Noah Enteen, LMFT

3 Reasons Why Men Should Try Therapy

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Men have taken on a specific role in human development over the span of hundreds of thousands of years. While roles have very recently shifted somewhat, historically speaking, men have been the ones to fight the wars and build society. And if you think about it, it’s pretty hard to feel emotions, let alone process them, while on bloody battlefields and balancing atop giant skyscrapers.

You could say at this point in time, men have become hardwired to compartmentalize their feelings. They have them, just as much as women have feelings, they simply select to store them away and get to them later. For this reason, most men buck at the idea of going to therapy to communicate their feelings.

The reality is, it is for the very reasons I just stated that men can greatly benefit from therapy. Here are 3 reasons why men should at least give therapy a try:

Recover Your Sense of Identity

For many generations, there was a strong definition of, and acceptance of, masculinity. Today, we are given a mix of messages from the media about what it means to be a man and how destructive “toxic” masculinity is. Add to this the fact many men grew up in homes where the father was either fully absent or emotionally absent, and many men struggle with their own sense of identity. Therapy offers men a space to create a healthy definition of what it means to be a man.

Improve Your Relationships

Because men have a hard time communicating their feelings, their female partners can often feel abandoned and confused. This can cause real problems in the relationship.

Therapy allows men to become a healthier version of themselves, one that can connect better with their partner.

Deal with Grief and Pain

Grief, loss, trauma… these are sadly a part of life. Most people, especially men, have a very hard time navigating these mental health challenges. Therapy helps men explore their own emotional pain so they can heal and move on.

These are just a few reasons why men should seriously consider trying therapy. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

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Filed Under: Couples/Marriage, Grief, Men's Issues

Yes, New Fathers Suffer from Depression Too!

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Having a baby is an event that typically brings a lot of joy and excitement for couples. However, roughly 60% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression (PPD), with symptoms being either moderate or severe. Fortunately, PPD is a common health issue with much discussion and content outlining the symptoms and treatment.

What’s not commonly discussed is that new fathers can absolutely suffer from depression as well. While this depression is usually caused by stress and lack of sleep, and not hormonal shifts, the fact remains that men can and do suffer from PPD. In fact, according to the JAMA Network, roughly 10% of new fathers suffer from PPD.

Other research by APA has also shown that a “similar proportion” of new fathers experience some form of depression after childbirth. Since the frequency of depression is fairly similar between new mothers and new fathers, PPD can no longer be viewed as a woman’s issue.

Because of these recent findings, researchers are now recommending that both new mothers AND new fathers (or expectant mothers and fathers) get regular screenings for signs of depression. This is especially important in new mothers and fathers with a history of mental health issues in their own past, or in their family lineage.

Causes of Male PPD

A study out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas published in the Journal of Family Issues found there were a handful of common causes of PPD in new fathers:

No Education

Fathers simply didn’t know they could suffer from PPD and so ignored any symptoms they were experiencing, instead of focusing on supporting their partner.

Gender Expectations

Many men feel the need to be “manly” and act like a “tough guy” that isn’t bothered by emotions.

Repressed Feelings

Men are often reluctant to share their feelings, let alone seek help because of them.

With these new findings, hopefully, more men will pay attention to how they are feeling and seek help should they feel depression creeping on.

If you or a loved one are a new father that is suffering from PPD and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

 

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Filed Under: Men's Issues, Parenting

I Have Back and Neck Pain. Can I Adjust Myself?

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We’ve all seen those videos of people locked at home due to the pandemic, forced to give themselves and family members a haircut. While some of the results have been surprisingly not terrible looking, other hairdos would definitely be required to be categorized as hair-don’ts. But at least no one was harmed during the making of those bad haircuts.

But the same can’t be said for people who try and give themselves a quick CRACK of the neck or back. Most people, at some point in their life, will experience neck or back pain to some degree and it can be tempting trying to alleviate this discomfort yourself. But while someone can twist their back in a certain way and jerk their neck around, causing a loud POP or CRACKing sound, these attempts to adjust are very counterproductive and can make an already unstable joint more mobile.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

Chiropractic adjustments work on treating issues in our joints and spine. By using a precise and special kind of force and manipulation, a chiropractor can realign misaligned joints, relieving pressure on the nerves and help surround tissue relax and become less inflamed. Chiropractic care can alleviate pain while helping to improve posture and mobility.

It takes years of training for a chiropractor to be able to safely and effectively adjust someone’s joints. They must learn how to use their hands and other specially designed instruments to apply just the right amount of pressure and movement to the joint.

So, to answer the question “Can I adjust my own neck or spine myself?” once and for all, the answer is a very loud NO! If you are suffering from neck or back pain, it is in your best interest to seek professional help. Don’t put it off because the longer you allow joint problems to fester, the more pain and inflammation you can and will develop.

If you live in the area and would like to get some help with your back or neck, please either call our office or stop by for a free consultation. We’d love to help you become pain-free as quickly as possible.

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Filed Under: Chiropractic

4 Powerful Immunity Boosters

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As we continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us are wondering how we can boost our immune systems. You most likely know you should take more vitamin C, but here are some other ways you can give your immunity a powerful boost:

Tackle That Stress

When we’re stressed, our bodies produce stress hormones like cortisol, which weaken our immune system. This means when we are under chronic stress, our immune system is under constant attack.

It’s important to find healthy ways to tackle stress. Try exercise, meditation, and psychotherapy to help relieve the burden.

Eat Right

When you eat a typical Standard American Diet (SAD), full of refined grains and sugars and unhealthy fats, you change your gut’s microbiome (the beneficial bacteria that). And guess where 80% of your immune system is? In your gut!

Eat a healthy diet of grass-fed meats, dairy, and organic produce to give your body the nutrients it needs to be healthy and to keep your gut microbiome nice and strong.

Exercise

Exercise is important to keep our hearts, muscles, and bones strong. But in addition, exercise helps us burn through those stress hormones I talked about a little while ago. And, research has found that even a little bit of exercise can have improved microbiome diversity, which leads to a stronger immune system.

Get More Sleep

You most likely know that when you don’t get enough sleep, you feel cranky and in a fog the next day. But what you may not know is that too little sleep night after night decreases our immune function. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Do your best to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Also, put those electrical devices away at night. The blue light those devices emit interferes with your body’s natural sleep cycle.

These 4 things may seem like common sense, but are you actually doing them? Making some lifestyle changes to ensure you are tackling stress, eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep will keep your immune system strong so it can keep you healthy.

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Filed Under: Nutrition

How to Talk to Your Young Child About the LGBTQIA+ Community

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As a parent or caregiver, it can be difficult to know the right thing to say when kids question what we deem to be adult topics. Broaching topics of sexuality can be awkward for both parties, however, it is a necessary conversation to have.

When it comes to talking about homosexuality and transgender individuals, children should be given age-appropriate information so they can better understand and empathize with others. Regardless of whether or not your child is LGBTQIA+, having a conversation about LGBTQIA+ issues will help reduce prejudice while teaching compassion and empathy.

When to Talk

It’s never too late to start a conversation on issues of sexuality with your children. While there may be initial discomfort and reluctance from preadolescent children and older, ultimately having these discussions with your children will help them develop a sense of safety and security with you, while it teaches them tolerance and acceptance.

For young children, the age of 5 is a good time to begin discussing these topics by sharing some basic information with them.

What to Say

For young children, keep the conversation simple and focus on basic concepts. When talking about homosexuality, you can explain to your child that just as a man and a woman can fall in love, so can a man with a man, and a woman with a woman. When talking about transgender individuals, you can explain that how a person looks on the outside isn’t always how they feel on the inside. You can refer to the familiar adage about “not judging a book by its cover.”

Children should understand the basic concept that even though people may look different than us, they are people just like we are and equally deserving of love, acceptance, and respect.

You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Your child may have questions that you can’t answer. It’s okay to admit to your child when you don’t know the right answer. This could be a discussion point for later after you’ve done some research, or it could be a good opportunity for you to learn from your child.

Are you a parent in need of parenting advice and support? A trained, licensed mental health professional can help. Call my office today, and we can set up an appointment to talk.

 

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Children, LGBTQ

3 Ways Teens Can Benefit from Therapy

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Not many of us remember our teenage years as walks in the park. That’s because this time in our life is punctuated by uncertainties, social pressure, and a surge of hormones. Because of this perfect storm, many teens act out, which can cause a lot of chaos and disruption in the home and family.

Here are 3 reasons why teens can benefit from therapy:

Self-Worth Issues

Most teens have a certain level of self-worth issues growing through this awkward phase. But there are those teens that really suffer from low self-esteem. Therapy can help adolescence build their self-esteem.

Stress

Dealing with school, friendships, work, choosing a college… are all major stressors in a young person’s life. And many teens find it hard to speak with their parents. Therapy offers teens a way to communicate and let go of some steam and pressure that is building up.

Grief and Loss

There should be a rule that no young person should suffer the loss of a close friend or family member. Sadly, many teens do experience loss and the grief that accompanies it. This can be incredibly difficult for the teen and their parents to navigate. A therapist has been trained to know exactly how to guide a young person through the stages of grief.

Anxiety Disorders

It’s perfectly normal for teens to feel worried and anxious at times. But some teens experience such severe anxiety, it negatively impacts their life, schoolwork and relationships. Therapy can help teens learn to manage their symptoms.

Substance Abuse Issues

Unfortunately, many teens learn to cope with the intensity of life by using drugs and alcohol. A therapist can assess a teen’s substance use and determine the best course of action.

These are just some of the benefits teens can gain from working with a therapist. If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

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Filed Under: Addiction, Adolescents/Teens, Anxiety, Grief

Tips for Staying Healthy While Working from Home

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For some people, working from home is a normal routine. This is, after all, the gig economy, and many people have been freelancing, making a living from their home office for many years now. But for others, working from home is a completely new phenomenon brought about by the global pandemic.

For this second group of people, working from home has completely changed their day-to-day lives, and many have found their overall health has taken a toll. With lockdowns and social distancing still mandated in many areas of the country, it’s a good idea to discuss some things you can do to stay healthy while you continue to work from home:

Keep Your Routine

We’ve all heard the stories of people admitting they aren’t showering as often and are staying in their PJs all day. While this was fun and novel at the beginning of the pandemic, allowing this to continue can negatively impact your mental and physical health.

It’s important to keep a daily routine. This means setting an alarm, showering, dressing, etc.

Get Exercise

You may not even realize how much more you used to move around at your office or place of work. The office kitchen and bathroom were probably farther away, and you took breaks just to chat with coworkers. It’s important that you get up from time to time and move around at home as well.

Stock Up on Healthy Food

It will be FAR TOO EASY to put on weight when working from home unless you make sure to get rid of most junk food and instead, stock up on healthy food and snacks.

Stay Connected

Not everyone is cut out for working from home as it can be isolating. If you’re used to being around a lot of people and are feeling lonely, be sure to check in with friends and coworkers throughout the day.

None of us really know when life will return to normal. If you are forced to work from home at this time, be sure to follow these tips so you can stay healthy!

 

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Filed Under: Nutrition, Sports / Exercise, Telehealth

A Guide to Successful Interventions

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If you have a friend or a loved one that is struggling with an addiction, then you know firsthand how helpless it can feel to watch them suffer. That’s why many loved ones decide to take action and have an intervention for their loved one.

Interventions can be very powerful and effective when they are handled correctly. In this blog post, I want to go over some important information you’ll need to conduct a successful intervention.

When Should an Intervention Be Used?

Typically, interventions are used when addicts cannot or will not help themselves from relapsing into dangerous or harmful behaviors. There are other interventions called crisis interventions that are used when an individual is experiencing an immediate harmful crisis, such as a suicide threat or attempt.

Do Interventions Work?

There isn’t a lot of data available regarding the efficacy of interventions, most likely because effectiveness is hard to define. What mental health experts do know is that addicts are more likely to seek treatment if they have undergone an intervention. This, however, does not mean their treatment will be effective. That is completely up to the individual and the work they are willing to put in.

Having said that, strong social support is beneficial in convincing an addict to WANT to get sober. So those friends and families that are likely to set up an intervention will also be likely to lend their support throughout treatment.

How to Find an Interventionist

It is not recommended that family members conduct an intervention by themselves. You will definitely want the assistance of a professional interventionist who can help you plan a safe and effective intervention. This person will facilitate open and constructive communication between everyone and prepare your group for potential outcomes.

To find a qualified interventionist, it’s a good idea to speak with someone at a local reputable rehabilitation center. You may also want to look in your area for a therapist that specializes in addiction.

If you live in the area and would like to speak with me about helping you and your loved ones plan an intervention, please get in touch with me.

 

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Filed Under: General

4 Reasons to Start Therapy in 2021

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If you’re like most people, you brought in the new year with a list of resolutions. And if you’re like most people, all of those resolutions have one goal: to better your life in some way. Whether that is through eating right, working out, learning a new language or decluttering your home office, resolutions are made to help us live our best lives.

In all of these instances (health, weight loss, decluttering) therapy can help.

You see, most people believe mental health therapy is something you seek when there is a major crisis; when we need help navigating depression or anxiety; when we’re going through a big transition, or when our marriage is on the verge of collapse.

And while therapy can absolutely help with all of these scenarios, it offers numerous benefits you may not have thought of:

Therapy Can Boost Physical Health

Different therapy protocols have been shown to improve different physical symptoms associated with stress. This includes a reduction in migraines, digestive upset, better appetite and improved sleep.

Builds Self-Awareness

Many of us think we are running our lives when really, our lives are being run by subconscious programming from early childhood. Therapy helps clients understand where feelings, beliefs and behaviors really come from. Through treatment, individuals can become more self-aware and empowered to take responsibility for the lives they are creating. In this way, THEY create their lives instead of their lives being something that is happening TO them.

Explore Hidden Desires

Of course, self-awareness also means becoming aware of your passions and desires. Many people spend a majority of their life doing what others want instead of what THEY want. And many people simply don’t KNOW what they want in life.
Therapy can help you become an archeologist of sorts, digging into your heart, mind and soul to uncover what it is you value, love, desire, need and want.

Therapy Helps You Reach Goals

It’s the new year and we all have new goals that we are hoping to reach. Well, therapy can help you reach those goals!
A trained therapist can help you set achievable goals as well as help you outline the micro steps you’ll need to take to get there. They can also then act as coach and cheerleader, supporting your efforts to reach your goals.
Yes, therapy is something that you can turn to for depression, addiction, and help with your crumbling relationships. But therapy can help with so much more. If you’d like to explore treatment options in the new year, please get in touch with me.

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Filed Under: General

Sit/Stand Desks – Are They Good Or Bad?

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You have probably noticed over the last few years that the popularity of sitting/standing desks has really taken off. In fact, sales of standing desks have soared in recent years, and in many cases their sales have far outpaced those of conventional desks.

You may have even read an article or two outlining the benefits of standing more. But is there any truth to these claims? Are sit/stand desks worth it or just hype?

First, if you’re new to this topic, let’s briefly talk about what a sit/stand desk is. It’s pretty self-explanatory actually, these desks are adjustable so the person can sit at them when needed and raise them so they may stand and continue to work.

What are the Benefits – If Any – To Standing More?

The claim is that sitting all day is harmful to our health, certainly harmful to our waistlines. A good majority of people who purchase these sit/stand desks do so in the hopes it will help them lose weight.

But does standing really help you burn significantly more calories? Research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health sought to answer this very question. So the researchers fitted 74 healthy people with masks that measured oxygen consumption (which would reflect how many calories were being burned) while doing computer work, watching TV, standing or walking on a treadmill.

The results? Sitting burned 80 calories an hour, about the same as typing and watching TV, standing burned 88 calories an hour, while walking burned 210 calories an hour. So standing for 3 hours would burn roughly 24 calories, which are the number of calories in a small carrot.

So when it comes to calorie burning and weight loss, a standing desk isn’t going to help you get the results you are hoping for.

So Are There Any benefits to Standing More?

While a standing desks won’t help you burn more calories, there may be some benefits to standing more throughout your day:

  • Some studies have shown that after a meal, blood sugar levels return to normal faster on those days the person spends more time standing.
  • Standing more will help reduce back and shoulder pain, and help keep hamstrings loose. (Sitting too much causes our soft tissues to tighten).

So are stand/sit desks really worth it? Probably not. You’d get just as much benefit making sure you get up and walk around the office or your home every hour. If you do want to stand more when you work, you can simply place a small shelving unit on top of your desk, or even place your laptop on a stack of books. It’ll save you a lot of money!

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Filed Under: Chiropractic, Sports / Exercise