Vaping and Juuling: Why Doesn't Anyone Like Me? - Releasing Anxiety's Grip - CHI Health
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Vaping Releasing
and Juuling: Anxiety’s Grip
A Trend on Fire
Why Doesn’t
Anyone Like Me?
Healthy Minds
2018/2019
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds
Pressure Doesn’t
Make Perfect:
Beware Sky-High
Welcome to
Better You Healthy Minds Expectations
Who among us would choose to relive those
difficult teen years – particularly with today’s
challenges? It’s hard being a teenager and
sometimes just as complicated raising them.
BetterYou Healthy Minds is just one way
CHI Health is helping families navigate what can
often be a turbulent time.
Within these pages, CHI Health mental health
experts will shed light on the struggles teens face
today – and offer tips for families to get though
life’s challenges together.
Topics in this issue include peer pressure,
anxiety, parental expectations, depression,
5 Signs
cutting, bullying, social media and more.
Please use this publication as a resource, and
get in touch at CHIhealth.com/BetterYouSurvey to
share topics you’d like to see covered in the next
BetterYou Healthy Minds. Parents Need
to Step Back
Helicopter No More: 1 You criticize more than
Be Present without Hovering
you praise your child.
2 You micromanage your
signal a larger truth. “I’m kid’s projects.
• Let children set their own goals and
timelines. Ask: “What do you want tired of this” can mean more You feel like every activity
to accomplish today/this week?” than routine weariness. Straight As, exceptional interest can become obsession when
3
will make or break your
Guide them in an age-appropriate • Embrace disappointment as a extracurriculars, bright futures. We we try too hard as parents. child’s future.
way. character-building experience. want it all for our kids. “What we do want is for kids to live
• Ask open-ended questions. “Sometimes we have to fall down “I do see high schoolers struggling up to and into their potential – not 4 You’re making decisions
“What’s going on tonight with your gracefully and figure out how to with high parental expectations,” said our idea of perfection,” Williams said. your children should make.
homework?” not “Do you have get back up,” said Karen Williams, Karen Williams, LIMHP, CHI Health “There’s no perfection for kids or for
homework?” LIMHP, CHI Health mental health psychotherapist. parents. We all make mistakes and we 5 You become frustrated
therapist. Showing interest in our children’s get to try again.” easily and lose your temper.
• Have conversations that aren’t face-
to-face, such as in the car or while • Give kids time to just be. “We are "Sometimes small activities is extremely important. But
preparing dinner. human beings, not human doings,” comments signal a
• Pause to hear what kids say. Williams said.
larger truth."
Sometimes small comments
1 Better You • 2018/2019 CHIhealth.com • Better You 2
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds
What Bullying Vaping and Juuling:
Really Looks Like
A Trend on Fire
22% 28%
Originally marketed as an alternative to cigarettes, vaping and
e-cigarettes have caught fire with kids. In fact, e-cigarette use tripled in
middle and high school students from 2013 to 2015.
Young people
Students that experience Five fast facts:
age 12-18 cyberbullying 1. “Vaping” is the act of puffing on an e-cigarette. E-cigarettes are also
bullied at sometime in called e-hookahs, mods, vape pens and Juuls.
school their life
2. A Juul (“jewel”) is an e-cigarette that’s small – sometimes resembling a
flash drive – and popular because kids can sneak puffs during class.
Many young people will
experience bullying over the 3. Almost all e-cigarette products contain nicotine, which is addictive and
course of their lifetime. can disrupt brain development in young people. One Juul cartridge can
However, not every conflict is have as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.
bullying. Sometimes it’s just bad, 4. E-liquids used in e-cigarettes have been marketed to resemble kid-
unacceptable behavior. How to tell friendly products like juice boxes, candy and cookies.
the difference: 5. The Centers for Disease Control has stated that e-cigarettes can
Rudeness: Carelessly saying contain cancer-causing agents, heavy metals like lead and volatile
Rude, Mean or or doing something that hurts
someone.
organic compounds.
Worse? Always Take
Meanness: Purposefully saying
or doing something once, maybe
twice, to hurt someone.
Under your influence
Parents Play Vital Role in Kids’ Alcohol, Drug Use
the Kind Road Bullying: Intentionally aggressive
behavior, repeated over time,
that involves an imbalance of
Our differences make us stronger, our world more vibrant. But it’s also natural power. Three components must
to gravitate toward those who share our same interests. be present:
“I encourage teens to give themselves room to grow into their beliefs. Expand 1. Repeated actions or threats
your view, challenge ideas, meet new people. Of course there will be things and 2. A power imbalance
people you prefer more than others,” said Bridget Mostek, LIMHP, CHI Health 3. Intention to cause harm
psychotherapist.
“In every interaction, even when
there’s conflict, we can all choose What’s not OK Who Bullies Target Most
to be tactful, polite and even Bullies don’t need a reason to
respectful,” she said. “Choosing
is to respond treat someone badly. But according
Have the talk. Children are 50 percent less likely to use • Notice and reinforce positive behavior more than
kindness doesn’t mean you’re by being rude, to a new study, weight is the
predominant reason kids become alcohol or drugs if parents bring up the topic. negative.
obligated to like a person. It’s less
about them and more about the type mean or worse— targets. Parents can combat this “It’s very important to have those conversations before
you start noticing problems or having concerns,” said Scott
• Discuss family history of alcohol or drug abuse –
trend – so pervasive it’s been dubbed and how that increases their risk.
of person you choose to be.”
Challenged by someone with
bullying. “fat shaming” – by helping teens Halverson, LIMHP, CHI Health psychotherapist. Talking tips:
• Stay calm. Yelling, name-calling or shaming can turn
differing views? Before you respond, develop a positive body image. Start • Find “teachable moments” while watching TV or
the child against you.
ask herself, “How would I feel if these were the last words spoken to someone by being a positive role model and discussing celebrities with drug/alcohol issues.
avoiding negative talk about food, “Teens are going to test you but keep the focus on the fact
I love?” Mostek said. “We never know the inner battles other people face; • Listen as much as you talk to find out what your
represent yourself well and strive for kindness.” weight, body size and shape. children know.
that your communication comes out of love, care, concern
and a desire to understand your children,” Halverson said.
3 Better You • 2018/2019 CHIhealth.com • Better You 4
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds
Why Doesn’t Four Ways “Just One
Parents Can Help in the
Anyone Like Me? Friend Department Breath”
Mindfulness Exercise
Talk to a trusted
1 teacher, coach
• Find a relaxing place, sit comfortably
and set a timer for one minute.
or club leader about • Breathe deeply in and out while
your teen’s struggles paying attention to any sensations
and get their input. you notice or sounds you hear.
• Take a slow, deep breath. Imagine
the air moving down into your lungs
2 Encourage
your teen to
and back up as you exhale.
• Take one more deep breath and hold
hone conversational for a moment, then release it.
skills with you,
grandparents
or other loved
ones.
Break Free:
3
Role play social
situations with Releasing Anxiety’s Grip
your child so he
Anxiety can feel like an invisible can ease nerves by helping kids stay
or she can practice
force that holds you back in life. present in the moment.
responses. “Learning to face it is an essential “Practicing mindfulness is incredibly
It’s not easy making friends, especially during the tumultuous teen years when part of growing up,” said Mindy empowering for children, and for
you’re changing so much. Hinton, LIMHP, CHI Health ourselves,” Hinton said. “It can help
“High social anxiety, exposure to bullying, physical appearance, race, confusion
about who you are, home environment and other issues can all affect the social
4 Share how you
sometimes
psychotherapist. If your teen is
struggling, take deep breaths together
kids better manage stress and anxiety
when it does occur. It helps with self-
dynamics of a teen,” said CHI Health Psychotherapist John Duggins, LIMHP, struggle to make to ease the fight-or-flight process. It’s regulation, promotes positive emotions
LADC. “And that can lead to beliefs that ‘I must not be good enough’ or ‘there small talk, and how important to acknowledge feelings and helps grow self-compassion.”
must be something wrong with me.’” you handle awkward as real and valid. It’s not helpful for If anxiety persists or escalates into
How do you surround yourself with people who like you? “Participation. kids to feel they are failing in some panic, seek professional help.
moments.
It sounds fairly simple but it’s not very easy,” Duggins said. “Get involved in way. Practicing mindfulness exercises
clubs at school, after-school programs, sports or volunteering in the community.
Wherever you have the opportunity to meet and engage with other teenagers.”
When Those Facebook Friends Aren’t
Teen brains are still developing – that’s That’s why seemingly normal Your Friends After All
Your Brain: why smart teens sometimes make bad
decisions. The frontal lobes aren’t fully
teenagers, even excellent students,
occasionally make questionable
What Were
Social media gives teens an But incomplete brain digital world, Grove suggested
connected and the teen brain doesn’t decisions. So when do parts of the “instant connection with a large development also means teens cut back and have more “in-
have as much myelin – a coating brain finally communicate well with
You Thinking?
number of people that can quickly adolescents “are naturally more person social interactions” through
that plays the role of electrical wire each other? Think mid-20s. provide a feeling of acceptance,” said likely to be impulsive and engage in organized school, church and club
insulation – as an adult brain does. CHI Health Psychotherapist Mike problem behaviors.” activities, as well as part-time jobs.
Grove, LIMHP. Instead of losing hours in the
5 Better You • 2018/2019 CHIhealth.com • Better You 6
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds
Cutting: Teen Set Limits for
Suicide: An Strong Kids
An Explainer Alarming Trend Healthy habits are essential,
so set limits and stick with them.
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare “It’s the hard and boring part of
and it’s on the rise. In 2016, suicide being a parent, but it’s essential,”
became the No. 2 leading cause of said Teri Echtenkamp, LIMHP, CHI
death for U.S. teens after staying at Health psychotherapist.
No. 3 and even decreasing in the
1980s and 1990s. One reason: teen 9 to 11 hours sleep
suicide attempts may be more likely for ages 6 to 13 and
to be lethal. 8 to 10 hours sleep
That’s why it’s essential for loved for ages 14 to 17
ones to act on concerns. Four out of
five teens who attempt suicide give More fruits, vegetables,
clear warning signs, such as talking
about suicide or being preoccupied Trophy-Free Self-Esteem: grains and healthy
proteins and less sugary
snacks and energy drinks
with death, losing interest in normal
activities, putting affairs in order or
giving away prized possessions.
Get It with Grit
An hour a day of
High-profile suicides in the media Self-esteem isn’t about winning. It’s challenging,” Echtenkamp said. structured sports or
or the community can serve as a about what you learn along the way. That doesn’t necessarily mean unstructured play
trigger. This phenomenon is called “Confidence is the key word,” organized sports or academic
suicide contagion. If you’re worried said Teri Echtenkamp, LIMHP, CHI achievements. It can be a casual hobby
about your child: Health psychotherapist. “Kids with or volunteer work which is personally Good digital
self-esteem know their self-worth, meaningful. media habits
• Talk about it. Don’t be afraid to ask: their abilities. They can be confident in Just remember that self-esteem isn’t
Contrary to popular belief, the act of self-harm known as cutting isn’t “Do you want to kill yourself?”
necessarily a prelude to a suicide attempt. However, it should be taken seriously. struggle or in success.” about success. “It’s about growing Create family
Following the self-esteem buzz of grit and resilience,” Echtenkamp media plan at
“Typically children are using it as a coping mechanism for emotional pain. • Remove access to guns, knives,
the late 1980s, researchers found this: said. “You build self-esteem out of healthychildren.org
It provides a sense of control,” said Christi Cloyd, LIMHP, LADC, a CHI prescription and over-the-counter
Health psychotherapist and chemical medications, ropes and belts. “The best way to build self-esteem struggle.”
dependence counselor. is in activities that are useful and
Cutting can also be addictive because If you suspect • Seek professional help
immediately.
it releases endorphins – similar to a your child is
runner’s high.
“After cutting, they get this endorphin cutting, don’t Building Kids Up: The Parents’ Role
dump for 90 to 120 seconds, but then
a tidal wave of guilt and shame usually
overreact or try Talk about your own Compare your child to others.
failures. Let kids see how But do have and communicate
comes afterwards, which might prompt to control the you handle struggles. standards.
them to cut again,” Cloyd said.
If you suspect your child is cutting, behavior. Participate in activities that Put yourself down. Even
don’t overreact or try to control the challenge you. Talk about DO DON'T toddlers pick up on negative
behavior. Ask your child – in a direct and caring way – if they are cutting. If they hurdles and progress. self-talk.
are, ask what is hurting them emotionally.
Then seek professional help. Practice habits you want Be a lawnmower or snow
“They need a trained professional who is experienced in dealing with self-harm your kids to adopt. Put your blower. Let your children clear
to help them learn to cope with emotions in a more adaptive way,” Cloyd said. cellphone down at dinner their own paths forward.
and listen.
7 Better You • 2018/2019 CHIhealth.com • Better You 8
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds
Mood Swings, Aggression, Empower
Depression – It’s Not a Phase Your Kids to
Handle Peer
Seek professional Pressure
help if: Finding out your child’s
friends are involved in risky
• Your child’s behavior behaviors puts parents in a
interferes with daily life or quandary.
the family’s functioning. Staying away from alcohol,
drugs, vaping and sex is
• Disagreements about your standard parental guidance. But
child strain your marriage teens, even in the same family,
or partnership. handle this part of growing up
differently. The key is to keep
• Your other children are communication lines open,
unhappy, frightened know your teenager and help
or upset by a sibling’s them learn how to navigate
behavior/response to friendships when risky behaviors
behavior. are involved.
“When parents always take
the lead in handling conflict
resolution in their child’s life,
they also take away their ability
The teen years can be a roller coaster worse, if moodiness is putting them at psychiatrist. “An easy first step is to to problem solve and figure out
of accelerated hormones, plummeting risk for suicide? talk with your doctor to rule out other
moods and startling behaviors. Thank-
fully, most adolescents manage to stay
According to the National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five
physical health conditions, then ask for
help finding a mental health specialist.
who they are as individuals,” said
Sarah Voss, LIMHP, CHI Health
psychotherapist.
Simple Ways to
on track.
But how do you know if normal
young adults lives with a mental health
condition, while 50 percent of all life-
Anxiety and depression are serious
problems – not something teens are
Have your child try STEPS to
problem solve. State the issue
Break the Silence –
Conversation Starters
teenage angst has turned the corner time mental illnesses begins by age 14. going to outgrow. Getting the right as specifically as possible. Think
into clinical anxiety? If teen aggression “If you’re worried, tell someone,” help early is extremely important.” of at least three solutions
is endangering their development? Or said Hugo Gonzalez, MD, CHI Health without judging them. Examine
the solutions for pros and “How are you?” It’s a question we ask, usually without expecting a serious
cons, including potential answer. But if we talk more openly about mental health, struggles many share
Mental Illness: 10 Warning Signs* consequences. Pick one solution
to try. See if it worked. If not,
could be brought to light – where there’s support.
If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, try starting a conversation.
chose another solution. Some approaches from mentalhealth.gov:
Feeling very sad or withdrawn for Not eating, throwing up or using Extreme difficulty in concentrating
1 • more than two weeks
5• laxatives to lose weight; significant
9• or staying still • “I’ve been worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing?
weight loss or weight gain If not, who are you comfortable talking to?”
• Seriously trying to harm or kill • Intense worries or fears that get in
2 oneself or making plans to do so • Seeing, hearing or believing things 10 the way of daily activities • “It seems like you are going through a difficult time. How can I help you to find help?”
6 that are not real
• Severe out-of-control, *From the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). • “I’m concerned about your safety. Have you thought about harming yourself or others?”
3 risk-taking behaviors 7• Repeatedly using drugs or alcohol If you are struggling, tell someone you trust. These are delicate conversations.
• Sudden, overwhelming fear for no • Drastic changes in mood, behavior, Some are better at offering and accepting support than others, and misunder-
4 reason 8 personality or sleeping habits standings are inevitable. But making an effort can make a world of difference.
9 Better You • 2018/2019 CHIhealth.com • Better You 10
For help and answers call Additional help:
402-717-HOPE Nebraska Family Helpline
Any Problem. Any Time.
1-888-866-8660
CHI Health Omaha/Council Bluffs
Metro Locations
Boys Town National Hotline
Creighton University Medical Center Mercy Council Bluffs
- Bergan Mercy Midlands 1-800-448-3000
Immanuel Psychiatric Residential
Lakeside Treatment Facility National Suicide
Lasting Hope Recovery Center Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Psychiatric Associates clinics:
3308 Samson Way, 7101 Newport Avenue, Omaha
Red Nacional de
Suite 203, Bellevue 16909 Lakeside Hills Court, Prevención del Suicidio
2001 S 75th Street, Suite 400, Omaha
Suite 100, Omaha 1-888-628-9454
11109 S 84th Street,
801 Harmony Street, Suite 3841, Papillion
Suite 302, Council Bluffs
415 S 25th Avenue, Omaha
CHIhealth.com/Behavioral
If you are a danger to yourself or others, or know
someone who is, call 911.
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