Dr Lina Haji of Rise Psychological Services On The Benefits Of Using A Family Approach For Treating Bipolar Disorder
An Interview With Stephanie Greer
Having a support system is imperative in treatment. It lessens feelings of isolation and lets diagnosed people know they are not alone.
Bipolar Disorder, a condition that affects millions around the world, not only impacts the individual diagnosed but also their surrounding family. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the journey towards mental wellness is not solely an individual pursuit but a collective one. Incorporating family perspectives and integrating a family approach in treatment methodologies can be pivotal in achieving holistic healing and stability. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Lina Haji.
Dr. Lina Haji is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and licensed mental health counselor specializing in psychodiagnostic assessment, forensic assessment, dual diagnosis, serious and persistent mental illness, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and substance abuse treatment.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
Thank you so much for having me. At the age of 9 I began struggling with atypical symptoms of depression and anxiety. Multiple doctors were unable to figure out what was going on with me. I had been undiagnosed and misdiagnosed until my mother brought me to a psychologist in New York City (where I’m from) who took the time to really listen, empathize, and ask me questions that no other doctor had asked. I knew then and there that this was my future path.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite quotes is: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
My parents always instilled in me that it is vital to help those less fortunate than you. My career in mental health has embodied that. There is no greater reward and self-fulfillment than in helping others. This quote captures that eloquently.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your professional career treating patients with bipolar disorder diagnoses?
My clinical experience over the last 20 years includes working with mentally ill and dually diagnosed adults in inpatient and outpatient settings including correctional facilities, substance abuse rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals and private practice in four states, NY, NJ, CA, and FL. Needless to say, I have evaluated and treated many individuals with bipolar disorders.
When you work with patients, I understand that you often integrate family or friends into the treatment process. What do you consider the 3 primary benefits of including family?
The 3 primary benefits of including family and friends into the treatment process are:
- Research has proven time and time again that social support is vital in all humans reaching optimal mental health. When an individual is struggling with a psychiatric disorder, that support becomes even more crucial as it provides a safety net and outlet.
- Providing psychoeducation to family and friends can assist them in helping the individual stay on course with treatment. It can also provide loved ones with assistance on identifying triggers and symptoms in the patient which can help avert crises.
- Another benefit or social support is that friends and family can assist in helping the patient re-establish their sense of self after an episode.
What are some of the challenges you run into when working with families? How do you balance responding to the needs of the family with the needs of the patient?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced in working with families is having to battle misinformation about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Often, if the family does not understand the etiology and symptomatology of the disorder, they may be quick to distance themselves from the patient. Bipolar episodes don’t only negatively affect the patient, but the support system as well. As a result, this often leads to ruptured interpersonal relationships and a desire to give up on treatment by all parties. Providing psychoeducation early on in the treatment process is one of the most effective tools to combat potential future lack of support.
Family dynamics can greatly vary depending on the sociocultural backgrounds of the individuals involved. How do you tailor your family approach to respect and incorporate different sociocultural perspectives and values?”
Family dynamics vary greatly due to multiple factors including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, upbringing, cultural norms, community, trauma, and a host of other factors. The most effective way to tailor your treatment approach with families is to individualize treatment. Obtaining a comprehensive biopsychosocial background of the patient and their support system can assist the mental health provider in implementing personalized treatment goals and interventions.
Likewise, inter-generational dynamics can sometimes play a significant role in the therapy process. Can you share any insights or experiences on how inter-generational understanding and communication facilitate the healing process?
Inter-generational dynamics can greatly impact the therapeutic process. Often times we see that mental health is very stigmatized in older generations. There can also be a lot of shame attached to psychiatric disorders. Because of this factor, families may be less apt to seek treatment for their children or grandchildren. In addition the shame and stigmatization can be passed down generationally which perpetuates the cycle.
Many mental health professionals don’t have training in working with families. How did you learn the techniques you use and what would you recommend to professionals that want to learn more about this approach?
I would like to assume that graduate level clinicians have had at least one class in family systems. However, I am unsure if that is accurate, and I don’t believe that that is sufficient. I learned most of my techniques for working with families through hands on experience. It became apparent early on in my career that families often had a wealth of information regarding the patient and were sometimes a necessary source of patient history and support. Accessing supervision, reading the research, and consulting with colleagues has also been vital in assisting me with working with families.
Caring for a family member with bipolar disorder can sometimes be challenging and might lead to caregiver burnout. How does your approach incorporate strategies for self-care and support for family members who are involved in the caregiving process?
This is a great question. I find it imperative to teach family members how to place appropriate boundaries. In addition, behavioral techniques often assist with reinforcing desired behaviors and deterring undesired behaviors. That being said, reality is always more complex than that. Teaching family members to be supportive without becoming enmeshed is crucial in preventing burnout. Self-care for family members should also include a healthy, well-rounded life for themselves, and often they should be encouraged to seek and maintain their own support-both professional and social.
Preventive education is often seen as a powerful tool in managing bipolar disorder symptoms. How do you integrate education and awareness for family members within your family approach to treating bipolar disorder?
Psychoeducation about the disorder is always the first step in helping families navigate bipolar disorder. I find that helping families understand the symptoms and the cause of the symptoms is very helpful. Teaching loved ones about triggers and warning signs that the diagnosed individual may be on the verge of an episode or in an episode is also very helpful. Only then, can the support system implement a plan for treatment.
What are 5 things you wish more people knew about people navigating life with bipolar disorder?
1 . Bipolar disorder originates in the brain. A medical understanding is always needed.
2 . A medical understanding is not enough. We need to utilize a biopsychosocial approach to understand all the factors that play a role in bipolar disorder.
3 . Bipolar disorder IS a treatable disorder. Medications and therapy can have very positive outcomes.
4 . Having a support system is imperative in treatment. It lessens feelings of isolation and lets diagnosed people know they are not alone.
5 . A relapse in symptoms is sometimes part of the process and not a flaw.
There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to mental illnesses, especially involving psychosis. What do you wish more people were aware of either in the professional field or the general public?
The most important piece of information I would like to dispel is that mental illness (particularly psychosis), does not necessarily mean that the individual is violent or dangerous. Research indicates that individuals with serious and persistent mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators of violence.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to have a conversation with Udonis Haslem who has his own mental health organization in Miami, Florida 😊
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Absolutely.
Website: www.risepsychological.com
IG: Rise_psychological_services
YouTube: Rise Psychological Services
Film Rise: “The World’s Most Evil Prisoners” TV show
Thank you for your time and thoughtful answers. I know many people will gain so much from hearing this.
About The Interviewer: Stephanie Greer, PhD is the Co-founder and CEO of Akin Mental Health — a company dedicated to guiding families on their journey supporting a loved one with mental health challenges like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. Stephanie is passionate about this topic from her own personal experience growing up with a mother who struggled with bipolar 1 disorder and found a path forward to overcome the obstacles and live well. Stephanie’s professional experience includes a doctorate in neuroscience as well as design research roles at Hopelab and Apple. Stephanie brings this personal passion together with her world-class science and technology background to support families across the US in their personal journeys supporting loved ones with mental illness. To learn more about Akin Mental Health and join our community, visit us at akinmh.com.
Dr Lina Haji of Rise Psychological Services On The Benefits Of Using A Family Approach For Treating… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.