#Antisocial: How the Hashtag is Killing Personal Relationships

Look around you. You see it everywhere. The phone. The earphones. The tablet. And the distracted patrons who don’t even take a second to look up. There are even businesses that are posting signs stating cell phone use is prohibiting in the checkout line or in the doctor’s office. We are having to specifically be asked to interact with those in front of us. The never ending technology in our world has done many great things for us, but there are some negative impacts on your social life.

You may have thousands of friends or followers on your “social” media, but are those relationships impacting the ones around you? Do you unplug for those who truly mean something to you? The ones who are in front of you?

When sitting at a restaurant watching others, I did not see a single table where a cell phone wasn’t used. In many cases, couples were sitting right across from each other, both looking at their phone and not speaking to one another, not even putting it down to eat. They are being social but not with the people they are with. The danger here is that we start losing touch with the people in our lives because we simply don’t get off the phone or take off headphones to talk and give the other person our time and attention. As a marriage and family therapist, I know many couples in trouble usually would be better off if they just paid a little more attention to the other person.

Now let me state that I do feel that technology and social media all have an important place in our lives and world. I am not saying it should be banned or not used. As a Chicago counselor, my concern is finding that balance. People are starting to feel isolated from one another because of a false sense of connection. Emails, mobile phones and social media are valuable methods of communicating information and are a great business too, but people are still very social creatures and need to interact with a live people who can read emotion in their face, touch each other’s hand, give a consoling hug, or a celebratory high five. We need real interaction and personal relationships, and more important, we need to build and sustain the existing ones in our lives. If you want someone to know they are important to you, you must show them. You must give them attention, and devote quality time to being with them (not your phone).

Chicago and the surrounding area (Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette) is full of social places. So as we are approaching the end of our summer, let’s all make a conscious effort to relate deeper and make time for the people in front of us. Talk to a stranger. Make a new friend. Break out of your shell and see what it does for you.

If you have a relationship that needs further nourishing, you can contact any of our affordable psychologists and marriage and family therapists in Chicago.

Anatomy of the 6 Basic Emotions

Many people may be expressing themselves with an icon these days, but we all have them…EMOTIONS. Happyface, sadface, and so on. Although the icons are endless, there are only six basic emotions recognized by counselors and psychotherapists in Chicago.

Psychologists believe that there are a few universal emotions that are understood by people regardless of their background or culture. These emotions are easily recognized and interpreted through specific facial expressions. Although the basics are all the same, the emotion itself can be highly subjective. This means that we have broad labels for happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust, but how we each experience these feelings will be unique. Think of it this way. What bring you to the point of anger is not the same as someone else. Also, sometimes you are just mildly annoyed and sometimes you are in full-blown “Hulk” mode. This can be a wide range that would all fall under the same basic emotion of anger.

Let’s take a quick look at the basic anatomy of each emotion as a psychologist sees it.

Happiness: When a person is happy, muscles around the outside of eyes are tight (producing wrinkles or crow’s feet at the edge of eye), cheeks are raised, and corners or mouth are raised diagonally.

Sadness: When a person is sad, the inner corners of eyebrows are raised, eyelids are loose, and the corner of mouth is pulled down (frown).

Fear: When a person is in fear, eyebrows pull up and together, eyelids pull up, and their mouth stretches wide.

Anger: When a person is angry, their eyebrows will pull down, eyelids pull up, sides of lips roll in, and lips tighten.

Surprise: When a person is surprised, their entire eyebrows pull up, eyelids are pulled up, and mouth is open.

Disgust: When a person is disgusted, eyebrows pull down, the nose wrinkles, upper lip pulls up, and lips are loose.

Do you have trouble dealing with your emotions? Any of our affordable psychologists in Chicago and the surrounding area (Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette) would be happy to help you explore your needs further.

Self-Esteem Versus Self-Acceptance

Do you know the difference between self-esteem and self-acceptance? Is there a difference? Why is it even important? What would a counselor say?

Whether or not you use an affordable psychologist in Chicago, you have taken a moment to think about yourself and where you fit in your own world. Do you find value it or do you hold some secret insecurities? Let’s look at it from a Chicago Area Psychotherapist’s view.

Self-Esteem

Psychologists in Chicago see self-esteem as a person’s overall evaluation or his or her own worth. Self-esteem is typically based on your own value of yourself as a person, including your own emotional view of those beliefs. The belief in one’s self esteem can usually be related to one specific aspect of life. The problem with self-esteem is it can be fake. People can have high-self-esteem or pretend to because they have been told they do well at something but can be harboring serious self-doubt and insecurities.

Self-Acceptance

Our low cost psychiatrist in Chicago believes self-acceptance is a much better path to real happiness. No one is perfect. We all have our flaws, but being able to accept ourselves flaw, quirks, and all is real self-acceptance. To accept that you have aspects in life to work on and that you are not perfect gives one greater freedom to be themselves bases on real merit and not in a way that is seeking approval from others.

Self-acceptance is far more realistic way to fit yourself in to the world around you than self-esteem based on peer approval.

So what does this really mean for you? Finding self-acceptance versus building your self-esteem does not mean resigning yourself to the status quo, but rather accepting things as they are with an eye toward improving what you can and what you really want to.

We all have the goal in life to find happiness and be happy with ourselves. Dr. Parisi and Associates have play therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, in Chicago who can help whether your concern is your child or yourself.

For affordable counseling in Chicago and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette, contact Dr. Parisi.

 

7 Bipolar Self-Help Tips

If you were recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder or even dealing with it for a while now, Dr. Parisi and his team of affordable counselors in Chicago have some tips to help you (or you help your loved one) better deal with the diagnosis. Our low cost physiologists can also help you with more personal treatment in Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette.

  1. Take ownership of your illness. Our affordable psychologists are not saying it is your fault that you have bipolar disorder, but we ask that you take responsibility to get help, work toward a healthier lifestyle, and follow your treatment prescribed by one of our Chicago counselors.
  2. Take control of your lifestyle. Most likely, medications are going to need to be taken daily and you must be consistent. Don’t drink alcohol and avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine. You are going to have to make life changes to make your treatment plan a success. There are many options for counseling in Chicago that can help with this.
  3. Sleep. Sleep deprivation can greatly impact your mood. You will need to shoot for seven to eight hours of good sleep a night to make sure you are at you best.
  4. Minimize stress. We all have stressors in our life, but you should learn better coping techniques to make sure these little stressors don’t become major problems. Your affordable counselor can help you find strategies that work for you.
  5. Your Chicago therapist is there to help. This is a big one. Your affordable Chicago counselor can provide you better support when you are consistent and honest. Make and keep your regularly prescribed appointments and use your time together to better your treatment plant. Don’t make changes without talking to your psychologist first.
  6. Gain and share knowledge. Educate yourself on your disorder and share what you learn with those around you. The more you and others around you know about what is going on inside your body, the better you all will be equipped to keep it under control. An affordable psychologist at Dr. Parisi and Associates can help you find reliable sources.
  7. Use your support system. Hiding this from your friends and family (don’t forget your therapist) is not going to help and more than likely will end up hurting relationships. Be honest and let them know when and how they can help you, even if sometimes that means you just need them to back off for a while. Use the support you have will making coping with the disorder easier for everyone.

Remembering all these tips isn’t always the easiest thing when you are in different mood cycles. It is important to let those in your support system be a part of your treatment plan, so they can help you feel your best.

Contact our affordable psychologists or psychiatrists in Chicago or one of our behavioral therapy specialists in Chicago the surrounding area including Mt. Prospect and Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette.

 

 

5 Ways to Build Your Mental Muscle

We all hear how important it is to stay fit and healthy. You go to the gym, run, do crunches, but are you doing anything to challenge your mental muscle? It always surprises me how health and fitness take a focus, but the brain is left on the back burner. The brain needs exercise to keep functioning at its best. Here are a few tips to make sure your mind is also looking good.

  1. Get some brain food. You know that eating right is good for your body, but did you know it is good for your brain too! Foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish and grass-fed animals) are instrumental in allowing your brain membranes to remain fluid and allow signals to easily pass. You also must eat enough food every day. If you are starving your body, you are also starving your mind. You also need to avoid some foods. There are studies showing that foods that are high in cholesterol are linked to brain diseases. Too much sugar and fat effect the brain as well as rest of the body. Eat brain food to make sure your memory and cognitive ability are functioning at their best.
  2. Challenge your brain. People are running on routine. They get up, do the same job, see the same people, and relax in the same ways. This may be comforting to them, but they are not stimulating the brain. Try something new! When you mind is doing something it doesn’t know how to do, it is building synapse. It can be simple such as crosswords, Sudoku, or other brain games or something even more challenging such as learning a new language or craft. To build new synapses you bust work your brain in ways that it has never worked before. Think of it like this, going to the gym and doing the same exercise will eventually quit producing results, so you must switch things up to keep your body (AND MIND) gaining progress.
  3. Remember? How often are you forgetting things? Do you try to purposely remember something? Your memory is a use it or lose it muscle. If you haven’t been challenging your brain or switching things up, it is likely that you haven’t been forced to remember much knew knowledge. You are probably doing your same routine, and don’t need to remember anything. Start small by trying to remember the details of a favorite day or event and then build up to trying to remember entire conversations. Can’t remember what you did yesterday? Start journaling your daily activities and review them in the morning. Get your memory working and challenge it each day.
  4. Focus! Do you notice that you can’t concentrate like you used to? This is another cognitive process that must be practiced and put to use. One of the best things to do to help keep your focus is to learn what is distracting your. If there is something else on your mind, you probably need to address it first. You will also need to practice concentrating to get better at it. You have to force yourself to stay on a topic of a certain length of time, and then give yourself a break to think of other things. This is more difficult than it sounds.
  5. Relax and sleep. This one sounds super simple and a no-brainer, but most people do not get enough sleep and do not take time to relax their bodies and brains with something they enjoy. Your mind needs a break as much as your body. REM sleep is critical for your brain to retain information and maintain cognitive function.

If you would like more tips building your mental muscle or need an affordable psychologist or psychiatrist, contact Dr. Parisi in the Chicago and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette

Why it is Important to Offer Help in Many Different Languages

English, PolishRussian, Tagalog (Filipino), SpanishHindi, Gujarati, Urdu, and Arabic Spoken and Understood Here

No matter your culture or background we all need a little help sometimes. If you are seeking a low cost therapist in the Chicago and neighboring area, we know you have many choices and we appreciate you seeking the best fit for you. It has come to our attention that many of our clients were unaware of the language services that are available to them. Not only does Dr. Parisi and Associates offer affordable counseling in Chicago and surrounding areas of Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette, we also have psychologists who most likely have speaks your native language to better meet your needs.

We have a wide array of services, including psychotherapy treatments for ADHD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, bipolar disorder, psychosis, OCD, and couple counseling and family problems. If you are seeking any mental health services including, a marriage and family therapist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a play therapist, a psychotherapist, a counselor or counselling, please contact us to help us find a program that best fits your needs to help you be your best. We are dedicated to the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, and families in and near Chicago.

 

 

What is Psychological Testing and how do I know If I Need it?

Psychological tests are standardized tests used to measure characteristics, feelings, beliefs and skills. These tests are also used to measure the presence of certain mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, or other personality characteristics. A standard psychological assessment includes an interview with a mental health practitioner and a psychological test. Testing can be completed independently or can be administered by a psychologist. Generally tests are given to help gather thorough and complete information in order to understand a problem more in depth and are used as a guide for treatment. These tests measure an individual’s performance at a specific point in time. Psychological tests help understand general behaviors or trends, but its important to note that these tests do to predict future actions, thoughts, feelings or behaviors.

A thorough assessment of an individual will first include a medical examination to rule out possibilities of medical illnesses. After ruling out medical illnesses or diseases, your medical provider may refer you to a psychologist for further assessment and testing. Typically a medical health care provider will make a referral for psychological testing if they believe it is beneficial. It is also common for doctors, teachers, and social workers to make referrals for further psychological testing.

Psychologists administer psychological testing for a wide variety of reasons. There are many psychological tests available and each measures different attributes. There are aptitude tests that help to identify learning disabilities and there are tests that evaluate if a client is experiencing an emotional disorder. Other tests measure personality traits. For example, if an individual is having problems with personal relationships or interpersonal skills there are tests available that help to identify personality traits that might contribute to the problem. Testing helps to provide valuable information and insight in understanding issues while also identifying individuals strengthens.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette.

Common Side Effects of Psychotropic Medication

Side effects are very common to experience when taking psychotropic medication. Everyone responds differently to medication and has a different experience while taking these drugs. Your age, health, and the type of medication taken are all factors that contribute to the side effects that you might experience. Side effects typically dissipate after several days or weeks and can be managed successfully. Immediately report any unusual or severe side effects to your doctor as your doctor can help manage and adjust your medications accordingly. Below is a list of common side effects for psychotropic medications.

Side Effects of Antidepressants:

Normally antidepressant side effects are relatively mild and dissipate within several days, however there are circumstances where side effects can be severe. Report any side effects to your treatment of depression to your medical professional immediately.

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Sleeplessness or drowsiness

• Agitation

• Sexual problems

• Dry Mouth

• Constipation

• Bladder issues

• Blurred vision

 

Side Effects of Antipsychotics:

Side effects of antipsychotic medications can range from mild to severe. Long-term use of typical antipsychotic medications may lead to a disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD causes uncontrollable muscle movements or spasms. This disorder is less common among individuals who take the newer atypical antipsychotic medications, however consult your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects.

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Weight gain

• Blurred vision

• Rapid heartbeat

• Rigidity

• Muscle spasms

• Restlessness

• Tremors

• Sensitivity to the sun

• Skin rashes

• Menstrual problems for women

 

Side Effects of Mood Stabilizers:

There are several different medications used to treat bipolar disorder and they can cause different side effects. (Reference the side effects of antidepressant medication and antipsychotic medications). Mood stabilizers such as lithium and anticonvulsant medications are more commonly used.

• Excessive thirst

• Loss of coordination

• Frequent urination

• Blackouts

• Seizures

• Slurred speech

• Irregular heartbeat

• Hallucinations

• Changes in vision

• Itching/rashes

• Swelling

• Changes in weight

• Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting

• Loss of appetite

 

Side Effects of Antianxiety Medications:

Anxiety is treated with antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers. The more common side effect for benzodiazepines is drowsiness. Other side effects can include:

• Upset stomach, nausea

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Blurred vision

• Headache

• Confusion

• Nightmares

• Nervousness

• Lightheadedness

• Trouble sleeping

 

Common side effects from beta-blockers include:

• Fatigue

• Cold hands

• Dizziness

• Weakness

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, and Wilmette.

What Should I Expect in Psychotherapy?

It’s normal to feel a little nervous or anxious when you first being psychotherapy. The first few sessions might even feel a little uncomfortable or awkward. It’s not necessarily easy to meet someone new for the first time and begin sharing your personal thoughts and feelings. But remember, as you continue in therapy you will feel more and more comfortable and at ease with discussing your issues. Your psychotherapist is specially trained and experienced in building rapport and helping you reach your goals. Every psychotherapist’s style and approach will vary, however there are some universal aspects to psychotherapy.

Throughout psychotherapy you will develop a trusting therapeutic relationship with your therapist. During this time you will have the opportunity to work on your challenges and to look deeply at your personal values and choices. Therapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist. The more you are willing to invest yourself in this process the more impact it can have in your life. You and your therapist will explore your issues and problems through discussion. Some of your sessions may focus on your internal thought patterns, feelings, and body sensations in order to gain an understanding of different aspects of who you are and how you think. During your time in therapy you will learn to pay attention to your experiences without judgment in order to better understand how your mind works.

Your therapist may want to initially start off by gathering personal information and a history about your family, health, and education as well as administer some type of assessment or test. It is normal to begin therapy with an assessment as these tools help gather information and get an in depth understanding of your issue. The outcome of the assessment often assists the therapist in determining the best course of action for your treatment and will help guide your sessions.

Your psychotherapist will then help to clarify and educate you regarding the problem you are experiencing. After clarifying your problems, you will work together to find resolution to your issue. It is not uncommon for treatment to include other providers such as a psychiatrist. For example if you are receiving psychotherapy from a psychologist, they may refer you to a health care provider who can prescribe you medication if they believe you may benefit from it.

It is important to understand that therapy will be a challenging endeavor and often takes time and commitment. Therapy often leads to a deep personal understanding, and significant and long lasting change. You may find yourself thinking and behaving differently. In addition to this transformation you will learn new skills to help you cope with future issues and challenges.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, Evanston, and Wilmette.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit to a Behavioral Health Clinic?

It is common that your provider ask that you to come in several minutes early to your first appointment in order to fill out the required paperwork. A typical session can last anywhere from 45-60 minutes long so plan accordingly. During the first session your therapist may also cover the logistics of therapy, such as confidentiality, scheduling, cancelation policies, and fees. Plan your payment in advance. Prior to your first session determine whether you will be paying out-of-pocket for your services or if you will be using your health insurance plan. Some private health insurance companies may cover mental health services such as psychotherapy, but others do not. Before you begin therapy you should check your policy to see what is covered and what provider accepts your coverage. Insurance companies vary in terms of services they cover and some mental health disorders are not covered at all. Double-check with your provider in advance in order to help you plan your payment.

Conduct your research a head of time and prepare a list of questions you might have for your provider. Be prepared to share information about yourself and the issues you would like to address. Your therapist most likely will begin by ask you a series of questions to help identify what problem you would like to work on. They may begin with a simple question such as, “What brings you here today?” Be as clear as possible regarding your goals and what you would like to accomplish during your time in therapy. It is not uncommon to begin therapy with some type of assessment. These assessments help gather information and guide the course of therapy. Prepare to discuss your health, education, culture, and family circumstances. During the information gathering process your provider may recommend further psychological testing or suggest a medical examination to rule out possible medical issues.

Once your provider gathers a full history, you will work together to develop a treatment plan and establish goals. This process is collaborative and your commitment and dedication is important. After several sessions you should have a clear understanding of your issue and your treatment plan. This plan should include your goals and how you will work towards accomplishing these goals.

Contact Dr. Parisi for low cost therapy in Chicago, Mt. Prospect, and surrounding areas including Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Barrington, Hinsdale, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Park Ridge, Evanston, and Wilmette.