COVID-19 has changed our lives in just a matter of weeks. People are losing their jobs and being issued to stay in their homes unless it is absolutely crucial that they leave. With all of this change and uncertainty, anxiety levels are beginning to skyrocket. One of the best things that you can do to reduce anxiety would be to get enough exercise. Since the majority of gyms are closed down, it is getting kind of difficult to get in enough movement. Luckily, there are some exercises that you can do at home to reduce some of the anxiety that you may be experiencing with everything that is going on.
- Walking, Jogging, Or Biking: Getting out and enjoying the fresh air is one of the best things that you can do to aid your anxiety. Feeling the wind against your face and the sun against your skin will do wonders for you. Vitamin D comes from the sun. This vitamin can help to boost your mood and improve your overall health. If you aren’t getting enough Vitamin D, then your immune system will suffer. It is important now, more than ever, that you are doing everything that you can to boost your immune system.
- Yoga: If you live in a well-populated area and are not comfortable when it comes to heading outside, then there are still some activities that you can do inside. One of the best would be yoga. You won’t need anything extra, just space and time. There are plenty of free videos and tutorials that you can follow along online, especially right now. Yoga will allow you to focus on your breathing and it will help you to clear your mind. Both of these things are super important when it comes to helping during these anxiety-inducing times. You will also get the added benefit of stretching out your sore muscles. Since the majority of people are just sitting home, stretching is important to make sure you aren’t getting achy and stiff.
- Dancing: Dancing is another great form of exercise that doesn’t require any equipment. You can either freestyle your routine or you can find one online. The ones online will be more structured and will hit all of your muscle groups. Dancing is a great way to boost your mood and increase blood flow. It would be a great form of exercise to do in the morning or early in the day. That way you will be able to start your day off on the right foot, even if you are having to stay in all day.
- Weightlifting: If you have the equipment, weightlifting is a great way to ease anxiety. There are plenty of people that are starting to build their own home gym with everything that is going on. Weightlifting has been proven to promote endorphins, which is what everyone needs right now. If you don’t have any weights, there are plenty of ways that you can improvise with heavy books or you can just do more reps of body weight exercises.
There aren’t too many activities that can be done while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. Swimming is a great way to combat anxiety but a lot of people don’t have access to a swimming pool right now. So, the best thing that you can do would be to go on walks or bike rides in the outdoors. If you do go outdoors, it is important that you are still maintaining social distance. Also, during these outdoor activities, don’t spit. It is gross but it also one of the quickest ways to spread the disease.
If you aren’t comfortable going outside, even though that is the best thing that you can do for your mental health. Then, you should at least try to get some yoga or dancing exercises incorporated into your daily life. Yoga is a great way to unwind, while dancing is awesome if you are looking to burn off some of that pent up energy.
You should aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise three days a week. Ideally, you should get 30 minutes of exercise each day, five days a week. While the workouts are important, so is the consistency and frequency that you exercise. Developing these habits will make it a lot easier to exercise when you would rather lay in bed all day.
Psychiatry and technology have become progressive partners in the health care industry. The term telepsychiatry is the familiar name for online mental health therapy. This new form of receiving counseling for mental disorders, behavioral problems, depression, and other issues provides a psychiatrist or a therapist a modern way of treating their patients. Hardware, software, and internet connections all play a part in the success of treating patients with telepsychiatry. Who are the patients who will benefit the most from online therapy? The answer to this question is identifying which groups of people have obstacles to receiving help for their mental health issues.
Beneficiaries of telepsychiatry
It is not easy for some people to seek help or treatment for their mental problems that are hindering their quality of life. Sometimes there is a reluctance to discuss personal or family failures, addictions,or even criminal acts to a stranger. Parents of children who have behavioral or destructive tendencies that cannot be managed by conventional methods must turn to therapists or doctors who have the knowledge to properly diagnose these children. With two working parents in a family, it can be very challenging to schedule regular trips to a doctor’s office. If these individuals or children, who need mental health care, live in rural areas, finding mental health care facilities can be difficult and discouraging. An online therapist or psychiatrist can give these patients the counseling they need. Another population of people who can benefit from online mental health therapy are prisoners. Telepsychiatry works well in a prison setting because of the secure and controlled environment. The cost and procedure of transporting prisoners to outside facilities is minimal and there are plenty of willing participants who will benefit from receiving therapy prior to their release from prison if they are eligible.
Preparation for an online psychiatry session
If a prospective patient or a mental health care professional is to have a successful online session, there are things that can be done to make the online therapy session productive for both the patient and the therapist.
The room where the session will take place should be quiet, free from indoor traffic, and off limits to distractions from people, pets, electronic devices, and visual objects.
The equipment that will be used should include a set of headphones that cancels outside noises. The headphones will help the sound of voices be more clear and will ensure privacy during the session.
The computer hardware that will be used during the session should be set up for both eye and body comfort and the internet connection should be strong enough to prevent buffering during the meeting. A private network should be protected by a strong password. Any open programs or applications should be closed prior to the beginning of the session.
The first session
A person’s initial meeting with a therapist or doctor will probably be apprehensive, but it is during the first session that a foundation of trust and rapport between the patient and the psychiatrist can be established. An online psychiatry session is typically conducted the same way as a traditional appointment. There will be a series of questions that the doctor will ask the patient so that a basis for dialogue and treatment can be established.
The questions may include physical or mental symptoms that the patient may be experiencing, medications that a patient is currently or may have taken, and the mental health history of any family members. A doctor may also find it important to request a patient to have blood tests done before any medication is prescribed. All the information that the therapist is gathering from the patient is necessary for the welfare and treatment of the person who needs mental health care.
The cooperation and input of patients are just as important as the questions that are asked by the therapist. It can put patients more at ease if they do some preparation on their end by making a list of questions or topics that they want to discuss with the doctor during the session.
Ongoing sessions
If a client decides to have additional sessions, an online mental health program will continue under the supervision of the doctor or therapist. These ongoing sessions can be in the form of life coaching, role-playing, meditation, or just soul searching conversation in a nonjudgmental environment. Telepsychiatry gives people the option to receive mental health care in a more relaxed atmosphere, reduces barriers such as childcare and transportation, and gives a patient the reassurance of privacy during their treatment. Treating children through online psychiatry requires special training and considerations for specific child behavior.
Child Telepsychiatry
Treating children through telepsychiatry requires a specific setting that is comfortable for children. Many times children are accompanied by their parents, guardians, or other interested adults who have a stake in the welfare of the child. Seating arrangements need to accompany children without overwhelming them with the videoconferencing equipment. A hyperactive or autistic child needs a room big enough to accomodate unpredictable movements or activity.
The mental health provider, who is conducting a session with a child, has to have the ability to maintain the patient’s attention by instilling trust and empathy. A child will respond better to how the words are spoken instead of what the spoken words are. Sometimes there is a difference in the language between the child and the parents or other family members. It may be necessary to include an interpreter during the session.
There may be racial, ethnic or cultural gaps between the mental health providers and the patients. Providers must be sensitive to which is the best way to convey counseling to the different groups of patients who are seeking help. Both verbal and nonverbal communication methods need to be tailored to different cultures and socioeconomic groups.
Is telepsychiatry suitable for everyone?
Even though online therapy reaches many people, who may have obstacles that prevent them from receiving the counseling they need, there are some patients who are not ideal candidates for telepsychiatry.
A telepsychiatry session does not work well with highly agitated patients or people who express a desire to harm themselves or others.
Since the equipment used during a telepsychiatry session involves both hearing and vision, patients with disabilities in these areas cannot be served well. Anyone who experiences delusions or hallucinations will also not benefit from online sessions.
Sometimes an online therapist or psychologist can evaluate a patient by subtle physical signs such as their affect or the rhythm or beat of their speech. Equipment used in telepsychiatry will not allow a physician or therapist to detect these signs, which can be very valuable in diagnosing a mental disorder.
Summary
Anyone who feels that online psychiatry sessions would be helpful to them should take advantage of this technology. Many people do not seek the help they need to overcome their mental problems because they may doubt the effectiveness of this type of therapy. Other prospective patients want the help but have parental responsibilities or economic disadvantages that keep them from having traditional therapy sessions. These drawbacks can be overcomed by participating in telepsychiatry. Many times mental health problems are not addressed by patients because of the stigma they feel about these conditions, but once they seek help they will begin to live more healthier and happier lives. Telepsychiatry can be the vehicle to make treatment possible.
The DSM-5 Level 2—Substance Use—Adult is an adapted version of the NIDA-Modified ASSIST.
The 15-item measure is used to assess the pure domain of prescription medicine, and illicit substance use in adults age 18 and older. It is completed by the individual prior to a visit with the clinician.
If the individual receiving care is of impaired capacity and unable to complete the form (e.g., an individual with dementia), a knowledgeable informant may complete the measure. Each item asks the individual receiving care (or informant) to rate the severity of the individual’s use of various substances during the past 2 weeks.
The DSM-5 Level 2—Somatic Symptom—Adult measure is an adaptation of the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms (PHQ-15) that assesses the domain of somatic symptoms.
The measure is completed by the individual (or his or her informant) prior to a visit with the clinician. If the individual is of impaired capacity and unable to complete the form (e.g., an individual with dementia), a knowledgeable informant may complete the measure.
Each item asks the individual (or informant) to rate the severity of the individual’s somatic symptom during the past 7 days
The DSM-5 Level 2—Sleep Disturbance—Adult measure is the 8-item PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form that assesses the pure domain of sleep disturbance in individuals age 18 and older. The measure is completed by the individual prior to a visit with the clinician. If the individual receiving care is of impaired capacity and unable to complete the form (e.g., an individual with dementia), a knowledgeable informant may complete the measure as done in the DSM-5 Field Trials.
However, the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Short Form has not been validated as an informant report scale by the PROMIS group. Each item
asks the patient (or informant) to rate the severity of the patient’s sleep disturbance during the past 7 days.
The ASRM (Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale) is a 5-item self-rating mania scale designed to assess the presence and/or severity of manic symptoms. The measure is completed by the individual prior to a visit with the clinician.
If the individual receiving care is of impaired capacity and unable to complete the form (e.g., an individual with dementia), a knowledgeable informant may complete the measure.
Each item asks the individual (or informant) to rate the severity of the individual’s manic symptoms during the past 7 days.
The National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale (NSESSS) is a 9-item measure that assesses the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals age 18 and older following an extremely stressful event or experience. The measure was designed to be completed by an individual upon receiving a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (or clinically significant posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and thereafter, prior to follow-up visits with the clinician. Each item asks the individual receiving care to rate the severity of his or her posttraumatic stress disorder during the past 7 days.
The DSM-5 Level 2 - Repetitive Thoughts and Behavior Adult measure is an adapted version of the 5-item Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (FOCI) Severity Scale (Part B) that is used to assess the domain of repetitive thoughts and behaviors in individuals age 18 and older.
The measure is completed by an individual prior to a visit with the clinician.
ReThinkMyTherapy.com is a completely new way to make psychotherapy and psychiatric therapy easier and cheaper for you. The first feature of the ReThinkMyTherapy.com that sets it apart from other online psychotherapy or psychiatry services is that it provides a free round the clock online psychiatric psychotherapy service to help alleviate your mental health needs.
The rise of an online treatment center has coincided with the rise of the Internet as a therapy and diagnosis tool. When you are looking for mental health services, you should be careful which one you choose as you will be faced with a wide variety of potential health care providers.
To help you be sure you are making the right choice, it is important to do your homework first on any online treatment center or therapy provider. While there is no certain way to determine which treatment centers or therapists are best, there are several criteria you can use to make sure you are using a reputable provider and getting the services you need.
One important aspect of finding a good online provider for mental health services is a good reputation. You want to find someone that is reputable and reliable. Check to see if there are any complaints from other customers.
You should also look at the location of the mental health centers you are considering. If they are in the same city or even state as you, it could cost you more to use them. A smaller, independent provider is often better because they do not have the high overhead that many larger organizations do.
Another benefit is that the specialists who work on the team are professionals with many years of experience in the field. The team believes that by combining the skills of a specialist with those of a therapist, they can combine their skills in a way that helps patients, giving them more options for treatment.
An online therapist working with ReThinkMyTherapy.com works to help a client through a variety of symptoms including fear, low self esteem, anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, family and relationship problems and more. In the course of working with their client, the online specialist will also discuss the issues involved in treating various mental illnesses.
Another benefit is that each of the specialists will help identify the best type of treatment for you. The advantage of having several options will make it easier for you to make a decision about what kind of treatment you would like to pursue.
This is because you will have the opportunity to try different types of treatment for your mental health issues and determine what might work best for you. Of course, the greatest benefit is that you are able to get quality help without having to spend too much money on therapy sessions or medicine that you may not need.
It will allow you to know that your therapy sessions are personal, confidential and covered by your own insurance as well as a savings account for you to use for whatever you need or want to do. Although the cost of the therapist will be included in your monthly plan, you will have the option to either split the cost of each session with another user or pay out of your own pocket, depending on what you feel is right for you.
ReThinkMyTherapy.com Psychiatric Online Psychotherapy - Since there are several benefits of working with an online specialists, it is important that you take the time to consider all of your options. You may have questions and concerns or just want to learn more about the service that you are getting, this is how you will be able to find the answers that you need.
In order to start your search for the online health professional, you can ask your friends and family members about psychotherapists in your area or go online and do a general search for psychotherapists. Many psychotherapists in your area may work with an online psychiatrist, but you will want to make sure that you choose a service that you feel comfortable working with and has experience with your condition.
The best way to make sure that you find a service that you feel comfortable with is to ask the service for references or check with the national Association of Professional Psychotherapists (APT) to see if the practice is registered with them. Then it is your job to do further research to find out how long the practice has been providing services.
Once you find a legitimate practice, it is important that you investigate their credentials. Most reputable services will be registered with the Australian Federation of Professional Counsellors, which gives you confidence that they are qualified to help you with your specific needs.
The ultimate benefit of using the help of an online psychiatrist is that you will not have to travel to a clinic for treatments or have to meet an overly concerned stranger to speak to a counsellor, that can be extremely stressful and may seem impossible at times. However, with an online psychiatrist working for you, you can get the help that you need without worrying about anything else.
When you start looking at mental health online service providers, you will want to find someone who is very familiar with the psychology of the particular treatment you are seeking. Psychologists, therapists, and other health specialists work on different types of patients. For this reason, each therapist will specialize in a different type of patient.
This is another important factor to consider when choosing an online service for treatment. If you are dealing with a specific kind of disorder, you may want to consider a therapist who specializes in this type of issue.
One very important part of the online service for mental health services is the communication style of the counselor. If you feel like you are not comfortable speaking with your counselor or you do not feel your needs are being met, you may choose not to work with that provider.
One way to find out whether or not you feel comfortable talking to the therapist is to talk to your family or friends. The easiest way to know if the person you are speaking with is a good fit for you is to ask your friends what type of person they would like to seek treatment from.
The online mental health services should be as simple as possible to use. Remember, the process is a process; you need to get through it to know if you feel safe or not.
Make sure that you receive the support you need before you begin your therapy. As you go through this process, you will likely find that you have questions or that you need help. It is important to be able to get all of the help you need for each session.
Take the time to get support from family members, friends, and coworkers before you start a therapy process. Everyone can benefit from getting a mental health service so that everyone feels better about themselves.
There are many factors to consider when choosing an online therapist and other online mental health services. By working with a trained mental health professional, you can take a big step toward getting the assistance you need to reach the best outcome for your recovery.men
When it comes to mental illness, the thought alone can be a crippling one. Plus, being able to express one’s self when they need help can be a difficult task. Fortunately, there are many services available online that can treat mental illness, including therapy.
With online mental health therapy you won’t have to worry about being depressed or anxious in order to shower and go to an appointment in person. Not only that, but you can do it all right in front of your computer.
Advantages of Having Mental Health Therapy Online
There are many advantages to having mental health therapy online as opposed to attending an appointment in a therapist’s office.
The Client Can Stay Home
A big advantage is that you won’t have to leave the house to attend your appointment. This benefits the client because they won’t have to think about getting prepared which can be overwhelming all in itself.
Also, there are many cases where individuals live so far away from help that they usually don’t get the help that they require. Having a limitation physically can also prevent individuals from leaving their home. Having online mental health appointments allows you to schedule and attend your appointment via video. Your therapist will then join you at your scheduled time to go over your condition.
Not as Expensive as You Might Think
There is no doubt that it can cost a pretty penny to receive treatment from a mental health specialist. However, an online provider is able to charge a lot less because there is no need for an office space to add into the services rendered. For this reason it is very affordable than heading to a “brick and mortar” office.
Can An Online Therapist Prescribe Medication
Therapists and psychiatrists who provide treatment online are able to provide prescriptions for 90 days in accordance with DEA regulations.
Besides the initial 90 day supply, refills can also be provided on previous prescriptions except for any controlled medications.
How Does a Therapist Work Online?
Working online allows a psychiatrist to utilize non-conventional methods to provide mental health treatment. Methods involved include a tablet, smartphones, or a computer.
When a practice like this exists it is often referred to as tele psychiatry.
With tele psychiatry the online therapist is able to provide both counseling and mental support just by having an internet connection and is no different than what would be normally done in an office.
Types of Medications Online Psychiatrists Are and Are not Allowed to Prescribe:
Allowed
• Straterra and other medications for ADHD
• Zoloft, Cymbalta, Celexa, Lexapro, and other antidepressants
• And many others
Not Allowed
• Marijuana
• Vicodin, Oxycodone, Morphine, and other opiates
• Ambien, Xanax, and other medications that are controlled
• Controlled prescriptions of Adderall, Ritalin
• Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel and other antipsychotics
Process for Obtaining Your Prescription
The process for receiving a prescription is the same as it would be if you sought treatment in person. An initial consultation would take place to properly make a diagnosis and then your psychiatrist would send your prescription to which ever pharmacy you plan to have it filled by.
The good thing is that many legitimate websites exist that provide excellent care that is very discreet and safe.
The majority of them also operates in all 50 states and has staff available 24/7 via video chat so you know you’ll get the best possible care and the most accurate diagnosis and best possible medication for your treatment.
When you seek help from a psychiatrist online, you are able to relax in your own home and have decreased anxiety because of it.
Once you are comfortable and have begun your initial greeting with your doctor, they will enquire about your medical and mental health history. You can also expect them to ask you what your main concern is at the moment.
When your appointment is over, an assessment will be made and may also provide recommendations for you to consider. Or, depending on the severity, you may be prescribed medications.
