In Buzzfeed's recent post, "How Surfing the Internet Mimics Daydreaming in Your Brain*," Jennifer Malise explores the neurology behind our sometimes euphoric response to browsing the internet. As Malise notes, there is a specific part of the brain known as the basal ganglia that, when activated, releases dopamine. This neurotrasmitter is associated with pleasure and rewards, and when it is released will motivate individuals to repeat the behavior that releases said chemical. The release of dopamine has been linked to addiction, and Malise postulates that this may be this can result in a desire to continue web browsing. It is my hypothesis that this in fact leads to compulsive checking and rechecking of social media sites that will have a serious impact on our society.
The Link Between Dopamine and Addiction
To illustrate how powerful dopamine is, consider individuals who are addicted to opiates such as heroin, oxycodone, and oxycontin. These drugs release large amounts of dopamine when ingested (up to ten times the normal level), and when those levels begin to subside, there is an overwhelming urge to continue use of the substance in order to regain those levels. When drug addiction is concerned, the continued use of opiates eventually desensitize the neurons in the brain that are affected by dopamine, and increase amounts of the drug are needed.
The Link Between Being Online and Daydreaming
When you let your mind wander and get lost in a daydream, do you often find yourself smiling? Relaxed? Calm? This break we take from the everyday hustle and bustle actually allow us to utilize other areas of the brain (think of the logical left brain versus the creative right brain), and in particular, our basal ganglia is activated. The relaxation we feel when we browse the internet, then, is similar to the serenity we find in daydreaming, and is caused by the release of the pleasure increasing dopamine.
The Potential for Internet and Social Media Addiction
While the levels of dopamine released from internet usage is not nearly as high as that of opiate usage, there is still evidence that enough of this neurotransmitter is released in order to motivate individuals to continue to remain online. And as Malise notes, when those levels begin to decline, we are inspired to act in a way that will again release a happy feeling. For an addict, that action is using. For internet browsers, it is finding a new website, or re-checking already viewed websites.
What are the Implications of All of This: My Opinion
When we consider websites that are updated frequently, social media sites immediately come to mind. These are sites that are updated within seconds of your most recent view. If looking at these sites results in a happy feeling, then re-checking these sites multiple times will lead to more of that happy feeling. We all know someone who is "attached to their phone," constantly checking who has updated their status, who has "liked" their posts, and rushing to update their own site. It is my belief that the "high" felt from this web-surfing is not limited to the internet, but can extend to the use of smartphones, particularly for texting.
Consider the most basic definition of addiction: continued use of a substance or a behavior despite negative consequences. Many teens and young adults have continued to spend hours of time on social media sites despite declining grades in school, fewer face to face interactions with peers, and impaired social and communication skills. Other negative consequences can include loss of privileges from parents if internet time exceeds an acceptable amount of time. For adults, it is not uncommon for individuals to be written up at work for having their cellphones on them while on the job, despite knowing that this is strictly prohibited. These may seem innocuous, but I encourage you to consider many car accidents have been caused by distracted driving, particularly texting while driving. Furthermore, many recent suicides of young adults have been precipitated by bullying via social media sites. Even those who are victims of cyber-bullying, social media remains a large part of their lives.
We are heading towards a society that is ruled by social media, and those who spend the majority of their day updating and checking these sites have become the norm rather than the exception. The consequences of such a shift in communication and lifestyle can be imagined, but without research, we cannot predicted how we will be effected. Studies in this area are scant, and it is my hope to bring the importance of this topic to the surface with my own research.
I Want to Hear From You!
Do you know anyone in your life who can't seem to separate from their computer or cell phone? Do you feel as though you yourself have a difficult time walking away from the internet? What consequences, if any, have you experienced? What consequences do you think the frequent use of social media will have on our society?
*This blog is not associated with Buzzfeed. All material referenced in "How Surfing the Internet Mimics Daydreaming in Your Brain" belong to Jennifer Malise.
Counselor and author Jenna Meyerberg uses explores topics and trends in the mental health field with just the right balance of empirical knowledge and sass. Never miss a post! Enter your email address below and we'll notify you when there is a new post!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Breaking Stigma: Substance Abuse
The vast majority of research that has been conducted in this field supports the medical model of substance abuse, holding that the disease is not purely psychological, but that this disease is hereditary, has genetic markers, and that individuals with the disease have biological differences in the way their bodies process substances.
Now, imagine your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes. Due to the nature of this disease, your loved one's body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels without medication and strict dieting. Sugar levels must be monitored daily, and his or her lifestyle has to change forever in order to avoid serious medical complications. Now imagine that you do not help your loved one learn what to eat and what not to eat. You make no changes in your lifestyle; in fact, regardless of knowing that your loved one can't have sugar, you continue to buy sugary foods because that individual is an adult and should be able to control themselves. You bargain with your loved one; "Okay, you can have one night a week where you eat unhealthy foods," but when one night turns into two or three, you are outraged. You are confused by your loved one's behavior...if he or she didn't want to be diabetic anymore, wouldn't they just do what he or she is supposed to?
So many who have never dealt with substance abuse themselves cannot imagine why anyone would continue to use drugs or drink when there are so many negative consequences. In my work at a substance abuse recovery center, I have worked with thousands of individuals and their families. Family members are often stunned when their loved one relapses despite being given tools to help them stay clean while in treatment. A big issue with their mindset is believing that a stay at a rehab is adequate enough to help an individual maintain long lasting sobriety without continuing treatment, and without any lifestyle changes from those around them.
Can you imagine yourself telling your diabetic loved one that he or she should be able to maintain a healthy blood sugar level simply through will power? Can you imagine what your diabetic loved one must think and feel when cakes, cookies, soda, and other non-diabetic foods are easily accessible in his or her own home? For those who have no direct experience with substance abuse, this analogy has been used by many in the field to illustrate the complicated nature of substance abuse. It is not a disease of will power; it is a biological disease, and despite any claims you have seen on television, there is no "cure." Recovery takes a tremendous amount of work to obtain, and an equally demanding effort to maintain. Remember, addiction effects the entire family. At times, the addicted individual distracts the family from larger issues. All members of the family must change along with their loved one; recovery works best when everyone is active.
Individuals who think they may have a loved one dealing with substance abuse can help in the following ways:
-Remaining non-judgmental and not accusatory are very important. Despite undesirable behavior, the individual may be experiencing serious problems emotionally, physically, and psychologically. A gentle and loving approach will be more helpful in working with your loved one. Let him/her know you are on his/her side.
-Examine the ways you may be enabling the drugging/drinking. Do you have substances that are easily accessible? Do you give in to outrageous demands or addictive behaviors to avoid confrontation? Have you gone back on promises designed to help the individual stop using (i.e. have you threatened to not allow the individual to live with you if the behavior continues, but you have not kept to your word)?
-Educate yourself on the nature of substance abuse and codependency. Attending an Alanon/Narcanon meetings have been shown to be helpful for family members dealing with an addict/alcoholic loved one. Carrier Clinic offers a free Codependency program every Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 1:30pm.
-Get help for yourself! Everyone does better when everyone is in treatment.
- Visit The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration here for more resources
Monday, July 8, 2013
Breaking Stigma Through Understanding
Roughly 25% of Americans will face a mental illness this year. Mental illness can carry with it a huge stigma. Most often this stigma arises from being labeled as "mentally ill," or having been given a specific diagnosis. Some individuals feel as though a diagnosis is helpful; I have heard in my work a sense of relief when being diagnosed, as though there is a reason for an individual's inability to control and understand her/his behavior. I have also worked with clients who resented having been diagnosed, and explored with them the consequences of having a "label." In the future, this blog will explore in more detail how diagnoses are made, who is qualified to make such diagnoses, and in what capacity a diagnosis exists in comparison to a physical disease. In celebration over the newly published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, I will be highlighting some of the more commonly encountered and misunderstood mental illness diagnoses. These posts will not be intended to diagnose individuals, but rather begin to correct misconceptions and myths of mental illness and begin to break down the walls of stigma.
If there is a diagnosis or disorder that you have heard of and wish to know more about, please comment below!
If there is a diagnosis or disorder that you have heard of and wish to know more about, please comment below!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Why Must Counselors be Advocates?
Many believe that counselors should be advocates for their clients. However, if this is done, it must be done so in a way that does not impart a counselor's own beliefs, political views, and religious practices onto one or more clients. This can be a challenge as there are many hot-button social issues that have political ramifications in today's America, and many individuals have very strong, yet polarizing beliefs. A counselor who publicly shows support on either side of a political issue at the behest of advocating for a client runs the risk of alienating other clients whose views differ. Though this is the case, counselors must not sit on the sidelines while legislation is proposed and passed that will have an impact on their clients. This was the topic of my first publication, an essay on counselor advocacy.
The following was published in the May 2013 issue of Counseling Today as the grand prize winner of the American Counseling Association's Foundation’s Graduate Student Essay Competition supported by Gerald and Marianne Corey and Allen and Mary Bradford Ivey.
"Why must professional counselors accept an advocacy role in representing the interests of clients and becoming actively engaged in creating and supporting public policy initiatives that advance the role of counseling in addressing those interests?"
In the wake of the highly
publicized shootings in Connecticut and Colorado, it feels as though we have
entered into an era where acts of violence are commonplace. Following such
incidents, it is normal for people to search for answers and feel a sense of urgency
to act. In response, there have been actions taken by the government in order
to prevent future incidents; both firearms and mental health have been the
focus of recent legislation. However, focusing policies on a specific group of
people runs the risk of turning them into scapegoats. Sensationalized news stories can create
wildfires that paint the mentally ill as dangerous, ticking time bombs that
must be closely monitored. Since the perpetrators of many recent shootings have
been postulated to have suffered from mental health issues, this
characterization of mental illness may seem realistic to the layperson. This in
turn can lead to policies and laws being passed at the behest of the uninformed
public that alienate those who are mentally ill and those seeking mental health
services. In this respect, counselors must play an active role in advocating
for this population, ensuring that legislation regarding mental health or
illness does not infringe upon their right to privacy.
Perhaps
the biggest concern with recent policies is the ability of mental health
providers to assure client confidentiality. The turnkey of the Tarasoff case
ruling on duty to warn and protect was that of specific targets being
threatened. A bill recently passed in
New York expanded on this mandatory reporting, requiring mental health
professionals to report potentially dangerous clients. Additionally, following
recent shootings, it was determined that HIPAA allows medical doctors who
believe a patient is potentially dangerous are protected and encouraged in
disclosing client information, including mental health records, to law
enforcement officials. The goal in such legislation is to prevent violence from
occurring by screening potential perpetrators. However, what exactly
constitutes a potential threat is not clear, and the result of releasing a
person’s medical and mental health history are not mentioned. In effect,
medical professionals inexperienced in the area of mental health will be asked
to make a discretionary decision to release sensitive information to
individuals also untrained in the intricacies of mental illness. Furthermore,
the potential backlash of not reporting an individual who goes on to commit a
crime may encourage over-reporting and result in a prejudice against those with
a history of mental illness. While this is being done as a means of prevention,
it may discourage anyone with troubling thoughts to seek help. As counselors,
we encourage clients to share thoughts and feelings that individuals may not
feel safe sharing with anyone else. While
understanding that there are limits to confidentiality, it is not clear where
professionals draw the line in regard to the potential for future harm. As
professionals, we must advocate for the privacy and protection of our clients
and assure that legislation passed will not jeopardize the ability for people
with mental illness to receive services in confidence.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Welcome to Current Counseling!
Welcome to my blog! My name is Jenna Meyerberg, I have my Masters in Mental Health Counseling and am currently pursuing my PhD in Counseling at Pace University in New York. Having worked in the field in various settings, I have seen first hand how people have struggled with stress, depression, and anxiety. These issues are further complicated by the stigma of seeking out services, the regulations imposed on providers, and the restrictions placed on available services by state and federal governing bodies as well as insurance companies. Often times the services that individuals receive take a back seat to advocating for oneself a midst legal and social roadblocks. This blog will serve as your guide to the ever changing field of counseling and the direct impact changes in legislation and social issues will have on your everyday life. Welcome to Current Counseling!
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