Ask A Therapist
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has asked our experts to shed some light on common questions South Carolinians might have to break the stigma of seeking care for mental health.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects about 1 in 100 adults in America, or about 2 million to 3 million people. About 1 in 200 children are diagnosed with OCD. It is often diagnosed when the child is between the ages of 8 and 12.
It is a common disorder that can disrupt a person’s life. Dr. April Richardson, psychiatrist and medical director at BlueCross, answers some questions about the disorder.
Bullying
When people talk about bullying, they often talk about children, schools and the internet. Did you know adults can be bullied, too? Bullying refers to aggressive behaviors that involve a real or perceived power imbalance or deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical or social behaviors intended to cause harm, according to Dr. Bryan Fox, Ph. D. and a licensed counselor at BlueCross. In this series, Dr. Fox discusses how parents can protect their children for bullying and its impact on mental health.
Parental Anxiety
All parents have worries or fears when it comes to raising healthy, happy children. When do normal parenting worries become something more? These worries become more problematic when it interferes with functioning for the parent or the child, says Ginger DeFrancesch, a licensed professional counselor. In this series, DeFrancesch shares more on how to address parental anxiety and when to seek help.
Stress
The signs of stress can be different for everyone. A few signs to look for include moodiness, self-isolation, insomnia or physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach pain. You may also feel like you are losing control, says Kotina Hutto, a licensed professional counselor with BlueCross. In this series, Hutto offers ways to manage stress and when to seek help.
Breaking Down Stigma
Mental health issues are not uncommon. Seeking care for mental health has been viewed negatively. But stigma around mental health care is changing. A BlueCross expert discusses stigma around seeking help and how more people can change the conversation around care.
Men's Mental Health
Taking care of mental health can impact many aspects of a man’s life. Your mental health controls the health of the rest of your body. It is also an important aspect of your family’s health, says Dr. Brian Still, a psychiatrist. Dr. Still discusses mental health and fatherhood, and why it is important for men to pay attention to their mental wellbeing.
Minority Mental Health
Mental illness can be found in all communities. Cultural differences and health disparities have led marginalized populations to approach coping and treatment for mental health skeptically. Racial minorities are over-represented in homeless and low-socioeconomic populations, foster care and prisons, and all of that contributes to mental illness needs and preferences, says Genice Hall-Fowler, a licensed independent social worker and care manager at BlueCross.
Grief
Grief is the emotion we experience when we have loss. We all experience loss and grief, and it doesn’t happen only when someone dies. Grief is something everyone must work through, says Lucy Henry, a licensed professional counselor. In this series, Henry offers insight on dealing with grief and helping others.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Millions of children have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The disorder shows up differently for individuals. There are three types of ADHD, says Dr. April Richardson, a psychiatrist and vice president of medical management and COO for Behavioral Health at BlueCross. In this series, Dr. Richardson discusses the difference between ADHD and anxiety and how the disorder is treated.
News Anxiety
Scrolling through headlines these days can be stressful. Our social feeds can be full of negative media that can significantly impact our mental health. Fortunately, there are ways to cope.
We spoke with Lisa Hardy, an employee assistance professional, on how to recognize and manage anxiety that might be caused by overexposure to negative news and media.
Access to Mental Health Care
Seeking help for mental health can seem overwhelming and add stress to an already stressful situation. We spoke with licensed counselor Dr. Bryan Fox on how to begin the process of getting professional mental health care and the different options available.