Melissa Plantz, Author at Allen Christian Counseling

About Melissa Plantz

Melissa Plantz is a Christian author and freelance writer. She spent twenty years in the pharmacy industry and has specialized in faith, fitness, nutrition, geriatrics, and mental health since 2015. She writes from the beautiful Lake Marion area in South Carolina.

9 Signs of Addictive Behavior

9 Signs of Addictive Behavior

By Melissa Plantz|2024-09-24T12:58:40+00:00July 9th, 2024|Chemical Dependency, Featured, Individual Counseling|

The brain rewards us for specific tasks that make us happy. For example, you binge-watch your favorite television program after a long day at work. You feel the stress leave your body as the brain releases dopamine and other chemicals to make you feel happy. The next time you have a stressful day, you will feel the urge to relax on the couch in front of the television. This becomes an addictive behavior. The brain creates neural pathways to recognize these behaviors. Addictive behavior is slightly different. Behaviors like kleptomania (theft), gambling, pornography, and shopping are also addictive behaviors. Substance abusers consume chemicals that change the chemistry in the brain. The substances consumed with addictive behavior, such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs, change the brain’s chemistry and the reward system. This is why it is difficult to stop. The person who has an addiction will go through a withdrawal period, which can make them physically ill. What are the signs of addictive behavior? There are various signs of addictive behavior, and in most cases, these can signal addiction to other behaviors aside from alcohol and substance abuse. You can use the following signs also to pinpoint addictions like pornography, gambling, and food. What characterizes addictive behavior is compulsion, craving, consequence, and loss of control. These characteristics can be applied to most addictive behaviors. Conflict at work Due to the compulsion of an addiction, it becomes the sole focus of the user. The person may stop caring about going to work or doing a good job. They may show up late for work, call in more often, not complete tasks, or cause conflict in the workplace with others. Spending excessive amounts of money on addiction Even if finances are tight, someone with addictive behavior will plan their income [...]

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Aging in America: Long-term Care Options

Aging in America: Long-term Care Options

By Melissa Plantz|2024-09-24T13:01:28+00:00June 22nd, 2023|Aging and Geriatric Issues, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

There is a certain anxiety that many people face when they consider the future. They worry about what they will do when they reach retirement or who will care for them if they can no longer care for themselves. With more people aging in America, a retiree may live well into their eighties, nineties, or beyond. For successful aging in America, we should plan for long-term care even if we do not think we might need it. We can remove some of the anxiety and fear by having a written plan for long-term care in case of an emergency. For example, you may plan to live in your own home after retirement. However, twenty years after retirement, circumstances may require you to seek long-term care, possibly in an assisted living facility where you can age in place with healthcare available as you need it. Knowing the options available to you can make it easier to plan for the future. Types of long-term care Long-term care may be required if you struggle with activities for daily living (ADLs), such as housekeeping, preparing meals, personal hygiene and grooming, and laundry. These can range from someone checking in on you at home a couple of times per week or you live at a facility with full-time care. Unpaid family and friends. The most common option is relying on family and friends for help. These are unpaid caregivers who may stop in weekly to help clean and do laundry. This option also includes family members who live with you and help with ADLs like bathing, toileting, and cooking. Many family members fill this role for aging parents and spouses. In some states, a family member or friend can become certified as a home health aide and receive compensation to make aging in America [...]

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What to Do When You Get Stuck in the Grieving Process

What to Do When You Get Stuck in the Grieving Process

By Melissa Plantz|2024-09-24T12:50:59+00:00June 5th, 2023|Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling|

No one wishes to lose a loved one, yet the passing on of someone close to us is part of the cycle of life. We may question why a loved one was taken from us, but in the end, we must learn to move forward through the grieving process and be present for the people here. The grieving process helps to facilitate that healing. We feel the loss in stages or phases, and our emotions have time to process the loss. However, there is no set time period for grieving. We cannot estimate that someone will go from the shock of learning of a loved one’s death to accepting life without them in a few days. This process is different for everyone. You may mourn for several weeks to several years. The grieving process There are five stages of the grieving process. The first is shock or denial: you cannot believe the person is gone. You keep waiting to hear that their alleged death is a prank or a mistake. The second stage is anger. You wonder how did this happen or who is responsible. You may be looking for someone to blame, or you may blame yourself. You may even be angry at your loved one for leaving you or being at the wrong place at the wrong time in an accident. The third stage is bargaining. You may pray that God let you die instead of your loved one. Or you may obsess over what you would give up for another day with your loved one. The fourth stage is depression. This stage often hits hard and in waves. Unlike persistent sadness, a common sign of depression, depression from grief is in response to thoughts about your loved one. For example, clinical depression has you focus on [...]

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Examples of Depression in the Bible

Examples of Depression in the Bible

By Melissa Plantz|2024-09-24T12:46:28+00:00September 27th, 2022|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

The Bible is full of wisdom. It contains numerous examples of people chosen by God with the same weaknesses and sins that we experience today. Lust, anger, and depression in the Bible are shown to help us realize that God is with us just like He was with those people long ago. When we study God’s word, we learn how to apply its principles to our lives. Most people experience depression at some level in life. Call for assistance immediately if you are in a season of depression and need help or have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Causes of Depression Depression can occur for various reasons: A chemical imbalance A hormonal imbalance Trauma Grief or loss Coexisting with another mental disorder Other people’s actions Bad decisions and consequences Depression can also seem to come out of nowhere and last for weeks or months. You will see that the people who experienced depression in the Bible had it for numerous reasons, many a matter of life and death. Examples of Depression in the Bible The examples of people struggling with depression in the Bible experience different forms of the condition. Some experience mild symptoms of feeling downcast and burdened, while others show a severe form. Elijah Elijah was known as a great prophet for God and once stood up against 450 prophets of Baal, as God gave a spectacular display of His power. But after such a massive victory for God, Elijah began to suffer burnout and exhaustion. On top of this, Queen Jezebel wanted him dead, forcing him into hiding. While he squirreled away from his enemies, he was left alone with his thoughts. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went [...]

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Am I Losing My Mind? Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

Am I Losing My Mind? Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

By Melissa Plantz|2024-09-24T12:50:12+00:00July 13th, 2022|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

The world seems to run on stress and anxiety. We think we are being productive when we burn both ends of the candle and hustle to make more, be more, and have more. But stress and anxiety can lead to mental and physical symptoms, resulting in mental health conditions, illness, and a shorter life span. However, with a few lifestyle changes, you can decrease stress, alleviate anxiety symptoms, and live a more peaceful life. Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety Stress affects every system within the body, yet it can be challenging to pinpoint precisely what stress is, unlike something tangible such as a tumor. Stress hormones are released when we are confronted with danger (think about a tiger chasing you!). Unfortunately, these same chemicals are released when we are presented with less dangerous (and fatal) things like overdue bills, toxic relationships, and financial problems. The following are several symptoms of stress and anxiety: Feeling out of sorts (anxious or nervous) Short of breath or rapid breathing Rapid heart rate Shaking or trembling Fatigue Excessive sweating Unable to focus Feelings of dread or panic Sleep disturbances Headaches and digestive issues Unexplained aches and pains High blood pressure Tension in the back and neck muscles Low sex drive Each bodily system is represented in the above symptoms: reproductive, nervous, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and endocrine. This list does not include the psychological effects anxiety brings about or combines with other mental health conditions. How to Increase Your Sense of Wellbeing and Peace Nothing is more frustrating than to have someone say, “Just stress less, and your anxiety will stop!” Chronic stress can happen subconsciously, yet it can affect you physically and psychologically. The following are several tips that you can use to increase your sense of well-being and [...]

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Melissa Plantz

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