Mental health key in life and now, COVID-19 pandemic

Candy M. Guinn, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, opened the Guinn Clinic, PLLC in December, 2019. The clinic is located at 1906 W. Hillsboro and appointments can be made by calling 870-639-9322.
Candy M. Guinn, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, opened the Guinn Clinic, PLLC in December, 2019. The clinic is located at 1906 W. Hillsboro and appointments can be made by calling 870-639-9322.

As we reach the end of May, the close of Mental Health Awareness Month, Guinn Clinic, PLLC owner Candy Guinn, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, has offered some insight into the devastation poor mental health can lead to in a person’s life and the importance of treating and maintaining one’s mental health, along with some tips on surviving the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with one’s mental health intact.

“There is unfounded stigma and mistreatment of people with psychiatric illness. Those with psychiatric illnesses have limited access to care in our area. Patients with mental illness, specifically with severe depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar and psychosis often act out and become uncooperative during crises,” she said in an email correspondence. “I am a strong patient advocate. … Passion to take care of this population evolved from an undeniable heart tug which led to a career that has now encompassed almost half my lifetime.”

May as Mental Health Awareness Month was first established in 1949. Seventy-one years later, Guinn said highlighting mental health — from mental illness and the factors that contribute to it to treatment and the ways one can learn to cope healthily — is as important as ever.

“May of 2020 is an unprecedented landmark for mental health due to the impact of COVID-19 on the nation and the world,” she said. “COVID-19 is creating anguish, as can be seen across news outlets. Health care workers have committed suicide, a testament to the pressure and damage from this pandemic. This is traumatic to those without mental illness. Imagine the toll it is taking on those that had depression, anxiety or paranoia going into it.”

Guinn said the conditions she sees most commonly in her clinic are depression and anxiety, though opioid use disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients also receive treatment there. Many factors can contribute to the development of a mental illness, although there is often a genetic component as well.

“Untreated mental illness can cause a decreased quality of life and creates barriers to maintaining meaningful relationships, pursuing careers and leaving their own home,” Guinn said.

One of the most common contributors to mental illness — either the development of a mental health disorder or the worsening of one — is trauma, particularly from childhood events, Guinn said.

“It is utterly heartbreaking the things that humans do to one another. These are cases of failure to protect vulnerable populations,” Guinn said. “Often, patients present with severe anxiety that can be seen as vigilance, guarding, panic attacks, avoidance, nightmares, social isolation and insomnia. Unresolved post-traumatic disorder can ruin a life.”

The treatment of a mental health condition can vary greatly from patient to patient, Guinn said, with the contributing factors for each individual’s condition playing a part in that. She said while fluctuations in mood are normal, once those changes in mood start interfering with daily life, its time to see a professional.

“Mental health care professionals are trained and equipped with knowledge of what is normal and not normal. It’s important to pay attention to patterns of what is said and what is not said,” she said. “Treatments differ and are more effective when the individual’s illness’s treatment fits their unique life story.”

Stigma can sometimes prevent those that need it from seeking help for mental distress or disorders, Guinn said; its up to the community to destigmatize mental illness so that our friends and neighbors can feel comfortable getting treatment.

“Mental health records are held to the highest standard of privacy under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws, even more-so than regular health records. Recognizing barriers, such as stigma, is important. This allows us as providers to adapt and open doors to create better availability. Education is key,” Guinn said.

“Most, if not all, people need at least one person who they can share their deepest, darkest, most painful secrets to without fear of judgment or breach of confidentiality,” she continued. “Physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse can really be just as damaging as physical injury. These are the things that, when left untreated or just unrecognized, leads to a patient having led a troubled life with little joy or feelings of fulfillment.”

Besides trauma, a person’s socioeconomic status, their education level, their support system and poor coping skills developed over their lifetimes can be contributing factors to developing or worsening a mental health condition, Guinn said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing into its third month for Arkansans in June, Guinn said it is an especially important time to take care of oneself. While it is important to be aware of the course COVID-19 is taking and abide by public health guidance, one must not let fear drive them.

A few self-care methods Guinn recommended utilizing as the pandemic continues include meditating, maintaining a healthy diet, connecting with loved ones electronically, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and spending time in the sunshine. People experiencing distress can also utilize tele-health services, she noted.

“Take a break from the virulent media that includes drastically different opinions about COVID-19 and the precautions to prevent transmission. The lack of compassion of others that can be seen displayed is horrifying. This could be detrimental to persons who are more vulnerable to environmental stress,” she said. “We can only control our own actions. Our beliefs and our values are our own.”

Guinn also noted that COVID-19 isn’t the only epidemic facing Americans currently; opioid use disorder affects thousands of Americans each year. According to the National Institute of Health, almost half — 208 of 444 — of the overdose deaths in Arkansas in 2018 resulted from opioid use, and 67,367 Americans in all died from opioid-related overdoses that year.

“Efforts to educate, treat and prevent are great,” Guinn said. “The majority of patients we treat were introduced to opioids after an injury or surgery. For many years, health care providers were pressured to ensure patients were pain-free, and opioids were prescribed often. Those practices can be seen even today. It’s important to remember — we have a responsibility to our patients: ‘First, do no harm.’”

Guinn said it is important to continue following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and other pubic health guidance related to the virus. Health care providers are just as susceptible to mental health conditions as anyone else, she noted.

“Health care workers around the world are devoting their lives to taking care of the sick, living away from their families and sometimes living temporarily at the hospital. Our colleagues are getting sick. Some are dying,” she said. “Please respect this effort and don’t abuse it. We all have a responsibility in this.”

“Follow recommended guidelines, be kind to others and stop ridiculing others for trying to maintain health for themselves and their families,” she added. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember to check on loved ones who have depression and anxiety.”

Mental health care services are available in El Dorado at the Guinn Clinic, South Arkansas Regional Health Center and the Medical Center of South Arkansas.

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