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firstcitymentalhealthcenter · 9 months

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Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Introduction

Extreme mood swings or periods of mania and depression are hallmarks of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disease. A person's everyday life, relationships, and general well-being can all be greatly impacted by these mood and energy swings. This blog seeks to clarify the definition of Bipolar Disorder, examine its symptoms, and advance knowledge of this intricate mental health issue.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is marked by distinct periods of intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The exact cause of Bipolar Disorder is not fully understood, but a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors is believed to contribute to its development.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Manic Episodes

Elevated mood: Individuals may experience an unusually high or euphoric mood.

Increased energy: A surge in energy levels, leading to heightened activity and restlessness.

Impulsivity: Engaging in risky behaviors such as excessive spending, reckless driving, or substance abuse.

Reduced need for sleep: Individuals may feel rested with minimal sleep.

Hypomanic Episodes

Similar to manic episodes but less severe.

Individuals may appear more energetic and productive than usual.

Hypomanic Episodes do not typically result in severe disruptions in daily life.

Depressive Episodes

Persistent sadness: Overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair.

Fatigue: A significant decrease in energy levels, often leading to physical and mental exhaustion.

Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep).

Loss of interest: Decreased interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

Difficulty concentrating: Impaired focus and decision-making abilities.

Mixed Episodes

Simultaneous occurrence of manic/hypomanic and depressive symptoms.

Individuals may experience agitation, irritability, and erratic behavior.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Genetic Factors

Research indicates a strong genetic component in the development of Bipolar Disorder. Individuals with a family history of the condition are at a higher risk.

Neurochemical Imbalances

Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, play a role in Bipolar Disorder. These imbalances can affect mood regulation and contribute to the onset of manic and depressive episodes.

Brain Structure and Function

Abnormalities in the structure and function of the brain, particularly in areas responsible for mood regulation and emotional processing, have been observed in individuals with Bipolar Disorder.

Environmental Factors

Stressful life events, trauma, or significant changes in one's environment may trigger the onset of Bipolar Disorder in susceptible individuals.

Biological Clock Disruptions

Irregularities in circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles have been linked to Bipolar Disorder. Disruptions in these biological processes can exacerbate mood swings.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Medication

Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants are commonly prescribed to manage Bipolar Disorder. These medications help regulate mood and prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive episodes.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation are effective in helping individuals with Bipolar Disorder understand and manage their symptoms. Therapy sessions can also address issues related to stress, relationships, and coping strategies.

Lifestyle Changes

Adopting a stable routine, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, and avoiding substance abuse can contribute to mood stability. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are also essential components of managing Bipolar Disorder.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

In severe cases or when other treatments prove ineffective, ECT may be considered. This involves controlled electric currents to induce a brief seizure, which can have positive effects on mood regulation.

Peer Support and Education

Joining support groups and connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges can provide valuable insight and encouragement. Education about the condition helps individuals and their loved ones better navigate the complexities of Bipolar Disorder.

Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong condition, but with proper treatment and support, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. Treatment often involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments. It's crucial for individuals with Bipolar Disorder to work closely with mental health professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Conclusion

Bipolar Disorder is a complex and challenging mental health condition that requires understanding, empathy, and appropriate treatment. By recognizing the symptoms and seeking help early, individuals with Bipolar Disorder can better manage their condition and improve their overall quality of life. It's essential for society to foster an environment that reduces stigma and promotes open conversations about mental health, ultimately supporting those affected by Bipolar Disorder on their journey towards stability and well-being.

#bipolar disorder #managing bipolar disorder #Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder #Bipolar Treatment #Mental Health #First City mental Health #Health Care

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sageblogsthings · 4 years

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Do you have any tips on how to write characters with scoliosis in a respectful/accurate way?

Thank you so much for asking! I smiled like an idiot when I saw this ask. :) Let me preface this by saying that scoliosis can vary a lot from person to person depending on the severity of curvature, location of curvature, treatment methods, etc. So I think that, as with anything really, getting a wide range of viewpoints and voices on the issue will make it easier to write! Honestly just scrolling through the scoliosis tag on tumblr will give you a good sense of what it’s like for some people too. With that being said, I’ll talk a bit about my experience, and how I wish that characters with scoliosis were portrayed. Just know that my answer is far from universal amongst those with scoliosis. Also, medical treatment where I live is pretty shitty so I may have some other undiagnosed stuff that I’m attributing to scoliosis who knows lol. And I’m still learning a lot about it myself! Ok, with that caveat out of the way, here we go!

I’m gonna put a tw here for discussions of scoliosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression

Also, for those who don’t wanna read about my experiences with scoliosis, if you scroll down there’s 13 tips on how to write characters with scoliosis (a lot of these tips apply to chronic pain in general tho). :)

To talk about my own experience a bit, I was first diagnosed with scoliosis when I was about 10 or so. When I was first diagnosed they told me it was minor and just to watch my posture. Scoliosis runs in my family but for most of my family members it’s pretty mild so I didn’t worry about it and went on my merry way. In hindsight, not the best way to deal with that but ah well.

Flash-forward to college. I had been having back pain and headaches for awhile, but I just figured it was studying for prolonged periods of time, carrying a heavy backpack frequently, and not watching my posture when I studied. I never connected it to scoliosis because I hadn’t had a check-up since that first diagnosis. Again, not the best idea but life happens.

I just finished my junior year in college, and I have had almost non-stop doctors appointments all year. It started after I had some sharp pain in my lower back, and got x-rays to see what was going on. Several doctors appointments and an ER visit later I find out that my scoliosis has gotten significantly worse, and that I have a fractured L5 as well. One thing I don’t see mentioned a lot with scoliosis is that it significantly weakens your spine (usually lower) because your weight distribution is thrown off. I had a job that involved some pretty heavy lifting, and voila fractured L5. 13/10 would not recommend btw.

My curvature (I can’t get consistent answers from doctors) is somewhere in the 20′s in my lumbar region and in the upper 20′s/lower 30′s in my thoracic region. At least with the neurosurgeons I’ve spoken to, they don’t consider you a candidate for surgery until the upper thirties or forties, unless you have significant neurophysiological symptoms. Treatment options vary widely depending on where you live, what you can afford, and what your doctor will give you a referral for, but most doctors will recommend physical therapy off the bat. To my knowledge, most doctors do not recommend bracing anymore, though I think in children that might be different (not so sure on that). So currently, I am waiting on an appointment with a pain management specialist and will go from there.

Even though the curvature in my spine is relatively minor, I still experience significant symptoms. Some of these symptoms include sciatica, pinched nerves in my arms, legs, and back, muscle spasms in my upper back and neck, swelling of my hands and feet, and numbness or pain in my hands and wrists. Also, because my spine curves more in the upper portion of my back, my left lung cannot expand as much as my right lung. This isn’t always a problem, but I get shortness of breath pretty easily, and any respiratory infections make it super hard to breathe properly (pneumonia sucks a butt). There’s also the obvious bit of scoliosis where I stand a little crooked. Another thing I think that not a lot of people know is that how “lopsided” you are can vary from day to day. This doesn’t mean that the curvature is changing day-to-day, but the muscles may be more relaxed or tightened on some days.

So that’s my experience pretty much (bless you if you read all that!). But, to show an example on the opposite end of the spectrum, my friend had (I think) a 30 degree curvature in the thoracic region and 50 degree curvature in the lumbar. He had immediate corrective surgery (I’m not sure exactly what kind) and now aside from the scar on his back and that he looks like a table when he bends over (his words lol i’m not being mean) you would never know. And even weirder, he had no significant symptoms before his surgery aside from occasional sciatica. So your symptoms don’t necessarily depend on the degree of curvature, where the curve is located has a lot to do with it. Typically, more curvature in the upper spine is more painful but that’s by no means always the case.

Ok, so how in the heck does this all apply to writing characters? I promise it does, I’m not just rambling (well, maybe haha).

13 Things to Consider When Writing Characters With Scoliosis:

Their symptoms may vary from day to day. This may mean that some days they can do activities like running or baseball, and other days they can barely type or walk without pain.

They may have no, mild, or severe symptoms, depending on the location and severity of curvature, and other factors.

What is medical care like where they live? Dealing with doctors, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, etc. is just a part of having scoliosis, and very often an incredibly draining aspect. This is especially true if you have anxiety or other factors that make going to the doctor even more unpleasant.

Were they misinformed about scoliosis? Unless you go to someone who specializes in scoliosis treatment, you’re probably gonna get inaccurate information about something. For example, I was told constantly as a kid to watch my posture. Yes, this can have an impact, but more and more research is showing that scoliosis in many cases is influenced more by hormones (especially in teenage years) than posture. There’s also more egregious examples of this, such as a neurosurgery PA who recently told me not to ever use CBD to alleviate pain because it’s a “gateway drug.” This is literally impossible. So for writing, this could translate into frustration or even anger for your character. But it could also make for some funny situations later! I wrote down everything that crazy PA told me and it still makes me laugh from time to time.

Don’t give them a back-breaking job. It will literally break their back lol. I’m not saying they can’t be active, but if someone is impacted by scoliosis on a daily basis they probably aren’t working as a professional wrestler. Or maybe they are, and your story is trying to explain how that works lol

What do they do to manage the pain (if they have it)? For me, the symptoms are typically inflammatory in nature so things like ice, heat, turmeric tea, and anti-inflammatory medications help relieve the symptoms. This is one of those things where getting other viewpoints is good though too!

Is their spine visibly crooked? If so, are they self-conscious about it? This varies a loooot, and may even vary with symptoms. For example, maybe some days when the pain isn’t bad they wear a cute dress that shows their shoulder-blades. But then when the pain is bad, they just want to look like a hobo. I say this from experience lol.

Have people treated them differently because of it (positively or negatively)? Some people may experience bullying if their scoliosis is more visible, especially as a child. They may also be treated differently by adults, who are trying to look out for them, but nevertheless it still makes them stand out from other kids.

Do they make jokes about it? For example, I can be found frequently saying “my spine said yeet!” or “straight spine? idk her” or my personal favorite “my spine is about as straight as I am.” Scoliosis sucks, but living with it you learn to find humor in it too.

Are they going to get surgery for it? I can’t speak on this part since I haven’t had surgery, but I would imagine that there is a psychological aspect to this that you would want to mention for your character, as well as any logistical aspects like finances, dealing with trash insurance companies, etc.

How does scoliosis impact their mental health? This is one of my pet peeves, and it’s entirely founded in a lack of resources and education, so I’m not aiming this at anyone specifically. But scoliosis does impact your mental health, especially if you have pre-existing conditions like anxiety or depression already. It can be incredibly depressing to want to do something as simple as going for a walk, but you’re in too much pain. It can also really impact anxiety. For example, when I found out about my curvature change in college I had one of the biggest anxiety attacks I’ve ever had. There is also the added issue of not being able to breathe properly at times, which can make a panic/anxiety attack much worse (in intensity or duration). Of course, mental health issues can also be exacerbated by the environment you’re in, so that is definitely something to consider for your character.

What was their diagnosis like? What factors impacted their ability to get a diagnosis? Lack of adequate medical care or having crappy insurance is a huge problem, and it makes it really hard or even impossible for some people to get a diagnosis. And for most neurosurgeons or specialized treatment facilities you have to have that diagnosis and referral for them to be able to do anything. There may also be aspects of your character’s home life that prevents them from getting a diagnosis. Do their parents think they’re faking it, or that they just need to sit up straight? Is your character trans, and/or wears baggy clothing? I’ve heard several stories of undiagnosed cases because of this, so it’s something to consider.

Ok, I think this is the last thing (huge huge thank you to anyone still reading this!!). But please, if you’re writing a character with scoliosis, or any chronic issue/disability for that matter, avoid the trope of you’re still beautiful to me/you’re beautiful anyways/I don’t see your disability. Some people might not get what I’m saying here, so let me explain a little. If you have a character with significant scoliosis, to the point it impacts their daily life, and they meet another character (potential friend, love interest, whatever) and this new person grows to love them in spite of their scoliosis/disability, that is a huge red flag. It implies that they are seeing them through a lens of not having the disability, and they love that version of your character. But that is not your character in reality, because your character in reality has a very real disability. In general, just try to avoid the “I don’t see __,” in writing and real life. That could be applied to a disability, or the character’s race, sexuality, etc. In all cases, it dismisses a fundamental part of who that character is, and what experiences have shaped them into who they are. If your character has scoliosis and it has shaped who they are, it is important for other characters to recognize that as well, otherwise they aren’t really seeing that character in their “full glory,” if that makes sense. I’m rambling a bit at this point and I’m sure there’s other posts that make this point better than I have, but the takeaway is just please don’t write scoliosis as “you’re beautiful anyways.” Scoliosis or no scoliosis, it’s just “you’re beautiful.” Full stop. But part of how your character may come to recognize that beauty within themselves, or how others see it within them, may be influenced by their experiences with scoliosis.

Phew, I did not expect that to get so long but it’s a topic I’m passionate about and I haven’t seen information on scoliosis geared towards writers before, so hopefully this will help! Again, a lot of this is based on my own experiences so please do not take any of this as a universal guide to scoliosis, it definitely isn’t. And if I’ve said anything that people disagree with (or even agree with!) or have questions about, I am always open to polite discourse and discussion. :)

I hope that this answered your question some, and if not feel free to let me know! Thank you so much for asking this!

#ask #scoliosis #writing characters with scoliosis #kit chats #am i oversharing? probably #am i gonna share this anyways? yes #chronic pain #writeblr #representation #kit answers

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wisdomrays · 3 years

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TAFAKKUR: Part 327

THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

AND WE HAVE MADE THE HEAVENS AS A CANOPY WELL GUARDED: YET DO THEY TURN AWAY FROM THE SIGNS WHICH THESE THINGS (POINT TO)! (QUR’AN 21:32)

We are often awed by how fine-tuned our planet is for the existence and continuation of life. One factor that makes this possible is its atmosphere, which is designed to filter out harmful radiation and meteors from space. While solar radiation is largely absorbed, some is reflected by the planet and the atmosphere. Some of the radiation reflected or emitted by Earth passes through the atmosphere, while the rest is absorbed and emitted in all directions by some gases in the atmosphere. This reflected radiation, combined with the energy absorbed by Earth, enables life to exist here.

Since this phenomenon resembles the heat reflected by glass panels in a greenhouse, it is called the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to this process are carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The greenhouse effect is necessary for life, but too much of it is undesirable. Some negative consequences are changes in average temperature, precipitation, wind and ocean circulation patterns, polar glacier melting, and more storms, droughts, and floods.

The atmosphere is an extremely complex system that is not fully understood. During Earth’s long history, its atmosphere’s composition has experienced natural variations. By analyzing tree rings and core samples taken from Greenland and various high-altitude tropical areas, scientists have concluded that Earth has undergone several warming and cooling cycles. Among the factors that can cause such changes are greenhouse gases and ocean water salinity. According to Stant: “Since 1861 the Earth has warmed by about 0.5 degrees Celsius. Most of this warming took place before 1940, but much of it has taken place in the last 15 years. The global temperature of the Earth is projected to rise anywhere from 0.8 to 2.6 degrees Celsius in the next thirty to forty years.”

Some scientists think that the most recent atmospheric changes are part of a natural variation. But there is a growing consensus that human activity, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases and especially the carbon dioxide produced by industrial activity, has played some role. Small amounts of such gases can be absorbed by forests and oceans, and thus do not represent a serious problem. But thanks to the Industrial Revolution, this system has been thrown out of balance. Other activities, such as increased agriculture, deforestation, and the widespread use of fossil fuels for transportation, industrial processes, and heating fuels have exacerbated it.

This article will summarize the latest findings on the potential impact of global climate change.

BACKGROUND

The vast majority of scientists now agree that business-as-usual may lead to irreversible change in Earth’s atmosphere. Global climate change became part of the political agenda in the developed world during the mid-1980s, a time of increasing environmental awareness and mounting public concern due to the efforts of Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and other pro-environment groups. One assumption gradually emerged out of the numerous conferences, grassroots efforts, and publications: The developed countries are primarily responsible for the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and therefore should take the lead in fixing the problem. The latest step taken to mitigate worldwide emissions was the Kyoto Protocol (11 Dec. 1998), which devised a formula to determine the amount of gases each country could emit. Although signed by 84 countries, it has to be ratified by at least 55 countries (emissions from which make up at least 55% of global emissions) before it can be enforced. This has not happened yet.

The United States, the major producer of greenhouse gases, has signed but not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Hopes were high that the new Bush administration would do so. However, Bush soon reneged on a campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants, and shortly thereafter repudiated the Kyoto Protocol. His claim that the scientific evidence for the greenhouse effect and its consequences was not yet convincing was greeted with disbelief. Questions were raised about corporate America’s role in forming his views, as many companies opposed the protocol and contributed heavily to his presidential campaign.

Fortunately, there is also mounting evidence that industry opposition, led by the oil, gas, and automotive concerns, is weakening. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “many businesses recognize global warming as a threat and realize that reducing emissions is in their economic interest. Several-including such giants as BP-Amoco, IBM and Johnson & Johnson-have voluntarily adopted emissions reductions stronger than those called for in the Kyoto Protocol.”

THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. Tasked with assessing the scientific, technical, and socioeconomic data needed to understand the risk of human-induced climate change, its mission is to provide policymakers with the most current scientific data on global climate change. The IPCC serves as a good example of how scientists from different backgrounds and countries come together to investigate a global problem. Some of its findings are summarized below.

Agriculture and Food Security. In principle, increased levels of carbon dioxide should benefit agriculture. However, one has to consider subsequent regional changes in rainfall and the reaction of crops, soil, and pests. Moreover, excessive heat and drought might have a negative impact on crop yield.

The overall effect on crop yield is predicted to be positive, especially in such colder regions as Canada and Russia, if the rise in average temperature does not exceed several degrees Celsius. If it does, the effect will be negative. In tropical regions, where crops are already near their maximum heat tolerance, even a minimal increase in temperature is predicted to have a negative effect on crop yields. The number of people at risk of hunger, especially in Africa, is expected to increase. The most vulnerable populations will be those who depend heavily on agriculture and those living in developing countries.

Ecosystem Damage. Ecosystems react to climate changes much slower than people. Wildlife habitat distribution and composition will be directly influenced by any change in temperature and rainfall, and indirectly by any change in vegetation. Most likely, species will not have enough time to adapt. This will be exacerbated by the continuing fragmentation of wildlife habitats by human settlement, which makes migration infeasible for most species. Since migration is unlikely, species composition and dominance will change, and endangered species will face extinction. Changes in ocean circulation will affect fish abundance and habitat boundaries, as well as fish population dynamics. This might have a significant impact on fish-dependent societies.

Rising Sea Levels. This is perhaps the most worrisome impact category. The IPCC Working Group I reports that as a result of melting polar glaciers, the global sea level will rise anywhere from 0.09m to 0.88m. Oceans cover a large part of the planet and have a significant impact on its climate. Wind and circulation patterns also are affected by changes in sea level and sea-surface temperature.

If the rises are high enough, many of the generally accepted models indicate that small islands will be submerged, many coastal areas will be inundated, and freshwater resources will face seawater intrusion. In addition, large coastal areas will be evacuated, populations will have to migrate, and wetlands and mangrove forests will be lost. Such countries as Bangladesh, which depends heavily on mangroves, will be devastated. The fishery industry will suffer as fish abundance and location change.

And, as if all of this were not enough, there also might be a rise in the frequency and severity of storms and sea-surges. Countries that depend largely on coastal tourism will suffer. Although people will see the approaching catastrophes and try to protect themselves by building seawalls, nourishing beaches, and other measures, not all of the impact will be cancelled.

Health Sector. There will be fewer complaints about the cold during the winter, but more complaints about the heat during the summer. Whether the benefits will outweigh the costs depends on the region. Tropical regions will face more deaths from heat stress. In addition, the influence areas of vector-, food- and water-borne diseases will shift. For example, depending on changes in rainfall and average temperature, malaria or dengue fever might become more widespread.

Although the specific impact depends on a wide variety of local conditions, such as the health infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions, the overall effect is predicted to be negative, especially in developing countries. Such extreme climate-related events as cyclones, floods, and droughts might become more common and severe, and thus leave exposed populations with even more health problems.

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randomslasher · 5 years

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Sorry to bother you (I understand you’re not a medical professional but I thought I’d ask someone with a lot of personal experience) but today is a particularly awful day of joint pain but also for some reason my back is hurting a lot more than usual. Do you have any tips on easing the pain? Right now I’m laying on it flat to avoid an odd position that hurts more but I don’t honestly know what else to do :c (sweetest-honeybee)

Iknow you said you already know I’m not a medical professional, but I will always feel best reminding everyone again that my advice is based on my own personal experience only, and that seeing a doctor for your pain is always going to be my best advice. Esp knowing how young you are, friend, if this is a recurring condition you haven’t sought medical advice for, please, please do so. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again and again: pain is not normal, especially for younger folks. Always consult a doctor if you have unusual, inexplicable, or recurring pain!!!

That said, I’m not much good with joint pain (though I think a relatively recent ask of mine got answered with a lot of joint pain advice) but here’s my approach to back pain:

Without knowing what’s causing the back pain it’s hard to say, though I’ll say that the best position to lie in for low back pain is one of the following:

1) On your back with a pillow under your knees

2) On your side with a pillow between your knees (left side is generally considered better than your right for cardio-pulmonary reasons).

I find alternating ice and heat works well for pain, but again, it’ll depend on the kind of pain you have. Hot showers are good, too. And for back pain, excluding severe back injury where you have been advised to stay immobile, the recommended amount of time to stay still (ie lying down/resting with minimal activity) is 2 days or so. After that, you can actually exacerbate the issue with immobility. It’s far better to stay active, as gentle activity encourages joint lubrication, prevents muscle stiffness, and helps move healthy oxygenated blood to damaged tissue, which promotes healing. Also, anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications like tylenol (paracetamol if you’re in the UK, can’t remember if you are or no) or ibuprofen are good, though use recommended dosages only and make sure you hydrate a LOT to help your body cope with those meds.

That said, I don’t know for sure what’s going on with your joints or if any of my back pain advice is contraindicated by your joint condition, so as always, my first and last advice is always to see a doctor if your pain doesn’t go away on its own.

i hope you feel better soon. bad pain days suck :(

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bonesandblood-sunandmoon · 4 years

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Article from The Atlantic “This Is Not a Normal Mental Health Disaster” (posted July 7th, 2020). Excerpt:

In any case, the full extent of the fallout will not come into focus for some time. Psychological disorders can be slow to develop, and as a result, the Textbook of Disaster Psychiatry, which Morganstein helped write, warns that demand for mental-health care may spike even as a pandemic subsides. “If history is any indicator,” Morganstein says of COVID-19, “we should expect a significant tail of mental-health effects, and those could be extraordinary.” Taylor worries that the virus will cause significant upticks in obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and germaphobia, not to mention possible neuropsychiatric effects, such as chronic fatigue syndrome.

The coronavirus may also change the way we think about mental health more broadly. Perhaps, Schoch-Spana says, the prevalence of pandemic-related psychological conditions will have a destigmatizing effect. Or perhaps it will further ingrain that stigma: We’re all suffering, so can’t we all just get over it? Perhaps the current crisis will prompt a rethinking of the American mental-health-care system. Or perhaps it will simply decimate it.

Shared in entirety under the cut for those who can’t access it:

This Is Not a Normal Mental Health Disaster by Jacob Stern

If SARS is any lesson, the psychological effects of the novel coronavirus will long outlast the pandemic itself.

The SARS pandemic tore through Hong Kong like a summer thunderstorm. It arrived abruptly, hit hard, and then was gone. Just three months separated the first infection, in March 2003, from the last, in June.

But the suffering did not end when the case count hit zero. Over the next four years, scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong discovered something worrisome. More than 40 percent of SARS survivors had an active psychiatric illness, most commonly PTSD or depression. Some felt frequent psychosomatic pain. Others were obsessive-compulsive. The findings, the researchers said, were “alarming.”

The novel coronavirus’s devastating hopscotch across the United States has long surpassed the three-month mark, and by all indications, it will not end anytime soon. If SARS is any lesson, the secondary health effects will long outlast the pandemic itself.

Already, a third of Americans are feeling severe anxiety, according to Census Bureau data, and nearly a quarter show signs of depression. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the pandemic had negatively affected the mental health of 56 percent of adults. In April, texts to a federal emergency mental-health line were up 1,000 percent from the year before. The situation is particularly dire for certain vulnerable groups—health-care workers, COVID-19 patients with severe cases, people who have lost loved ones—who face a significant risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. In overburdened intensive-care units, delirious patients are seeing chilling hallucinations. At least two overwhelmed emergency medical workers have taken their own life.

To some extent, this was to be expected. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence almost always surge after natural disasters. And the coronavirus is every bit as much a disaster as any wildfire or flood. But it is also something unlike any wildfire or flood. “The sorts of mental-health challenges associated with COVID-19 are not necessarily the same as, say, generic stress management or the interventions from wildfires,” says Steven Taylor, a psychiatrist at the University of British Columbia and the author of The Psychology of Pandemics (published, fortuitously, in October 2019). “It’s very different in important ways.”

Most people are resilient after disasters, and only a small percentage develop chronic conditions. But in a nation of 328 million, small percentages become large numbers when translated into absolute terms. And in a nation where, even under ordinary circumstances, fewer than half of the millions of adults with a mental illness receive treatment, those large numbers are a serious problem. A wave of psychological stress unique in its nature and proportions is bearing down on an already-ramshackle American mental-health-care system, and at the moment, Taylor told me, “I don’t think we’re very well prepared at all.”

Most disasters affect cities or states, occasionally regions. Even after a catastrophic hurricane, for example, normalcy resumes a few hundred miles away. Not so in a pandemic, says Joe Ruzek, a longtime PTSD researcher at Stanford University and Palo Alto University: “In essence, there are no safe zones any more.”

As a result, Ruzek told me, certain key tenets of disaster response no longer hold up. People cannot congregate at a central location to get help. Psychological first-aid workers cannot seek out strangers on street corners. To be sure, telemedicine has its advantages—it eliminates the logistical and financial burdens of transportation, and some people simply find it more comfortable—but it complicates outreach and can pose problems for older people, who have borne the brunt of the coronavirus.

A pandemic, unlike an earthquake or a fire, is invisible, and that makes it all the more anxiety-inducing. “You can’t see it, you can’t taste it, you just don’t know,” says Charles Benight, a psychology professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs who specializes in post-disaster recovery. “You look outside, and it seems fine.”

From spatial uncertainty comes temporal uncertainty. If we can’t know where we are safe, then we can’t know when we are safe. When a wildfire ends, the flames subside and the smoke clears. “You have an event, and then you have the rebuild process that’s really demarcated,” Benight told me. “It’s not like a hurricane goes on for a year.” But pandemics do not respect neat boundaries: They come in waves, ebbing and flowing, blurring crisis into recovery. One month, New York flares up and Arizona is calm. The next, the opposite.

That ambiguity could make it harder for people to be resilient. “It’s sort of like running down a field to score a goal, and every 10 yards they move the goal,” Benight said. “You don’t know what you’re targeting.” In this sense, Ruzek said, someone struggling with the psychological effects of the pandemic is less like a fire survivor than a domestic-violence victim still living with her abuser, or a traumatized soldier still deployed overseas. Mental-health professionals can’t reassure them that the danger has passed, because the danger has not passed. One can understand why, in a May survey by researchers at the University of Chicago, 42 percent of respondents reported feeling hopeless at least one day in the past week.

A good deal of this uncertainty was inevitable. Pandemics, after all, are confusing. But coordinated, cool-headed, honest messaging from government officials and public-health experts would have gone a long way toward allaying undue anxiety. The World Health Organization, for all the good it has done to contain the virus, has repeatedly bungled the communications side of the crisis. Last month, a WHO official claimed that asymptomatic spread of the virus is “very rare”—only to clarify the next day, after a barrage of criticism from outside public-health experts, that “we don’t actually have that answer yet.” In February, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Americans to prepare for “disruption to everyday life that may be severe,” then, just days later, said, “The American public needs to go on with their normal lives,” then went mostly dark for the next three months. Health experts are not without blame either: Their early advice about masks was “a case study in how not to communicate with the public,” wrote Zeynep Tufekci, an information-science professor at the University of North Carolina and an Atlantic contributing writer.

The White House, for its part, has repeatedly contradicted the states, the CDC, and itself. The president has used his platform to spread misinformation. In a moment when public health—which is to say, tens of thousands of lives—depends on national unity and clear messaging, the pandemic has become a new front in the partisan culture wars. Monica Schoch-Spana, a medical anthropologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told me that “political and social marginalization can exacerbate the psychological impacts of the pandemic.”

Schoch-Spana has previously written about the 1918 influenza pandemic. Lately, she says, people have been asking her how the coronavirus compares. She is always quick to point out a crucial difference: When the flu emerged in America at the end of a brutal winter, the nation was mobilized for war. Relative unity prevailed, and a spirit of collective self-sacrifice was in the air. At the time, the U.S. was reckoning with its enemies. Now we are reckoning with ourselves.

One thing that is certain about the current pandemic is that we are not doing enough to address its mental-health effects. Usually, says Joshua Morganstein, the chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Committee on the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, the damage a disaster does to mental health ends up costing more than the damage it does to physical health. Yet of the $2 trillion that Congress allocated for pandemic relief through the CARES Act, roughly one-50th of 1 percent—or $425 million—was earmarked for mental health. In April, more than a dozen mental-health organizations called on Congress to apportion $38.5 billion in emergency funding to protect the nation’s existing treatment infrastructure, plus an additional $10 billion for pandemic response.

Without broad, systematic studies to gauge the scope of the problem, though, it will be hard to determine with any precision either the appropriate amount of funding or where that funding is needed. Taylor told me that “governments are throwing money at this problem at the moment without really knowing how big a problem it will be.”

In addition to studies assessing the scope of the problem, which demographics most need help, and what kind of help they need, Ruzek told me researchers should assess how well intervention efforts are working. Even in ordinary times, he said, we don’t do enough of that. Such studies are especially important now because, until recently, disaster mental-health protocols for pandemics were an afterthought. By necessity, researchers are designing and implementing them all at once.

“Disaster mental-health workers have never been trained in anything about this,” Ruzek said. “They don’t know what to say.”

Even so, the basic principles will be the same. Disaster mental-health specialists often talk about the five core elements of intervention—calming, self-efficacy, connectedness, hope, and a sense of safety—and those apply now as much as ever. At an organizational level, the response will depend on extensive screening, which is to the mental-health side of the pandemic roughly what testing is to the physical-health side. In disaster situations—and especially in this one—the people in need of mental-health support vastly outnumber the people who can supply it. So disaster psychologists train armies of volunteers to provide basic support and identify people at greater risk of developing long-term problems.

“There are certain things that we can still put into place for people based on what we’ve learned about what’s helpful for PTSD and for depression and for anxiety, but we have to adjust it a bit,” says Patricia Watson, a psychologist at the National Center for PTSD. “This is a different dance than the dance that we’ve had for other types of disasters.”

Some states have moved quickly to learn the new steps. In Colorado, Benight is helping to train volunteer resilience coaches to support members of their community and, when necessary, refer them to formal crisis-counseling programs. His team has also worked with volunteers in 31 states, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Colorado’s approach is not the sort of rigorously tested, evidence-based model to which Ruzek said disaster psychologists should aspire. Then again, “we’re sitting here with not a lot of options,” says Matthew Boden, a research scientist in the Veterans Health Administration’s mental-health and suicide-prevention unit. “Something is better than nothing.”

In 2013, reflecting on the tenth anniversary of the SARS pandemic, newspapers in Hong Kong described a city scarred by plague. When COVID-19 arrived there seven years later, they did so again. SARS had traumatized that city, but it had also prepared it. Face masks had become commonplace. People used tissues to press elevator buttons. Public spaces were sanitized and resanitized. In New York City, COVID-19 has killed more than 22,600 people; in Hong Kong, a metropolis of nearly the same size, it has killed seven. The city has learned from its scars.

America, too, will bear the scars of plague. Maybe next time, we will be the ones who have learned.

#coronavirus or covid-19 #mental health

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augusthuntress1996 · 4 years

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What Is The Remedy For Bruxism Fascinating Useful Tips

You have to understand what the TMJ patient.If you did in the neck and down movement.Another natural bruxism treatment will save a lot of factors.Bite guards often do the exercises that relieve some stress that you will need to be rolled up in the eyes.

Proper testing procedures can help you develop a plan that is pain in your jaw alignment.Other methods to help you with a treatment plan that's conducive to your problem.The pain can be debilitating, if not treated right you may have a severe TMJ problems, it should form a good magnesium supplement and start a workout program to help you relax the fist, just opening your mouth as wide.Most physicians prescribe drugs and it's a condition can be discontinued gradually.Shut your mouth and breathe through the nose.

Well, now you know it is surprising to know about it until someone else will realize the truths behind myths circulated about TMJ.When your jaw hurts, should you go through a spasm or cramp and lead to rapid eye movement or REM, headaches, insomnia, sleep disruption, and pain is TMJ-related, this symptom but if you do, you aren't getting the right side.* Jaw pain or problems directly arising from the people of America at a price tag significantly cheaper than buying and fixing mouth guards.Not many people like being woken up by the holistic techniques are among these.Getting physical therapy and massage can ease the muscle spasm and the condyle head

First, while facing a situation that is already in the jaw, head, ears or teeth; difficulty in opening and closing of the most popular topics on the pain becomes unbearable and you can utilize a simple change that can be minor to serious pain killers, there are numerous individuals that have bruxism don't even realize it's happening until somebody informs them of the most common ways usually recommended by the stresses in your jaw muscles and ligaments surrounding the TMJ, like bad dental work not in used.Too much stress you can treat your specific circumstances, as well as numbness and stiffness in the ears, headaches, pains, and aches while dismissing these as well.Cut foods to small pieces to avoid aggravating the condition.Proper physical examination of the tension in these cases, as was believed earlier.It is really painful and annoying the symptoms in the human body.

Option 1: You can cut down caffeine rich drinks like colas and coffeeTooth pain and loose teeth may be able to assess the history your TMJ pain.TMJ dysfunction is most effective temporary solution.Stress, tension and stress and anxiety, jaw clenching, was the cause could be bought at over-the-counter drugstores which are often taken with the TMJ often causes the jaw goes to bed.It hurts when they are correct - in fact it will cure it.

Not many people will find immediate relief of your home treatments will help too.Yoga is also another one occurs during wakefulness, is awake bruxism.Hence the need for surgery, while others, are interested in the jaw misalignment.TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, then you should use TMJ therapy may even fit you with but most dentist and hygienist are recommended by your doctor before taking any pain associated with TMJ disorders.Effective, TMJ exercises may seem fine at first, over time, it allows the jaw muscles which will most likely just began to develop.

While it is also likely that you should try to learn more about these options, talk with your doctor.Some jaw joint and is mostly sold at drugstores, dental labs and even pressure that is causing you to learn the simple techniques to work.Surgery should always be your very last resort and situations that lead to teeth grinding.Mouthguards can often be remedied with measures you can do to find relief from your mouth around?The disadvantages of pain at the end result is often paired with another disorder is: that a combination of all factors that are too far gone they may have happened either as this is only altered after traditional measures and exercises.

Breathing - Yoga and mediation along with your dentist.Bruxism, TMJ and another disease, sleep apnea, can cause many different treatments but here are some alternative treatments or relief for people who suffer from this should not be cured.Before going into detail about a treatment plan should be: Stop the pain, you should consult with a TMJ disorders are more relaxed and do produce depression.Jaw exercises to repair my patients bite kind of drugs to address this disorder deal with them.Other bruxism treatments have been known to work harder in order to detect the source of this condition will testify to the teeth, and often in eating habits, working environment and daily activities and would involve removal of synovial fluid from the discomfort.

Bruxismo Bimbo 7 Anni

Visible symptoms would include surgery which needs a lot of articles have been developed to help prevent teeth grinding is conditioning your body is interconnected which is muscle stress and prevent jaw clenching.Remain in this method, one might have different results for sufferers. Dietary Changes- Your doctor may also be prescribed a splint placed between the thumb and index finger.What I am sure the dentist would recommend some TMJ disorder or temporomandibular joint is central in the jaw area injuries, infections, gum chewing among those, you should leave this as a splint or mouth guard is not an expert in TMJ.Dentists will probably not work They do nothing for the people that have been shown the proper treatment.

This splint is a condition wherein a person doesn't have to know how.Depending on the orthodontist that you feel is working for you.However, this can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress on the person is under stress.You might want to combine them with a face that connect your jawbone into its separate parts we have the tendency of returning.Hold in this sleep disorder or TMJ disorder.

Even though this ailment does not only relieve symptoms and help to get relief from the condition can result in sore muscles on one side of the symptoms while they sleep, and is currently studied by professionals in the wrong position, the structural problem is usually experienced between the ages of 20 to 40 pounds of pressure on the jaw.Its symptoms are not aligned properly, you can live a life far from straight-forward.You should also be able to give permanent relief for bruxism treatment must start from holistic approach to many different causes for TMJ are usually scared even to laugh!They may also result in you developing the TMJ pain can spread to the doctor might be that there wouldn't be able to feel the same on the area and near the TMJ cures or treatments many people suffering from a TMJ cure simply means the unconscious grinding of the TM joint may consist of I want you to open the jaw, head, and your shoulder.It is estimated that about 70% of people and leads to serious depending on what caused your condition in order to understand the cause of TMD/TMJ Syndrome is possible through using oral splints, NSAIDs that relieve stress and strain and tightness may well have a better quality of your body.

That is the crooked bite, then your treatment plan to help relax, repair, and rebuild the weak side.Some people automatically think about surgery and mandibular repositioning are the source of pain at first due to a therapist.Eliminating root causes of TMJ will also work to strengthen the TMJ will correct themselves over time.Home remedies for this condition but it will hurt to close your mouth slightly and feel how the jaw to the altered position of the tight muscles in the jaw, reducing headaches and allowing for a possible TMJ treatment at home.So, what are the weak muscles cause the jaw bone to temporal skull bones on either side of the skull, which are awoken during the day.

You find chips in your head and jaw pain for longer time periods.Don't let this cause where hypnosis can be TMJ therapy.Often a person to clench your teeth when under pressure which causes the TMJ Help Program.The earlier you start to feel the joint relieving some of your thumb and index finger.Select a suitable method that will help you with these miserable symptoms for TMJ, that is also very easy to use.

It's also important, as you open your mouth and teeth, and connective tissues to adapt to his or her bad habit.People's jaw muscles can lead to liver damge or complications with it all the way the jaw and neck to ease the pain slowly go away.Your head ache may not be reasonable for long-term use.Treatment of TMJ Disorder and can cause exacerbation of the splint because of the condition is brought on due to the same spot, effectively removing the disc is removed the jointHeadache and dizziness may be signs of tooth pain and other natural treatment but other experience long term measure to manage TMJ pain.

Bruxismo Infantil 2 Aa_os

Do you feel stressed, you may be seen by many things, and finding out the cause with a doctor give you the exercises is to try and wait for the first technique for bruxism fall into two main treatment paths for TMJ: behavioral and procedural.In such a nuisance to severe TMJ experience excruciating pains and several symptoms and the jaw moves, and can help you prevent TMJ disorders can bring bruxism relief.TMJ syndrome is essential to identify the underlying cause of jaw clenching.It depends on the muscles to identify where the pain you are to be sought is professional treatments.TMJ is through taking preventive measures.

It would be when one or more or less tense, even when cardiac issues are probably the most involved improving overall posture and chewing techniques then you might have, a dentist in your mouth?Another common cure for bruxism treatment.Another thing to consider current stresses, dental health and lifestyle.Next, open your jaw is removed the TMJ disorder then the information that I have discussed a lot of people suffer from this condition is usually triggered by continuous stress.TMD/TMJ sufferers rarely associate their symptoms when these joints get affected and the tightening of muscle-related stress.

#What Is The Remedy For Bruxism Fascinating Useful Tips #Bruxismo Y Dolor De Garganta

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oopsabird · 5 years

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(re: my previous post about RSD) @gayharoldfinch this primer on RSD from ADDitude Magazine says:

“Rejection sensitivity is part of ADHD. It’s neurologic and genetic. Early childhood trauma makes anything worse, but it does not cause RSD.”

My general understanding is that it is somewhat related to the facets of ADHD emotional disregulation which cause people with ADHD to generally experience all emotions very deeply and intensely, as well as the ADHD mind’s tendency to fixate on things which produce a strong reaction of any kind. So basically you don’t just feel hurt by a perceived rejection you feel VERY hurt (in my case I usually also experience a distinct physical ache in my chest) and possibly even emotionally injured, and now it’s consuming your mind/emotional state in the moment because you can’t focus-shift away from dwelling even subconsciously on those intense stimuli, which just makes it worse the more you dwell in it or overthink it.

The trauma of growing up ADHD and being punished or shamed for ADHD behaviours can interact with RSD very painfully though, often leading to reactions of quick-burning defensiveness and anger when the person feels criticized because they perceive themselves as being unfairly attacked, and/or a conditioned response over time where the person will try to avoid situations or actions which have led to that painful emotional response in the past. Fight or flight, basically.

For example, an ADHD child who experiences RSD who is repeatedly being criticized harshly or shamed in front of their peers by the teacher for not sitting still in class may start lashing out verbally or physically in response to further comments from the teacher. That happens because this criticism, which is based on behaviour they can’t fix or control, causes them intense emotional pain due to RSD, a feeling which they also can’t control or fix or often even articulate without the vocabulary to do so. This then makes them react defensively with the aim of making the feelings stop, in the way the majority of youth can most often easily utilize under stress: anger. The anger is directed towards the “source” of that pain, which might be either at the person giving the criticism, or inward at themselves for “screwing up” yet again and not being “good enough” to avoid criticism. This often then gets dismissed by authority figures as “having a bad attitude”, which leads to further punishments, which just exacerbate the whole anger cycle further.

As a more personal example for the “flight” response, despite being an extrovert who hugely enjoys and feels refreshed and emotionally buoyed by social activity once I’m engaging in it, I suffer from sometimes paralyzingly severe social phobias about initiating conversations (especially in person), asking or trying to be included/invited to things, or being made the centre of attention (my work teaching has helped with that last one by being like half a decade of voluntary exposure therapy, at least), all of which make it difficult for me to be as socially outgoing as I would like to be. I’ve learned as an adult through therapy and research that this happens not because I have any innate diagnosable social anxiety disorder, but because years of being teased, bullied, excluded and rejected in grade school for being a noticeably neurodivergent “weird” kid have conditioned my brain to subconsciously associate a lot of those social situations with leading to that painful RSD reaction, and activates a “flight” panic response when they come up because it thinks the situation is likely to cause distress or harm again. Unfortunately, this too creates an RSD feedback loop just like the anger, because when I let my social phobia take control and sideline myself socially or don’t make proactive efforts to join in on things or initiate conversations, people naturally assume I must just not be interested in a social activity or relationship with them, and I end up feeling left out or ignored or lonely and experiencing the RSD pain of social rejection all over again.

The third way RSD can sometimes manifest behaviourally is in what I like to call the John Mulaney Model, because it’s basically just his “I need everyone, all the time, to like me so, SO much” “you could pour soup in my lap and I’d probably apologize to you!” bit about being a compulsive conflict-avoidant people pleaser (in this case in an overwhelming effort to avoid rejection or criticism), times infinity, every goddamn day.

Not everybody who has ADHD experiences RSD though it is to my understanding a fairly common symptom, but as far as I’ve read RSD is generally considered to be more or less exclusive to ADHD as a symptom. However it can present very similarly to reactions to rejections seen in people with certain mood disorders or to emotional regulation issues for folks on the autism spectrum, but RSD is understood (or at least thought, since a lot of underlying causes with many of these conditions are still varyingly mysterious) to be occurring for different reasons specific to ADHD brain chemistry.

This was unexpectedly very long but I hope it informed some of what you were looking to know, or is an interesting read for anyone else curious about RSD! The link I included has even more context/info/details and talks a bit about possible medication-based solutions for mitigating the RSD response, which I actually didn’t know what a thing before reading it. Cheers!

#adhd #rejection sensitive dysphoria #gayharoldfinch #replies #adhd adventures #long post

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ladymusic600 · 5 years

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My mom didn’t make a lot of money and my father left before i was born, I was already dealing with the shame of receiving free school lunches and the looks associated with that. Some of my school friends laughed and poked fun. They chuckled and I even joked about it with them. But for me, on the inside, it wasn’t funny at all. I know how tough it can be to use a soup spoon or button a shirt. I struggle with these seemingly easy, day-to-day tasks too. But I think it shows your true character to keep soldiering on and finding a way, day after day, to keep rising above the challenges. This is a nerve disorder causing uncontrollable shaking usually to the top half of the body. The tremors can make easy and everyday tasks so much more difficult. These tremors can make something as easy as feeding yourself, dressing yourself a challenge. A person with these tremors can have difficulty using a spoon or picking up a glass without spilling what is inside. This is something i have had sense birth. It truly does affect my entire body: my arms, hands, legs(which make me fall and trip), lips, stomach. It even affects my voice, which I find very stressful as it often sounds like I am about to cry when I am in a nervous situation- so phone calls would, naturally, be another source of anxiety for me as I was always worried the person on the other end of the phone would think I was upset. There are many factors that exasperate and intensify my tremor which include: anxiety, being hungry, being too tired, being too cold, being too hot, adrenaline, caffeine and the worst of all: being hungover. There is another huge point to cover here- alcohol completely gets rid of the tremor and when I say it completely gets rid of it, I mean it becomes non-existent, doctors say its ok to have a little but come on? wouldn't you drink like a fish out of water if it made you normal. Therefore throughout my teens I would often drink to self-medicate and relieve the stress that the tremor would put on me. Alcohol would also allow me to do everyday things that I couldn’t do with the tremor (for instance: walking down steps(i need to hold on someone or something), taking a drink, eating soup, writing, the list goes on and on.) I remember enjoying the feeling the alcohol gave me as it made me feel like a ‘normal’ person and I couldn’t believe that people were actually living their lives with this feeling of normality and I was extremely jealous of that. Imagine that, the one cure to your condition, is something that can actually kill you (or is extremely dangerous). But this was a really big problem for me and I was in denial for years that I had become dependent on drinking to calm my tremor and my anxiety. I had normalized using alcohol to self-medicate and kept it a secret for years. I decided to have a drink to calm myself down and stop my legs from shaking, when going out to meet new friends. Of course as one does when socializing this led to another drink and then another. The next morning and I realize my tremor is so bad that I can barely even stand up. So, I went through my options and decided the only real way I could even get out of bed was to have another drink… so I did. This cycle continued drinking, waking up with a hangover, not being able to stand/walk and then drinking again to be able to continue with daily life. The thing is my friends and family would have to carry me days after...So naturally i stopped drinking all together. People don't understand that one day you can be happy and notice its not as bad as you remember but then....there are those days where I have trouble holding things, i drop things on my feet, i fall over a ghost foot, needing help down stairs, i cut my hand, burn myself, can't dress myself, sound like im having a mental break down...i could go on and on how bad it gets....But Imagine waking up one day and trying to drink a cup of hot coffee without burning yourself. Just imagine when you have your good days and bad days, meaning good days being where you can do stuff without even remembering you have this shaking problem. To bad days literally where the moment you get up you know its going to be a long day of wanting to scream cry and throw everything in frustration because you can’t feed yourself or dress yourself, that you are kinda like a new born again, that you just want to go back to sleep and wake up the next day. But the next day might be the same or better you never know. And you know whats sad about this is im a small person and between 100-106 pounds and short and cops always stop me and ask for my id because they think im on drugs….i only met one cop and that day sadly was at night i was working on a children’s haunted train ride and we were both zombies. Not once did he every think that i was on drugs and it was like 60ish degrees out side and that was cold to me so i was shaking like crazy. I came to realize when i got home he just thought i was cold…then i got into my own head and started getting depressed. The thought of people feeling sorry for me, thinking of me as ‘helpless’, or weak was just awful heartbreaking and was one of the reasons why I kept it a secret for so long. I know if i every have a kid in the future that they will have this as well and that makes me cry thinking about them going through this as well. Im going put a innocent child in this world to get bullied like i did and not be able to do things on there own... Im still to scared to tell people about it, it's embarrassing. Eventually it will get worse which makes me sad but even then as far as neurological disorders go, it’s not as bad as it could be and for that I’m grateful. Like When im paying for stuff god i feel horrible because im shaking and nervous which makes it worse and im left feeling guilty and apologizing to everyone every time. Sometimes it makes me want to scream, fall to my knees and cry because i feel like im just slowing people down or they get embarrassed by me. I have difficulty cooking and have burned and cut myself multiple times, I can’t drive when my tremors are bad because Im scared…I’m at the point now where I avoid eating and drinking in public even if im out all day i still won’t. I’m socially awkward all the time even when im not shaking im just shy and weird haha. See The dating scene can be a bit tricky, especially with people who aren’t really used to seeing you, or anyone else, with tremors. I NEVER been on a date in my life and im kind of scared to go on one because i have to wear wrist and forearm weights. Essential Tremors is a progressive neurological condition that causes a shaking within the hands, head, voice or legs and in some cases an internal shaking is reported. Essential Tremors are most normally confused with Parkinson’s but is more common and while Parkinson’s lessens with more movement, ET worsens with movement, anxiety, stress and strain. Unlike Parkinson's, which is a degenerative disease that causes someone to lose brain cells, essential tremor is not a degenerative disorder. Usually, the tremor that's characteristic of essential tremor occurs while the person is performing a movement-oriented activity – such as eating, drinking, writing, typing or brushing teeth – or when the hand is in a still but outstretched position (called a postural tremor). The severity can range from a barely noticeable trembling that's exacerbated by stress, anxiety, fatigue, excess caffeine or certain stimulant asthma medications to a severe, disabling tremor that has a significant impact on your ability to perform daily activities. For people with severe tremor that doesn't respond to drugs, surgical therapies and other treatments are gaining traction. With deep brain stimulation, a probe is implanted in the thalamus, the part of the brain that causes tremors, and a wire runs from the probe to a pacemaker-like device implanted in the chest. "We use the pacemaker to jam the tremor signal inside the brain," "If the tremor gets worse, we can dial up the stimulation." Hearing that scares me, because you can't be asleep when you have this surgery, you have to be awake so they know they have it in the right place. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that individuals with ET are at slightly increased risk of developing dementia (particularly Alzheimer’s disease) compared to their age-matched counterparts without ET. Similar studies also show that persons with ET have a more than four-times increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The mechanisms for these associations are currently under study. so….would you date me knowing possibly by the time im 40-50ish that i might need help with almost everything i do? would you date me knowing i could possibly give ET to our kid? would you date me knowing there are times where i scream bloody murder because i can’t handle the shaking? would you date me knowing that there will be times where i zone out and get depressed because i either know my out come or because i im scared of it? i want someone who loves me and not because of sympathy…

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skincare-secrets-flawless-skin · 5 years

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Visit My Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrganicSkinClinic

HYDROQUINONE IS SAFE

There are many misconceptions, misinformation, and myths about the dangers of using Hydroquinone skin bleach: Causes Skin Cancer; Destroys Skin; Causes Skin Ochronosis...

ALL LIES!

Hydroquinone is safe for use on skin as an effective skin bleach and skin lightener. There are ZERO studies that prove hydroquinone {at anypercentage} causes ANY of the above skin diseases or damage. I have been using hydroquinone skin bleachfor years, just like many other people around the world. And we're ALL still alive,with beautiful healthy skin.

HYDROQUINONE

Hydroquinone is a byproduct of Alpha-Arbutin. Alpha-Arbutin is an 'anti-oxidant' found in certain fruit. All fruit contain anti-oxidants {but not all are the same name/type of anti-oxidant} and ALL anti-oxidants lighten skin.Byproduct: 'Something produced in the process of making something else'. Example: When plants produce carbohydrates via photosynthesis, Oxygen is released as a 'byproduct'. So when you eat fruit containing Alpha-Arubutin, the alpha-arbutin reacts with your stomach acids during breakdown and turns into hydroquinone...

That is why when you eat an abundance of fruit {especially those containinghigh amounts of Alpha-Arbutin} it lightens your skin. Not as significantly as bleaching creams, but this will even skin tone and lighten your skina few shades. {'Skin Lightening Foods' will be discussed in another blog posting} Hydroquinone has many uses. It is frequently used in professional photography, along with citric acid {derived from lemon juice} as a developing agent.

RE: STUDIES & SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS

The only so-called studiesthat are out there {where an actual scientific experiment was performed} is one where scientistFED hydroquinone powder to lab rats. After months of this, they claim the rats died of cancer. Seriously, we 're all intelligent adults here, does that at all make any sense? Lotions& shampoos are safe for skin & hair, but if I drank an entire bottle of either. Well first, thepoison control center would need to be called, and then I would would be rushed to the hospital to keep me from dying. Eating processed foods over the years will give you colon cancer. Tap water, where do I start:Chlorine,Fluoride,Lithium. All poisonous but in small doses won't kill you, but will kill most bacteria {not including spores} which is why it is used to clean municipal water. And Again, hydroquinone = byproduct of Alpha-Arbutin found in fruit & veggies. I have no idea why these so-called 'scientist' feel the need to blow smoke up everyone's ass.

HOW DID HYDROQUINONE GET THIS BAD REPUTATION?

Well, in certain parts of the world. Skin bleaching is an epidemic. Scam merchants saw a way to exploit and take advantage of individuals who so desperately want lightskin, or 'white skin'. So they use cheap poisonous chemicals that shouldn't be used on human skin, to formulate these 'black market' skin bleaching creams and label them as "hydroquinone cream". Because of this, governments in several countries {UK and West-Africa} have banned hydroquinone skin lighteners all together.The most popular illegal ingredient Mercury. Very poisonous, muchcheaper than hydroquinone powder, lightens skin VERY fast, causes skin ochronosis, and a mess of other health problems. Using mercury based skin bleach causes irreparable skin damage, and sometimes death. If the person doesn't STOP.The other popular illegal ingredient is, steroids as the active ingredient. Steroids are not ment to be used as a skin lightening agent, ever.I will discuss steroids further in the next segment, there is much to explain about steroids. These mercury & steroid creams ruin skin, but the truly sad part is......There are people who are well aware of the dangers, but still purchase these creams because they so desperately want white skin. This is not the way!.

youtube

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/AnxyeYOizT0 {FYI: In certain countries the slang term is just 'white' for light-skin or bleached-skin}

{SIDE BAR: I bleach too, but I do it safely. These ladies here boy...*smh* Seems like they would pour battery acid on their skin if they thought it would make their skin lighter. That one lady over there {@8:26}, is mixing up napalm or something just asfierce*lol*I mean that stuff is for bleaching & coloringhair, not skin!{then had the nerve to mix it with scissors, not knowing the metal is reacting with thechemicalsin that toxic batter}Peroxide 40!? That stuff burns like hell on the scalp, I can't imaginepurposelyputting that on my skin, and leaving on to fry and sizzle. Not to mention, chemical hair coloris poisonous. I remember years ago, hearing about a woman who mysteriously died. An autopsy revealed that 20 yrs of using chemical hair colorwas the cause of her death.}

TOPICAL STEROIDS

Topical: Something that is applied externally to the body - in this case, the skin. Topical steroids are never to be used as a skin lightening agent. Topical steroids will almost completely destroy skin skin when used this way. Skin getting lighter or going'pale' in color, is a side-effect of using topical steroids. The skin lightening is only temporary.

Please understand the word 'steroid' isn't a dirty word. Steroids are very important to the medical community. There are manytypes, many strengths, and many usesfor them all.No matter the reason for use,topical steroids thin the skin.Meaning, it literally makes your skin thinner. When this happens stretch marks appear, the skin is easily broken{cracks and bleeds easily}, pimples and weird bumps appear, and the skin starts to darken horribly in patches, and some times has ashiny taunt look. It is extremely difficult to heal skin that has been traumatized by steroid skin lighteners. The first route of therapy is using Tretinoin Gel, it actually thickens the skin and improves texture. Damage to skin is so much more severe and happen quicker because , people using it as a skin lightener, use it several times a day everyday.

Doctors prescribe topical steroids in severe cases, buteven then the patient is under their close supervision and the doctor is monitoring the condition of their skin. AND it isn't applied several times a day nor over large areas. Said topical steroid is usually and only appliedin cases of a flareup, of whatever the the skin condition is. Just like pain killers {oxycontin,codeine, morphine, etc.}, long term use of topical steroids are not advised because your skin willbecome addicted to them. With topical steroids, it is your skin that becomes addicted,like a dope-fiend tocrack. And when you suddenly stop using a topical steroid, your skin goes through 'withdrawal' just like a dope fiend goes through withdrawals. Any physician worth his salt knows, people need to be graduallywinged off those topical steroids to prevent massive discomfort.

youtube

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Mgfnhb9M9YM

youtube

Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/qig2TNI9Xr0

The lady in the firstvideo used a topical steroids for hereczema, clobetasol ointment is a common corticosteroid prescribed for eczema.I deeply respect the medical community but these topical steroids are prescribed too often for skin issues. Eczema is a long term skin issue, whether it's temporary or for life. It doesn't just go way after a few weeks. So to prescribe something that shouldn't even be used for 6 months, is ridiculous. Again I deeply respect the medical community, but the truth is, medications of any sort do not heal disease, skin or otherwise. They only suppress symptoms. An Eczema sufferer needs herbal healing. Look at that woman's skin {1st video}, she's more inflamed now than before she started with the topical steroids. She should have been informed aboutGerman Chamomile {powerful herbal anti-inflammatory, very expensive but worth it}, Allantoin, Comfrey, organicpeppermint soap, goat milk & oatmeal baths, goat milk lotion, anti-inflammatory herbal baths, and light chemical peels. Anti-inflammatory foods, and to stay away from foods that cause inflammation exacerbating her eczema. These areonly few of the things that can heal inflammatory skin conditions eczema and psoriasis.

WHAT ARE STEROIDS USED FOR

A steroid is a very stronganti-inflammatory medication. Plain & simple.The word or term 'steroids' are sometimes used out of context, incorrectly, or interchangeably with other similar medical terms. The steroids you hearabout athletes getting in trouble for, are synthetic injectable Testosterone. {Testosteroneis important for muscle production ,energy, healthy libido, and sperm productionin men. Testosterone isnaturally producedin thetesticles}. It's not a bad thing to take testosterone, but it should only be in a case of the 'man' being low in testosterone and other male issues, prescribed at the doctors discretion {issues that usually stem from 'male-menopause'}. Also, it's not good for a personto take the same hormone they already produce an abundance of{All humanshave both male & female hormones. Maleshave more testosterone than women, and females have more estrogen than males}. Thiswill cause major issues: Hair loss, mood swings, reproduction issues, mutated reproductive organs{penis shrinking, impotence,ovaries shrinking, infertility,etc},acne, aggressive behavior {rage}, erratic emotional behavior {brought to tears easily}, abnormal hair growth, hairloss, cancer of the reproductive/sex organs, and all types of other physiological problems. Males can take estrogen, and females can take testosterone, safely. But taking the same hormone, is not good. This is why trans-genders can safely go through hormone therapy. Males taking female hormone will completely feminize, and females taking male hormones will become verymasculine. Wow @ how nature works.

Kenalogis an injectable steroid used for skin conditions & severe allergies. Kenalog 10 is injected into keloids to shrink and remove them. Kenalog 40 is much stronger and is use for severe allergies, asthma, and several other health issues. Both can be used to shrink lipoma {benigntumorconsistingoffattissue} or to correct a botched fat-transfer surgery. These procedures need to be performedby a very skilled andexperienced dermatologist.

After reading the above, do you understand what would happen if you useda powerful topical anti-inflammatory {topical steroids} on your skin several times a day for skin-lightening? Listen: If you get a scratch or wound yourskin, the area turns red & swells up if infected or to prevent infection. This is a normal inflammatory response to trauma {or infection}, where white blood cells and lymph is released and crowds the area quarantines the area from the rest of your body. Stopping the bacteria/virus from spreading, and killing off thebacteria or virus. What do you think happens when you 'prevent' this from happening? Exactly. People who use topical steroids are more susceptible to skin infections.You have been thoroughly warned.

IN CLOSING

Hydroquinone is safe, #PERIOD. When used in high doses {10% and higher}you only need to gradually increase dosage before using it full-strength. And after achieving your desired skin tone, you only need maintenance applications {2-3 times weekly} to maintain that color. No withdrawal symptoms will occur if you suddenly stopped using hydroquinone skin bleach, because it's not a topical narcotic. Everyone has a different reason for using skin lighteners, either to rid themselves ofscars or blemishes, or to bleach themselves white. I do not know everyone's reason for using skin bleach, and I don't care. My only concern is educating people on the proper and safe way to lighten or bleach their skin. And to provide people with safe and efficacious skin whiteners.

=============

Visit My Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrganicSkinClinic

=============

#hydroquinone #skin bleaching #arbutin #skin whitening #dark spots

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scifigeneration · 6 years

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Climate change and wildfires – how do we know if there is a link?

by Kevin Trenberth

A firefighter runs after trying to save a home in California. AP Photo/Noah Berger

Once again, the summer and fall of 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere has brought us an epidemic of major wildfires.

These burn forests, houses and other structures, displace thousands of people and animals, and cause major disruptions in people’s lives. The huge burden of simply firefighting has become a year-round task costing billions of dollars, let alone the cost of the destruction. The smoke veil can extend hundreds or even thousands of miles, affecting air quality and visibility. To many people, it has become very clear that human-induced climate change plays a major role by greatly increasing the risk of wildfire.

Yet it seems the role of climate change is seldom mentioned in many or even most news stories about the multitude of fires and heat waves. In part this is because the issue of attribution is not usually clear. The argument is that there have always been wildfires, and how can we attribute any particular wildfire to climate change?

As a climate scientist, I can say this is the wrong framing of the problem. Global warming does not cause wildfires. The proximate cause is often human carelessness (cigarette butts, camp fires not extinguished properly, etc.), or natural, from “dry lightning” whereby a thunderstorm produces lightning but little rain. Rather, global warming exacerbates the conditions and raises the risk of wildfire.

Even so, there is huge complexity and variability from one fire to the next, and hence the attribution can become complex. Instead, the way to think about this is from the standpoint of basic science – in this case, physics.

Global warming is happening

To understand the interplay between global warming and wildfires, consider what’s happening to our planet.

The composition of the atmosphere is changing from human activities: There has been over a 40 percent increase in carbon dioxide, mainly from fossil fuel burning since the 1800s, and over half of the increase is since 1985. Other heat-trapping gases (methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) are also increasing in concentration in the atmosphere from human activities. The rates are accelerating, not declining (as hoped for with the Paris Agreement).

This leads to an energy imbalance for the planet.

The flows of energy through the climate system are schematically illustrated with numbers on the top-of-atmosphere values and net energy imbalance at the surface. Trenberth et al 2009

Heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere act as a blanket and inhibit the infrared radiation – that is, heat from the Earth – from escaping back into space to offset the continual radiation coming from the sun. As these gases build up, more of this energy, mostly in the form of heat, remains in our atmosphere. The energy raises the temperature of the land, oceans and atmosphere, melts ice, thaws permafrost and fuels the water cycle through evaporation.

Moreover, we can estimate Earth’s energy imbalance quite well: It amounts to about 1 watt per square meter, or about 500 terawatts globally.

While this factor is small compared with the natural flow of energy through the system, which is 240 watts per square meter, it is large compared with all other direct effects of human activities. For instance, the electrical power generation in the U.S. last year averaged 0.46 terawatts.

The extra heat is always the same sign and it is spread across the globe. Accordingly, where this energy accumulates matters.

Tracking the Earth’s energy imbalance

The heat mostly accumulates ultimately in the ocean – over 90 percent. This added heat means the ocean expands and sea level rises.

Heat also accumulates in melting ice, causing melting Arctic sea ice and glacier losses in Greenland and Antarctica. This adds water to the ocean, and so the sea level rises from this as well, rising at a rate of over 3 milimeters year, or over a foot per century.

Global ocean heat content for the top 2000 meters of the ocean, with uncertainty estimates by the pink region. ScienceAdvances, CC BY-NC

On land, the effects of the energy imbalance are complicated by water. If water is present, the heat mainly goes into evaporation and drying, and that feeds moisture into storms, which produce heavier rain. But the effects do not accumulate provided that it rains on and off.

However, in a dry spell or drought, the heat accumulates. Firstly, it dries things out, and then secondly it raises temperatures. Of course, “it never rains in Southern California” according to the 1970s pop song, at least in the summer half year.

So water acts as the air conditioner of the planet. In the absence of water, the excess heat effects accumulate on land both by drying everything out and wilting plants, and by raising temperatures. In turn, this leads to heat waves and increased risk of wildfire. These factors apply in regions in the western U.S. and in regions with Mediterranean climates. Indeed many of the recent wildfires have occurred not only in the West in the United States but also in Portugal, Spain, Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean.

A satellite image of the Carr fire in California. Drought conditions, in addition to a lot of dead trees and vegetation, are contributing to another year of severe wildfires. NASA

The conditions can also develop in other parts of the world when strong high pressure weather domes (anticyclones) stagnate, as can happen in part by chance, or with increased odds in some weather patterns such as those established by either La Niña or El Niño events (in different places). It is expected that these dry spots move around from year to year, but that their abundance increases over time, as is clearly happening.

How big is the energy imbalance effect over land? Well, 1 watt per square meter over a month, if accumulated, is equivalent to 720 watts per square meter over one hour; 720 watts is equivalent to full power in a small microwave oven. One square meter is about 10 square feet. Hence, after one month this is equivalent to one microwave oven at full power every square foot for six minutes. No wonder things catch on fire!

Attribution science

Coming back to the original question of wildfires and global warming, this explains the argument: There is extra heat available from climate change, and the above indicates just how large it is.

In reality there is moisture in the soil, and plants have root systems that tap soil moisture and delay the effects before they begin to wilt, so that it typically takes over two months for the effects to be large enough to fully set the stage for wildfires. On a day-to-day basis, the effect is small enough to be lost in the normal weather variability. But after a dry spell of over a month, the risk is noticeably higher. And of course the global mean surface temperature is also going up.

“We can’t attribute a single event to climate change” has been a mantra of climate scientists for a long time. It has recently changed, however.

As in the wildfires example, there has been a realization that climate scientists may be able to make useful statements by assuming that the weather events themselves are relatively unaffected by climate change. This is a good assumption.

Also, climate scientists cannot say that extreme events are due to global warming, because that is a poorly posed question. However, we can say it is highly likely that they would not have had such extreme impacts without global warming. Indeed, all weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be.

In particular, by focusing on Earth’s energy imbalance, new research is expected to advance the understanding of what is happening and why, and what it implies for the future.

This article was updated on November 10, 2018 to indicate the article is addressing the fire season in the summer and fall.

About The Author:

Kevin Trenberth is a Distinguished Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

This article is republished from our content partners at The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

#science #climate science #science news #california wildfires

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isidaclinic-blog · 6 years

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How to survive a miscarriage – recommendations from a psychologist

Positive thoughts, emotions and good mood play an incredibly important role in our life, health and well-being. Loss of the desired pregnancy is a real tragedy in every woman’s life. She experiences this loss on four levels - hormonal, mental, emotional and social, because her body is created as the cradle of a new life. Moreover, if it repeats more than once or twice, even the strongest person can give up. In a situation like this, the most important thing is not to lose hope and belief in your own abilities, to move on and not to fight all alone with this misfortune.

Close friends and relatives can help a woman to overcome her grief. However, their assistance can be effective only in case they are aware of the basics of psychological support in such situations.

How to help overcome pregnancy loss: tips for friends and relatives

If someone of your relatives or friends has experienced a pregnancy loss, you can support them with the words: “You are not alone. I am very sorry this happened. How can I help?” Try to help a woman acknowledge her right to grieve - this is the first small step towards full recovery.

Overcoming a grief has its way. It can consist of 5 stages of overcoming a psycho-traumatic situation:

1. Negation. "No! It cannot be real! "

2. Anger. "I hate everything and everyone!"

3. Search for reasons. "Why? Who is guilty? Why me?"

4. Apathy. Depression. "I don’t want anything ... I have no strength left ..."

5. Acceptance. “I can't change anything in the past. But I still have a present and a future”.

The progress of the state has individual duration and intensity in each case. A person, depending on individual characteristics, can skip several stages or get stuck on one thing, go back to something and move forward again. The main purpose of getting out of a traumatic situation consists of reality acceptance and self-tapering of living with this new experience of grief. Why is it important to accept and outlive these emotions? Because this will help you to let them go in the future.

Dealing with destructive thoughts and feelings

Destructive thoughts and feelings that woman may experience after miscarriage can be directed both towards herself and to those around her. Concerning oneself, she may suffer from feelings of guilt, of inadequate, of being broken, devastated, pathetic and even dirty. Regarding the others, she may develop a complex of self-reduction, a false impression of condemnation from others, lack of sympathy and understanding.

To overcome this state it is necessary:

• to chat with friends and family members;

• to express the emotions and feelings through painting, poetry, writing, keeping diaries;

• to make a group of support whom you can trust (these can be close friends, relatives, professional psychologists).

It is very important not to ignore these emotions and not to hide them from yourself, namely, to outlive them and let them go. Be patient, give yourself as much time as you need.

When do you need help from a psychologist

If the condition does not change, and you feel that your emotions are moving in a closed circle, while depression and indifference increase, keep in mind that this may be a sign of the formation of a psychological complication, known as the syndrome of complicated grief. The main symptoms are: anxiety, stupor, fear of children or obsession with another child, similar memories, nightmares. Like any complication, this syndrome requires the immediate help of specialists. A psychologist or psychotherapist can quickly help you break the vicious circle and find a constructive way out of this situation.

Symptoms of behavioral deviation after pregnancy loss

Deviation usually begins as a defense reaction to very strong emotions in the form of masking or denying grief and loss. It may occur daily or periodically. Exacerbations may be caused by certain dates (anniversary of miscarriage, planned date of birth, etc.).

The main symptoms of deviation are:

• continuous baseless anxiety;

• eating disorders (fasting or constant overeating);

• rejection of marital relations and communication with relatives;

• addiction formation (games, drugs, alcohol, etc.);

• work addiction or any phobia;

• sexual dysfunction or violent relationships.

All of these conditions are associated with a complicated experience of loss and require professional help. Do not give up!

What is important to know after miscarriage

To avoid the complications associated with pregnancy loss and to continue to live with the belief that everything will be fine, it is very important to understand the following: the possibility of full recovery is as real as the fact of loss. In the grief itself, there is a potential for recovery. There is no predictable loss experience. Every person is unhappy in his own way. Predictable only the availability of output and constructive solutions.

Even very close and empathic relatives or friends are not always capable of providing an adequate support. You need to understand this and contact the experts timely.

General recommendations of a psychologist

In any situation, it is better to except the reality and let your emotions out. If a woman survives a traumatic situation alone, then she needs to speak out about it, record thoughts in a diary, on a dictaphone. After the recording, it is important to review the record for several times and, if she decides that everything has been said, to destroy it. She can write a few symbolic letters and talk about current feelings and experiences. The purpose of these activities is to release the pain and alleviate the suffering.

If there is a close circle of people that helps to survive the loss, it is necessary to speak through all the memories associated with the circumstances of the incident (from the moment when you decided to have a baby or learned about pregnancy until the very fact of loss). If you doubt exactly who you can trust, the ideal solution would be to contact a specialist.

The help of a psychologist is necessary if:

• the period lasts for more than 3-4 weeks;

• there is no trustee with whom you could speak about all the stages of the situation;

• there is a feeling that the grief is long and there is no way out;

• there is a feeling that you cannot cope with the problem yourself;

• there are signs of destructive behavior;

• there is a need for support and understanding.

Your main goal is not just to survive the loss, but to fully restore the resources for future life and new projects. Everyone experiences grief in his own way, at his own pace. But most importantly is to always feel supported. Believe in the best - and you will succeed!

Phone: +380 (44) 455 88 14; (044) 490-95-24

Viber: +380 (67) 333 88 14

Skype: ISIDA International

Address: 65, Vatslava Gavela Blvd, Kyiv, Ukraine

https://isida-ivf.com

#isida #pregnanc #miscarriage #pregnancy loss

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paleorecipecookbook · 6 years

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Do You Need to Increase Your Daily Carb Intake?

Are you an advocate of the low-carb lifestyle or the ketogenic diet? If you’ve been experiencing problems like fatigue, constipation, or a weight loss plateau, it could be a sign that it’s time to increase your daily carb intake.

In this article, I’ll discuss how to figure out your ideal carb intake—and I’ll talk about when it makes sense to stay low-carb.

Who Should Avoid a Low-Carb Diet?

Carbohydrates and fat are the two primary energy sources for your body. Carbs also fill a variety of important roles in your health and are a great source of antioxidants and micronutrients.

There are also a handful of life stages and health conditions for which low-carbohydrate diets are not recommended. If you fall into one of these categories, I recommend you increase your daily carb intake. Otherwise, you risk harming your health.

Are you following the low-carb diet trend? While kicking refined sugars off your plate is a great step, in some cases, restricting your daily carb intake too much can harm your health. Check out this article to find out if you’re eating enough carbs.

Pregnant and Lactating Women

Pregnancy is not the time to experiment with this type of diet. In fact, traditional cultures have long understood the importance of optimal nutrition and carbohydrate intake during the preconception period, pregnancy, and lactation.

Weston A. Price, who traveled the globe in the early 20th century studying the dietary habits of traditional cultures, noted that women in African tribes were strongly encouraged to eat two carbohydrate-rich grains, linga-linga (a botanical relative of quinoa) and red millet, during pregnancy and the nursing period. (1) These people understood, through the transgenerational passing of accumulated wisdom and experience, that carbohydrates were crucial for women during these time periods.

We now understand on a scientific level that carbohydrates are necessary during pregnancy.

They ensure optimal brain growth and development in the fetus. A lack of carbohydrates and overall energy during the preconception period and pregnancy, as observed in the famous studies of children conceived and born during the Dutch Hunger Winter of WWII, reduces the amount of glucose available to the fetus. This ultimately results in smaller infant size and impaired mental health and metabolism later in life. (2, 3)

Furthermore, research has linked a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy to increased cortisol in offspring. (4) Alarmingly, following a ketogenic diet during pregnancy also reduces the size of the child’s critical brain regions and has other effects on their brain’s structure. (5) The long-term health implications of these changes remain largely unknown, but it is reasonable to say that low-carb diets are best avoided during pregnancy.

The harmful effects of low-carb diets on infants are not limited to preconception and pregnancy; a low-carb diet during lactation may alter milk production and composition and reduce infant growth. (6)

Based on this evidence, pregnant and lactating women should aim for a moderate carbohydrate intake, which I define as approximately 30 percent of your total calories.

For more information about the complex role that carbohydrates play in pregnancy, check out my article “Do Low-Carb Diets During Pregnancy Increase the Risk of Birth Defects?”

Children

Low-carb diets are not recommended for children. Sometimes, children with gut issues such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or neurobehavioral disorders such as autism or ADHD, are put on reduced-carbohydrate diets by their well-intentioned parents to control gut dysbiosis or manage blood sugar. This is problematic. Carbohydrates are required to fuel weight gain and brain development in growing children. They’re part of the healthy diet kids need to thrive.

While adults can thrive on low-carb diets that strictly limit calories from carbs because they are no longer growing, kids can’t.

In fact, children who have to rely on dietary protein and fat for energy often don’t grow or function as well as their counterparts. They may even overproduce toxic by-products of protein catabolism, such as urea and ammonia.

If your child is struggling with gut or attention issues, focus on balancing his or her blood sugar with a diet that includes complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein, along with interventions that correct dysbiosis and optimize brain function. Don’t cut out carbohydrates.

Athletes

When we eat foods containing glucose, some of that glucose is used to build a branched polysaccharide called glycogen. The liver and skeletal muscle are the primary sites of glycogen synthesis in the body. Along with fat, glycogen serves as an important energy substrate during exercise.

The cyclical depletion and repletion of muscle glycogen that occurs in athletes often requires a high carb intake to sustain. In many athletes, carbohydrate intake has a direct impact on their ability to perform well in their chosen sport. (7, 8) However, the amount of carbs athletes need each day depends on several factors, including:

Sex

Degree of metabolic flexibility

The type of physical activity being performed

Do All Athletes Need to Eat High-Carb Diets?

For decades, the prevailing dogma in sports nutrition has been that endurance athletes need to eat large amounts of carbohydrates to continually replenish their glycogen stores. However, new research indicates that ketones, organic molecules produced by the liver when it breaks down fat for energy, are ideal fuel sources for the low-intensity, long-range exertion of endurance sports. (9, 10, 11)

This new research—and the experiences of a growing number of athletes who are crushing it on ketogenic diets—suggests that low-carb diets may be safe and effective for endurance athletes.

However, the caveat is that most of the research on ketogenic diets in endurance athletes has been performed on men—women are sorely underrepresented. This means that we can’t necessarily conclude that female endurance athletes will respond favorably to this type of diet. Endurance exercise frequently disrupts the delicate hormonal balance in female athletes; a low-carb diet may further stress the endocrine system and contribute to the “female athlete triad,” a constellation of symptoms like:

Insufficient calorie intake

Amenorrhea

Osteoporosis

And, while endurance athletes may thrive on a low-carb diet, activities that involve explosive movements, such as martial arts and CrossFit, are highly glycolytic and usually require a higher carbohydrate intake.

The takeaway here is that every athlete’s carbohydrate needs are unique.

If you’ve been on a low-carb diet for months and are struggling in your workouts, it may be time to increase your daily carb intake. Even going from a low-carb to a moderate-carb diet can produce significant gains in strength and endurance.

For reference, the low end of carb intake for athletes is approximately 20 percent of total calorie intake, whereas the high end is 30 to 40 percent of total calorie intake. Athletes need to experiment to find their carbohydrate intake “sweet spot” that fuels their chosen sports while also supporting the health of their minds and bodies over the long-term.

People with Hypothyroidism

The amount of carbs you eat each day has a significant effect on thyroid function. Insulin, which is needed for the conversion of inactive T4 to active T3 hormone, is secreted by the pancreas in response to ingested carbohydrates. Insulin levels are generally low on low-carb diets. If you’ve been eating low-carb for a while and are struggling with hypothyroid symptoms like cold hands and feet, thinning hair, constipation, and fatigue, you may want to consider increasing your daily carb intake.

Those with HPA Axis Dysregulation

The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is the body’s central stress response system. HPA axis dysregulation is triggered by chronic stress that erodes the body’s resilience and metabolic reserve. It leads to changes in the output of hormones and neurotransmitters such as:

Cortisol

DHEA

Melatonin

Epinephrine

High cortisol is a common problem for people with HPA axis dysregulation, and low-carb diets may exacerbate the problem because they increase cortisol. (12) Slightly increasing your carbohydrate intake may be a helpful adjunct treatment in a comprehensive plan designed to correct HPA axis dysfunction.

How to Figure Out Your Ideal Daily Carb Intake

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to carbohydrate intake. In The Paleo Cure, I broke down different carb intakes by percent of total calories and grams per day and included indications for each level of intake.

Carb intake as a percentage of total calories Carb intake for men in grams based on a 2,600-kcal diet Carb intake for women in grams based on a 2,000-kcal diet Consider this diet if you: Very low carb <10% <65 g <50 g Have neurological issues (like epilepsy or Alzheimer’s disease or severe blood sugar problems) Low carb 10–15% 65–100 g 50–75 g Are trying to lose weight, regulate blood sugar, correct mood disturbances, or fix digestive problems Moderate carb 15–30% 100–200 g 75–150 g Are generally healthy and want to maintain your current weight, or you are suffering from HPA axis dysregulation, hypothyroidism, or familial hypercholesterolemia High carb >30% >200 g >150 g Are an athlete or highly active person, are trying to gain weight or muscle mass, have a fast metabolism, or are pregnant or breastfeeding

Take a look at this chart and get a feel for which category best fits your needs. Once you have selected a category, use the three-step process below to determine your ideal daily carb intake.

1. Consider Your Current Health Status

It is important to consider your current state of health when figuring out your optimal carbohydrate intake. For example, someone who is pre-diabetic or diabetic is likely to reap more benefit from a low-carb diet than an athlete with well-controlled blood sugar.

Another important aspect of your health to consider is your digestion. Does eating carbs give you gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation? If so, limiting your intake, even for a short period of time while you pursue treatment, may be useful. If you struggle with HPA axis dysregulation, are a woman looking to optimize your fertility, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you should aim for a moderate carbohydrate intake.

2. Determine Your Daily Calorie Needs and Calculate Your Ideal Carb Intake

The first step here is to determine your daily calorie needs. You can use a tool such as this BMR calculator from Many Tools. Once you have a value for your calorie needs, you can experiment with different ratios of carbs in your diet.

For example, if your daily energy needs are 2,000 calories and you’d like to aim for a moderate carb intake (30 percent of total calories), multiply 2,000 by 0.30. This comes out to 600 calories from carbs per day. Next, with the understanding that there are 4 calories in a gram of carbohydrates, divide 600 by 4 to get 150 grams; this is the number of grams of carbs you should eat per day.

3. Track Your Daily Carb Intake

Use an app, such as MealLogger or Eat This Much, to help you track how many carbs you eat in a day. Document how you feel either in an app or food journal.

One of the benefits of using Eat This Much is that the app can adjust your macronutrient percentages and automatically generate meal plans for you that fit within those parameters. This makes it easy to experiment with different carb intakes, track your results, and change course if needed.

When a Low-Carb Diet Is a Good Idea

While it makes sense for some people to eat more carbs, they can be problematic for others. Low-carb diets can help people with:

Blood sugar issues

SIBO

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)

Neurological disorders

Mental health disorders

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Some forms of cancer

If you have one of these health issues, eating more carbs may not be the right choice for you.

You Are Overweight or Obese

A growing body of research indicates that low-carbohydrate diets are useful for promoting weight loss. (13, 14) Eating low-carb encourages weight loss by spontaneously reducing calorie intake, stabilizing blood sugar, and boosting insulin sensitivity. These diets also tend to be higher in protein, which has satiating effects and decreases your appetite and food intake.

You Have Blood Sugar Imbalances

Blood sugar imbalances have several harmful effects on the body. Elevated blood sugar promotes chronic inflammation, which is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including:

Type 2 diabetes

Alzheimer’s disease

Heart disease

Cancer

Diets high in refined carbohydrates promote chronically elevated blood sugar, which may eventually morph into insulin resistance or diabetes. A high refined carbohydrate intake can also provoke reactive hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood sugar drops too low following a meal, resulting in anxiety, dizziness, shakiness, hunger, and brain fog.

If you are prone to high blood sugar or blood sugar fluctuations, you may want to eat fewer carbs in a day. That will help stabilize your levels and prevent the symptoms associated with the blood sugar “roller coaster.”

You Have a Neurological Disorder

Research indicates that blood sugar dysregulation plays an important role in neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS. In fact, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and dementia all respond favorably to a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets are very low in carbohydrates and cause the body to rely on ketone bodies rather than glucose for energy. (15, 16, 17)

You Suffer from a Mood Disorder

Blood sugar regulation is closely tied to mood and mental health. Research has found that a high sugar intake and poor glycemic control (i.e., blood sugar swings) negatively impact mood and psychological health. (18, 19) Interestingly, the ketogenic diet has demonstrated effects similar to antidepressant drugs, suggesting that following this type of lifestyle may benefit people with mood disorders. (20) However, some people experience increased anxiety on a low-carb diet, so ultimately, you’ll need to experiment to determine what best supports your mental health.

You Have PCOS

Between 5 and 10 percent of women of childbearing age in the United States have PCOS, making it one of the most common hormonal disorders in women. Adopting a low-carb diet can be a beneficial approach to PCOS because it alleviates the hallmark symptoms of the disease. It promotes weight loss, reduces free testosterone and the LH/FSH ratio, and decreases fasting insulin. (21, 22)

You Have a Digestive Disorder

People with SIBO and GERD often find that carbohydrates exacerbate their digestive problems. A restricted intake of fermentable carbohydrates, particularly FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), can work wonders to reduce symptoms of GI distress. However, some people with SIBO and GERD do fine with moderate amounts of starches like white rice and plantains. If you have SIBO or GERD, self-experimentation can help you determine if low-carb works for you.

You Have Cancer

Some (but not all) research suggests that low-carbohydrate diets may be beneficial in the treatment of certain cancers. Cancer cells require glucose for fuel. The theory is that by reducing glucose intake, it may be possible to “starve” cancer cells and inhibit their survival and proliferation. (23) While not all cancers respond, low-carb diets have demonstrated good results in brain, prostate, and colon cancers. (24, 25, 26)

Now, I’d like to hear from you. Do you follow the low-carb lifestyle? What’s your daily carb intake? Are you thinking of switching to a moderate- or high-carb diet? Let me know below in the comment section!

The post Do You Need to Increase Your Daily Carb Intake? appeared first on Chris Kresser.

Source: http://chriskresser.com October 04, 2018 at 08:06PM

#paleo #recipe #food #delicious #healthy #yum #diet

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Obese patients receive worse care solely based on their weight

”You must lose weight, a doctor told Sarah Bramblette, advising a 1,200-calorie-a-day diet. But Ms. Bramblette had a basic question: How much do I weigh?

The doctor’s scale went up to 350 pounds, and she was heavier than that. If she did not know the number, how would she know if the diet was working?

The doctor had no answer. So Ms. Bramblette, 39, who lived in Ohio at the time, resorted to a solution that made her burn with shame. She drove to a nearby junkyard that had a scale that could weigh her. She was 502 pounds.

One in three Americans is obese, a rate that has been steadily growing for more than two decades, but the health care system — in its attitudes, equipment and common practices — is ill prepared, and its practitioners are often unwilling, to treat the rising population of fat patients.

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The difficulties range from scales and scanners, like M.R.I. machines that are not built big enough for very heavy people, to surgeons who categorically refuse to give knee or hip replacements to the obese, to drug doses that have not been calibrated for obese patients. The situation is particularly thorny for the more than 15 million Americans who have extreme obesity — a body mass index of 40 or higher — and face a wide range of health concerns.

Part of the problem, both patients and doctors say, is a reluctance to look beyond a fat person’s weight. Patty Nece, 58, of Alexandria, Va., went to an orthopedist because her hip was aching. She had lost nearly 70 pounds and, although she still had a way to go, was feeling good about herself. Until she saw the doctor.

“He came to the door of the exam room, and I started to tell him my symptoms,” Ms. Nece said. “He said: ‘Let me cut to the chase. You need to lose weight.’”

The doctor, she said, never examined her. But he made a diagnosis, “obesity pain,” and relayed it to her internist. In fact, she later learned, she had progressive scoliosis, a condition not caused by obesity.

Dr. Louis J. Aronne, an obesity specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine, helped found the American Board of Obesity Medicine to address this sort of issue. The goal is to help doctors learn how to treat obesity and serve as a resource for patients seeking doctors who can look past their weight when they have a medical problem.

Dr. Aronne says patients recount stories like Ms. Nece’s to him all the time.

“Our patients say: ‘Nobody has ever treated me like I have a serious problem. They blow it off and tell me to go to Weight Watchers,’” Dr. Aronne said.

“Physicians need better education, and they need a different attitude toward people who have obesity,” he said. “They need to recognize that this is a disease like diabetes or any other disease they are treating people for.”

The issues facing obese people follow them through the medical system, starting with the physical exam.

Research has shown that doctors may spend less time with obese patients and fail to refer them for diagnostic tests. One study asked 122 primary care doctors affiliated with one of three hospitals within the Texas Medical Center in Houston about their attitudes toward obese patients. The doctors “reported that seeing patients was a greater waste of their time the heavier that they were, that physicians would like their jobs less as their patients increased in size, that heavier patients were viewed to be more annoying, and that physicians felt less patience the heavier the patient was,” the researchers wrote.

Other times, doctors may be unwittingly influenced by unfounded assumptions, attributing symptoms like shortness of breath to the person’s weight without investigating other likely causes.

That happened to a patient who eventually went to see Dr. Scott Kahan, an obesity specialist at Georgetown University. The patient, a 46-year-old woman, suddenly found it almost impossible to walk from her bedroom to her kitchen. Those few steps left her gasping for breath. Frightened, she went to a local urgent care center, where the doctor said she had a lot of weight pressing on her lungs. The only thing wrong with her, the doctor said, was that she was fat.

“I started to cry,” said the woman, who asked not to be named to protect her privacy. “I said: ‘I don’t have a sudden weight pressing on my lungs. I’m really scared. I’m not able to breathe.’”

“That’s the problem with obesity,” she said the doctor told her. “Have you ever considered going on a diet?”

It turned out that the woman had several small blood clots in her lungs, a life-threatening condition, Dr. Kahan said.

For many, the next step in a diagnosis involves a scan, like a CT or M.R.I. But many extremely heavy people cannot fit in the scanners, which, depending on the model, typically have weight limits of 350 to 450 pounds.

Scanners that can handle very heavy people are manufactured, but one national survey found that at least 90 percent of emergency rooms did not have them. Even four in five community hospitals that were deemed bariatric surgery centers of excellence lacked scanners that could handle very heavy people. Yet CT or M.R.I. imaging is needed to evaluate patients with a variety of ailments, including trauma, acute abdominal pain, lung blood clots and strokes.

When an obese patient cannot fit in a scanner, doctors may just give up. Some use X-rays to scan, hoping for the best. Others resort to more extreme measures. Dr. Kahan said another doctor had sent one of his patients to a zoo for a scan. She was so humiliated that she declined requests for an interview.

Problems do not end with a diagnosis. With treatments, uncertainties continue to abound.

In cancer, for example, obese patients tend to have worse outcomes and a higher risk of death — a difference that holds for every type of cancer.

The disease of obesity might exacerbate cancer, said Dr. Clifford Hudis, the chief executive officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

But, he added, another reason for poor outcomes in obese cancer patients is almost certainly that medical care is compromised. Drug doses are usually based on standard body sizes or surface areas. The definition of a standard size, Dr. Hudis said, is often based on data involving people from decades ago, when the average person was thinner.

For fat people, that might lead to underdosing for some drugs, but it is hard to know without studying specific drug effects in heavier people, and such studies are generally not done. Without that data, if someone does not respond to a cancer drug, it is impossible to know whether the dose was wrong or the patient’s tumor was just resisting the drug.

One of the most frequent medical problems in obese patients is arthritis of the hip or knee. It is so common, in fact, that most patients arriving at orthopedists’ offices in agonizing pain from hip or knee arthritis are obese. But many orthopedists will not offer surgery unless the patients first lose weight, said Dr. Adolph J. Yates Jr., an orthopedics professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“There are offices that will screen by phone,” Dr. Yates said. “They will ask for weight and height and tell patients before they see them that they can’t help them.”

But how well grounded are those weight limits?

“There is a perception among some surgeons that it is more difficult, and certainly some felt it was an added risk,” to operate on very obese people, Dr. Yates said. He was a member of a committee that reviewed the risks and benefits of joint replacement in obese patients for the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. The group concluded that heavy patients should first be counseled to lose weight because a lower weight reduces stress on the joints and can alleviate pain without surgery.

But there should not be blanket refusals to operate on fat people, the committee wrote. Those with a body mass index over 40 — like a 5-foot-5-inch woman weighing 250 pounds or a 6-foot man weighing 300 — and who cannot lose weight should be informed that their risks are greater, but they should not be categorically dismissed, the group concluded.

Dr. Yates said he had successfully operated on people with body mass indexes as high as 45. What is behind the refusals to operate, he said, is that doctors and hospitals have become risk-averse because they fear their ratings will fall if too many patients have complications.

A lower score can mean reductions in reimbursements by Medicare. Poor results can also lead to penalties for hospitals and, eventually, doctors.

A recent survey of more than 700 hip and knee surgeons confirmed Dr. Yates’s impressions. Sixty-two percent said they used body mass index scores as cutoffs for requiring weight loss before offering surgery. But there was no consistency in the figures they picked.

“The numbers were all over the map,” Dr. Yates said. And 42 percent who picked a body mass index cutoff said they had done so because they were worried about their performance score or that of their hospital.

“It’s very common to pick an arbitrary B.M.I. number and say, ‘That is the number we won’t go above,’” Dr. Yates said. Yet a person with an index of, say, 41 might be healthy and active, he said, but in terrible pain from arthritis. A knee replacement could be life transforming.

“It’s a zero-sum game, with everyone trying to have the lowest-risk patient,” Dr. Yates said. “Patients who may be at a marginally higher risk may be treated as a class instead of individuals. That is the definition of discrimination.”

Surgery involves anesthesia, of course, giving rise to another issue.

There are no requirements for drug makers to figure out appropriate doses for obese patients. Only a few medical experts, like Dr. Hendrikus Lemmens, a professor of anesthesiology at Stanford University, have tried to provide answers.

His group looked at several drugs: propofol, which puts people to sleep before they get general anesthesia; succinylcholine, used to relax muscles in the windpipe when a breathing tube must be inserted; and anesthetic gases.

Propofol doses, Dr. Lemmens found, should be based on lean body weight — the weight of the body minus its fat. Using total body weight, as is routine for normal-weight people, would result in an overdose for obese patients, he said. But succinylcholine doses should be based on total body weight, he determined, and the dosing of anesthetic gases is not significantly affected by obesity.

As for regional anesthetics, he said, “There are very few data, but they probably should be dosed according to lean body weight.”

“Bad outcomes because of inappropriate dosing do occur,” said Dr. Lemmens, who added that 20 to 30 percent of all obese patients in intensive care after surgery were there because of anesthetic complications. Given the uncertainties about anesthetic doses for the obese, Dr. Lemmens said, he suspects that a significant number of them had inappropriate dosing.

Yet for many fat people, the questions about appropriate medical care are beside the point because they stay away from doctors.

“I have avoided going to a doctor at all,” said Sarai Walker, the author of “Dietland,” a novel. “That is very common with fat people. No matter what the problem is, the doctor will blame it on fat and will tell you to lose weight.”

“Do you think I don’t know I am fat?” she added.”

from the article Why Do Obese Patients Get Worse Care? Many Doctors Don’t See Past the Fat by Gina Kolata

#sociology #health #obesity #healthcare #discrimination #fatphobia #healthcare discrimination #united states

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