How can Art Aid in the Battle against Cancer-Related Anxiety and Depression?

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Written by Lucy Peters

Depression affects up to 20% and anxiety 10% of people with cancer, compared to 5% and 7%, respectively, of the general population – as per a 2018 study (by Alexandra Pittman), published in the British Medical Journal. Treating these mental conditions is vital, say researchers, because when they are ignored, both quality of life and survival, are reduced. Specific types of cancer (e.g. lung cancer) are thought to release specific chemicals which are tied into depression, while some treatments (such as chemotherapy) are also linked to this mental condition. Because antidepressant medications can interact poorly with some cancer treatments, health professionals are constantly on the lookout for natural ways to combat anxiety and depression, especially in mild-to-moderate cases. Among a small group of therapies (which includes yoga and mindfulness meditation), art creation is also proving powerful, as found in specific studies.

Art Therapy Can Reduce Pain and Anxiety in Cancer Symptoms

A study (by researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital) published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that art therapy could quell a wide array of symptoms related to pain and anxiety in patients with cancer. The study involved 50 patients at Northwestern Memorial, who took part in the study for four months. During this time, said scientists, art therapy distracted patients from their disease, enabling them to focus on a positive activity they felt in control of. At the end of the study period, patients found that eight out of nine symptoms in the ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale) were reduced. These included depression, anxiety, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and poor appetite. The only symptom on the scale that was not alleviated, was that of nausea.

Art Therapy is Easy, Cost-Effective and Powerful

Art can essentially be practiced by people of all ages – not only those with talent. The advent of new digital technologies mean that the average tech user has many devices at hand that can help them create beautiful artworks. Those into pencil drawing, meanwhile, can find numerous tutorials on drawing faces, figures, and even nature forms – all with just a click or two of their tablet or smartphone. Therefore, art creation can extend to beyond the works created in a formal therapeutical setting. Art can become a hobby that fervent creators can get ‘lost in’ as they seize the present moment and use it to express their current thoughts and emotions.

Art Therapies and Cancer Carers

A study undertaken this year by scientists at Drexel University found that in the battle against cancer, art therapy can help those who care for those who are ill. This is true whether or not the carer is a professional – such as a nurse – or a loved one of the person battling the disease. The researchers stated that families and oncology professionals can experience negative effects while caring for someone who is ill – including compassion fatigue, not having enough time to self-care, and (in the case of family) financial concerns. In the study, a total of 34 caregivers enjoyed 45 minutes of art therapy, creating art and discussing its significance afterwards. Before and after each session, participants were given surveys to report positive and negative feelings (including stress and anxiety). After art therapy, they expressed increases in enjoyment and positivity, and a decrease in negative emotions.

Research has shown that art therapy can help cancer patients battle anxiety and depression. Art has also been found to be beneficial to carers, who can face significant stress when a patient or loved one is diagnosed with cancer. Art is increasingly being used to boost the quality of life of cancer patients, and reduce the stress associated with the disease itself and its treatment.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program in online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.

Grief Counseling Training Program Article on Ecological Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The loss of nature and ecological destruction plays a large role on humanity.  Individuals suffer from the devastation and grieve the loss of what was once.  These types of losses of beauty as well as climate problems cause distress.  This type of grief and anxiety is ecological grief.

Ecological grief is a true loss that we suffer as a society. Please also review our Grief Counseling training program

 

For instance, some may fear the loss of beauty found in the rain forest or the coral reef.  The beauty but also the instrumental role they play in our climates are a twofold loss of what we all experience with their destruction.

The article, “How to cope with the grief that comes with the world’s ecological crisis” by John Sharry looks into this type of loss.  He states,

 

“Many of those working within the environmental charities describe their heartbreak and grief at the loss of the natural world. This is the natural world which is not only beautiful in its own right but it is the world on which we entirely depend on as humans. For communities on the frontline of the climate emergency this grief is much more acute and threatening.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Grief Counseling Training program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

ADHD Consulting Program Article on Coping with ADHD

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

ADHD sometimes requires medication.  Medication can take away the symptoms and help control the situation but usually comes with side effects or higher cost.  Some with ADHD can utilize low risk coping strategies that can help them live with and operate successfully with ADHD.

Learning to cope with ADHD without medication is possible for some. Please also review our ADHD Consulting program

 

The article, 4 No-Risk, Non-Drug ADHD Treatments Ideal for Entrepreneurs, by Dave Kerpen illustrates how individuals can deal with ADHD in less evasive ways.  He states,

“Before making any medical decisions for yourself or others, consult your doctor. Ask whether the following ADHD treatment alternatives might help you maintain your focus without the risks associated with pharmaceuticals:”

To read the entire article, please click here

ADHD Consultants can help their clients deal with ADHD symptoms and in some cases guide them through the symptoms without medication.  Please also review our ADHD Consulting Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

Meditation Instructor and the Use of Meditation in the World

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Meditation is key to a good spiritual life.  It is critical in almost every spiritual and religious tradition.  It is found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, as well as all the Eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism and its many offshoots.   It is found also in smaller religious sects and groups.

Meditation is an attempt spiritually to become closer to God.  In Eastern traditions, this is an attempt to become unified with God as one substance, while in the Christianity and the West, its purpose is a communion between two separate agents.  This is critical to understand.  Even though meditation is about becoming closer to the divine, these two routes can take individuals down two different spiritual paths

Despite this, meditation shares many common traits among world religions.  Meditation is personal and spiritual.  Meditation is not usually a religious ceremony within the community but is a singular spiritual experience.  It is a beyond the communal connections and social obligations of one’s faith.  Meditation is hence very personal and the success of those who practice it depend on their spiritual levels of awareness.

Meditation is found in many religious traditions. it is a mental and singular form of prayer that looks for closer union with the divine

 

Another important element of Meditation is its mental nature.  Unlike vocal prayer, whether communal or singular, meditation is quiet prayer.  It is reflective and looks to engage the divine in a way to communicate at a more subconscious level.  It looks for quiet and peace to better hear the divine and to help the soul form a greater and more intimate union with the divine.

In attempting to find that quiet, the conscious mind must choose to enter into the meditative state.  In the East, there are many spiritual practices and physical postures that attempt to free the soul from temporal distractions.  The meditative trance is induced through quiet, postures and various practices to free the soul from the body.  In the West, there is less emphasis on postures and definitely a rejection of any astral projection.  Instead, there is more emphasis on the divine as a being and how one interacts.  This is usually accomplished through private prayer and reflection on scriptures and images of the divine to inspire piety and spiritual excitement in the soul.

Meditation hence is a spiritual exercise for private devotion to inspire a closer union with the divine through mental and quiet prayer.  If you would like to learn more about meditation or would like to become Meditation Instructor, then please review our Meditation Instructor Program.  The program is more Eastern based and helps individuals gain the knowledge and expertise needed to help others in the area of meditation.

Individuals who are spiritual and wish to expand their knowledge can utilize the certification in their private practices, but also yoga instructors, and other holistic care givers can incorporate meditation into their practice.   Some healthcare professionals also like to utilize meditation as well as hypnosis and other elements to give peace to their patients.

Despite being spiritual in nature, meditation also has many mental and physical benefits. Meditation Instructors can help others lean of these benefits

Meditation instructors are also in demand within the business world.  With higher level of stress and the lower correlation of productivity associated with stress, employers are looking to gain every advantage against it.  They look to hire stress manager consultants as well as meditation instructors to teach their employees how to manage stress and remain peaceful and calm.

So as we can see, meditation has more than simple spiritual ramifications but also many business and overall health issues.  This gives one with a certification in Meditation Instruction, the unique ability to offer one’s services to a variety of outlets within the spiritual as well as secular world.

Whether one employs classical Western meditation or Eastern meditation, the need and urge for humanity to reconnect with the divine at a closer level is an innate necessity.  Meditation Instructors can play a key role in helping others learn to meditate and utilize the numerous benefits of it.  Please review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

Grief Counseling Training Program Article on Life and Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

In life there are a few constants, unfortunately, death and loss is one.  While one plans one’s day and deals with stress and daily plans, no one ever really thinks about a death that may occur.  Life can change quickly at a moments notice and one discovers soon how fragile life truly is.  What was the biggest issue of the week suddenly becomes minute and small compared to a loss or the death of a loved one.  It puts one into a proper proportion of what matters most.  Some individuals should learn from this from others and understand how important the lives they share with others matters.

 

Grief and loss can suddenly change life’s plans in a heartbeat. Please also review our Grief Counseling Training Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals

 

The article, “You Can Plan For Everything, But Grief” by Tracey Wallace discusses various lives that were forever changed by loss.  She states,

“After months of intense grief, a year later Phil now loves going home to their house. He’s even started dating a bit again. And while the grief has become more manageable, he still learns new insights every day about just how special he and Alan’s connection really was.”

To read the entire article, please click here

It is truly terrifying to see how lives can change through loss but it is also amazing to see how people fight back and cope and continue their lives despite the loss.  One’s life will never be the same but it does not mean one’s life is over.  It is altered but never over.

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Training Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

Grief Counseling Training Program Article on Holiday Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The holidays always play a big part in our  lives.  Some happy, some not so happy.  Stress, loss and grief can unfortunately play a larger part than joy and peace.  If grieving a loss, it is natural to experience the holidays differently than before.  Individuals vary in how they will respond to the loss.  Some may seek to keep tradition while others may need time to return to past traditions.  There really is no true answer.

Grief during the holidays is especially painful. Please also review our Grief Counseling Training program and see if it meets your academic needs

 

Instead, one must navigate the holidays as best one’s ability.  Grief will be present if the first holiday without a loved one but over time, it does improve.  The loss never vanishes, but other ways to celebrate or even remember become possible.  Others may learn how to better handle stress through a few tips.

The article, “Navigating the Holidays with Grief” by Laura Wade looks at how one can better cope with grief during the holidays.  She states,

“It takes five to eight years to move through the emotions of a significant loss,” Boyd shares. “Holidays compound the feelings of loss since it is a time of connection and family. It is also a reminder the loved one is not there. Holidays are already an emotional time, especially if being together and focused on family was important to your loved one.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Holidays should be taken gently and easily during the first years of loss.  Only time can ease the sharp pain of loss.  It is also important to remember friends and family during these times who may be grieving a loss.  Sometimes a simply hello can mean the world to an individual who is still grieving a significant loss during the holidays.

If you would like to learn more about grief counseling or would like to become a certified grief counselor, then please review our Grief Counseling Training Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

 

Anger Management Training Program Article on Anger and Boys

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Anger if left unattended or properly directed can lead to bigger problems.  This is especially true in the case of young boys.  Boys need to be able to understand their emotions but also how to display them in a healthy and productive fashion.  Anger is one such emotion that needs to be directed properly to prevent future rage issues.  Boys need good role models but also as boys, need outlets that play to their gender and emotional needs.

 

It is important to help boys understand anger and how to properly handle it. Please also review our Anger Management Training Program

The article, “How To Help Boys Deal With Anger” by Catherine Pearson looks deeper and helping boys learn to control and cope with anger.  She states,

“Obviously, there is so much nuance when it comes to individuals, emotions — and how they express those emotions. It is not fair, nor accurate, to say that all boys experience anger one way, while all girls experience it another. And research shows it is a myth that boys and men experience anger more than girls and women.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Anger Management Training Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

Healthcare Case Management Program Article on Rising Healthcare Costs

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Healthcare continues to be a growing cost for the average American as well as the average employer.  Employers on average according to a latest poll are paying around $13,000 an employee a year.  With the cost continuing to rise, it is becoming more and more expensive to give people the basic care they need.  With healthcare such a huge issue in the 2020 election, it will be interesting to see who has the solutions and who does not to combat this ever growing national issue.

The cost of healthcare for employers is becoming higher and higher each year. Please also review our Healthcare Case Management Program

 

The article, “Companies Move to Limit Employees’ Health Costs: bt David McCann looks at some statistics illustrating the growing problem with healthcare costs.  He states,

“The average total health benefit cost per employee grew 3.0% to reach $13,046, following a rise of 3.6% in 2018. This is the eighth consecutive year of health benefit cost growth in the low single digits, and employers expect the cost to rise at a similar pace next year. Still, cost increases continue to outpace overall inflation.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Healthcare Case Management Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

ADHD Consulting Program Article on ADHD and High School

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

ADHD can be a nightmare for high school students.  Many teens at this age do not want the stigma or social marking with ADHD.  They fear what other people may think, but it is truly in their best interests to share and educate with teachers and friends.

Revealing or not revealing a learning disability can be a tricky decision in high school. Please also review our ADHD Consulting Program

 

The article, “Should I Talk Openly About My ADHD in High School?” by Sarah Cheyette, discusses the many advantages and also pitfalls of discussing ADHD in high school.  She points out a variety of important things to consider and what to do and what not to do.  She states,

“Teens with ADHD face myriad challenges — many of them invisible. Would high school be easier if your friends knew about your ADHD diagnosis? Or would they treat you differently? Here are eight considerations and talking points for teens who are considering talking openly about their attention deficit for the first time.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our ADHD Consulting Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

Grief Counseling Program Article on Meaning in Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief is a universal emotion that strikes humanity’s most existential questions.   With pain, suffering and loss, many try to find meaning in grief.  Finding meaning and coping with grief is a life skill that all must learn to deal with if they expect to work through the pains of life.   Sometimes it is difficult to find meaning and others need help tying the narrative of life together from loss to loss.  Each loss creating a chapter in the overall book of life.  Loss is always a result of something good and ironically if we never lost, then we would never have.  Love is the purpose of life and unfortunately tied to love is loss.  While in this temporal valley of tears, humanity’s existential journey is about balancing love and loss and understanding how to create a life narrative that somehow makes sense.

Finding meaning in grief can be difficult. Please also review our Grief Counseling Program and see if it meets your professional goals

 

The article, “Finding Meaning in Grief” by Julie Phitzinger discusses trying to find meaning in loss.  She states,

“For Kessler, a noted grief expert,  finding a path forward became an unexpected and integral part of his life.  While Kessler was writing this book,  his son David, who had overcome a drug habit only to start using again, died in 2016 at the age of 21.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.