Coping Skills in Lexington, Richmond & Frankfort KY


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Coping skills play an important part in our mental wellbeing, they are what we use to respond to life’s problems. Some of our ways of coping can help us move through and past our problems while others can create more stress and obstacles for us. 

Healthy vs Unhealthy Coping skills
Healthy coping skills are emotional, cognitive, and behavioral tactics we implement when met with a problem that allows us to solve the problem or move on from it. We generally feel better and less stressed when we use healthy coping mechanisms. 
 
Some examples of healthy coping skills include:
  • Relaxation techniques: deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle technique 
  • Exercise; dancing, talking a walk, lifting weights 
  • Talking with someone you trust 
  • Engaging in art; drawing, coloring, painting, photography, play an instrument
  • Engaging in a hobby; wood working, sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking 
  • Gardening 
  • Engaging in outdoor activities; hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing 
  • Practicing gratitude 
  • Playing sports 
  • Reading 
  • Journaling 
  • Practicing acceptance 
  • Volunteering 
  • Working a puzzle, crossword, or Sudoko 
  • Going for a drive  
  • Taking hot bath or shower 
  • Get a massage 
  • Listen to music 
  • Set obtainable goals 
Unhealthy coping skills are the opposite and leave us feeling more stressed than before. That’s not to say that we don’t get some relief from them, however it usually only lasts for a moment and the outcomes tend to be more destructive for us in the long run. 

Some examples of unhealthy coping skills include:
  • Cutting, or any other self-harm behavior 
  • Self-pity or self-blame 
  • Harsh self-criticism  
  • Isolation, withdrawing from people you trust 
  • Excessive spending 
  • Gambling  
  • Driving too fast 
  • Controlling behaviors
  • Not eating or eating too much 
  • Obsessing or dwelling 
  • Staying in bed  
  • Denying your feelings 
With any skill we acquire it takes practice, the more you practice the healthy coping skills the better equipped you will be to conquer life’s problems effectively and increase your overall wellbeing. It’s never too late to learn new ways of coping. If you are having trouble letting go of unhealthy coping skills and implementing new ones our caring professionals can help; just give us a call today!

For more information on coping skills check out these great resources:
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Lexington, KY

Darby Creek Location
501 Darby Creek Road
Suite 11
Lexington KY, 40509
Phone: 859-338-0466
Fax: 859-294-0802

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Substance use is a growing health concern. 47.7 million Americans reported the use of illegal substances according to a study conducted in 2023 by The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. A Substance Use Disorder (SUD), defined by The American Psychiatric Association, is ‘a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.’ The American Psychiatric Association recognizes that someone who has a SUD has an intense urge to engage in any of the listed substances - alcohol, tobacco, or psychoactive substances that impact daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall health. Another term well known for SUD is addiction. There is no single cause for a SUD but rather, a combination of factors can contribute to its development. Self-medication, genetics, peer pressure, curiosity, performance enhancement, and medical use turned misuse can all lead to someone engaging in problem use with substances and even addiction. Another study conducted in 2023 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, showed that 70% of people who sought out treatment for substance abuse/misuse reported improvements to their overall health and functioning within the first year of treatment. There are several available options for treatment, including outpatient care, intensive outpatient care, and in-patient care treatment. It is also important to have a collaborative approach when it comes to treatment for a SUD to have the best outcome, which can include medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, peer support, AA/NA meetings, sponsor, and a healthy support system within interpersonal relationships. ​​ It's important to remember that addiction is not a moral failing, it's a complex medical condition that can affect anyone. Compassion, understanding, and proper treatment are essential to recovery and can lead to successful outcomes. Some treatment modalities that have shown success in therapy when treating SUD include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Contingency Management (CM), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as a facilitated 12 step program and a trauma focused lens. Whether you're concerned about your own substance use or worried about a loved one, help is available and healing is possible! Call our office at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment to work with one of our providers to start your healing journey to recovery. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. We have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years! Articles and Resources: https://drugabusestatistics.org/ https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175215/ https://www.pyramid-healthcare.com/blog/2019/02/12/self-medication-and-addiction/ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment
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Therapy is more long-term than counseling and focuses on a broader range of issues. The underlying principle is that a person's patterns of thinking and unconscious awareness affect the way that person interacts with the world. The goal is to uncover those patterns and become aware of their effect and then learn new, healthier ways to think and interact.