying On A Sofa Spilling My Guts To A Stranger There is definitely a misconception about what a modern therapist’s office looks like, feels like and what goes on in the office. While most offices won’t look like a man cave or a sports bar, they do more closely resemble a combination between a doctor’s office and a comfortable meeting space. So what do we do about this? How do we get more guys to go to therapy? What will it take for them to get the help that they need? There have been some successful public service campaigns targeted at taking away the stigma from mental health (particularly for a male audience). Pete Wentz (from the band Fall Out Boy) shares his struggles with depression and anxiety, Brandon Marshall (NFL wide receiver) created a PSA about his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, and Wayne Brady (Comedian/Actor) has spoken publicly about living with depression. More work needs to be done to get the message out to men that mental health is every bit as important in living a healthy life as physical health. This will take friends talking to friends and family talking to family. Let’s all work together to change guy’s perspective about mental health therapy. — Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice has a team of six licensed therapists that provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
We provide free mental health training and professional development for teachers, counselors, administrators & parents. Some of the topics that we have covered include: Trauma in Children Stress, Anxiety, Depression Oppositional/Explosive Behaviors Perfectionism Working with Reluctant and Challenging Parents ADHD We can also customize a training to fit the needs of the school/district. We offer small group trainings throughout the year in our Creve Coeur offices. Our team is also willing to provide trainings in a school or district office. Our trainings last between 90-120 minutes depending on the topic and the needs of the group. For more information, please contact Dr. Bryan Pearlman at: 314-942-1147 or bryan@stlmentalhealth.com.
10 Tips to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Students By: Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW August 18, 2016 School age students are experiencing stress and anxiety at an alarming rate. The trend over the past 10, 25, 50 years is increasing at a very significant rate. Some statistics that are eye opening are: -The typical high school student has the same level of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950’s. -80% of those with a mental health related issue receive no treatment -50% of American teens are showing symptoms of stress (headache, sleep disturbance and eating problems) -13 years old is the typical age of the onset of a social anxiety disorder -60% of illness and disease are stress related -25 percent of 13- to 18-year olds will experience an anxiety disorder – an increase of twentyfold over the past 30 years Is it any surprise that one of the best-selling songs of the summer has been “Stressed Out” by the band Twenty-One Pilots? An important lyric from this song is, “Wish we could turn back time to the good old days, when our momma sang us to sleep, but now we’re stressed out.” There are many theories as to the reasoning for these sharp increases. Some revolve around increased academic pressure to succeed and high stakes testing at younger ages. Others believe that students are over programmed and have very little rest or quiet time in their lives. An additional consideration is a decrease in the amount of sleep that children and teens are getting. Regardless of the cause, there are several tips/strategies that can be used to help reduce the stress and anxiety. 1.) Keep an open line of communication – Stress and anxiety can increase very quickly. The increase can cause more severe symptoms or problems. An open line of communication can ensure that when symptoms arise, they are addressed early and reduced. 2.) Help them learn coping skills and healthy ways to lower stress – Coping skills need to be learned, practiced and applied. In doing so, the severity, duration and impact can be minimized. 3.) Relaxation techniques – Evidence exists that breathing and movement can reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. These are best learned and practiced when stress and anxiety is low. 4.) Eating healthy – Many doctors and studies have discovered clear links between diet and mental health. In the case of stress and anxiety, there are definitely foods too avoid – high sugar items, caffeine, etc. While many “super foods” have been shown to have stress and anxiety reducing properties. 5.) Encouraging more sleep – Sleep is your body’s way to re-set and re-charge. Most children and teens require at least 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can increase the negative impact of stress and anxiety. 6.) Focus on fewer activ ities – It is important to avoid “over programming” kids and teens. It is important for them to have time each day that is free of school and activities. Taking time to review the weekly schedule, will help you to determine if your child is over programmed. A consideration is to determine which items are essential, which items are important, and which items can be done in an off-season or later. 7.) Exercise – Children who have too much “screen time” and/or are sitting too much have an increased chance to develop stress and anxiety. Movement and physical activity have a positive impact on stress levels in children and teens. This can be as simple as walking, riding a bike, or swimming. 8.) Music – Listening to music has been shown to reduce stress and help with relaxation. Of course, it is important to find music with the right amount of beats per minute, lyrics, etc. 9.) Laughter – As funny as this may sound, laughter is one of the natural ways the body uses to reduce stress. It also stimulates many organs and parts of the body. Others have shown a positive health benefit to just smiling often. 10.) Talk to someone – A positive option is finding someone to talk to about your stress and anxiety. This can be a teacher, counselor or mental health professional. Based on the severity, the mental health professional is likely to be a good choice. They can help you to process what is going on, teach specific relaxation strategies, and help you to plan for the present and future. Remember, the mental health professionals only goal is to help you to be better tomorrow than you are today. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice provides therapy and counseling services for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. The practice has six licensed therapists that specialize in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or via the web: www.STLmentalhealth.com. Their office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. Additional mental health resources are available on the website.
1 in 3 Students Report That They Have Been Bullied This Year (St. Louis, Missouri): A new report found that 1 in 3 school age students report being bullied in school or online this year. Students who are bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health related symptoms. The impact of bullying may also cause insomnia, lack of appetite, drug and alcohol use, and a decreased interest in school and social activities. In some cases, bullying has been reported as a contributing factor in suicides and retaliatory violence. Dr. Lena Pearlman, a mental health therapist in Creve Coeur, has the following advice and suggestions for parents of school age children that are dealing with bullying, “It is critical that parents model, encourage and foster open communications with their children. If your child reports bullying behaviors at school, it is important to stay calm, to be supportive, to reassure your child that it is not their fault, and to work with school staff to ensure that the bullying stops. Depending upon the duration and severity of the bullying, parents may also want to seek out a therapist who can help the student to work through the trauma, build their self-esteem, and help provide tools on how to deal with any future situations or challenges.” For more information, people can reach Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates by phone at: 314-942-1147, by e-mail at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of seven mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Our practice works with children and teens who are being bullied. We also work with families and educators to provide critical information and strategies to use in dealing with the victim and also the perpetrator. Please contact us to learn more about our services: Dr. Bryan Pearlman, Practice Manager & Educator Phone: 314-942-1147 Email: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com www.STLmentalhealth.com
(St. Louis, Missouri): Back to school shopping, finding out who your teacher will be, and reconnecting with school friends, makes going back to school a very exciting time for most kids, teens and their families. For up to 1 in 8 school age children and teens, the thought of going back to school can cause significant anxiety. The anxiety may cause a loss of sleep, loss of appetite, mood swings, tantrums, and stress for the student. In extreme cases, this causes a complete refusal to attend school and significant school absences. Dr. Lena Pearlman, a mental health therapist in Creve Coeur, has the following advice and suggestions for parents of school age children that are dealing with school anxiety, “All children will deal with stressors and change in different ways. Transitioning from summer activities and schedules back to the school year can be a challenge. Having some anxious feelings or a bit of worrying about school is completely normal. When the situation rises to a child not sleeping, not eating, other physical or mental symptoms, or a refusal to leave the house or go to school, this is the time to bring this to the attention of a mental health therapist and your child’s physician.” Some strategies that can be used for children dealing with school anxiety include: transitioning back to a normal eating and sleeping schedule as the school year approaches, reassuring your child that what they are experiencing is normal, encouraging your child to discuss what is making them anxious, helping them to create a list of the positive of what to look forward to in the school year, and planning for the school year in advance. These steps will help minimize the school anxiety and will set the students up for success. For more information, people can reach Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates by phone at: 314-942-1147, by e-mail at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. ### Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of seven mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
SUMMERTIME SADNESS IS A REAL CONDITION THAT IMPACTS UP TO TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN THE US (St. Louis, Missouri): “Summertime Sadness” was a hit song by singer Lana Del Rey a few years ago. It is also a true medical condition that impacts up to two million people in the US. Most people are aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition occurs in the winter when the weather cools off, the amount of sunlight each day reduces, and people spend more time indoors. Summertime is a trigger for those who suffer from Summertime Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summertime SAD). When summer begins, those with Summertime SAD begin to experience depressive symptoms. Summer depression often include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and anxiety. Medical experts are divided on the exact causes of the disorder, but many believe that it has to do with schedule changes in the summer for students and families, body image concerns due to pool/beach attire, and potentially financial worries due to vacation spending. Dr. Lena Pearlman, a mental health therapist in Creve Coeur, has the following advice and suggestions for those who feel depressive symptoms primarily in the summer, “Summertime sadness impacts people in much the same way that the winter version does. People feel tired, they are stressed, and they often have difficulty getting out of bed. My advice would be to seek out help from a licensed therapist, to plan ahead for the season, and to make certain to notify your primary care physician about the symptoms that you experience only during the summer.” For more information, people can reach Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates by phone at: 314-942-1147, by e-mail at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. ### Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of seven mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Importance of Mental Health Screening for Kids and Teens Dr. Bryan Pearlman STLmentalhealth.com July 7, 2016 Many of us have memories of growing up in a time that was more simple. A time when things moved along at a slower pace. These memories include playing outside with friends until the sun went down. The images were of a family sitting down to a homemade dinner together while having conversations about the day’s activities. In this scene, a smart phone was one with push buttons instead of a rotary dial, and eventually one that had a cassette answering machine. Nobody knew about the internet, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. In fact, a tablet was a mini-chalkboard with chalk, and a computer was the size of an office. Family vacations were eight people in a two-ton station wagon adorned with simulation wood paneling and a peace sign bumper sticker. Entertainment on this road trip included jamming out to Billy Joel, Elton John and the Bee Gees 8-tracks and being the first person to spot a VW bug (to avoid getting punched by a sibling). For many of us, this was a better time and one that we wish we could experience again. Today, the world definitely seems to move along faster. The pressure for kids and teens is at an all-time high. This is driven by competition to succeed at sports/activities, high stakes tests in school, rigorous standards to get into the right college, and peer pressure fueled by images of perfect bodies on social media and reality TV. A recent report stated that an average high school kid today has the same level of anxiety as an average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s (Psychology Today). With the increase in stress and anxiety, there is also an increase in depression, drug/alcohol use, and other risky behaviors. Some alarming statistics that have been published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): -80% of mental illness goes untreated -Suicide is the 3rd largest cause of death for people age 10-24 -75% of mental health disorders begin before the age of 24 -20% of all people have a mental illness -2 million people use opiates each year for non-medical reasons In light of the above information, and today’s current realities, it is absolutely critical that mental health receive the attention that is needed. Every child and teen should receive an annual mental health screening and/or checkup. Like many medical conditions, the key is early detection and treatment. Nobody can argue the benefit of detecting a tumor at an early stage or how much better a person’s life outlook is if plaque build-up in an artery is treated prior to a blockage. A great first step is to find a licensed therapist in your area. A good resource for finding therapists in your neighborhood is www.LocateATherapist.com. The therapist can work with your child or teen on coping skills, relaxation strategies, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, and goal setting. These have all been shown to be effective methods for reducing stress and anxiety. We may not be able to go back in time for a less stressful life for our kids, but we do have ways in the present and future to help them to be less stressed and more happy. This starts with an annual visit to a licensed therapist. — Dr. Bryan Pearlman is the practice manager of Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com). He has spent the past 25 years as a leaders and educator in academia, non-profit organizations, and business. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health practice in St. Louis with seven licensed therapists on staff. The practice specializes in counseling and therapy for stress, anxiety, depression, and relationships. The licensed therapists work with individuals, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is located in St. Louis at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. The practice can be reached by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or by phone at: 314-942-1147. Additional mental health resources can be found at: www.STLmentalhealth.com/resources.
How To Help A Friend Or Relative That Has A Mental Illness By: Dr. Lena Pearlman I am asked almost daily about how someone can help a friend or relative that has a mental illness. There is no secret recipe or formula for best helping someone with a mental illness. However, the below 10 items are definitely important things to consider and keep in mind when dealing with someone who has a mental illness. 1.) Help them to connect with a top psychiatrist and therapist. There are many doctors and therapists out there, find the best person you can. 2.) Understand that you may not be able to “fix” your family member or friend. 3.) Despite your love, concern and hard work – things may get worse before they get better. Things may not get better at all. 4.) Avoid the stigma. Having a friend or relative with a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. 5.) Don’t blame the victim, yourself or others. Blaming someone for a mental illness, is like blaming someone for having cancer or heart disease. 6.) Do your homework. There are many great resources out there for you to better understand the illness and how to best help the individual. 7.) If you are a primary caregiver for the individual, make sure to take care of yourself and get any help that you need. This can be very stressful and exhausting. It is easy to neglect yourself, while caring for another person. 8.) Get help if you believe the individual may be at risk of hurting him/herself or others. 9.) If there are others in your family or friend group, form a team. This will provide more resources and lighten the load of each individual. 10.) You have every right to hate the illness, but be careful not to hate the person. They did not choose to get a mental illness. More mental health resources can be found at: www.STLmentalhealth.com/resources. Dr. Lena Pearlman is a licensed therapist and the clinical director of Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates – a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice provides counseling and therapy for individual, couples and families of all ages. The therapists specialize in stress management, depression, anxiety, anger, relationships, and other mental health related issues. Dr. Lena Pearlman and associates can be reached at: 314-942-1147 or by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com. The office address is: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
St. Louis Mental Health Therapist Encourages a Mental Health Checkup During Mental Health Awareness Month (St. Louis, Missouri): May is mental health awareness month. St. Louis therapy practice, Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, is encouraging people to have a mental health checkup this month. Dr. Lena Pearlman stresses the importance of a mental health checkup, “One in five people will suffer from a mental health related issue in their lifetime. Every person will be impacted by a friend or family member with a mental illness. Early detection and treatment can positively impact a person’s quality of life.” Mental health related issues are often not diagnosed or brought to the attention of a physician. Dr. Pearlman explains the cause of this, “People are screened for heart related items, cancer and other diseases. Society understands these physiological concerns and the treatments for them. Historically, mental health related items were viewed in a different light. There has often been a stigma attached to this. Due to this stigma, many people do not report their symptoms or seek out help. We are working very hard to change the perspective of mental health and ensure that people get the help that they need.” — Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com and online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. St. Louis mental health resources are available on the practice website.
