Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a healthcare professional, researcher, and medical subject matter expert. She earned her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania. She has a special interest in mental health and has collaborated with psychologists and other mental health practitioners on various research projects focused on therapies to manage depression, age-related cognitive decline, trauma and stressor- related conditions.
Contributions
Building & Finding Support Systems for End-of-Life Care
Navigating the end-of-life period can take an emotional toll on everyone affected directly by the person – for them, certainly, but also friends, family members, and caregivers. It’s normal for anyone touched by the person facing life’s final stages to need extra emotional and physical support during this difficult time. However, finding that support systemContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
End-of-Life Stages & Recognizing the Signs of a Loved One’s Final Days
Dying isn’t a single event but a series of stages. For some people, this process may last for weeks; for others, it may be much shorter or longer[1]. As an individual transitions from one stage to the next, their body begins to slow down, making it more difficult to have in-depth conversations and carry outContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Understanding End-of-Life & What to Expect
End of life is something we’ll all experience at some point in different ways. Experts estimate that there are about 29 million people across the globe in need of some type of end-of-life care as of 2023[1]. In the United States, we say goodbye to an average of 7,000 people per day who succumb toContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Coping with Suicide Loss: Grief Management & Resources
When someone you love commits suicide, you can be left with a person-sized hole in your heart and a lot of guilt and intense, complex emotions. Coping with a loved one’s suicide is a massive undertaking, but with the right tools and support, healing is possible. From learning ways to cope with your strong feelings toContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Suicide Risk Factors, Warning Signs & Protective Measures
Suicide is a complex, sensitive issue that affects people across the world. Every year, more than 700,000 people lose their lives to suicide[1]. Whether you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts or recognizing signs in a loved one, it’s important to approach the topic with empathy and care. In this article, we’ll review suicide risk factors, commonContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Understanding Self-Harm & Why People Do It
People could self-harm for many reasons and in different ways. It’s relatively common, especially in teenagers, and involves intentionally injuring oneself. While self-harm isn’t always indicative of suicidal ideation, it’s still a serious issue that requires empathy and sensitivity. If you or someone you love is in crisis and either considering or planning suicide, pleaseContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Crisis Intervention Strategies to Help Someone Suicidal
Hearing that someone you love is suicidal can be terrifying. You might feel helpless or unsure what to do. Supporting someone close to you through a suicidal crisis puts you in a pivotal position during a critical time. This guide to crisis intervention strategies to help someone who is suicidal can equip you with theContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Suicide Prevention Resources & Materials for Schools & Workplaces
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person somewhere in the world dies by suicide every 40 seconds[1]. That’s a total of over 800,000 people lost to suicide each year. Experts, including those at WHO, believe suicides are preventable if society is willing to make suicide a high-priority item on both the global publicContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Getting Involved in Suicide Prevention Through Advocacy & Volunteering
Suicide is often a taboo and emotionally charged subject. Whether you’ve been personally affected, getting involved in suicide prevention advocacy can help save lives. CDC data shows that over 48,100 people died by suicide in 2021, making it the 11th leading cause of death overall [1]. There are many different ways you can contribute thoughContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Suicidal Ideation Treatment: From Therapy to Lifestyle Changes
Suicidal ideation may be a painful—even debilitating—thing to experience or realize that a loved one is going through. You may feel like you’re out of control or that there’s no hope of relieving the pain. However, recovery is possible, especially if you reach out for help. Many treatments exist to help alleviate suicidal ideation andContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Self-Harm & Suicide Attempt Recovery & How to Build Resilience
Recovering from a suicide attempt or self-harm is a difficult time. You’re likely dealing with a mix of emotions like anger, confusion, guilt, shame, disappointment, or fear, and you may not know where to turn for help or what to do next. It’s okay to feel uncertain. The important thing is to start taking stepsContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Grief Support Groups & Finding Comfort Before & After a Loved One’s Death
Grief has a profound impact on people. Even if your loved one has not yet passed away, you may be grappling with the reality that they will soon. Often, support from someone — or a group of someones — who is going through something similar can help in a unique way. You can find aContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Spirituality & Grief: Finding Comfort Through Faith & Beliefs
Everyone experiences grief at some point. But despite its universality, grief is a uniquely personal experience. If you’ve lost a loved one, you might find yourself joining the endless parade of mourners searching for relief and understanding amid the pain. Your comfort may lie within a strong sense of faith as it has for manyContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Grief in Children & How to Support Them Through Loss
Loss is hard for anyone, but children often struggle with the permanence of death. Grief in children often looks different compared to adults, but they still face an immense emotional experience. Adults, especially parents, can help ease the grieving process for their children by providing comfort and guidance in coping with difficult emotions. Key Takeaways UnderstandingContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
7 Stages of Grief & What to Expect After Loss
Grief is a universal human experience after loss. Despite its universality, it’s also an incredibly difficult period, especially if you’ve received a terminal diagnosis or lost a close loved one. Understanding the stages of grief can provide insight into navigating the process by explaining why you feel what you do and how to manage those intenseContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Types of Grief at End-of-Life: Complicated, Anticipatory & More
It’s hard to imagine a life without a loved one, and the grieving process can begin before the loss even occurs. Each form of grief, including complicated, anticipatory, disenfranchised, and collective, comes with its own set of challenges and characteristics. Key Takeaways Understanding Grief Before & After a Loved One’s Death Grief is a complexContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
How to Cope With the Death & Loss of a Loved One
Every relationship you have is unique. Every loss is as well. While grief is a universal human experience, it certainly isn’t identical. After you lose a loved one, your life changes, and you have to learn to live without them. Losses can have different impacts based on the type of relationship you have. Losing familyContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Coping with a Chronic or Terminal Illness & Understanding Grief
Grief is a profound, overwhelming experience commonly associated with a loss. However, it’s not limited to bereavement. Grieving can be a response to other intensely stressful situations, such as a chronic or terminal illness as the gravity of the diagnosis sinks in. Learning how to cope with these complex, intense emotions is essential to yourContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Managing Grief in the Workplace with Tips for Employees & Managers
Grief is a natural part of life, and inevitably it will eventually spill into the workplace. Both employees and organizational dynamics can be deeply impacted by grief, but creating a compassionate workplace culture can help mitigate the effect. Managers can support team members through grief in the workplace by providing bereavement policies, empathy training, andContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Understanding Traumatic Grief & How to Cope
Traumatic grief is a profound, often debilitating response to a sudden, unexpected loss. It causes an array of complex emotions and thoughts that can adversely affect your mental health, making it difficult to navigate daily life. Although grief is a normal reaction to loss, traumatic grief may be more intense and last longer than otherContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Ongoing Support & Healing from Grief After a Loved One’s Passing
Immediately after a loss, your social support system likely circled around you, offering assistance and a shoulder to cry on. However, time goes on after loss, even if your feelings seem frozen in time. Support may start to wane as people go back to their normal lives while you’re still reeling. Grief knows no timelineContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Understanding Suicidal Ideation Signs & Getting Help
Life can be difficult sometimes, and one may turn to suicidal ideation to cope. Suicidal ideation is a condition in which an individual experiences constant thoughts and ideas surrounding ending their lives through suicide. Suicidal ideation is considered a critical mental health issue. If you or someone you love is in crisis and either consideringContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Facing Organ Donation and Transplantation at the End-of-Life
Some people face end-of-life situations because of organ failure that could be reversed with a transplant. However, transplants can’t happen without willing organ donors. While challenging to contemplate, part of your end-of-life planning should include determining whether you’d like to participate in organ and tissue donation. Key Takeaways What Is Organ Donation? Organ donation andContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Importance of Multidisciplinary Care Teams in End-of-Life Care
End-of-life care can bring many challenges, from managing physical discomfort to emotional and practical concerns. A multidisciplinary team of knowledgeable healthcare professionals and other allied providers helps keep your unique needs and wishes at the forefront of medical decisions while ensuring comprehensive care. Below, we’ll explore the roles and benefits of a multidisciplinary team andContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Caregiver Support: Respite Care, Burnout Prevention & Resources
Caregivers, both professional and family members, play a critical role in supporting people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging-related issues. They’re key to ensuring someone who needs assistance receives the care and support they need day to day. Caregivers may assist with medication management and simple tasks like preparing food, or they may need toContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
How to Find a Caregiver for Yourself or an Elderly Loved One
As people age, it’s natural to require extra help, but some need more than others. Some seniors eventually need assistance with their daily activities. Choosing a caregiver can be emotionally challenging as you search for someone you can trust to work with for your own needs, or those of a loved one. Key Takeaways UnderstandingContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Home Health Care: Family Caregivers vs Professionals
As we age, we often need extra support. In some cases, we may even require round-the-clock care. Both family caregivers and professional home care can help support you or your senior loved one’s well-being. No matter what you choose, it’s an emotionally difficult time as you acknowledge that you or your loved one aren’t asContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Making Informed Healthcare Decisions for Yourself & Loved Ones
Throughout life, making informed health care decisions is important. Gathering information, receiving guidance from trusted providers, and making decisions that align with your own beliefs and goals can help support better chances at positive outcomes. However, that’s easier said than done. Whether you’re making end-of-life health care decisions for yourself or for a loved one,Continue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
The Importance of Nutrition & Hydration at the End-of-Life
Proper nutrition and hydration can look different for each person, depending on underlying conditions. As advanced illnesses progress, dietary requirements and recommendations may evolve. This guide addresses essential topics, including how to recognize when your loved one may need nutrition and hydration support and how to provide it. Key Takeaways Why Are Nutrition and HydrationContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Comprehensive Pain Management Strategies for End-of-Life Care
Pain management plays an important role in helping patients maintain their comfort and dignity in the final stages of life. Chronic pain not only causes physical suffering but also takes a toll on emotional well-being, affecting both patients and their families. From home pain management to palliative care teams and hospice, end-of-life pain management canContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Understanding Clinical Trials & New Treatment Options
When you receive medical treatment, you trust that it’s safe and effective. However, to verify the effectiveness of a treatment or medication, it must first go through experimental clinical research. Those who participate in these trials pave the way for medical advancements, expanding treatment options. People who participate in clinical trials often do so becauseContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Communication Strategies in Healthcare for Patients, Families & Professionals
Effective communication strategies in any kind of healthcare situation ensure the patient receives the treatment they need while honoring their preferences, something that is particularly important with end-of-life care. All parties involved play an integral role in communicating clearly and compassionately. Learn how to enhance communication in healthcare to provide compassionate and effective support. KeyContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
How Seniors & Families Can Prepare for a Hospital Stay or ER Visit
Whether it’s a planned admission or a medical emergency, going to the hospital is nerve-wracking enough without having to worry about insurance cards, medical records, and other important documents. It’s also tough to be in an unfamiliar environment without the usual comforts of home. To reduce stress, it’s important to be well-prepared, especially for seniorsContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Telehealth for End-of-Life Care: Virtual Solutions in Palliative & Hospice Services
Telehealth is increasingly becoming an integral part of healthcare, providing convenient access to medical services without having to visit an office. It’s also becoming more common in end-of-life care, allowing palliative and hospice patients to receive medical care from home. This guide addresses the benefits of telehealth, particularly in hospice and palliative care. Key Takeaways TheContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"
Chronic Disease Management and Exploring End-of-Life Care
Chronic conditions can drain you physically, emotionally, and financially, and the longer they go on, the harder it can be to cope. When you or a loved one has reached the palliative care or hospice care stage, making decisions can feel that much more overwhelming. Chronic disease management requires regular attention, which you can learnContinue reading "Brindusa Vanta, MD"