Anxiety and Depression Awareness

By Nurse Diane

The other day we told you that it was Mental Health Awareness Month.  This week the focus is on Anxiety and Depression, two of many Mental Health disorders.  These subjects really hit home with me.  Since the death of my husband my life has been filled with anxiety and depression:  Anxiety over the legal issues and depression over my loss of him.  With all the turmoil surrounding his death, I have not even had a chance to stop and grieve.  I recently went to an after hours clinic for a sore on my leg that wouldn't heal.  Feeling I was in need of an antibiotic, I went to be examined.  During the course of my examination I discovered that my blood pressure was unusually high, 225/110.  This discovery really frightened me and I followed up with a complete physical exam with my doctor.  He prescribed some blood pressure medication along with some antidepressant.   I immediately began taking the blood pressure meds and I also purchased some garlic pills and fish oil pills to help lower it.  I was wary about the anti depressant, I have some court cases that I have to attend, and I wanted to be on top of my game.  However, one of the symptoms of anxiety and depression is elevated blood pressure.

Some other symptoms include:

Low or irritable mood most of the time

A loss of pleasure in usual activities

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss

Tiredness and lack of energy

Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt

Difficulty concentrating

Slow or fast movements

Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities

Feeling hopeless or helpless

Repeated thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of stress and anxiety include:

A faster heart rate

Skipped heartbeats

Rapid breathing

Sweating

Trembling

Dizziness

Other symptoms include:

Loose stools

Frequent need to pee

Dry mouth

Problems swallowing

Many things can cause you to have these disorders, some include:

Alcohol or drug abuse

Medical conditions and treatments, such as:

Certain types of cancer

Long-term pain

Sleeping problems

Steroid medications

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Stressful life events, such as:

Abuse or neglect

Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend

Certain types of cancer

Death of a relative or friend

Divorce, including a parent's divorce

Failing a class

Illness in the family

Job loss

Long-term pain

Social isolation (common cause of depression in the elderly)

Ways to treat depression include first visiting your doctor, letting him/her know your symptoms and things that have been going on in your life. Things you can do at home include:

Get enough sleep.

Follow a healthy, nutritious diet.

Exercise regularly.

Avoid alcohol, marijuana, and other recreational drugs.

Get involved in activities that make you happy.

Spend time with family and friends.

If you are a religious or spiritual person, talk to a clergy member or spiritual advisor.

Consider meditation, tai chi, or other relaxation methods.

Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. You can get them from over-the-counter supplements or by eating fish such as tuna, salmon, or mackerel

During National Anxiety and Depression Awareness week, take some time to examine your own life.  If you notice any of these symptoms, or feel you need some help, call your doctor, family or friend, talk things over and see what they advise.  Take time for yourself, drink some wine or eat chocolate, and find ways to relax and distress.  For more information check this site http://www.lifebridgeblogs.org/

(All images from google) 

Recognizing Special Education Day 12/2/12

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

A friend of mine's daughter recently found out she was pregnant.  The whole family was elated, she has two small boys, and is in her twenties.  Everything was wonderful until she received a call from her doctor.  The results showed that she had a 1 in 350 chance of having a child born with down's syndrome.  The family was crushed.  There was no history of Down's syndrome on either side of the families, and the mother was having a difficult time grasping this concept.

(Google Image) 

I tried to calm her, explaining that those odds were too high to be concerned about, and the results were inconclusive until an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis.  It is every parent's desire to have a healthy baby, but sometimes that is not the case, so I began to help her to prepare for the alternative.  As I began thinking about the possibility of a baby born with Down's Syndrome, I thought about all the great changes that have been made in that area.

(Google Image) 

Children born with Down's syndrome are now not being separated in schools or activities, but are being included in schools and provided special education training needs. On December 2, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Handicap Children's Act that would open doors for all Children to gain access to education.

(Google Image) 

Today marks the 8th anniversary of Special Education Day.  We take the day to honor progress and celebrate students with disabilities--and their parents, teachers and schools. And, we dialogue and plan for the future for all students in our schools and for appropriate reforms.  To learn how you can help to celebrate this day, or ways to help children with special education needs in your community, visit this site:  http://www.specialeducationday.com/

ADHD Awareness Week

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

(ADDer)

Embracing and finding your unique and special niche in life with ADHD is life changing and special moments that you will never forget.  Shedding that anchor of others ‘idea what is normal’ and learning what is normal for you.  My moment was sitting in Ann Marie’s office (shrink) – imagine fireworks, laser light show, orgasmic and feeling like you have just lost a ton of weight off your shoulders.  Yep!  That was my moment.  Now, let’s work together to help you and others fine their moment.

(Google Image) 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is -

• The many faces of ADHD - reflects the growing awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurological disorder that is not confined to any one age group or ethnicity. [adhdawarenessweek]
• Ruth Hughes, CEO of CHADD (Children & Adults with ADHD) referred to current research, saying that “ADHD has many faces.  It affects people of all ethnic backgrounds and all socioeconomic classes and is most often an inherited disorder.  Families can often identify ADHD symptoms in several generations.  Other environmental factors include premature birth, prenatal exposure to toxins such as smoking, drugs or alcohol, and other traumas to the brain.”

(Google Image) 

ADHD Awareness Week site provides a wealth of excellent information on this subject and The Many Faces of ADHD Fact Sheets you can download and print – here are some of the titles available:

• ADHD in Teens
• ADHD in Women
• ADHD in Adults
• Parenting Children with ADHD
• Prevalence of ADHD in US

Also available is 7 Facts you Need to Know about ADHD:

1. ADHD is Real;
2. ADHD is a Common Non-Discriminatory Disorder;
3. Diagnosing ADHD is a Complex Process;
4. Other Mental Health Conditions Frequently Co-Occur with ADHD;
5. ADHD is Not Benign;
6. ADHD is Nobody’s Fault; and
7. ADHD Treatment is Multi-Faceted.

(Google Image) 

We are leaning more factual, concrete information regarding ADD/ADHD every day and the more information being shared around the world is helping all of us to better understand, harness this special gift and focus on what is really important in our lives.  One of those is using my smartphone to remind me what and or where I need to be or doing.  Writing down notes from conversations with others to assessment in remembering where, what, when and any actions the they or I need to take.  Oh, and no – I don’t remember to do that all the time – but making progress in doing that more often.

(Google Image) 

References and Links:

• http://www.adhdawarenessweek.org/many-faces-of-adhd/
• http://www.adhdawarenessweek.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ADHDAwareness_2011_FactPosters.pdf
• http://connect.additudemag.com/blogs/post/adhd_awareness_week/

(Google Image) 

National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

Seventeen years ago this July I married my husband.  Five months later he was injured on the job.  Since that time we had been dealing with Worker's Compensation to get care for him.  Eighteen months ago my husband passed away at the age of 52, still waiting for help from Worker's compensation.  Tomorrow I will be driving to Jackson to attend a hearing at the Worker's Compensation office to hopefully put an end to the nightmare that has gone on for over a third of my life.  As I have been preparing for this day I have gone through several emotions.  I have been Angry, Depressed, and Anxious and even relieved as this horrible part of my life may finally be coming to a close.

(Google Image) 

I am particularly anxious about having to first make the ninety mile trip by myself, and the thought of driving in that traffic is already making me nervous.  Then the thought of facing the people who could have prevented my husband's death, but didn't is also causing me a great deal of anxiety.  I have been preparing what I am going to say, since I only have a limited time to speak, and they will be timing me.  It is hard to relive all the events that have happened, and I have spent many hours crying over things that never should have been, and the things that will never be.

(Google Image) 

This week is National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week.  Mental health is defined as the way your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect your life. Having good mental health helps you make better decisions and deal with daily stressors at home, at work, and in your family. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18 percent) in a given year, causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty.” Anxiety often causes people to become so stressed that they turn to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. Without treatment these people continue to elevate their fears and they are unable to lead productive lives.

(Google Image) 

AllAboutDepression.com “reports that depression affects approximately 19 million Americans, or 9.5 percent of the population in any given one-year period. At some point in their lives, 10 to 25 percent of women and 5 to 12 percent of men will likely become clinically depressed.” Whereas anxiety causes people to become frantic and stressed, depression weakens an individual’s state of mind and causes feelings of sadness.

Since 1994, the first week of May has been designated as National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week to bring awareness and create venues for public education about anxiety and depressive illnesses.  To learn more about this week, and ways you can help, click on this site: http://www.freedomfromfear.org/NationalAnxietyandDepressionAwarenessWeek.en.html

(Google Image) 

The Great Push: Investing in mental health

By Akindman

The theme for Mental Health Day, 2011 is "The Great Push: Investing in mental health."

This year, the day hopes to enhance discussions on mental disorders, and to encourage investments in prevention, treatment and promoting awareness of mental illnesses.

What is Mental Health?

Sound mental health is not merely a reference to disease-free existence; it is a state of well-being when an individual is able to realize his, or her, full potential, is able to handle life’s stresses and is able to contribute positively towards society.

Mental illness is a universal malady. According to World Health Organization’s statistics for 2002, 154 million people across the globe suffer from depression.

Mental Health is an umbrella term referring to the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of individuals with mental diseases.

This day promotes open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. The treatment gap for mental, neurological and substance use disorders is formidable especially in poor resource countries.

Mental, behavioral and neurological disorders are common in all countries around the world, causing immense agony and staggering economic and social costs. People with any disorder are mostly subjected to an isolated social life, poor life quality and higher death rates.

Mental Health – Global Priority

Mental health is increasingly endorsed as a significant aspect in terms of the overall well-being of the individual. Mental health issues are a global priority and it is imperative to address issues pertaining to it at the earliest and in an effective and efficacious manner.

Integration of Mental Health into the Primary Care Setting

This day encourages more transparent discussion of illnesses, and investments in prevention and treatment services.

The World Health Organization has identified following 7 reasons for including mental health into the primitive care structure:

• The burden of mental disorders is immense. They create a substantial personal burden for affected persons and their families, and they create magnificent economic and social hardships that affect the society entirely.
• The treatment gap for mental disorders is huge. There is a substantial gap between the prevalence of mental disorders and the quantity of people undergoing treatment.
• Mental and physical health issues are interlinked. Integrated primary care services affirm that people are provided with the fair treatment.
• When mental health is clubbed with primary care, people can get mental health services close to vicinity. It also enhances mental health promotion and community outreach.
• Primitive care for mental health attention is less expensive for patients, communities and governments alike.
• Primary care for mental health dignifies respect of human rights.
• Primary care for mental health asserts good health outcomes specifically when collaborate with a network of services at secondary stage and in the community.

Inclusion of mental health within the primitive care system can yield more fruitful results in following manners:

• Diagnosing for mental disorders results in improved patient outcomes only when appropriate care detection is followed.
• Increasing referrals to behavioral health provider specialist with added supports may lead to enhance follow-through and outcomes.
• Imparting Physician education.
• Care needs to be streamlined and based at evidence-based approaches.

Meanwhile it is imperative to ensure that there are clearly defined principles and steps regarding the line of treatment that should be offered to the general practitioners and primary care workers. Following the initial treatment by primary workers further referrals for complex mental health issues can be sent to psychiatrists and psychologists with specialization.

Polices Must be Designed and Implemented

Thus, policies are required to be structured and implemented by the government. This would mean that involvement of government is required and these problems need to be included into the health regulations of general nature which should be included with medical, physical, psychological and mental health concerns. Hence advocacy is required and it acts as an important aspect of mental health. We would need to sensitize the leadership, health institutions, organizations and primary care workers about the necessity of integration of these two aspects of health. This can be summarized as follows as has also been recommended by the WHO as guidelines for including mental health in primary care:

• Plan and policy should be framed to implement primary care for mental health.
• The changes should be properly advocated.
• Adequate training needs to be imparted besides allocation of tasks that are important.
• Sensitization at various levels is essential.
• Collaboration is needed between government and NGOs to work in primary health care system.
• There needs to be adequate earmarking of financial and human resources to ensure the availability of services to maximum number of individuals.

Interventions Needed

Simple and less expensive interventions should be provided with primary importance. Some of the interventions that need to be incorporated include:

• Early intervention within schools by school counselors and pediatricians.
• Provision of support to children through education and skill building programs.
• Promotional event pertaining to mental health in schools.
• Specialized support services for women and elderly that cater to their needs.

Community program to create awareness and remove trauma associated with mental health problems.

The identification of need for inclusion of services is specifically required within the context of a big and voluminous country where dearth of professionals leads to millions of people without treatment that they urgently require. A step in the direction of incorporation would be beneficial to all – patients, their families, mental health experts, medical experts, non-medical and non-governmental bodies working in the sector for the advocacy of the overall health and prosperity of the individual and hence the human race at large.

 (http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/world-mental-health-day.php)

This Week, May 23rd, on Keeping it Simple ...

Greeting fellow KISBYTO readers and it’s that time again to highlight was on our agenda to share with you this coming week.  The month of May is winding down, but there are still a couple important health-related topics.

• Mental Health –Did you know that 1 in 4 adults struggle with a treatable mental health condition each year?  If not dealt with properly, the stresses of everyday life can build up to a point that drains your ability to rest, have energy, be productive, concentrate, have relationships, and enjoy life.

• Better Sleep – How many of us have frequent difficulties getting a good night’s rest?  I for one do, and I retired over a year ago. We will share some of the latest information on helping you get a better sleep and more frequently.
• National Missing and Exploited Children – Can you imagine having one of your children missing?  It is every parent’s nightmare, yet every day, more children disappear without a trace.
• Blood Pressure -   Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the circulating blood against the blood vessels and far too many of us have high blood pressure/hypertension.
• Sun Screen Day – How often do we see the commercials on TV or hear them on the radio station about ensuring you protect your skin and apply sun screen lotion or spray. Last week while aboard the cruise ship, there were several reminder broadcast, yet you could see many forks you simply ignored those warning and look like a lobster.
• Hamburger Day – Our first long, holiday weekend of the summer is coming up and folks are already getting ready for the big cook-outs, BBQs, special sauces being mixed as they cook their favorite, special meals to start the summer off on the right foot. Yummy!
• Correct posture – We all know better, but how often do you find yourself hunched over your computer keyboard, typing away, moving that mouse, and jotting down notes.  Most of us are guilty – our backs send those little messages to the brain, ‘hey dummy, listen up…”.  And that is just one example.

 A big thanks to all who visited us last week, we sincerely appreciate you taking time to see us and hope you continue coming back - and please spread the word!