From the American Mental Health website, http://www.nmha.org/, an information sheet about coping with bereavement, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/grief-and-bereavement/coping-with-loss/coping-with-loss:
FACT SHEET: COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT
In our hearts, we all know that death is a part of life. In fact, death gives meaning to our existence because it reminds us how precious life is.
Coping With Loss
The loss of a loved one is life’s most stressful event and can cause a major emotional crisis. After the death of someone you love, you experience bereavement, which literally means “to be deprived by death.”
Knowing What to Expect
When a death takes place, you may experience a wide range of emotions, even when the death is expected. Many people report feeling an initial stage of numbness after first learning of a death, but there is no real order to the grieving process.
Some emotions you may experience include:
Denial
Disbelief
Confusion
Shock
Sadness
Yearning
Anger
Humiliation
Despair
Guilt
These feelings are normal and common reactions to loss. You may not be prepared for the intensity and duration of your emotions or how swiftly your moods may change. You may even begin to doubt the stability of your mental health. But be assured that these feelings are healthy and appropriate and will help you come to terms with your loss.
Remember — It takes time to fully absorb the impact of a major loss. You never stop missing your loved one, but the pain eases after time and allows you to go on with your life. (Included in a call out box)
Mourning A Loved One
It is not easy to cope after a loved one dies. You will mourn and grieve. Mourning is the natural process you go through to accept a major loss. Mourning may include religious traditions honoring the dead or gathering with friends and family to share your loss. Mourning is personal and may last months or years.
Grieving is the outward expression of your loss. Your grief is likely to be expressed physically, emotionally, and psychologically. For instance, crying is a physical expression, while depression is a psychological expression.
It is very important to allow yourself to express these feelings. Often, death is a subject that is avoided, ignored or denied. At first it may seem helpful to separate yourself from the pain, but you cannot avoid grieving forever. Someday those feelings will need to be resolved or they may cause physical or emotional illness.
Many people report physical symptoms that accompany grief. Stomach pain, loss of appetite, intestinal upsets, sleep disturbances and loss of energy are all common symptoms of acute grief. Of all life’s stresses, mourning can seriously test your natural defense systems. Existing illnesses may worsen or new conditions may develop.
Profound emotional reactions may occur. These reactions include anxiety attacks, chronic fatigue, depression and thoughts of suicide. An obsession with the deceased is also a common reaction to death.
Dealing with a Major Loss
The death of a loved one is always difficult. Your reactions are influenced by the circumstances of a death, particularly when it is sudden or accidental. Your reactions are also influenced by your relationship with the person who died.
A child’s death arouses an overwhelming sense of injustice — for lost potential, unfulfilled dreams and senseless suffering. Parents may feel responsible for the child’s death, no matter how irrational that may seem. Parents may also feel that they have lost a vital part of their own identity.
A spouse’s death is very traumatic. In addition to the severe emotional shock, the death may cause a potential financial crisis if the spouse was the family’s main income source. The death may necessitate major social adjustments requiring the surviving spouse to parent alone, adjust to single life and maybe even return to work.
Elderly people may be especially vulnerable when they lose a spouse because it means losing a lifetime of shared experiences. At this time, feelings of loneliness may be compounded by the death of close friends.
A loss due to suicide can be among the most difficult losses to bear. They may leave the survivors with a tremendous burden of guilt, anger and shame. Survivors may even feel responsible for the death. Seeking counseling during the first weeks after the suicide is particularly beneficial and advisable.
Living with Grief
Coping with death is vital to your mental health. It is only natural to experience grief when a loved one dies. The best thing you can do is allow yourself to grieve. There are many ways to cope effectively with your pain.
Seek out caring people. Find relatives and friends who can understand your feelings of loss. Join support groups with others who are experiencing similar losses.
Express your feelings. Tell others how you are feeling; it will help you to work through the grieving process.
Take care of your health. Maintain regular contact with your family physician and be sure to eat well and get plenty of rest. Be aware of the danger of developing a dependence on medication or alcohol to deal with your grief.
Accept that life is for the living. It takes effort to begin to live again in the present and not dwell on the past.
Postpone major life changes. Try to hold off on making any major changes, such as moving, remarrying, changing jobs or having another child. You should give yourself time to adjust to your loss.
Be patient. It can take months or even years to absorb a major loss and accept your changed life.
Seek outside help when necessary. If your grief seems like it is too much to bear, seek professional assistance to help work through your grief. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help.
Helping Others Grieve
If someone you care about has lost a loved one, you can help them through the grieving process.
Share the sorrow. Allow them — even encourage them — to talk about their feelings of loss and share memories of the deceased.
Don’t offer false comfort. It doesn’t help the grieving person when you say “it was for the best” or “you’ll get over it in time.” Instead, offer a simple expression of sorrow and take time to listen.
Offer practical help. Baby-sitting, cooking and running errands are all ways to help someone who is in the midst of grieving.
Be patient. Remember that it can take a long time to recover from a major loss. Make yourself available to talk.
Encourage professional help when necessary. Don’t hesitate to recommend professional help when you feel someone is experiencing too much pain to cope alone.
Helping Children Grieve
Children who experience a major loss may grieve differently than adults. A parent’s death can be particularly difficult for small children, affecting their sense of security or survival. Often, they are confused about the changes they see taking place around them, particularly if well-meaning adults try to protect them from the truth or from their surviving parent’s display of grief.
Limited understanding and an inability to express feelings puts very young children at a special disadvantage. Young children may revert to earlier behaviors (such as bed-wetting), ask questions about the deceased that seem insensitive, invent games about dying or pretend that the death never happened.
Coping with a child’s grief puts added strain on a bereaved parent. However, angry outbursts or criticism only deepen a child’s anxiety and delays recovery. Instead, talk honestly with children, in terms they can understand. Take extra time to talk with them about death and the person who has died. Help them work through their feelings and remember that they are looking to adults for suitable behavior.
Looking to the Future
Remember, with support, patience and effort, you will survive grief. Some day the pain will lessen, leaving you with cherished memories of your loved one.
Page last updated: 03/12/2007
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Inuit in the Arctic and Suicide Rates
From the News section of the Toronto Star, Monday, January 7, page A4, an article about Inuit people in the Arctic and suicide rates:
SHIFT AWAY FROM LAND LINKED TO SUICIDE RATE
Study of Inuit finds first generation born in towns started trends
Bob Weber
The Canadian Press
New research comparing suicide trends in different Arctic regions offers fresh insight into the roots of a social dysfunction that snuffs out the lives of dozens of young Inuit every year - and suggests there is hope for a turnaround.
In a newly published article in the journal Aboriginal Issues, reseacher Jack Hicks correlated suicide rates among Inuit in Alaska, Nunavut and Greenland with the period when governments encouraged them to move off the land and into communities.
In all three countries, suicide rates began to rise among the first generation born in towns - the sons and daughters of those who had grown up on the land.
The trend began in north Alaska in the 1960, in Greenland in the 1970s and in Nunavut in the 1980s.
"It's a quite distinct time period in all these places, and it's the same order in which 'active colonialism' occurred - the period when the national governments really began to impact on the lifeways of their Inuit population," said Hicks, an Iqualuit-based PhD candidate at the University of Greenland.
Historically, Inuit suicide rates were quite low. Hicks said records suggest there was only one suicide in what is now Nunavut in the entire 1960s. As well, suicide tended to be concentrated among the old and sick.
But the 1960s marked the last gasp of traditional culture, before all Inuit were moved into commuities.
Now Nunavut's suicide rate is 11 times the national average, and suicide claims the lives of about two dozen Inuit every year, mostly young men.
In Greenland, suicide began to increase among young men born after 1950, the same year the Danish government began its program of modernizing the territory.
"It's the children of the modernization period," said Hicks.
Neither Canada nor Alaska has comparable records for Inuit from that era. But because tuberculosis treatment was one of the first government services to be offered in those areas, Hicks was able to use the decline in deaths from TB as an index of government intervention.
Hicks maintains that moderization and suicide must be linked.
SHIFT AWAY FROM LAND LINKED TO SUICIDE RATE
Study of Inuit finds first generation born in towns started trends
Bob Weber
The Canadian Press
New research comparing suicide trends in different Arctic regions offers fresh insight into the roots of a social dysfunction that snuffs out the lives of dozens of young Inuit every year - and suggests there is hope for a turnaround.
In a newly published article in the journal Aboriginal Issues, reseacher Jack Hicks correlated suicide rates among Inuit in Alaska, Nunavut and Greenland with the period when governments encouraged them to move off the land and into communities.
In all three countries, suicide rates began to rise among the first generation born in towns - the sons and daughters of those who had grown up on the land.
The trend began in north Alaska in the 1960, in Greenland in the 1970s and in Nunavut in the 1980s.
"It's a quite distinct time period in all these places, and it's the same order in which 'active colonialism' occurred - the period when the national governments really began to impact on the lifeways of their Inuit population," said Hicks, an Iqualuit-based PhD candidate at the University of Greenland.
Historically, Inuit suicide rates were quite low. Hicks said records suggest there was only one suicide in what is now Nunavut in the entire 1960s. As well, suicide tended to be concentrated among the old and sick.
But the 1960s marked the last gasp of traditional culture, before all Inuit were moved into commuities.
Now Nunavut's suicide rate is 11 times the national average, and suicide claims the lives of about two dozen Inuit every year, mostly young men.
In Greenland, suicide began to increase among young men born after 1950, the same year the Danish government began its program of modernizing the territory.
"It's the children of the modernization period," said Hicks.
Neither Canada nor Alaska has comparable records for Inuit from that era. But because tuberculosis treatment was one of the first government services to be offered in those areas, Hicks was able to use the decline in deaths from TB as an index of government intervention.
Hicks maintains that moderization and suicide must be linked.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Lobotomy Doctor - Miracle Maker or Monster
From the Friday, January 18, 2008, Toronto Star, Living section, page L2, an article about a documentary about the doctor who started using lobotomies in dealing with mental illness:
Ice Pick Surgery
A MIRACLE WORKER OR A MONSTER?
Documentary looks at legacy of doctor who pioneered lobotomies to treat mental illness
Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and Ethics Reporter
With ambition blinding him to both critics and his own failures - including patients who died on the operating table - Dr. Walter Freeman inserted an ice pick into the skulls of almost 3,000 people, swished the cold steel instruments about "like a windshield wiper" and earned a reputation as the world's top lobotomist.
A new PBS television documentary looks at the legacy of the man hailed as an angel of hope by some, but as a monster by most.
"This is a man who believes he is born to medical genius," Andrew Scull, University of California sociology professor, says in the PBS documentary The Lobotomist airing Monday evening.
The story might have taken place decades ago in post-war America, filmmaker Barak Goodman says, but it is a reminder of how easily things can go astray when overzealous researchers combine with a press hungry to report the next miracle cure, and with families desperate to alleviate a loved one's suffering.
"It's a really great cautionary tale," Goodman says in a phone interview. "The dynamic that was at play then is something that we need to be wary of today."
Freeman was able to do his work at a time when patients did what doctors told them. There was little in the way of informed consent before doctors prescribed procedures, leaving doctors great freedom to try new techniques.
Today, patients must be told of the risks before they agree to treatment, and ethics boards at both hospitals and research facilities keep an eye on the work being done. If you've ever wondered why such things are needed, The Lobotomist offers a chilling answer.
Freeman, grandson of pioneering brain surgeon William Keen, was driven to make his own mark in the medical world. After stumbling onto an obscure study by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz in 1936, he knew he had his answer.
Working at one of the U.S.'s largest mental hospitals, St. Elizabeth's in Washington, D.C., Freeman expanded on Moniz's work severing neurological links in the brain to completely detach the frontal lobe from the rest of the brain.
It came to be known as a lobotomy. At first, he had to work with a neurosurgeon named James Watts in a lengthy and complicated procedure that involved operating rooms, specialized equipment and full surgical staff. Freeman would sit on a stool directing the action.
He later came up with a method to reach into the brain through the eye cavity, and no longer needed Watts. For years, he was hailed as a hero, feted by the medical establishment, the press and the families of his patients for offering a simple solution to great suffering.
Freeman simply pulled back the eyelid, inserted an ice pick above the eye, tapped it with a hammer to get it into the brain cavity, swerved it back and forth and pulled it out. The same was then done to the other eye, and the patient was sent home within hours - wearing sunglasses to mask the two black eyes.
"The first ice picks came out of our kitchen drawer," recalls Freeman's son, Franklin.
The procedure could be done anywhere; an examination room, an office, or surgical theatre. Freeman once went to a hostage taking, performing a lobotomy at the scene as police held the suspect down. Patients were often awake during the procedure, and told by Freeman to perform mental tasks such as reciting the alphabet or the Lord's Prayer so he could measure his progress.
"He had kind of a perverse need to shock people," Elliot Velenstein, a neuroscience professor at the University of Michigan, says in the film.
Freeman had his ticket to fame. He toured the U.S. teaching others, sure to have the local press on hand to write stories about him and his work. Deemed "surgery of the soul" by The New York Times, reporters hailed the lobotomy as a miracle cure for mental illness.
"The next thing you know, you have this story out there not of damaging the brain, but of plucking madness from the brain. And it's such a story of promise," Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America, says in the film.
Families, including the Kennedys, flocked to him and those he taught for help. Freeman himself lobotomized more than 2,900 people, including a 4-year-old. But by the late 1940's, more than 5,000 ice pick lobotomies were being performed across the U.S. annually.
As criticisms began to mount that the cure was worse than the illness and not as safe as heralded, Freeman bullied on, convinced of his discovery's importance even as the evidence built up against it.
By the late 1960s, with drugs becoming the preferred treatment for mental illness, lobotomies fell into disrepute, taking Freeman's reputation with it. He died in 1972, still trying to prove the effectiveness of the procedure. Goodman says the story, however, is far from over.
"What's really interesting is why the wider community allowed it to happen. What was the failure there? Why was there no oversight? And that's what we can learn from," Goodman says.
"There will always be Walter Freemans. The key is how to prevent Walter Freemans from getting their hands on too many patients."
The Lobotomist airs Monday, 9 p.m., PBS.
Ice Pick Surgery
A MIRACLE WORKER OR A MONSTER?
Documentary looks at legacy of doctor who pioneered lobotomies to treat mental illness
Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and Ethics Reporter
With ambition blinding him to both critics and his own failures - including patients who died on the operating table - Dr. Walter Freeman inserted an ice pick into the skulls of almost 3,000 people, swished the cold steel instruments about "like a windshield wiper" and earned a reputation as the world's top lobotomist.
A new PBS television documentary looks at the legacy of the man hailed as an angel of hope by some, but as a monster by most.
"This is a man who believes he is born to medical genius," Andrew Scull, University of California sociology professor, says in the PBS documentary The Lobotomist airing Monday evening.
The story might have taken place decades ago in post-war America, filmmaker Barak Goodman says, but it is a reminder of how easily things can go astray when overzealous researchers combine with a press hungry to report the next miracle cure, and with families desperate to alleviate a loved one's suffering.
"It's a really great cautionary tale," Goodman says in a phone interview. "The dynamic that was at play then is something that we need to be wary of today."
Freeman was able to do his work at a time when patients did what doctors told them. There was little in the way of informed consent before doctors prescribed procedures, leaving doctors great freedom to try new techniques.
Today, patients must be told of the risks before they agree to treatment, and ethics boards at both hospitals and research facilities keep an eye on the work being done. If you've ever wondered why such things are needed, The Lobotomist offers a chilling answer.
Freeman, grandson of pioneering brain surgeon William Keen, was driven to make his own mark in the medical world. After stumbling onto an obscure study by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz in 1936, he knew he had his answer.
Working at one of the U.S.'s largest mental hospitals, St. Elizabeth's in Washington, D.C., Freeman expanded on Moniz's work severing neurological links in the brain to completely detach the frontal lobe from the rest of the brain.
It came to be known as a lobotomy. At first, he had to work with a neurosurgeon named James Watts in a lengthy and complicated procedure that involved operating rooms, specialized equipment and full surgical staff. Freeman would sit on a stool directing the action.
He later came up with a method to reach into the brain through the eye cavity, and no longer needed Watts. For years, he was hailed as a hero, feted by the medical establishment, the press and the families of his patients for offering a simple solution to great suffering.
Freeman simply pulled back the eyelid, inserted an ice pick above the eye, tapped it with a hammer to get it into the brain cavity, swerved it back and forth and pulled it out. The same was then done to the other eye, and the patient was sent home within hours - wearing sunglasses to mask the two black eyes.
"The first ice picks came out of our kitchen drawer," recalls Freeman's son, Franklin.
The procedure could be done anywhere; an examination room, an office, or surgical theatre. Freeman once went to a hostage taking, performing a lobotomy at the scene as police held the suspect down. Patients were often awake during the procedure, and told by Freeman to perform mental tasks such as reciting the alphabet or the Lord's Prayer so he could measure his progress.
"He had kind of a perverse need to shock people," Elliot Velenstein, a neuroscience professor at the University of Michigan, says in the film.
Freeman had his ticket to fame. He toured the U.S. teaching others, sure to have the local press on hand to write stories about him and his work. Deemed "surgery of the soul" by The New York Times, reporters hailed the lobotomy as a miracle cure for mental illness.
"The next thing you know, you have this story out there not of damaging the brain, but of plucking madness from the brain. And it's such a story of promise," Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America, says in the film.
Families, including the Kennedys, flocked to him and those he taught for help. Freeman himself lobotomized more than 2,900 people, including a 4-year-old. But by the late 1940's, more than 5,000 ice pick lobotomies were being performed across the U.S. annually.
As criticisms began to mount that the cure was worse than the illness and not as safe as heralded, Freeman bullied on, convinced of his discovery's importance even as the evidence built up against it.
By the late 1960s, with drugs becoming the preferred treatment for mental illness, lobotomies fell into disrepute, taking Freeman's reputation with it. He died in 1972, still trying to prove the effectiveness of the procedure. Goodman says the story, however, is far from over.
"What's really interesting is why the wider community allowed it to happen. What was the failure there? Why was there no oversight? And that's what we can learn from," Goodman says.
"There will always be Walter Freemans. The key is how to prevent Walter Freemans from getting their hands on too many patients."
The Lobotomist airs Monday, 9 p.m., PBS.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Dealing with Stress
From the Health Canada website, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/life-vie/stress_e.html, an article about taking care of your mental health by learning about dealing with stress:
Mental Health - Coping With Stress
The IssueStress is a fact of daily life and is the result of both the good and bad things that happen. Too much stress can cause serious health concerns, but there are many ways of dealing with stress that can reduce your risk.
Background
Stress can come from major events in life such as getting married or changing jobs, or from minor daily incidents, such as job pressures or holiday planning. The things that cause you stress may not be a problem for someone else. If you did not feel stress of some sort, you would not be alive. Good stress, such as winning a game or going on vacation, can make you feel more involved and energized. But the negative effects of too much stress associated with being under pressure can affect your health.
When you find an event stressful, your body undergoes a series of responses. These come in three stages:
Mobilizing Energy
Your body releases adrenaline, your heart beats faster and you start to breathe more quickly. Both good and bad events can trigger this reaction.
Consuming Energy Stores
If you remain in the mobilizing energy stage for a period of time, your body begins to release stored sugars and fats. You will then feel driven, pressured and tired. You may drink more coffee, smoke more and drink more alcohol. You may also experience anxiety, negative thinking or memory loss, catch a cold or get the flu more often than normal.
Draining Energy Stores
If you do not resolve your stress problem, your body’s need for energy will become greater than its ability to provide it. At this stage, you may experience insomnia, errors in judgement and personality changes. You may also develop a serious illness such as heart disease or be at risk of mental illness.
Symptoms of Stress
Signs that you are over-stressed may include:
- Feelings of irritability, sadness or guilt
- Change in sleep patterns
- Change in weight or appetite
- Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions
- Negative thinking
- Loss of interest, enjoyment or energy in something you used to enjoy
- Restlessness
- Health Effects of Stress
While some people may appear to thrive on it, stress is considered to be a risk factor in a great many diseases, including:
- heart disease
- some types of bowel disease
- herpes
- mental illness
Stress also makes it hard for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar.
Stress is also a risk factor in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as weight loss and gain. Stress has even been identified as a possible risk factor in Alzheimer's Disease.
Severe stress can cause biochemical changes in the body, affecting the immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to disease.
Minimizing Your Risk
Here are several strategies to help you deal with stress.
Understanding stress
- Notice and remember when you experience the signs of stress. This will help you figure out what triggers stress in you. It may be:
- Major events such as getting married, changing jobs, moving your home, getting divorced or coping with the death of a loved one
- Long term worries such as financial problems, your children’s future, your job or an ongoing illness
- Daily hassles such as traffic jams, rude people or machines that don’t work.
Coping with stress
Because everyone is different, there is no single way to cope with stress. However, there are a number of approaches you can try to deal with short and long term stress.
- Identify your problems. What is causing your stress? It can be your job, a relationship or another source altogether. Is an unimportant surface problem masking a deeper one? Once you know what the problem is, you can do something about it.
- Work on solutions. Start thinking about what you can do to relieve the problem. Take control over the issues you can manage. This might mean looking for another job, talking with a health professional about personal problems or a financial counsellor. Also ask yourself what will happen if you do nothing. Once you make some changes to deal with the issue, you will take pressure off yourself.
- Talk about your problems. Friends, work colleagues and family members may not know you are having a hard time. If you talk to them about it, it may help in two ways. First of all, just by venting your feelings, you will relieve some stress. Secondly, they may suggest solutions to your problems. If you need to talk to someone outside your circle of family and friends, speak to your family physician or contact a mental health professional.
- Learn about stress management. In addition to health professionals who specialize in stress, there are many helpful books, films, videos, courses and workshops available to help you learn stress management techniques.
- Reduce tension. Physical activity is a great stress reducer. Walk, do some exercises or garden to relieve your stress. There are also relaxation exercises you can learn that will take the pressure off, such as deep breathing and stretching your whole body. Tension meditation and progressive relaxation are techniques that work for many people.
- Take your mind off your problems. By reading, taking up a hobby or becoming involved in sports, you can give yourself a `mental holiday’ from stress. It will also give you distance from your problems, so that they become easier to solve.
- Try not to be too hard on yourself. Stress can cause lots of negative thinking. You may notice yourself saying things like “I can’t, won’t, should, must”. Be realistic. Find realistic solutions you can achieve in steps that will bring success.
Stress prevention
Once you have lowered your stress level, there are techniques that will help prevent it from building up again.
- Make decisions. Worrying about making a decision causes stress.
- Avoid putting things off. Make up a weekly schedule that includes leisure activities as well as things you must do.
- Delegate to others. Let others take on some of the tasks you have set yourself so that you are not trying to do everything yourself.
- Keep your thinking positive and realistic.
Government of Canada's Role
The Government of Canada works to help Canadians maintain and improve their mental health, including coping with stress. Within its jurisdiction, the Government of Canada works to:
- generate and disseminate knowledge, and support both knowledge generation and dissemination activities undertaken by other organizations
- strengthen the capacity of the primary health care, home care and acute care sectors to effectively deliver mental health programs and services
provide leadership and governance
- develop social marketing campaigns
- conduct surveillance on health trends in the population
In 2007, the federal government provided funding to establish and support a Mental Health Commission to lead the development of a national mental health strategy.
Need More Info?
For more information on stress, contact the following.
The Mental Health Promotion Unit, Public Health Agency of Canada
Health Canada's Mental Health section
The Canadian Health Network,click on “Mental Health”
The Canadian Mental Health Association
Or contact the local Canadian Mental Health Association in your community, listed in the phone book
Canadian Psychiatric Association
The National Network for Mental Health
The Canadian Psychological Association
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada
For additional articles on health and safety issues go to the It's Your Health Web site.
You can also call toll free at 1-866-225-0709 or TTY at 1-800-267-1245*.
Original: August 2007
Date Modified: 2008-01-07
Mental Health - Coping With Stress
The IssueStress is a fact of daily life and is the result of both the good and bad things that happen. Too much stress can cause serious health concerns, but there are many ways of dealing with stress that can reduce your risk.
Background
Stress can come from major events in life such as getting married or changing jobs, or from minor daily incidents, such as job pressures or holiday planning. The things that cause you stress may not be a problem for someone else. If you did not feel stress of some sort, you would not be alive. Good stress, such as winning a game or going on vacation, can make you feel more involved and energized. But the negative effects of too much stress associated with being under pressure can affect your health.
When you find an event stressful, your body undergoes a series of responses. These come in three stages:
Mobilizing Energy
Your body releases adrenaline, your heart beats faster and you start to breathe more quickly. Both good and bad events can trigger this reaction.
Consuming Energy Stores
If you remain in the mobilizing energy stage for a period of time, your body begins to release stored sugars and fats. You will then feel driven, pressured and tired. You may drink more coffee, smoke more and drink more alcohol. You may also experience anxiety, negative thinking or memory loss, catch a cold or get the flu more often than normal.
Draining Energy Stores
If you do not resolve your stress problem, your body’s need for energy will become greater than its ability to provide it. At this stage, you may experience insomnia, errors in judgement and personality changes. You may also develop a serious illness such as heart disease or be at risk of mental illness.
Symptoms of Stress
Signs that you are over-stressed may include:
- Feelings of irritability, sadness or guilt
- Change in sleep patterns
- Change in weight or appetite
- Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions
- Negative thinking
- Loss of interest, enjoyment or energy in something you used to enjoy
- Restlessness
- Health Effects of Stress
While some people may appear to thrive on it, stress is considered to be a risk factor in a great many diseases, including:
- heart disease
- some types of bowel disease
- herpes
- mental illness
Stress also makes it hard for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar.
Stress is also a risk factor in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as weight loss and gain. Stress has even been identified as a possible risk factor in Alzheimer's Disease.
Severe stress can cause biochemical changes in the body, affecting the immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to disease.
Minimizing Your Risk
Here are several strategies to help you deal with stress.
Understanding stress
- Notice and remember when you experience the signs of stress. This will help you figure out what triggers stress in you. It may be:
- Major events such as getting married, changing jobs, moving your home, getting divorced or coping with the death of a loved one
- Long term worries such as financial problems, your children’s future, your job or an ongoing illness
- Daily hassles such as traffic jams, rude people or machines that don’t work.
Coping with stress
Because everyone is different, there is no single way to cope with stress. However, there are a number of approaches you can try to deal with short and long term stress.
- Identify your problems. What is causing your stress? It can be your job, a relationship or another source altogether. Is an unimportant surface problem masking a deeper one? Once you know what the problem is, you can do something about it.
- Work on solutions. Start thinking about what you can do to relieve the problem. Take control over the issues you can manage. This might mean looking for another job, talking with a health professional about personal problems or a financial counsellor. Also ask yourself what will happen if you do nothing. Once you make some changes to deal with the issue, you will take pressure off yourself.
- Talk about your problems. Friends, work colleagues and family members may not know you are having a hard time. If you talk to them about it, it may help in two ways. First of all, just by venting your feelings, you will relieve some stress. Secondly, they may suggest solutions to your problems. If you need to talk to someone outside your circle of family and friends, speak to your family physician or contact a mental health professional.
- Learn about stress management. In addition to health professionals who specialize in stress, there are many helpful books, films, videos, courses and workshops available to help you learn stress management techniques.
- Reduce tension. Physical activity is a great stress reducer. Walk, do some exercises or garden to relieve your stress. There are also relaxation exercises you can learn that will take the pressure off, such as deep breathing and stretching your whole body. Tension meditation and progressive relaxation are techniques that work for many people.
- Take your mind off your problems. By reading, taking up a hobby or becoming involved in sports, you can give yourself a `mental holiday’ from stress. It will also give you distance from your problems, so that they become easier to solve.
- Try not to be too hard on yourself. Stress can cause lots of negative thinking. You may notice yourself saying things like “I can’t, won’t, should, must”. Be realistic. Find realistic solutions you can achieve in steps that will bring success.
Stress prevention
Once you have lowered your stress level, there are techniques that will help prevent it from building up again.
- Make decisions. Worrying about making a decision causes stress.
- Avoid putting things off. Make up a weekly schedule that includes leisure activities as well as things you must do.
- Delegate to others. Let others take on some of the tasks you have set yourself so that you are not trying to do everything yourself.
- Keep your thinking positive and realistic.
Government of Canada's Role
The Government of Canada works to help Canadians maintain and improve their mental health, including coping with stress. Within its jurisdiction, the Government of Canada works to:
- generate and disseminate knowledge, and support both knowledge generation and dissemination activities undertaken by other organizations
- strengthen the capacity of the primary health care, home care and acute care sectors to effectively deliver mental health programs and services
provide leadership and governance
- develop social marketing campaigns
- conduct surveillance on health trends in the population
In 2007, the federal government provided funding to establish and support a Mental Health Commission to lead the development of a national mental health strategy.
Need More Info?
For more information on stress, contact the following.
The Mental Health Promotion Unit, Public Health Agency of Canada
Health Canada's Mental Health section
The Canadian Health Network,click on “Mental Health”
The Canadian Mental Health Association
Or contact the local Canadian Mental Health Association in your community, listed in the phone book
Canadian Psychiatric Association
The National Network for Mental Health
The Canadian Psychological Association
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada
For additional articles on health and safety issues go to the It's Your Health Web site.
You can also call toll free at 1-866-225-0709 or TTY at 1-800-267-1245*.
Original: August 2007
Date Modified: 2008-01-07
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Schizophrenia
From the World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/en/, information about schizophrenia, http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/schizophrenia/en/:
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness affecting about 7 per thousand of the adult population, mostly in the age group 15-35 years. Though the incidence is low (3-10,000), the prevalence is high due to chronicity.
Facts
Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people wordwide.
Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder, treatment being more effective in its initial stages.
More than 50% of persons with schizophrenia are not receiving appropriate care.
90% of people with untreated schizophrenia are in developing countries.
Care of persons with schizophrenia can be provided at community level, with active family and community involvement.
There are effective interventions (pharmacological and psychosocial) available and the cost of treatment of a person suffering from chronic schizophrenia is about US$2 per month; the earlier the treatment is initiated, the more effective it will be. However, the majority of the persons with chronic schizophrenia do not receive treatment, which contributes to the chronicity.
Pilot programmes in a few developing countries (e.g. India, Iran, Pakistan, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau) have demonstrated the feasibility of providing care to people with severe mental illness through the primary health care systems by:
* appropriate training of the primary health care personnel;
* provision of essential drugs;
* strengthening of the families for home care;
* referral support from mental health professionals, and
* public education to decrease stigma and discrimination.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness affecting about 7 per thousand of the adult population, mostly in the age group 15-35 years. Though the incidence is low (3-10,000), the prevalence is high due to chronicity.
Facts
Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people wordwide.
Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder, treatment being more effective in its initial stages.
More than 50% of persons with schizophrenia are not receiving appropriate care.
90% of people with untreated schizophrenia are in developing countries.
Care of persons with schizophrenia can be provided at community level, with active family and community involvement.
There are effective interventions (pharmacological and psychosocial) available and the cost of treatment of a person suffering from chronic schizophrenia is about US$2 per month; the earlier the treatment is initiated, the more effective it will be. However, the majority of the persons with chronic schizophrenia do not receive treatment, which contributes to the chronicity.
Pilot programmes in a few developing countries (e.g. India, Iran, Pakistan, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau) have demonstrated the feasibility of providing care to people with severe mental illness through the primary health care systems by:
* appropriate training of the primary health care personnel;
* provision of essential drugs;
* strengthening of the families for home care;
* referral support from mental health professionals, and
* public education to decrease stigma and discrimination.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Keeping Your Brain Healthy
From the Alzheimer's section of the Toronto Star, Thursday, January 10, 2008, page U3, an article about exercising your brain to keep it healthy:
MENTAL EXERCISE HELPS KEEP BRAIN HEALTHY
Latest evidence shows disease may be slowed with mind stimulation
Paul Irish
Staff Reporter
Use it or lose it.
That's the simple rule Brenda Hounam, 60, uses to keep her brain as healthy as it can be.
Livng with the early signs of Alzheimer's disease, the Paris, Ont., woman travels far and wide to promote the fact that we should all stay as mentally active as possible.
She was in Greece and Ireland last year spreading the message and will be heading to Romania this May.
"I tell peple to be the best you can be, but you have to work on it," she says. "You just can't sit around ... make sure you do some mental exercises every day."
A few of the things Hounam does to stay mentally fit include playing the keyboard, doing puzzles and - one of her favourites - playing Nintendo's Mario Brothers.
Scientific evidence suggests that mental stimulation enhances brain activity and may help maintain brain health throughout life.
With that as an overall goal, the Alzheimer Society of Canada has kicked off a nationwide awareness campaign, Heads up for Healthier Brains, in a bid to make brain health a personal commitment.
Mary Schulz, senior manager of education for the society, says new evidence indicates that if people "exercise" their brains, they can reduce the risk of the disease, and that those with the disease can slow its progression.
"Do something that you usually don't do," she says. "If you shy away from puzzles, check some out."
It can be as simple as chatting with friends and family or dialing the phone with your less-dominant hand. Or, if you're really feeling enthusiastic, learn a new language.
Dr. Jack Diamond, the society's scientific, director, says it's time to take action. "In just the last year, we've learned so much more about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the need to keep your brain active."
To help, the Alzheimer society has created a BrainBooster area on its website (alzheimer.ca) It's a collection of puzzles and games that will change daily to promote brain health, along with some recipes and diet tips.
In Hounam's case, she says the first time she realized something was seriously amiss was when she used dish soap instead of cooking oil to brown some meat in a skillet.
"I used to be an accountant and I was able to add, subtract anything I wanted in my head," she says. "But then I started having trouble. I had to go to a calculator."
After she was diagnosed in 2000, she says she felt relieved to know what was wrong. She decided to help make others more aare of the disease, and the importance of exercising your brain.
She has taken the stage in community centres and meeting halls across Ontario. And she was a huge hit when she spoke to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in Dublin last October.
The fact that someone with the disease could be a main speaker was not lost on the Irish media, and she was widely sought after for interviews.
Joining her on the trip were Linda Westbook and her daughter, Sara Westbrook, 25, both of St. Thomas. The three women met in 2004, after Linda attended one of Hounam's talks and arranged to meet with her.
During that meeting, they came up with the idea of creating a song (written by Sara and two friends) that would let Hounam express her love for her own two children, no matter how badly she may treat them as the disease progresses.
Called "One More Memory," the song has since sold 7,000 copies online, with proceeds going to help those with Alzheimer's. (Visit myspace.com/onemorememory or alzheimer.sk.ca/english/Just4Kids/music=memory.shtml.)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Substance Abuse
From the Mental Health America website, http://www.nmha.org/, information about substance abuse, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/substance-abuse which affects millions of people, some warning signs and what help is available:
SUBSTSANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse affects an estimated 25 million Americans. In terms of people who are affected indirectly such as families of abusers and those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers, an additional 40 million people are affected. The monetary cost to society and the economy because of reduced productivity, property damage, accidents, and health care are astounding. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and afflicts 10 million adults and 3 million children. An estimated 12.5 million Americans are addicted to other drugs such as sedative-hypnotics or barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, hallucinogens and psychostimulants.
There are many symptoms and warning signs of substance abuse including: using the substance on a regular basis (daily, weekends or in binges), tolerance for the substance, failed attempts to stop using the substance, physical and/or psychological dependence, withdrawal symptoms (delirium tremens, trembling, hallucinations, sweating and high blood pressure), and in some cases dementia.
The specific causes of substance abuse are unclear, though they seem to be a combination of hereditary, environmental and social factors.
Treatment of substance abuse is geared towards abstinence and includes a variety of therapies. Psychotherapy aids patients in understanding behavior and motivations and in developing self-esteem and coping with stress. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are very effective in helping the patient establish a support network. In some cases medications such as disulfiram (Antabuse) or methadone may be used with some success.
Other Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
5600 Fishers Ln 7C-02
Rockville MD 20857
Phone 800-729-6686
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics AnonymousCheck phone book for local chapter in your area.
Mental Health America needs your financial support to continue to improve awareness and understanding of mental illnesses.
This publication is generously supported by a grant from the William H. Donner Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company
Information compiled from:" Facts About: Substance Abuse", American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005.
For More Information:
For more information, contact your local Mental Health America affiliate or the national Mental Health America office.
SUBSTSANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse affects an estimated 25 million Americans. In terms of people who are affected indirectly such as families of abusers and those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers, an additional 40 million people are affected. The monetary cost to society and the economy because of reduced productivity, property damage, accidents, and health care are astounding. Alcoholism is a progressive disease and afflicts 10 million adults and 3 million children. An estimated 12.5 million Americans are addicted to other drugs such as sedative-hypnotics or barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, hallucinogens and psychostimulants.
There are many symptoms and warning signs of substance abuse including: using the substance on a regular basis (daily, weekends or in binges), tolerance for the substance, failed attempts to stop using the substance, physical and/or psychological dependence, withdrawal symptoms (delirium tremens, trembling, hallucinations, sweating and high blood pressure), and in some cases dementia.
The specific causes of substance abuse are unclear, though they seem to be a combination of hereditary, environmental and social factors.
Treatment of substance abuse is geared towards abstinence and includes a variety of therapies. Psychotherapy aids patients in understanding behavior and motivations and in developing self-esteem and coping with stress. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are very effective in helping the patient establish a support network. In some cases medications such as disulfiram (Antabuse) or methadone may be used with some success.
Other Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
5600 Fishers Ln 7C-02
Rockville MD 20857
Phone 800-729-6686
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics AnonymousCheck phone book for local chapter in your area.
Mental Health America needs your financial support to continue to improve awareness and understanding of mental illnesses.
This publication is generously supported by a grant from the William H. Donner Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company
Information compiled from:" Facts About: Substance Abuse", American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005.
For More Information:
For more information, contact your local Mental Health America affiliate or the national Mental Health America office.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Mental Health: Children's Fears
From the Canadian Mental Health Association website, , an article about children's mental health issues, http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=2-29-69&lang=1:
CHILDREN AND THEIR FEARS
Almost all children can be frightened by the sound of thunder or scared in a dark room. With a little patience and understanding, you can usually help your children overcome these and other common childhood fears. However, as a parent, you are keenly aware that there are real dangers that threaten your children. While you are working to help your children get rid of some kinds of fear, you are also teaching certain other kinds of fear for their own protection.
What frightens your children?
Often children's fears grow out of experiences which they cannot understand and which seems to threaten them. Of course, one child might not be frightened by something that frightens a brother or sister, but some of the things likely to cause fear are:
* other people's reactions to things or events - Another child's intense fear of snakes or an adult's horror at seeing a large spider can cause your child to fear the same things.
* seeing a traumatic, frightening event - Your child may witness a bad traffic accident or see a cat run over by a car. Scenes like these can leave lasting, fearful memories.
* low self-esteem and lack of confidence - Fears can develop from low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It is important to encourage and praise your child's efforts and to develop his/her self-confidence.
* ongoing family tensions and hostility - All families have fights once in a while, but if the fighting goes on all the time, children will absorb the tension, and fear and uncertainty will become part of their lives.
Overcoming your children's fears
No matter what your child fears, he/she needs the comfort of loving reassurance more than anything. You should never make fun of your child's fears, and you should let him/her know that grown-ups, too, are sometimes afraid. Other things you can do are:
* Give loving support and reliable limits. Your child needs to know he/she is loved and also that you set definite limits on what he/she is allowed to do. Your love and those limits provide the sense of security your child needs to try new experiences without fear.
* Try to find practical solutions. If your child is afraid of the dark, plug in a night-light in the bedroom and hall. Keep the furniture arranged in a way your child is used to, and make sure he/she goes to sleep with a cuddly toy to hug.
* Spend time practising skills with your child. If your child is afraid of catching a ball or playing a game such as soccer, spend time playing games at home in a safe environment.
* Help build a sense of being in control. Some children become afraid of flushing the toilet or emptying the bathtub. Encourage your child to pull the plug or turn the toilet handle with you, and reassure him/ her that "there is no way you can go down the drain."
* Reassure, reassure, and then reassure again. This is especially important if your child begins to worry about dying. He/she needs to hear many times that it is very unusual for children to die. Try a hug and a reminder, "Don't worry; we'll be together for a long, long time."
* Praise accomplishments, avoid criticizing. Praising even small successes will encourage your child to try again. Too much criticizing is likely to make your child insecure and afraid to try new things.
Real dangers your children face
Your children must be taught about the very real dangers that do exist. These dangers can be divided into two kinds:
* Basic safety problems - You must teach your children safety rules about hazards in the home, such as hot stove tops, electrical outlets and various household poisons. Outside the home, children must learn how to ride a bicycle and cross the street safely, and many other safety habits.
* Dangerous people - Unfortunately, your children face the danger of abduction and sexual abuse by dangerous people. Some may be strangers, but more commonly, they can be relatives or acquaintances.
The challenge for you as the parent is to teach your children to be self-confident and ready to cope with new situations, but also to be cautious of potentially dangerous situations. Most children are able to understand and learn caution at about the age of three.
How can you protect them from the real dangers?
There are a number of things you can do to help your children protect themselves and still enjoy their childhood. The best defence against abduction and abuse is information. Be truthful and honest with them. The more information children have, the better they will be able to handle any situation. As a parent, you should:
* Always know where your children are and who is supervising them. Make sure that the person(s) looking after your children always know how to reach you.
* Never leave young children alone at home, in a car or in a public place.
* Always go with them to any unfamiliar place when they are young. As they get older, set up a telephone check-in system to confirm their departures and arrivals, and have them carry enough money to call home.
* Have a family code word and teach your children how to use it: don't go with anyone unless they know and say the family code word. It is important that your children never tell the code word to anyone, but if they do, change it immediately.
* Set up family emergency procedures. Know the names, addresses and telephone numbers of your children's friends. Teach them what to do if you get separated while shopping.
* Teach your children how to get help in an emergency - dial 911 or "0" on the phone; find a policeman, bus driver, school, church, mall security or information desk, store cashier, or a house with a Block Parent sign.
* Teach your children their full name, home address (including city) and phone number (including the area code).
* Let your children know it's OK to say "No" if they think something they are being asked to do isn't right, even by someone they know. If someone tells them to keep a secret from you, they should tell you about it right away.
* Help your children to be comfortable talking about the private parts of their bodies so that, if necessary, they can tell you about "bad touches" (ones that make them feel weird or uncomfortable).
* Play "what if" games with your children. Ask them what they would do in a potentially dangerous situation and listen to their answers. Ask them why and why not, what is right and wrong. Practise how they should answer the telephone. Teach them just who a stranger is. It is better to imagine the worse than to experience it!
Your children should know and follow these streetproofing rules:
* Don't go anywhere alone; travel in groups. Don't take short-cuts or hitch-hike, and avoid potentially dangerous places including public washrooms.
* Don't accept gifts from strangers or get into a stranger's car. Don't offer to help a stranger; adults don't have to ask children for help.
* If alone, never admit it to anyone on the telephone and don't answer the door or let anyone in.
* Don't be a target. Don't put their name on clothes or equipment; if bags or lunch-boxes must be labelled, do it on the inside. Above all else, your children should learn to trust their instincts. If they feel suspicious, scared or threatened, they should do something about it. They should get away as soon and as fast as possible, and tell someone as soon as they can. They shouldn't be afraid to yell out, "You're a stranger. Stop it. Leave me alone," -yelling can attract attention and may bring the help they need. In an emergency, they don't have to be polite!
Do you need more information?
For more information on child safety and protection, contact your local police department or streetproofing organization. If you need help dealing with your child's fears, see your family doctor or school guidance counsellor, or contact a community organization, such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, which can help you find additional support.
CHILDREN AND THEIR FEARS
Almost all children can be frightened by the sound of thunder or scared in a dark room. With a little patience and understanding, you can usually help your children overcome these and other common childhood fears. However, as a parent, you are keenly aware that there are real dangers that threaten your children. While you are working to help your children get rid of some kinds of fear, you are also teaching certain other kinds of fear for their own protection.
What frightens your children?
Often children's fears grow out of experiences which they cannot understand and which seems to threaten them. Of course, one child might not be frightened by something that frightens a brother or sister, but some of the things likely to cause fear are:
* other people's reactions to things or events - Another child's intense fear of snakes or an adult's horror at seeing a large spider can cause your child to fear the same things.
* seeing a traumatic, frightening event - Your child may witness a bad traffic accident or see a cat run over by a car. Scenes like these can leave lasting, fearful memories.
* low self-esteem and lack of confidence - Fears can develop from low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It is important to encourage and praise your child's efforts and to develop his/her self-confidence.
* ongoing family tensions and hostility - All families have fights once in a while, but if the fighting goes on all the time, children will absorb the tension, and fear and uncertainty will become part of their lives.
Overcoming your children's fears
No matter what your child fears, he/she needs the comfort of loving reassurance more than anything. You should never make fun of your child's fears, and you should let him/her know that grown-ups, too, are sometimes afraid. Other things you can do are:
* Give loving support and reliable limits. Your child needs to know he/she is loved and also that you set definite limits on what he/she is allowed to do. Your love and those limits provide the sense of security your child needs to try new experiences without fear.
* Try to find practical solutions. If your child is afraid of the dark, plug in a night-light in the bedroom and hall. Keep the furniture arranged in a way your child is used to, and make sure he/she goes to sleep with a cuddly toy to hug.
* Spend time practising skills with your child. If your child is afraid of catching a ball or playing a game such as soccer, spend time playing games at home in a safe environment.
* Help build a sense of being in control. Some children become afraid of flushing the toilet or emptying the bathtub. Encourage your child to pull the plug or turn the toilet handle with you, and reassure him/ her that "there is no way you can go down the drain."
* Reassure, reassure, and then reassure again. This is especially important if your child begins to worry about dying. He/she needs to hear many times that it is very unusual for children to die. Try a hug and a reminder, "Don't worry; we'll be together for a long, long time."
* Praise accomplishments, avoid criticizing. Praising even small successes will encourage your child to try again. Too much criticizing is likely to make your child insecure and afraid to try new things.
Real dangers your children face
Your children must be taught about the very real dangers that do exist. These dangers can be divided into two kinds:
* Basic safety problems - You must teach your children safety rules about hazards in the home, such as hot stove tops, electrical outlets and various household poisons. Outside the home, children must learn how to ride a bicycle and cross the street safely, and many other safety habits.
* Dangerous people - Unfortunately, your children face the danger of abduction and sexual abuse by dangerous people. Some may be strangers, but more commonly, they can be relatives or acquaintances.
The challenge for you as the parent is to teach your children to be self-confident and ready to cope with new situations, but also to be cautious of potentially dangerous situations. Most children are able to understand and learn caution at about the age of three.
How can you protect them from the real dangers?
There are a number of things you can do to help your children protect themselves and still enjoy their childhood. The best defence against abduction and abuse is information. Be truthful and honest with them. The more information children have, the better they will be able to handle any situation. As a parent, you should:
* Always know where your children are and who is supervising them. Make sure that the person(s) looking after your children always know how to reach you.
* Never leave young children alone at home, in a car or in a public place.
* Always go with them to any unfamiliar place when they are young. As they get older, set up a telephone check-in system to confirm their departures and arrivals, and have them carry enough money to call home.
* Have a family code word and teach your children how to use it: don't go with anyone unless they know and say the family code word. It is important that your children never tell the code word to anyone, but if they do, change it immediately.
* Set up family emergency procedures. Know the names, addresses and telephone numbers of your children's friends. Teach them what to do if you get separated while shopping.
* Teach your children how to get help in an emergency - dial 911 or "0" on the phone; find a policeman, bus driver, school, church, mall security or information desk, store cashier, or a house with a Block Parent sign.
* Teach your children their full name, home address (including city) and phone number (including the area code).
* Let your children know it's OK to say "No" if they think something they are being asked to do isn't right, even by someone they know. If someone tells them to keep a secret from you, they should tell you about it right away.
* Help your children to be comfortable talking about the private parts of their bodies so that, if necessary, they can tell you about "bad touches" (ones that make them feel weird or uncomfortable).
* Play "what if" games with your children. Ask them what they would do in a potentially dangerous situation and listen to their answers. Ask them why and why not, what is right and wrong. Practise how they should answer the telephone. Teach them just who a stranger is. It is better to imagine the worse than to experience it!
Your children should know and follow these streetproofing rules:
* Don't go anywhere alone; travel in groups. Don't take short-cuts or hitch-hike, and avoid potentially dangerous places including public washrooms.
* Don't accept gifts from strangers or get into a stranger's car. Don't offer to help a stranger; adults don't have to ask children for help.
* If alone, never admit it to anyone on the telephone and don't answer the door or let anyone in.
* Don't be a target. Don't put their name on clothes or equipment; if bags or lunch-boxes must be labelled, do it on the inside. Above all else, your children should learn to trust their instincts. If they feel suspicious, scared or threatened, they should do something about it. They should get away as soon and as fast as possible, and tell someone as soon as they can. They shouldn't be afraid to yell out, "You're a stranger. Stop it. Leave me alone," -yelling can attract attention and may bring the help they need. In an emergency, they don't have to be polite!
Do you need more information?
For more information on child safety and protection, contact your local police department or streetproofing organization. If you need help dealing with your child's fears, see your family doctor or school guidance counsellor, or contact a community organization, such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, which can help you find additional support.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Anxiety Disorders
From the Canadian Mental Health Association website, http://www.cmha.ca/bins/index.asp?lang=1, is this article about various types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, phobias, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-94&lang=1:
ANXIETY DISORDERS
One of Canada's most common illnesses is also the least understood
Everyone feels anxious at times. Challenges such as workplace pressures, public speaking, highly demanding schedules or writing an exam can lead to a sense of worry, even fear. These sensations, however uncomfortable, are different from the ones associated with a anxiety disorder. People suffering from an anxiety disorder are subject to intense, prolonged feelings of fright and distress for no obvious reason. The condition turns their life into a continuous journey of unease and fear and can interfere with their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 10 people. They are more prevalent among women than among men, and they affect children as well as adults. Anxiety disorders are illnesses. They can be diagnosed; they can be treated.
But all too often, they are mistaken for mental weakness or instability, and the resulting social stigma can discourage people with anxiety disorders from seeking help. Understanding the facts about anxiety disorders is an important step. Realising that they are medical disorders which can be treated will help to remove the stigma, and encourage people with anxiety disorders to explore the treatments available.
What exactly are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders which affect behaviour, thoughts, emotions and physical health. Research into their origins continues, but it is believed they are caused by a combination of biological factors and an individuals personal circumstances, much like other health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes. It is common for people to suffer from more than one anxiety disorder; and for an anxiety disorder to be accompanied by depression, eating disorders or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also coexist with physical disorders, in which case the physical condition should also be treated.
Some of the signs to look for are:
Panic Disorder - As the name suggests, panic disorder is expressed in panic attacks which occur without warning, accompanied by sudden feelings of terror. Physically, an attack may cause chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, feelings of unreality and fear of dying. When a person avoids situations that he or she fears may cause a panic attack, his or her condition is described as panic disorder with agoraphobia.
Phobias - Phobias are divided into two categories: social phobia, which involves fear of social situations, and specific phobias, such as fear of flying, blood and heights.
Social Phobia - People with social phobia feel a paralysing, irrational self-consciousness about social situations. They have an intense fear of being observed or of doing something horribly wrong in front of other people. The feelings are so extreme that people with social phobia tend to avoid objects or situations that might stimulate that fear, which dramatically reduces their ability to lead a normal life.
Specific Phobias - Fear of flying, fear of heights and fear of open spaces are some typical specific phobias. People suffering from a specific phobia are overwhelmed by unreasonable fears, which they are unable to control. Exposure to feared situations can cause them extreme anxiety and panic, even if they recognize that their fears are illogical.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A terrifying experience in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened can cause post-traumatic stress disorder. Survivors of rape, child abuse, war or a natural disaster may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Common symptoms include flashbacks, during which the person re-lives the terrifying experience, nightmares, depression and feelings of anger or irritability.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - This is a condition in which people suffer from persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and / or rituals (compulsions) which they find impossible to control. Typically, obsessions concern contamination, doubting (such as worrying that the iron hasn't been turned off) and disturbing sexual or religious thoughts. Compulsions include washing, checking, organizing and counting.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder -Characterized by repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities, this disorder lasts at least six months, during which time the person is affected by extreme worry more days than not. The individual anticipates the worst, even if others would say they have no reason to expect it. Physical symptoms can include nausea, trembling fatigue, muscle tension, or headache.
How can anxiety disorders be treated?
There are two main medical approaches to treating an anxiety disorder: (1) drug therapy and (2) cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Combining the two types of treatment can be effective.
Because most anxiety disorders have at least some biological component, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are generally prescribed. It is important to inquire about possible side effects of any medication.
Therapeutic strategies can be effective in reducing symptoms in each of the anxiety disorders. The techniques used include cognitive restructuring, to help people turn their anxious thoughts, interpretations and predictions into thoughts which are more rational and less anxious. People with anxiety disorders may also benefit from controlled exposure to feared objects or situations.
Specific CBT techniques have been developed to help assist with particular anxiety disorders. People with panic disorder, for instance, can benefit from breathing retraining, which shows them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they're feeling anxious.
Support groups and educational resources can also be included in treatment. Anxiety disorders place a great burden on the individuals affected, their families and friends. Learning all you can about the particular condition touching your life can help you develop tools for living with an anxiety disorder, or living with someone who has an anxiety disorder.
A proper diagnosis is key to putting a person with an anxiety disorder on the right treatment path. Many people go undiagnosed for 10 years or more. Since research suggests that many general health care practitioners are unaware of all the appropriate treatments for anxiety disorders, you might consider the option of a specialized anxiety disorder clinic. If such a facility is not available in your area, ask your doctor to look into specialized treatments.
Where to go for more information
For further information about anxiety disorders, contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to find out about support and resources available in your community.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
One of Canada's most common illnesses is also the least understood
Everyone feels anxious at times. Challenges such as workplace pressures, public speaking, highly demanding schedules or writing an exam can lead to a sense of worry, even fear. These sensations, however uncomfortable, are different from the ones associated with a anxiety disorder. People suffering from an anxiety disorder are subject to intense, prolonged feelings of fright and distress for no obvious reason. The condition turns their life into a continuous journey of unease and fear and can interfere with their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 10 people. They are more prevalent among women than among men, and they affect children as well as adults. Anxiety disorders are illnesses. They can be diagnosed; they can be treated.
But all too often, they are mistaken for mental weakness or instability, and the resulting social stigma can discourage people with anxiety disorders from seeking help. Understanding the facts about anxiety disorders is an important step. Realising that they are medical disorders which can be treated will help to remove the stigma, and encourage people with anxiety disorders to explore the treatments available.
What exactly are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders which affect behaviour, thoughts, emotions and physical health. Research into their origins continues, but it is believed they are caused by a combination of biological factors and an individuals personal circumstances, much like other health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes. It is common for people to suffer from more than one anxiety disorder; and for an anxiety disorder to be accompanied by depression, eating disorders or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also coexist with physical disorders, in which case the physical condition should also be treated.
Some of the signs to look for are:
Panic Disorder - As the name suggests, panic disorder is expressed in panic attacks which occur without warning, accompanied by sudden feelings of terror. Physically, an attack may cause chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, feelings of unreality and fear of dying. When a person avoids situations that he or she fears may cause a panic attack, his or her condition is described as panic disorder with agoraphobia.
Phobias - Phobias are divided into two categories: social phobia, which involves fear of social situations, and specific phobias, such as fear of flying, blood and heights.
Social Phobia - People with social phobia feel a paralysing, irrational self-consciousness about social situations. They have an intense fear of being observed or of doing something horribly wrong in front of other people. The feelings are so extreme that people with social phobia tend to avoid objects or situations that might stimulate that fear, which dramatically reduces their ability to lead a normal life.
Specific Phobias - Fear of flying, fear of heights and fear of open spaces are some typical specific phobias. People suffering from a specific phobia are overwhelmed by unreasonable fears, which they are unable to control. Exposure to feared situations can cause them extreme anxiety and panic, even if they recognize that their fears are illogical.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A terrifying experience in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened can cause post-traumatic stress disorder. Survivors of rape, child abuse, war or a natural disaster may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Common symptoms include flashbacks, during which the person re-lives the terrifying experience, nightmares, depression and feelings of anger or irritability.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - This is a condition in which people suffer from persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and / or rituals (compulsions) which they find impossible to control. Typically, obsessions concern contamination, doubting (such as worrying that the iron hasn't been turned off) and disturbing sexual or religious thoughts. Compulsions include washing, checking, organizing and counting.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder -Characterized by repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities, this disorder lasts at least six months, during which time the person is affected by extreme worry more days than not. The individual anticipates the worst, even if others would say they have no reason to expect it. Physical symptoms can include nausea, trembling fatigue, muscle tension, or headache.
How can anxiety disorders be treated?
There are two main medical approaches to treating an anxiety disorder: (1) drug therapy and (2) cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Combining the two types of treatment can be effective.
Because most anxiety disorders have at least some biological component, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are generally prescribed. It is important to inquire about possible side effects of any medication.
Therapeutic strategies can be effective in reducing symptoms in each of the anxiety disorders. The techniques used include cognitive restructuring, to help people turn their anxious thoughts, interpretations and predictions into thoughts which are more rational and less anxious. People with anxiety disorders may also benefit from controlled exposure to feared objects or situations.
Specific CBT techniques have been developed to help assist with particular anxiety disorders. People with panic disorder, for instance, can benefit from breathing retraining, which shows them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they're feeling anxious.
Support groups and educational resources can also be included in treatment. Anxiety disorders place a great burden on the individuals affected, their families and friends. Learning all you can about the particular condition touching your life can help you develop tools for living with an anxiety disorder, or living with someone who has an anxiety disorder.
A proper diagnosis is key to putting a person with an anxiety disorder on the right treatment path. Many people go undiagnosed for 10 years or more. Since research suggests that many general health care practitioners are unaware of all the appropriate treatments for anxiety disorders, you might consider the option of a specialized anxiety disorder clinic. If such a facility is not available in your area, ask your doctor to look into specialized treatments.
Where to go for more information
For further information about anxiety disorders, contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to find out about support and resources available in your community.
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