Emotional wellness is the awareness and ability to express feelings and emotions in healthy ways. It is the sense of fulfillment and achievement in life and includes self-acceptance, self-awareness, self-esteem, and optimism.
People with mental illness (MI) have a disproportionate tobacco-related disease burden and mortality. Tobacco-use rates in people with MI are nearly twice that of the general population. Reasons for tobacco-use in this population may be a result of diminished tobacco-related disease risk perceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons for tobacco-use and perceived tobacco-related health risks among psychiatric inpatients. A correlational design was employed to survey a convenient sample of 137 patients from a psychiatric facility in central Kentucky. Information obtained from participants included demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, tobacco-use and exposure history, medical illness history, reasons for tobacco-use, and tobacco-related illness risk perceptions. The primary reasons participants endorsed for tobacco-use were for stress reduction, followed by addiction, then boredom, psychiatric symptom control, social, and negative mood. In addition, about 72% of participants used tobacco to cope with MI symptoms and 52% to manage the side effects of their medications. Participants were most likely to endorse that tobacco-use caused lung disease (83.2%), heart disease (79.6%), cancer (77.4%), and premature mortality (79.6%) but were less likely to admit that it may cause addiction to other drugs (39.4%) or MI (23.4%). Given the high endorsement of tobacco-use for stress reduction and psychiatric symptom control, it is important for mental health nurses to properly educate consumers on tobacco addiction and evidence of its effects on mental health. Strategies to incorporate our study findings into routine mental health services may address the tobacco-use disparities experienced by people with MI.
Compassion satisfaction (CS) among healthcare professionals is a sense of gratification derived from caring for their suffering patients. In contrast, compassion fatigue, often a consequence of burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), is detrimental to healthcare professionals’ productivity and patient care. While several studies have examined CS, BO, and STS among healthcare professionals, the majority have assessed samples in specific disciplines. However, the comparative differences in these factors by discipline or work setting are not well known. The aims of this study were to examine the differences in CS, BO, and STS by discipline and work setting, and to assess demographic, work-related, and behavioural factors associated with these outcomes. An electronic survey was administered (N = 764) at a large academic medical centre in the southeast United States. Questions elicited demographic variables, work-related factors, behavioural/lifestyle factors, experience with workplace violence, and the Professional Quality of Life Scale. Findings of the study determined that the rates of CS, BO, and STS vary across healthcare disciplines and work settings. Demographic, work-related, behavioural, and work setting (i.e., experience of workplace violence) factors were differentially associated with experiences of CS, BO, and STS. The results of the study suggest two potential areas for research, specifically workplace violence and sleep quality as a means of further understanding reduced CS and increased BO and STS among healthcare workers. These findings have important implications for future research and policy interventions to enhance healthcare workers’ health and safety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and recurring compulsions. Obsessions are persisting, uninvited, unwanted, and anxiety-provoking thoughts, impulses, or images. In response to obsessions, compulsions ensue as an attempt to reduce distress. Compulsions are repetitive mental acts or behaviors.
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OCD symptoms
4 dimensions of OCD Symptoms:
Concerns about germs and contamination,
Concerns about being responsible for harm, injury, or bad luck,
Unacceptable thoughts, and
Concerns about symmetry, completeness, and the need for things to be “just right.”
It is estimated that 2.3% of adults in the U.S. will experience OCD at some point in their lifetime with females being more likely to experience it. That sounds like a small percentage. So why does this deserve attention? Because over half of people living with OCD have serious impairment in daily functioning. As an example, someone with OCD may have obsessive thoughts that there are germs on their hands. Further impairment would have them fearful of becoming sick because of potential germs on their hands. For those with serious impairment, it moves beyond obsessions to compulsions of washing their hands an excessive number of times per day to reduce their stress about becoming sick. This example portrays the importance of identifying symptoms early and providing effective treatments.
Treatment Options
Treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medication can help. Yet over half of the people treated are shown to relapse. However, there is hope because mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing residual symptoms that CBT may not address.
Mindfulness is a heightened awareness of and attention to an incident or existing reality. In addition, with greater mindfulness comes attitudes of acceptance, openness, and curiosity. These improvements in attitude can help reduce OCD symptoms because it can serve as a coping mechanism and separate the person from their obsessions and compulsions. These positive changes in thought help with “letting go” of obsessions which, in turn, decrease symptoms. Even though mindfulness is consistently shown in studies to reduce OCD symptoms, it is not widely used and is considered a “third wave” treatment after CBT and medication. Part of the reason it is a lesser-used treatment may be because more needs to be understood about which facets of mindfulness may attribute to improved OCD symptoms.
Mindfulness
The facets of mindfulness include non-react, observe, act aware, describe, and non-judge:
Non-react refers to one’s ability to notice but not react to feelings, emotions, and situations.
Observe refers to one’s ability to pay attention to or notice their thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and sensations.
Act aware refers to one’s ability to be aware, concentrate, not get distracted, and not “run on autopilot.”
Describe refers to one’s ability to explain and label their feelings, beliefs, opinions, expectations, and thoughts.
And lastly, non-judge refers to one’s ability to view their thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and situations without judgment.
One study found that compared to a group of people living without OCD, people living with OCD scored much lower in the mindfulness facets of describe, act aware, and non-judge, but did not differ in the mindfulness facets of observe and non-react. Not only does this allow health professionals insight as to who might be more likely to experience debilitating OCD symptoms but also it narrows down the focus of treatment to the three facets of mindfulness most impacted by OCD.
One reason I want to go into occupational therapy is to help advance work in this field so that we can support people living with OCD to live the life they want to live.
References
Abramowitz J.S., Reuman L. (2020) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In: Zeigler-Hill V., Shackelford T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_919
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness. Assessment (Odessa, Fla.), 13(1), 27-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191105283504
Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., . . . Devins, G. (2006). Mindfulness: A Proposed Operational Definition. Clinical Psychology (New York, N.Y.), 11(3), 230-241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/bph077
Bohlmeijer, E., ten Klooster, P. M., Fledderus, M., Veehof, M., & Baer, R. (2011). Psychometric Properties of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Depressed Adults and Development of a Short Form. Assessment (Odessa, Fla.), 18(3), 308-320. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191111408231
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The Benefits of Being Present. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822-848. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822
Crowe, K., & McKay, D. (2016). Mindfulness, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, and Executive Dysfunction. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 40(5), 627-644. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-016-9777-x
Hale, L., Strauss, C., & Taylor, B. L. (2013). The effectiveness and acceptability of mindfulness‐based therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder: A review of the literature. Mindfulness, 4(4), 375–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0137-y
Hanstede, M., Gidron, Y., & Nyklíček, I. (2008). The Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in a Non-Clinical Student Population. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 196(10), 776-779. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31818786b8
Smoking is among the greatest international public health concerns, causing excessive levels of preventable premature death, disability, and economic costs...
BH WELL wants to know how YOU like to BH WELL! So we are issuing the #BHWellChallenge! Let us know how you like to BH WELL and it may end up posted on our website or social media. Below are some ways that others like to BH WELL. If you want to be part of the BH WELL Challenge, please complete this form and one of our team members will get back to you with details.
"Winter solstice is on December 21st this year. It is the shortest day of the year. Perfect time to let go of one thing that has been keeping you in the dark!”
Examining posttraumatic growth (PTG) can yield insight to constructively understand and approach trauma among nurses. Data was analyzed from 299 nursing staff on traumatic experiences and resulting PTG. Work-place trauma resulted in the lowest PTG scores among nurses should be explored.
Overwhelmed? BH WELL's very own Bassema Abu-Farsakh relates to feeling overwhelmed as a wife, parent, graduate student, and student worker. This video shares practical tips to help keep our boats steady as we cope with day-to-day stress.
Are you overwhelmed? I am at times. I wear MANY hats. I’m a wife, mom, graduate student, and student worker. It is easy to become overwhelmed. There have been days I felt like I was dragging pieces of myself from place to place, existing rather than thriving. I barely make it through classes. I arrive home only to realize I forgot what my kids’ faces look like! (Well, okay, almost forgot.) But wait, it’s time to manage dinner and homework, and say hello to my husband. No wonder my kids want my attention and no wonder I end up with short nerves. This day easily repeated, like Groundhog’s Day, simply because I could not fully manage or cope with my stress. I was stuck.
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Every person on earth has challenges in life but the good news is that there ARE ways to carry all these pieces and find balance. I love this saying, “Sometimes we cannot control the wind, but we can direct the sail.” However, when we are stressed, what we need at the moment may be just to keep our boat steady!
Here are some ways I have found help me deal with day-to-day stress. Feel free to pick one or two of your favorites to help your boat get back to steady!
No one in the world is perfect. So accept your strengths and weaknesses as they are and appreciate yourself.
FORGIVE yourself and LEARN from your mistakes.
STOP comparing yourself with other people. You are unique.
Always believe there is something GOOD in everyone as well as in YOU.
Celebrate your achievements, small or big! The sense of success becomes real when you do what you enjoy (watch a nice movie, dance, or hang out with a friend)
Do not spend time thinking about what other people think of you. Value yourself.
When possible, surround yourself with POSITIVE people and LIMIT TIME with negative people.
Find the POSITIVE side in any life event. Even if something horrible happens, we can always learn and grow through it.
Find positive ways to EXPRESS your emotion (writing, singing, or watching a movie).
Balance your day by keeping a TO DO list. Set time limits for work tasks. Include flexibility in your day along with time for loved ones.
Schedule a routine BREAK to refuel (exercise, play with your kids or pets, go for a walk, practice deep breathing, or take a day nap).
BE MINDFUL, just focus on the moment and press pause on the stresses of life.
SMILE! There is great power in smiling! It actually increases energy and eliminates stress.
FORGIVE others. I know it is not an easy task. However, the power of forgiveness can bring joy, harmony, and peace to you and your family.
Citations
Haun, V. C., Nübold, A., & Bauer, A. G. (2018). Being mindful at work and at home: Buffering effects in the stressor–detachment model. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 91(2), 385-410.
Kraft, T. L., & Pressman, S. D. (2012). Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response. Psychological science, 23(11), 1372-1378.
Rasmussen, K. R., Stackhouse, M., Boon, S. D., Comstock, K., & Ross, R. (2019). Meta-analytic connections between forgiveness and health: the moderating effects of forgiveness-related distinctions. Psychology & health, 34(5), 515-534.
Bassema Abu-Farsakh is a registered nurse with expertise in psychiatric and medical-surgical nursing, a wife, a mom of two boys, a graduate nursing student, a graduate research assistant, and a real person who enjoys keeping her boat steady.
