Monthly Archives: May 2024

Treatment for PTSD in Newport Beach

Imagine your mind as a beautiful garden. When traumatic events happen, it’s like a storm that tears through, leaving destruction in its wake. If left unattended, the weeds of PTSD—intrusive memories, avoidance, and negative changes in mood—can take over. At LIDO Wellness Center, we specialize in helping you restore and tend to your garden, ensuring it thrives once again with treatment for PTSD in Newport Beach.

LIDO Wellness Center is a specialized PTSD treatment facility with dedicated therapists, several positive reviews from past clients, and a high success rate. Our treatment for PTSD in Newport Beach has helped hundreds of individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders attain improved mental wellness and emotional stability.

Here are a few signs that warn the need treatment for PTSD in Newport Beach:

Intrusive Memories

Experiencing intrusive memories is common for people dealing with PTSD. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder experience recurrent and unwanted memories of a traumatic event from their past, relieving everything at high intensities. They may also experience frequent nightmares or upsetting dreams relating to the traumatic event. Experiencing severe emotional distress from time to time or having adverse physical reactions to specific situations, people, or things that remind you of a traumatic event are all signs of PTSD.

Avoidance

Individuals with PTSD practice specific avoidance strategies to suppress flashbacks of a traumatic event. If you find yourself avoiding the thought of a traumatic memory or talking about it, you must consider signing up for a top-rated PTSD treatment program. Similarly, avoiding places, doing specific activities, or certain people to avoid memories of a traumatic event are some of the other red flags that warn the need for PTSD and trauma treatment.

Negative Changes In Mood

PTSD patients experience negative thoughts and mood swings, along with a variety of other symptoms. Some of these include:

Negative thoughts about oneself or those around them
Hopelessness
Memory problems
No recollection of important parts of a traumatic event
Difficulty in maintaining relationships
Feeling detached from family and friends
Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
Difficulty enjoying positive emotions or situations
Feeling emotionally numb

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, sign up for PTSD treatment in Orange County at the earliest. Leaving your symptoms untreated may increase your risk for other mental health issues and substance abuse.

Change In Physical And Emotional Reactions

Your PTSD symptoms may also take physical and emotional forms and affect your quality of life. Some of the physical and emotional symptoms of PTSD include:

Getting startled or frightened easily
Always being on guard for danger
Self-destructive behavior
Trouble sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Irritability
Angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Overwhelming guilt or shame

Children under the age of 6 may experience symptoms like re-enacting the traumatic event or specific episodes relating to it through play and experience frightening dreams about the traumatic event.

Suicidal Thoughts

Patients with severe PTSD suffer from suicidal thoughts and require immediate medical attention. If you have suicidal thoughts, get help right away from one of the Trauma and PTSD treatment centers. Alternatively, you can call a suicide hotline or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK to reach a counselor.

Common Questions and Answers About PTSD Treatment

Q1: What is PTSD, and how does it affect someone?
A1: PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It affects individuals by causing intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in mood, and physical and emotional reactions, significantly impacting their quality of life.

Q2: How can I tell if I need treatment for PTSD?
A2: Signs that you may need treatment for PTSD include experiencing intrusive memories, practicing avoidance strategies, having negative changes in mood, and showing physical and emotional reactions like irritability or trouble sleeping. If you notice these symptoms affecting your daily life, seeking professional help is crucial.

Q3: What treatments are available for PTSD at LIDO Wellness Center?
A3: LIDO Wellness Center offers an integrative approach to treating PTSD, including advanced therapies like Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Our dedicated therapists work closely with patients to address and manage their symptoms, leading to improved mental wellness and emotional stability.

Get Help for PTSD in Newport Beach

Contact 949-541-8466 to learn more about our treatment for PTSD in Newport Beach. The clinical team at LIDO Wellness Center uses an integrative approach alongside advanced therapies like Somatic Experiencing (SE) and EMDR to address and treat PTSD. Get in touch with us today to overcome your mental health issues with the best mental health facility.

This entry was posted in trauma on May 13, 2024 by Lisa Jane.

Trauma Bonding: Definition, Stages, & Recovery

Trauma bonding might be a term that might sound like jargon straight out of a psychologist’s textbook. But the reality is far more common than our understanding might suggest. For anyone who has experienced it, it’s crucial to unpack what this means, how it develops, and how one can gently untangle from its grasp.

What Is Trauma Bonding?

Firstly, trauma bonding forms between people where one person consistently undermines the other, yet an emotional connection deepens.

Imagine a couple where one partner frequently exhibits jealous and controlling behaviors, regularly questioning the other’s whereabouts, decisions, and interactions with friends. This partner often accuses the other of being unfaithful or disloyal, leading to arguments that can escalate into emotional abuse or threats of breaking up.

Then comes the gesture …

However, following these intense and upsetting episodes, the controlling partner becomes exceedingly affectionate and remorseful. They might offer grand romantic gestures, such as surprise vacations or expensive gifts, and make emotional declarations of love and commitment. They promise to change, using these moments to rekindle the romance and deepen the emotional connection.

And the bond between the two becomes even stronger than before.

This paradox isn’t just perplexing—it’s painful. It’s like superglue; it holds fast and tight, even when everything screams that it shouldn’t.

How Does Trauma Bonding Develop?

It’s not merely about shared experiences but the intensity and rollercoaster nature of these experiences. Imagine a relationship as a series of exchanges—moments filled with both profound joy and deep sorrow.

This isn’t just about being together during good times and bad. It’s about how these polarized moments are woven into the fabric of the relationship, creating an erratic but compelling rhythm that becomes almost addictive.

It’s addictive …

Think about it like a suspenseful novel. In the narrative of such relationships, every positive incident—every moment of kindness or affection—serves as a plot twist that keeps the story moving forward, making the characters hope for a happy resolution. These are the hooks, the cliffhangers.

These dynamics set the stage for the trauma bond to solidify, where the intermittent rewards amidst the strife fortify the emotional connection, masking the underlying dysfunction.

Recognizing the Stages of Trauma Bonding

To understand trauma bonding, let’s look at the stages.

Stage one

In the first act, everything is as perfect as a scene in a movie—bright, engaging, and full of promise. Here the abuser behaves as their most appealing self, making the potential for danger seem distant and improbable.

Stage two
As we transition into the second act, the tension builds subtly. So subtle you might not even notice. This is where small, unsettling feelings start to emerge. Something feels off, but it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly, or why one should be alarmed. Words that catch you off-guard or seem insensitive. During conversations, they start making offhand comments that seem just a bit off—perhaps poking fun at your career choices or lifestyle in a way that’s not entirely playful, or casually dismissing your feelings about something important to you.

Stage three

Then, we reach the third act—where the actual harm occurs. This phase can be overt, like emotional or physical abuse, or more insidious, like gaslighting or psychological manipulation. The impact is profound and disorienting, shaking the foundation of the victim’s self-esteem and reality.

They may verbally lash out, blaming you for their unhappiness and failures, and even isolating them from friends and family. These accusations and emotional withdrawals create a tense and unstable home environment.

Stage four

The final act is reconciliation, which cleverly resets the stage each time. It’s sprinkled with promises, apologies, or acts of affection. The victim of a trauma bond finds that the reconciliatory gestures momentarily ease the pain. And it’s enough to compel them to stay in the cycle, hoping each reset leads to a better chapter.

Breaking the Trauma Bond

So, how do you break free? Awareness is the first step. Recognizing the pattern provides the power to seek change. Secondly, external support is invaluable. Friends, family, and especially professionals can offer perspectives and support outside the emotional whirlwind.

Moreover, therapeutic intervention often provides the tools and space to explore these bonds safely and understand the underlying issues contributing to staying in harmful relationships.

Navigating the Path

Recovery from trauma bonding isn’t a sprint; it’s more like a marathon. And while the path can sometimes feel lonely or daunting, it’s rich with the promise of reclaiming one’s peace and autonomy.

Get Help With Lido Wellness Center in Newport Beach

If you or someone you know is navigating the complex dynamics of trauma bonding, remember, help is not just available—it’s a vital step towards healing. At Lido Wellness Center in Newport Beach, CA, our dedicated team specializes in understanding and unraveling the intricate patterns of trauma bonds.

We provide compassionate support and effective strategies designed to empower you towards a life of autonomy and healthier relationships. Don’t wait to take the first step towards your new chapter. Contact us today and begin your journey to recovery and self-discovery.

This entry was posted in Wellness on May 10, 2024 by Lisa Jane.

Pathological Liar: 5 Signs & Solutions of Habitual Lying

Lying is probably as old as language itself, isn’t it? We’ve all told a fib or two—perhaps to spare someone’s feelings or to dodge a bit of trouble. But then there are those for whom lying is as routine as morning coffee, only with far more disruptive consequences. It is the Pathological liar.

This person has a pattern of frequent, compulsive lying. Understanding the signs of pathological lying, and knowing the avenues for help, can be transformative for those involved.

The Signs of a Pathological Liar

Sign 1: Big lies

A pathological liar isn’t just your everyday fibber. No, they spin tales that are more elaborate than a parade, and often, these stories serve no clear purpose.

They might lie about their experiences, their accomplishments, or their connections—often with a flair that could almost be admirable if it weren’t so damaging.

Sign 2: Lies for no purpose

These fabrications are not always designed to gain sympathy or tangible benefits. Sometimes, the lies are woven so seamlessly into day-to-day interactions that they simply become the liar’s reality. It’s disorienting and slightly fascinating.

Sign 3: Charming

You might notice that a pathological liar has an exceptional charm. This isn’t just your garden-variety charisma. We’re talking about a magnetism that can draw people in and hold them. This charm can make it particularly difficult to distinguish the truth from fiction, which serves the liar.

Sign 4: Confidence covering vulnerability

Pathological liars often possess a paradoxical blend of vulnerability and invincibility. On one hand, they can appear confident and self-assured, yet on closer inspection, you might detect cracks in that facade—moments of insecurity that slip through when their stories are questioned.

Sign 5: More than one issue

These individuals often struggle with other psychological challenges such as narcissistic traits, difficulty maintaining relationships, or even issues with substance abuse. These overlapping complexities can make the waters even murkier for those seeking to understand or help them.

Pathological Liar: Getting Help

When it comes to addressing pathological lying, the road isn’t straightforward. There’s no magic pill, no simple fix. However, understanding and patience can go a long way.

Therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown some promise in helping individuals unravel the reasons behind their need to lie.

It’s crucial to create a space where truth is valued and reinforced. This might involve setting clear consequences for lying, while also offering support and understanding when honesty prevails. It’s a delicate balance to maintain, but one that’s essential for healing.

Protect Yourself from a Pathological Liar

In addition, for those on the receiving end of these lies, it’s important to protect oneself emotionally. Recognizing the pattern can prevent a lot of heartache, and setting boundaries is crucial. It’s okay to seek support for yourself, too, whether through counseling or simply talking to someone who gets it.

That said, one must approach this issue with a dose of empathy.

Often, the roots of pathological lying are deep and tangled in early emotional experiences. Understanding this doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it can illuminate the humanity behind the lies.

IOP for Pathological Liars

Now, in the spectrum of therapeutic interventions, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for mental health is a good place to start. This type of program is designed to provide comprehensive treatment while allowing participants to live at home and continue with their daily lives. It’s a balanced approach that can be especially beneficial for those who need substantive support but also have commitments they can’t step away from completely.

What makes an IOP stand out?

It typically involves several hours of therapy per week, structured around group sessions, individual counseling, and sometimes family meetings. This intensive setup allows individuals to dive deep into the underlying issues that contribute to their lying behaviors. It’s about peeling back the layers, confronting uncomfortable truths, and, crucially, building new coping skills.

An IOP offers a level of accountability and routine that can be incredibly stabilizing.

The consistent check-ins and support networks formed within these programs create a safety net of sorts, fostering an environment where honesty is nurtured and valued.

Additionally, for someone entangled in habitual lying, an IOP can provide a unique space to practice transparency and integrity in a controlled, supportive environment. This can be helpful because the journey out of pathological lying is not just about stopping the lies.

It’s about fundamentally reconstructing one’s relationship with reality, one honest piece at a time. Here, in the structure of an IOP, patients can gradually rebuild trust—both in themselves and in their relationships with others.

Help With Habitual Lying in Newport Beach

If you or someone you know is struggling with habitual lying, Lido Wellness Center is here to help. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a structured, supportive environment where individuals can explore the underlying issues of their behavior and learn new, healthier ways to communicate.

Don’t let lying undermine your life and relationships. Contact Lido Wellness Center today to learn more about our program and how we can support you on your journey towards honesty and healing.

This entry was posted in Mental Health on May 8, 2024 by Lisa Jane.

Neurotic Behavior: Meaning & 5 Tips to Cope

The term neurotic. … Yes. It’s a word that pops up in casual conversations, often tossed around with a chuckle or a shrug. “It’s just my neurotic behavior.”

But when we peel back the layers, we find a concept that is both rich in history and significant in the realm of psychology. It’s a term that holds weight, including a spectrum of experiences that many find both challenging and enlightening.

Understanding Neuroticism

First, let’s clarify what we mean by “neurotic behavior.” Originally, the term neurotic was linked to a range of mental and emotional states that could interfere with daily functioning. Today, psychologists view neuroticism as a personality trait rather than a disorder.

What is neurotic behavior? It describes a higher-than-average tendency to experience feelings such as anxiety, worry, fear, anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, guilt, depressed mood, and loneliness.

Interestingly, neuroticism isn’t just doom and gloom. Those who score high in this trait are often incredibly sensitive to their environments. Yes, this means they may get overwhelmed by stress more easily, but it also means they’re often empathetic, perceptive, and richly introspective.

The Neurotic Behavior Spectrum

Now, regarding behavior, neuroticism can poke its head out in your live in various ways. For some, it shows up as obsessive thinking or worrying. Others might find themselves frequently upset or emotionally reactive.

Importantly, these behaviors are not just quirks—they can be signals, whispers of our psyche telling us to pay attention.

Moreover, this trait can affect relationships and social interactions. People that are considered high in neuroticism may require more reassurance from others and might struggle more with criticism or conflict.

However, they are also often very attuned to the needs and feelings of others, navigating social waters with a keen sense of empathy.

Why It Matters

Understanding the essence of neurotic behavior helps us navigate our mental landscape and manage our interactions with others. When we see patterns in ourselves, we can harness our sensitivities and work on our challenges. Furthermore, for those who feel the weight of their emotions deeply, understanding this aspect of personality can be a source of relief.

It’s not that there’s something “wrong” with you—it’s just a different way of experiencing the world. In fact, it is your strength of feeling coming out in unique ways.

Coping Strategies for Neurotic Behavior

So, how can someone high in neuroticism thrive? Here are five practical tips:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

Practicing mindfulness can be a game-changer. It involves being present in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Meditation, even a few minutes a day, can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Structured Problem-Solving

When worries seem to take over, a structured approach to problem-solving can help. Break down your concerns into manageable parts. Determine what you can control, develop a plan for those aspects, and try to let go of what you can’t control.

3. Regular Physical Activity

Exercise isn’t just good for the body. It’s potent medicine for the mind. Regular physical activity can help manage anxiety and depression. It’s also a powerful tool for stress relief.

4. Journaling

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can provide an outlet for expressing what’s inside. It can also help you track patterns and triggers in your mood, providing valuable insights into your emotional cycles.

5. Seeking Professional Help

Lastly, there’s profound strength in seeking help. Therapy can provide critical support and tools to manage anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and boost overall mental health.

Let’s explore two effective therapeutic approaches and an intensive treatment option that can make a significant difference in neurotic behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for those experiencing high levels of neuroticism. This form of therapy focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors that can drive anxiety and emotional distress. CBT helps individuals create more positive and productive mindsets by replacing these negative thoughts with more realistic and balanced ones.

Through CBT, patients learn specific skills that can be used to decrease their emotional reactivity to stressors. These include techniques for calming the mind and body, thus disrupting the feedback loop that perpetuates worry and rumination.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is another therapeutic approach that can be particularly helpful for those who find that anxiety manifests physically as well as emotionally. This form of therapy is based on the understanding that trauma and stress can become trapped in the body and that through specific exercises and awareness techniques, individuals can release these tensions.

Somatic Experiencing focuses on bodily sensations and helps individuals reconnect with their physical experiences in a safe and measured way.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for Neurotic Behavior

For those needing more comprehensive support, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for mental health might be the best course. An IOP gives focused treatment without the need for full-time hospitalization.

These programs typically involve several hours of therapy per week, providing group and individual counseling, and skills training sessions.

This setup is particularly beneficial for managing neurotic behaviors. It provides ongoing support and reinforcement of therapeutic strategies, helping individuals make substantial progress toward emotional stability.

Embracing the Journey

While high neuroticism can mean a heightened battle with negative emotions, it also offers profound depths of emotional and interpersonal insight. By embracing this trait, understanding its implications, and employing strategies to cope, individuals can not only navigate their internal world more effectively but also enrich their relationships with others.

Remember, in this intricate tapestry of human experience, every thread has its unique color and texture. Neuroticism, with all its challenges and gifts, is a crucial part of the broader human condition. So, let’s approach it with kindness, curiosity, and an open heart.

Get Mental Help in Newport Beach

Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or stress? You’re not alone. Lido Wellness offers compassionate, professional help to manage your emotions and enhance your mental well-being.

Discover the benefits of therapy tailored to your unique personality traits. Call us today at 949-541-8466 and take the first step towards a calmer, more centered you.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 6, 2024 by Lisa Jane.