Author: drmgreene1to1

May is Mental Health Awareness Month which is soon coming to an end. However, the importance of taking care of our mental health will continue far past this designated month. It is a “daily grind” as some would say to keep an eye on our mental health status. In other words, prioritizing your mental health and acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay has to addressed.

There is a difference between mental health and mental illness. Let’s define both:

Mental Health as defined by the World Health Organization, is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. Wikipedia

Mental Illnesses are defined as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. A mental health disorder can affect people of every sex, age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic group. Disorders can range from mild to severe and like any medical condition, many factors can trigger illness. Those with mental disorders struggle to cope with everyday life because of their altered thinking, moods or behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more that 50% of individuals will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. (pasendenavilla.com)

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness and those who do not need to assess their state of well being regularly for any changes. Your abilities to cope with normal and abnormal stresses can vary from one season to the next in your life. We may find that some abilities diminish over time due to prolonged stressors (ex. Covid-19 stress).

The good news is that you can regain and replenish your mental health! Even if you are diagnosed with a mental illness, you can live a productive and fruitful life. It begins with your attitude and ends with your attitude. I love the quote “your attitude determines your altitude”. This is true with addressing mental health. Let me ask you some questions.

1. What is your first thoughts when you hear the words “mental health” or “mental illness”?
2. Do you have any reservation about discussing or addressing your mental health?
3. Are you comfortable with addressing your mental health or illness with yourself or others?

Depending on how you answered the questions above will greatly influence your mental health status. Let’s help to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illnesses by educating ourselves and engaging in open conversation.

Please feel free to share your mental health journey in the response box. Your story can inspire and motivate someone else to be the best they can mentally!

If you think that you or a loved one may be struggling with a mental health disorder…please seek HELP!!

Online Mental Health Resources:       

https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms

To contact the NAMI Helpline, please call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org.

Advice on Mental Health Disorders | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (bbrfoundation.org)

Top Myths about Mental Illness with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (bbrfoundation.org)

Best regards,

Dr. G

During these unprecedented times we have ALL experience challenges. Some of you can attest that the year 2020 was one of the most unpredictable and unsettling year of your life. Nevertheless, if you are reading this it means you survived! Prior to the pandemic you may have experience other traumatic events in your life. Trauma memories are stored in the brain and they have a tendency to pop up at the most inopportune time. Since they are stored in our brain, trauma memories can shape and influence how we live our life today.

The word trauma or traumatized has been used carelessly by many to describe other’s behaviors or themselves. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA),Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, unexpected death of a loved one or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives.

There is a difference between trauma and trouble. Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that can shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people.

There are several kinds of trauma:

• Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.
• Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
• Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.

Remember, everyone responds to trauma differently. Some will have no ill effects; others may suffer an immediate and acute effect. Still others may not show signs of stress until sometime after the event.

Which response resembles you the most from the diagram above? (Flight) Are you the person that overthinks everything? Struggles with anxious thoughts or panic attacks. (Freeze)Or struggles with moving forward and making decisions. (Fight)Are you the person who “must” be in controlled of everything and has anger outbursts for no particular reasons? (Fawn)Do you often fail to set boundaries and try to please everyone?

Wherever you find yourself on the diagram above remember that negative trauma responses can spiral into ongoing and chronic negative coping behaviors. This can keep you engaged in unhealthy relationships with unhealthy behaviors if left untreated. This can include unhealthy:

1. Relationship with ourselves, which can include self-esteem issues, struggles with perfectionism (or feelings of “never good enough”), and more.
2. Relationships with other people, which can include struggles with any interpersonal relationship: intimate relationships, friendships, and family relationships.
3. Relationships with substances, which can include not just substance abuse, but engaging in unhealthy overindulgence with any alcohol, food, prescribed medications, and/or illicit substances.

You may want to consider the option below to renew your sense of self & heal the wounds of your emotional trauma.

• Start with the spirit by finding a promise for the problem…..I often use this scripture when I need guidance for healing through a traumatic event “In all your ways acknowledge God, and He shall direct your paths Proverbs 3:6”.
• Seek help for the soul…..Trauma treatment by a mental health professional that utilizes (CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), PE (Prolonged Exposure), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Often, the support, guidance, and assistance of mental health professionals is fundamental to healing from trauma

Love yourself enough to do the work because God loves you and wants you healed. You can be whole spirit, soul and body but oftentimes we do not know we are in a “prison” until we experience true freedom. I realize that your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. Remember you are valuable…and worth the investment to become the best you from the inside out!

Best regards,

Dr. G

Minutiae is defined as the small, precise, or trivial details of something.

Can we all agree there is a lot of minutiae going on in our world? There is a plethora of opinions, theories, and fallacies attempting to define what is happening in our world. How do you move forward? How do you decide what is right for you? What do you base your decision on? I could continue with the questions however I think you get my point.

The bigger question is how do you maneuver through the minutiae that is in our face from social, political and religious platforms? One opinion says…” don’t conform to this”. Another opinion says…,” you need to do this”.

1 Kings 18:21- How long halt (waver) ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him.

Following the Spirit of God in “you” is the key to maneuvering through the minutiae! We cannot rely totally on the Spirit of God in others to lead us. There is nothing that will replace our personal and intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. His Spirit will transform our spirit and His thoughts will become our thoughts if we surrender on a daily basis. God will fill us with His wisdom to know His will in all things (Colossians 1:9).

Don’t get led astray and in more layman terms some may say “don’t drink the Kool-Aid” others are serving. Old school folks may say “don’t fall for the okie dokie”.

Remember that anyone can be led astray or get caught up with the minutiae of life.

Based on scripture we have been forewarned: “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

I say your level of spiritual connection to God through His Holy Spirit will guide you through these turbulent times. You will be able thrive and not just survive. You will be an answer to someone’s prayer. The light you carry will shine brightly in a dark world. There will be opportunities to share words of encouragement to those discouraged.

My recommendation:

• Be proactive by spending time feeding your spirit with the Word of God and communicating with God. Let the measuring stick be God’s Word and not your own thought and opinions or others.

Remember, Luke 21:8 tells us that large numbers of people in the Body of Christ will be led astray. Refuse to be in that number but be proactive by using your spiritual tools and experience the results in your soul and body!  

Best regards,

Dr. G

We are charged to keep moving forward as we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Even when moving forward doesn’t feel like we are making any strides. We must continue to plant the seeds of faith and action in order to reap now and leave a harvest for those coming behind us.

Martin Luther King Jr. never got to see what his words, deeds and actions did for so many people in a positive way. It is because of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. that chose to take the risks and follow his dreams that we get to live in a world that possess increased awareness of the importance of not judging people by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

What are you willing to risk? What dream lies dormant in you that needs to be activated? To not only help yourself but for generations to come.

By all means …I encourage you to get moving!! I am determined to “leave nothing on the table” of my heart by utilizing every gift and talent God has given me. What about you??

Best regards,

Dr. G

Alignment is the KEY !!  

Alignment is defined as arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions. The biblical scripture poses the question: Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

• What is the “corrective” or “appropriate” relative positions for you?
• What alignment do you need to focus on that has been left unattended to?
• Is there alignment in your spirit, soul and your body?

Remember, even in our natural bodies it is important that alignment occurs and is maintained. In our body, alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and ankles relate and line up with each other. Proper alignment of the body puts less stress on the spine and helps you have good posture. 

What about alignment in our soul (mind, will and emotions)? According to Dr. Diana Kress, when we are emotionally aligned, things tend to flow more easily because we aren’t blocking our emotions—but soothing them. In other words, we are learning to manage our emotions and not be driven by them. Proper alignment of our soul results in reduce impulsivity, less reacting and more of responding to circumstances.  Remember, a reaction is typically quick, minimum thought, tense and aggressive. A response is thought out, calm and non-threatening. 

More importantly, what about our spiritual alignment? As stated, alignment is defined as correct or appropriate positions. When we are spiritually aligned, the spirit rules the soul and body. … The aligned person has a strong spirit, which is attained by feeding on God’s Word and praying in the Holy Spirit. We can then train our minds to think God’s thoughts, which we find in His Word. Our bodies will be trained to carry out the godly desires of our spirits and souls.

Misalignment causes confusion, indecisiveness, emotional upheaval, spiritual weakness and weakened immune systems. Proper alignment equals living out our God ordained destiny (Jeremiah 29:11) that brings fulfillment and leads to satisfaction and less desperation! More specifically, with proper alignment we can walk straight, upright, in a posture of wisdom and strength. In addition, we will be in good health, whole and productive to fulfill our destiny, with nothing holding us back better”.

Best Regards,

Dr. G

Journey is defined as an act of traveling from one place to another. Our 2020 journey has stretched us in ways that could not have been predicted with Covid-19, quarantine, racial upheaval, election battles, etc. Now that we are in 2021, what are some things that we have learn from 2020 for our Spirit, Soul and Body? According to Winston Churchill “those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

Let’s begin with our spirit because we are a spirit first living in a body that has a soul based on the scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:23: says “and the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Spirit:

1. God is sovereign (possessing supreme or ultimate power) and gives providential care for each of us. For some this may bring a greater piece of mind but for others it maybe disturbing or not even believable. Where ever you are may it be done according to your faith.

Soul:

1. Don’t count the days…but make the days count.
2. Disappointments are inevitable but discouragement is a choice.
3. Inner peace is priceless and should be pursued at any cost.
4. Be aware of cumulative stress on your mind’s ability to function this can exacerbate medical and emotional issues.

Body:

1. The body is vulnerable and susceptible to virus of all kinds. In order to survive and thrive in these unprecedented times we must double up on self-care.

Thanks for joining me!

“There are many paths but only one journey.”Dr. Myrtle Greene