The causes of social anxiety disorder are complex and interlaced with both biological and environmental factors. In other words, a child who is genetically predisposed to the disorder may progressively get worse because of social factors such as being harassed at school.

WebMD reports no one thing causes social anxiety disorder. Evidence shows that genetics could be a factor, or having an overactive amygdala can also be a reason. This is the part of the brain that controls a person's fear response. 

Social anxiety disorder usually surfaces as a young teenager, and it often can be linked to previous abuse and bullying. Other risk factors include growing up being more on the shy side and having certain health conditions.

In this blog, we discussed what social anxiety disorder (SAD) is. We looked at symptoms, causes, and how it can affect people's lives. But, also, we looked at how people can overcome social anxiety disorder with the help of treatment that includes mental health counseling and medication.

If social anxiety impacts your daily life, work, or relationships, there is help. Getting started on a treatment plan can get you feeling better soon. 

And, if you are worried about privacy issues with seeking treatment, consider a telemedicine appointment. A telemedicine counseling session will allow you to get the treatment you need from the comfort of your home—without ever having to leave the house.

​If you are ready to start feeling better and seeing life differently, please drop me a line, I would love to help you.

​In this blog, we'll take a look at several telemedicine benefits for mental health. Because let's face it, going to see medical professionals can be a problem for numerous people because of various reasons. 

After reading this blog, you'll see how telemedicine can be a total gamechanger as a patient. It's something that can help many who otherwise would not seek treatment and others who wouldn't be able to get treatment because of their circumstances.

Let's dive right in.

What is telemedicine exactly? Does telemedicine mean people just call their counselors and medical professionals and have a chat by phone?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines telemedicine as "the practice of medicine when the doctor and patient are widely separated using two-way voice and visual communication (as by satellite or computer)."

As telemedicine relates to mental health counseling, it's also called telepsychiatry, a subset of telemedicine. With telepsychiatry, patients and counselors can communicate through live interactive sessions.

From home, connecting with your mental health counselor at their office via a HIPAA compliant platform like Clocktree would be an excellent example of telemedicine. With telemedicine, counselors can meet individually with a single patient, conduct sessions for group therapy, and meet with children, and others. 

Telemedicine is transforming the way that patients and healthcare professionals interact. It's making care more accessible for patients. And when it comes to mental health, it can be a gamechanger.

As this blog has shown, counseling through telemedicine (telepsychiatry) can save time and save money for many patients. Additionally, telemedicine provides a way for patients to connect with their counselors when they otherwise couldn't.

And finally, interactive counseling through telemedicine ensures patient privacy. In other words, patients don't have to worry about the judgment of others as it relates to their counseling sessions.

​If you are looking to book a telemedicine therapy session with Megan Logan, MSW, LCSW, book a counseling appointment today or contact us with questions. We'd love to connect with you and get you started with a counseling plan that fits you and your schedule.

BUMMER.
Lately, I have seen this word used on social media or have heard others respond this way. Honestly, it makes me cringe. Bummer. An invalidating word when used alone. "My car broke down and I had to walk a mile in high heels to get gas". Bummer. "My kids are struggling to make friends in school". Bummer. "I lost my big soccer game." Bummer. When someone wants to vent, share challenges and frustrations or just know someone is listen, they want to hear something more than a one-word response. In my opinion, "Bummer" just simply falls short.

Rarely, if ever, does a one-word response evoke feelings of validation. Perhaps the intent is sincere, yet it just comes off as a half-hearted attempt at empathy. It sounds a bit more like a try for sympathy, an appearance of compassion or feeling sorry for someone while not really having to invest much emotional energy or get involved.

To validate another’s feelings and respond with empathy, a person must reach down into the depths of his or her own emotional center to relate with those uncomfortable feelings. It takes energy, vulnerability and effort. A simple “Bummer” just won’t do. I suppose “Bummer” feels better than an attempt to fix things by “looking on the bright side” which can also feel invalidating. I like to think of them as distant cousins.

If I get a “Bummer” response, I typically don’t share any more. Not because I’m angry or cold, but it is my cue that perhaps the person is not able to engage emotionally or does not have the time or energy to invest at that moment.

If someone absolutely must say “Bummer”, please at least follow-up with an empathic response. “My car broke down and I had to walk a mile in my high heels to get gas.” Bummer, that must have been miserable. I bet you got blisters. How did it turn out? “My kids are struggling to make friends in school.” Bummer, it’s hard to make friends and kids can be mean. How are they handling it? “I lost my big soccer game.” Bummer, losing never feels good. What happened in the game?
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I still think there is no need to say “Bummer” at all, but that’s just me. It seems trendy now and I have a feeling it’s around to stay. I just would love to hear more empathy and compassion behind the word, if that is what a person wants to convey. If you want to shut down, invalidate or send the message that you feel sorry for someone and don’t want to get too involved, then “Bummer.” is the way to go!

Five things I learned while belly to the earth.

1. Free falling at 120mph forces you to be completely in the moment. Talk about being mindful! There is no time to think, reflect or feel fear. As the rush of cold air hits your face, an exhilarating few seconds of complete freedom engulfs you. It was in this moment, I felt complete peace and successfully arrived at full mindfulness.
2. It is possible to be smothered by your own body! When the parachute opened I was shocked to experience the full force of wind resistance pushing my bosom up against my nostrils. Oh my gosh, I panicked, I was about to be suffocated to death. ​

3.  Everything down below looks so small and insignificant. The worries, fears and daily stresses don’t seem that big or important from 10,000 feet above. A wonderful reminder to keep perspective and look at the big picture.

4.  Life is good until you get motion sickness and blow chunks onto your instructor’s face. Oops. And I even took Dramamine! Well, we did just share a life or death moment together. Seems only fitting that I spill my guts too since without vulnerability, there is no intimacy.