In honor of Mental Health Awareness month 2023, episode 2 in our How to Retain Massage Clients series talks about the importance of getting more comfortable seeing signs of mental health issues and helping clients choose counseling as a form of support.
Common Issues to Learn More About
ADHD
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Eating Disorders
Personality Disorders
PTSD
OCD
Tic Disorders
Symptoms to Watch Out For (excerpted from psychiatry.org article linked below)
Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care.
Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings, greater irritability.
Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Drop in functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks.
Problems thinking — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain.
Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations.
Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity.
Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality.
Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult.
Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling.
Unusual behavior — Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.
Changes in school or work — Increased absenteeism, worsening performance, difficulties in relationships with peers and co-workers.
One or two of these symptoms alone can’t predict a mental illness but may indicate a need for further evaluation. If a person is experiencing several at one time and the symptoms are causing serious problems in the ability to study, work or relate to others, he/she should be seen by a physician or mental health professional. People with suicidal thoughts or intent, or thoughts of harming others, need immediate attention.
Have a plan when a client shows these signs. Do you have mental health care providers you can use as referrals? If not, you can refer them to their primary care physician.
For more in-depth reading:
https://www.massagemag.com/americans-in-crisis-working-with-massage-clients-who-exhibit-mental-health-challenges-127017/
https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/1635446461611/how-massage-therapists-can-support-mental-health
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-types-illness
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