Introduction to Behavioral Medicine for Mental Health Counselors

Introduction to Behavioral Medicine for Mental Health Counselors Jim Messina, Ph.D., CCMHC, NCC Assistant Professor, TROY University Tampa Bay Site

Definition of Behavioral Medicine Behavioral Medicine is the interdisciplinary field concerned with the development and the integration of behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical science knowledge and techniques relevant to the understanding of health and illness, and the application of this knowledge and these techniques to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. (Definition is provided by Society of Behavioral Medicine on their website at: http://www.sbm.org/about )

Focus of Behavioral Medicine Life-span approach to health & health care for: Children Teens Adults Seniors In racially and ethnically diverse communities

Impact of Behavioral Medicine Changes in behavior and lifestyle can Improve health Prevent illness Reduce symptoms of illness Behavioral changes can help people: Feel better physically and emotionally Improve their health status Increase their self-care skills Improve their ability to live with chronic illness. Behavioral interventions can: Improve effectiveness of medical interventions Help reduce overutilization of the health care system Reduce the overall costs of care

Key Strategies of Behavioral Medicine Lifestyle Change Training Social Support

Examples of Goals of Lifestyle Change Improve nutrition Increase physical activity Stop smoking Use medications appropriately Practice safer sex Prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse.

Examples of Training in Behavioral Medicine Coping skills training Relaxation training Self-monitoring personal health Stress management Time management Pain management Problem-solving Communication skills Priority-setting

Examples of Social Support Group education Caretaker support and training Health counseling Community-based sports events

Examples of Behavioral Medicine Interventions Biofeedback Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Neurofeedback Meditation Guide Imagery Mindfulness Clinical Self-Hypnosis Relaxation Training Progressive Muscle Relaxation Yoga Tai Chi Transcendental Meditation Self-Regulation Skills-learn to put control of health under one’s own personal locus of control

Examples of Outcome Goals of Behavioral Medicine Interventions Prevent disease onset Lower blood pressure Lower serum cholesterol Reduce body fat Reverse atherosclerosis Decrease pain Reduce surgical complications Decrease complications of pregnancy Enhance immune response Increase compliance with treatment – medication plans Increase relaxation Increase functional capacity Improve sleep Improve productivity at work and school Improve strength, endurance, and mobility Improve quality of life

Age Related Behavioral Medicine Focus Children’s Health Adolescent Health Women’s Health Men’s Health Aging Brain’s Neuroplasticity

Weight Management Focus Obesity Exercise Diet Nutrition Cognitive Approach to Approaching Weight Body Image Eating Disorders

Sleep Related Focus Insomnia Sleep Hygiene Sleep Deprivation Sleep Apnea – compliance with CPAP Snoring Narcolepsy Restless Legs Syndrome Circadian Rhythm Disorder (Jet lag or Shift Work related) Somnambulism (Sleep walking) Connection to Metabolism, Exercise, Productivity

Emotions Related Coping with Depression Coping with Bipolar Disorder Coping with Anxiety Coping with Obsessive Compulsive disorder Coping with PTSD Coping with Panic Disorder

Muscular/Skeletal Related Focus Arthritis Chronic Pain Disease-Related Pain Low Back Pain Myofascial Pain Fibromyalgia Accident related Pain Multiple Sclerosis Lupus Parkinson’s Disease ALS

Rehabilitation Focus Developmental Disability Accident Related Neurological Condition Related Aging Related

Pulmonary Related Focus Asthma Allergy Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Disease

Allergy Related Focus Seasonal allergies Food allergies Environmental allergies

Cardiovascular Related Focus Type A vs Type B Personality Style Chronic hostility vs lowered hostility Heart Disease Hypertension Stroke

Gastrointestinal Related Focus Diabetes Incontinence Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS Ulcers

Renal Disease Related Focus Dialysis Kidney Transplant Process

Neurological Related Focus Neurodevelopmental Disorders – ADHD – Autism Headaches Epilepsy TBI Tics Brain Plasticity

Cancer Related Focus Early identification of symptoms Getting routine testing for Cancer related symptoms Coping with Diagnosis Coping with Treatments Coping with physical health during treatment process

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Related Information on STD’s Education on Steps to Take to prevent STD’s Information on HIV/AIDS Surviving getting HIV/AIDS through lifestyle change

Addiction Related Focus Substance Abuse Alcohol Illegal Drugs Prescription Drugs Tobacco-Nicotine Caffine Other compulsive addictions: gambling, sex, computer,

Connectedness with others Focus Social Relationships Isolation Loneliness Avoidance of Contact with Others Sense of Community

Spirituality Focus Internal vs External Locus of Control issues Spiritual Practices which encourage healing and good health Maintaining a Positive Outlook on Life which encourages physical healing and good health

Death and Dying Focus Coping with a Terminal Diagnosis Making sense of Life from a new perspective Maintaining one’s composure facing the end of life