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Potential Side Effects of Covid-19 Medicines on Mother and Baby (Fetus)

Pregnancy is a state when the woman’s immune system is partially suppressed and hence is more vulnerable to infections. Even mild influenza possesses a high risk of morbidity. Despite a year to the first incidence of coronavirus disease in Wuhan, there is little research available on the effects of covid on pregnant women’s health and fetal development. No relation between pregnancy and increased susceptibility to covid has been drawn till now.

However, contracting the disease during your pregnancy can increase the risk of severe illness, and pregnant women are likely to develop respiratory complications that require intensive care and ventilators. Some studies also claim that covid19 can cause premature birth and increase the risk of miscarriages.

In this article, we shall look at six drugs commonly used for the disease’s treatment and their side effects.

1. Remdesivir

2. Dexamethasone

3. Tocilizumab

4. Favipiravir

5. Casirivimab and Imdevimab

6. Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine

Read More

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Pregnancy is a state when the woman’s immune system is partially suppressed and hence is more vulnerable to infections.

There is little research available on the effects of covid on pregnant women’s health and fetal development. No relation between pregnancy and increased susceptibility to covid has been drawn till now.

However, contracting the disease during your pregnancy can increase the risk of severe illness, and pregnant women are likely to develop respiratory complications that require intensive care and ventilators. Some studies also claim that covid19 can cause premature birth and increase the risk of miscarriages.

In this article, we shall look at six drugs commonly used for the disease’s treatment and their side effects.

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8 Tips for Raising a Child with Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that is seen in the early childhood of some kids. ASD lasts throughout a person’s life.

The disorder directly impacts the mental and emotional growth of a person. Many people wonder why it is called a “spectrum” disorder. Well, it is known as a spectrum disorder because it shows a range of symptoms just like the spectrum.

Causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder

There is no particular cause known for Autism yet. It is said that ASD is caused by abnormalities in the brain’s function.

What are the Symptoms of Autism in Children?

Children with Autism spectrum disorder might not reach the same developmental process as other kids. Such children may even showcase the loss of both the social and language skills they had previously developed.

Kids with autism may have trouble interacting with other kids or people. They prefer staying with themselves and dislike almost everyone around them. Such kids find it arduous to fit in a routine or environment.

How to Raise a Child with Autism

Be consistent:

Appreciate little achievements:

Stick to a schedule:

Accept your child:

Learn more about the child:

Participate in a support group:

Take your child along with you:

Conclusion

Just like any other disorder, children with autism spectrum disorder often respond well to positive environments. Try to remain calm and collected around the child. A tranquil and encouraging environment will motivate your child to improve faster.

Read More: 8 Tips for Raising a Child with Autism

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Mental Conditions a Woman Faces During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a much-celebrated phase in a woman’s life and is generally considered a time of emotional enrichment. It is a time of excitement, happiness and joy for the family. However, the hormonal rush brings forth a plethora of physical and emotional changes that can sometimes be overwhelming for the woman to deal with. It is absolutely normal to have some anxiety and apprehension of the unknown. Emotional sensitivity and mood swings are in fact considered as early signs of pregnancy and get easier to deal with after some time. However, some pregnant women experience depression and major stress during their pregnancy period; which can be a threat to both the mother’s and baby’s health.

Physiological Conditions Develop During Pregnancy

The most common symptom experienced by pregnant women is mood swings. Many women feel nervous or unusually sad during the first trimester as a result of their hormones. It is quite normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you are feeling down all the time, it could be a sign of something more serious going on.

Some mental health problems faced by women in their pregnancy are: – Depression – Anxiety – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Panic disorder – Bipolar disorder – Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Eating disorders

There is also the added stress of morning sickness. Some women experience vomiting up to 15 times a day!

Statistics Related to Mental Health of Women During Pregnancy

According to a study published by Physiology Today blog in July 2020 that included both pregnant and postpartum women, more than 70% women reported clinically significant depression and at least 40% tested positive for PTSD.

Causes of Anxiety in Pregnant Women

Mental problems are nothing to be ashamed of. It needs to be acknowledged and treated properly. There is no single reason that can be pin pointed as the cause of mental health disorders during pregnancy, however. Over the years, psychologists have narrowed down a few causative factors.

When to Get Help

While emotional changes are expected, it is still important to monitor your mental well-being and keep an eye out for signs that you might need help.

You constantly feel sad or listless for over 2 weeks.

You are having constant negative thoughts and fears which are interfering with your daily life.

You are losing hopes and interest; showing signs of depression.

You are worried most of the time and are waking up due to nightmares.

You are experiencing panic attacks too frequently.

You are developing an aversion to food.

General Lifestyle Changes to Manage Mental Health While you are Expecting

Try to spend time doing activities that you like and those which relax you. For example: painting, reading, etc.

Spend more time with people who make you feel good about yourself. This will create a positive environment around you and prevent stress.

Maintain a healthy diet and eat regularly. This will also provide proper nutrients to the fetus.

Importance of Mental Well-Being During Pregnancy

Not just during pregnancy, it is important to be mentally sound in general. A sound mind results in a healthy body and a positive attitude. Mental affects our skin, weight, reception and overall health. Obviously, the mental health of a pregnant woman affects the child. It has been shown that depressed women give birth to underweight babies. A mother’s untreated mental illness during pregnancy can produce complications in the child’s brain growth as well.

Treatments Available To Combat Pregnancy-Related Mental Disorders 1. Prescribed Medication 2. Talk Therapy 3. Other Methods 4. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Pregnancy blues is a real thing; just like postpartum depression. It is nothing to feel embarrassed or guilty about and can be averted easily. Do not hesitate to ask for help when you feel the need to. Remember, you cannot control everything and try to enjoy yourself in the experience.

Read More: Mental Conditions a Woman Faces During Pregnancy

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There are several different types of therapy are available for anxiety, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and behaviour therapy. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and all you have to do is muster up enough courage and ask for help. A sound mind can only lead to a healthy body and a productive life.

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Types of Therapy for Anxiety Disorder

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, and this year’s theme was “MENTAL HEALTH IS FOR ALL”. However, the scenario around mental health in India is pretty much the same as it was almost a decade ago. For a country that accounts for more than 30% of suicides globally, there are still a lot of stigmas attached to mental illness and diagnosis is often followed by denial and hesitation to seek help.

What Exactly is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal brain mechanism of reacting to stress and potential danger. Occasional anxiety is typical, but anxiety disorders are different. They are a group of mental illnesses causing constant overwhelming fear and panic. They can make you avoid work, school, family functions and other social situations that might trigger the symptoms.

Although some standard risk factors are causes of anxiety:

History of mental health illness in family

Childhood sexual abuse

Trauma

Negative life events

Severe illness

Substance abuse

Low self-esteem

Statistics Related to Mental Health Conditions in India

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 90 million Indians or 7.5% of the population of 1.3 billion suffer from some form of mental disorder. However, India’s National Institute of Mental Health And Neurosciences (NIMHAN) – an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – reveals a much higher number of nearly 150 million Indians needing active intervention and fewer than 30 million getting it.

Different Therapy Options Available for Anxiety Disorders

Psychotherapy or, as it is sometimes called, “talk therapy” is a type of counseling that helps you to learn how your emotions affect your behaviour and is one of the most employed anxiety attack remedies.

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 2. Exposure therapy 3. Dialectical behavioural therapy 4. Psycho-analytical therapy 5. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy 6. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy

What to Expect from Therapy?

The general misunderstanding about therapy is that you will start to feel better immediately. But most often, you feel worse before you start to feel better. In fact, feeling worse is taken to be a sign of genuine progress!

Conclusion

Living with an anxiety disorder can be extremely frustrating. The constant fear of getting triggered and embarrassing outbursts can leave you feeling tired and restless. How often do you think “I have anxiety” but ignore the voice in your head? Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and all you have to do is muster up enough courage and ask for help. A sound mind can only lead to a healthy body and a productive life.

Read More: Types of Therapy for Anxiety Disorder

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We have associated perfectionism with success, but is it really true? Perfectionism anxiety, suicidal tendencies, depression like mental disorders are caused by perfectionism.

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Mental Health Issues- A Perfectionist Face

For generations people have associated perfectionism with successful/ high achieving behaviour. This quality is appreciated and considered to be a healthy motivator.

Meaning of Perfectionist / Perfectionism

According to Thomas Curran and Andrew P Hill, perfectionism is “a combination of excessively high personal standards and overly critical self-evaluation”. In simpler words, it is the need to appear or be perfect. Generally, perfectionists have extremely high expectations of themselves, and even if they somehow manage to achieve them, they are still dissatisfied. In their eyes, what they do is never good enough.

General Types of Perfectionism

Gordon Flett and Paul Hewitt- 2 psychologists who have dedicated decades to understanding perfectionist personality and behaviour- have categorized it into:

Self-oriented perfectionism

Other oriented perfectionism

Socially prescribed perfectionism

Causes of Perfectionism

The exact cause is not always clear in the case, and it is often an acquired trait; although recently, psychologists have started linking perfectionism with childhood trauma (actual or perceived) and its emotional consequences:

For example: If in a family with 2 children, the older sibling is smart, good-looking, good at academics and is always appreciated by everybody; the younger sibling learns that he/she needs to work extremely hard to get noticed and gain some affection. They believe that they don’t deserve it as they feel they are not good enough. They constantly feel the need to prove themselves.

Symptoms of Perfectionism Some common traits noticed in perfectionists are:

Procrastination

Fear of failure

Pushed by fear

Unrealistic expectations

Craving approval

Judgmental of others

Obsessed with rules

Disliking feedbacks

​Excessively controlling

Physical and Psychological Effects of Perfectionism Perfectionism can affect our mental and physical health in drastic ways. According to the study published by Thomas Curran and Andrew P Hill, some of the common effects of perfectionism include:

Society prescribed perfectionism often leads to perfectionism anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies.

Clinical depression, eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa) and premature death have been linked with self-oriented perfectionism.

Self-oriented perfectionism also raises the risk of possible bipolar disorder in the future.

Studies have reported cases of early death in perfectionists suffering from any chronic physical illness because it is difficult for them to accept it.

Perfectionist behaviour invites enormous stress, and hence it paves the way for various lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, etc.​

Cure of Perfectionism

As a part of perfectionism, people tend to hide their personal problems or believe they do not have any. This makes it rather difficult to overcome perfectionism.

Various therapy options are available to treat perfectionism. These include: 1. Cognitive behavioral therapy 2. Family system therapy 3. Hypnotherapy

Read More: Mental Health Issues- A Perfectionist Face

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Self-confidence isn’t something you are born with. It is something you build. You mold and make yourself confident with time and experience. Start making small improvements today, and over a while, you’ll see colossal changes in your confidence levels. Celebrate your little victories and feel confident enough to do anything that brings you joy.

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PTSD stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that’s prompted by a horrible event. The person might have experienced the tragedy or could have witnessed it. PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder. Read here about PTSD treatment, Symptoms of PTSD & how to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.

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8 Most Effective Social Media Marketing Activities for Wedding Planners

PTSD stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that’s prompted by a horrible event. The person might have experienced the tragedy or could have witnessed it.

Many times such traumas do not leave us for months or even years. The symptoms get worse and start intruding on our daily activities. In such cases, it becomes very important to get proper treatment.

Symptoms of PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can start any time after a trauma. Sometimes, the symptoms begin after a month and sometimes after a year or more. The symptoms of PTSD are divided into four types: – Intrusive memories – Avoidance – Negative thinking – Physical and emotional changes

PTSD symptoms may start normally but intensify with time. The person may even start hallucinating. Soon these symptoms start interrupting with day to day life.

PTSD Treatment PTSD professional treatment by doctors helps people deal with symptoms. A doctor can prescribe you medications, therapy, or a combination of both to deal with your symptoms. Types of treatments available for PTSD are: – Trauma-focused CBT – Other treatments – Family therapy

How to Control PTSD Triggers? One cannot or could not have avoided the tragedy that occurred. However, you can help yourself by managing your symptoms. One such way of managing PTSD symptoms is to control the PTSD triggers. The things that remind you or make you relive the trauma can be managed by self-help in the following way: – Remind yourself of your strengths – Spend time in nature – Ask for help

How to Overcome PTSD Anxiety? PTSD episodes bring anxiety and depression with them. It becomes very crucial to deal with these issues before they start interfering in our life. – Mindfulness Practices – Aromatherapy – Play Sport – Take up a Hobby – Adopting a Pet

Read More: How to Overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Eating disorders are quite trivial these days. Due to the societal and peer pressure many adolescents develop such conditions. On the brighter side, most eating disorders are easily treatable and can be cured quickly. Wondering if someone around you is suffering from any type of eating disorder! Cause, Symptoms, Treatement all you need to know about it.

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5 Common Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are assorted as issues related to problems in eating. However, eating disorders cover a broader area and have various aspects other than food. An eating disorder has less to do with food and is primarily categorized as a mental health condition.

What Are Eating Disorders? Eating disorders are psychological conditions that cause varied eating habits in a person. A person with such a disorder might be obsessed with eating food or might be too ashamed of eating any food.

What Are Some Causes of Developing Eating Disorders? Eating disorders can develop in different people due to various causes. People around the age of 20 are more likely to establish at least one eating disorder.

Types of Eating Disorders 1. Night Eating Syndrome 2. Anorexia Nervosa 3. Bulimia Nervosa 4. Binge Eating Disorder 5. Pica

Eating Disorder Treatment There is not a particular way in which you can prevent eating disorders. However, most eating disorders can be easily treated, and you don’t have to worry about them. Here are ways that can be used to treat different eating disorders: – Healthy eating – Medical care – Psychological treatment

Final Thoughts Eating disorders are quite trivial these days. Due to the societal and peer pressure many adolescents develop such conditions. On the brighter side, most eating disorders are easily treatable and can be cured quickly.

ReadMore: 5 Common Types of Eating Disorders

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Do you feel depressed or Anxious? Know how it affects your body & brain and ways to cure it at home without much effort. Helplessness is a feeling that arises from being depressed, but it’s important to remember no one is helpless. But it’s important to remember, in today’s world there’s lots that can be done to cure depression and anxiety.

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Effects of Depression & Anxiety on Our Body and Brain

Helplessness is a feeling that arises from being depressed, but it’s important to remember no one is helpless. But it’s important to remember, in today’s world there’s lots that can be done to cure depression and anxiety.

You’re Not Alone It is estimated that on an average around 20 percent of the whole population suffers from depression. Something other than feeling down for a day or two, depression causes an awful mindset that you cannot shake for quite a long time.

Break Up With Your Anxiety Anxiety is a common experience for patients who have been diagnosed with depression. If not taken seriously, even simple anxiety turns into chronic anxiety that can lead to irrational thoughts and behavior.

Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Few symptoms may overlap in both cases, hence it’s best to have proper knowledge about the factors to make informative decisions. This information can be of great assistance to anyone who wants to learn how to cure depression and anxiety.

Depression Physical symptoms: – Less energy, low motivation – Feeling of fatigue every time – Weight loss or gain

Emotional symptoms – Having problems with making decisions and concentrating on other things – Loss of interest in activities that you once loved doing – Always feeling sad or helpless – Having thoughts about suicide

Anxiety Physical symptoms – Getting tired way too easily – Having a problem remembering past events or concentrating on what’s going on – Tension in muscles

Emotional symptoms – Always being restless – Panicking without real issues – Always being in fear

Anxiety and Depression: How They Affect the Body and Brain Nobody knows without a doubt how depression arises, yet scientists have established that it is unquestionably a turmoil that has organic roots and that the science of the cerebrum assumes a major job. 1. Memory issues 2. Hormonal change 3. Swelling in the brain 4. Reduction in oxygen intake

Effect on the Body: Depression is significantly more than only a cerebrum issue. If for some reason depression is not treated in due time, psychological as well as physical pain takes over the patient’s body. 1. Effect on the digestive tract of the body 2. Effect on the immune system 3. Effect on central nervous systems

How to Cure Depression At Home You can alter your behavior little by little and have a massive impact on your lifestyle. These lifestyle changes can help in ways unimaginable. So let’s talk about how to beat depression. 1. Make a routine 2. Make goals for the day 3. Changes in sleep pattern

How to Cure Anxiety At Home Like in the case of depression, anxiety can be taken care of at home. The natural remedies which help with beating anxiety involve a few lifestyle changes as well. Let’s have a look at them. 1. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes 2. Exercise 3. Meditation

Conclusion

Depression is a mental disorder which is attached to a lot of stigmas where people don’t want to believe it’s an actual illness. The effect of being isolated and not being given proper care causes drastic psychological and physical pain to the patient. The toll that the brain and body take is huge; hence, it’s important to know about the consequences and likewise how to get rid of it.

Read More: Effects of Depression & Anxiety on Our Body and Brain

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a form of mental illness associated with conditions like ‘neurosis’ and ‘psychosis’, in which a person may experience inconsistent moods and feelings in an erratic pattern. In simpler words, the person is unable to entirely control any emotions, which results in impulsive conduct and frenzied interactive relationships. Symptoms and Causes

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Borderline Personality Disorder: Simplifying the Illness

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a form of mental illness associated with conditions like ‘neurosis’ and ‘psychosis’, in which a person may experience inconsistent moods and feelings in an erratic pattern.

Symptoms and Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

A borderline personality disorder is essentially an illness connected with the emotional regulation of a person. A person living with borderline personality disorder might experience very intense emotions.

Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, the following are the signs of borderline personality disorder.

Causes and Common Triggers

There is no pre-written handbook as to what causes borderline personality disorder, but like most mental illnesses, its roots lie in social, familial, and genetic factors. The highest risk factors involved dysfunctional life, childhood trauma, emotional or physical abuse, and a family history of BPD.

Things you should Avoid Saying to BPD Person

More often than not, a person may show extreme signs of borderline personality disorder and may trigger when someone is dismissive about their condition. At this point, the only thing is to understand their need and support them with your unconditional love and care.

How to Control BPD

Here are a few daily tips to go about for a person experiencing borderline personality disorder.

BPD Treatment

Despite being an incurable condition, research has proved that effective treatments reduce the symptoms of people with BPD. – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) – Medications – Self-care activities

In a recent statistical report released by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), it is stated that BPD traits seem in one among six individuals.

Bottom Line

It is not easy to cope with mental illness. The best way to help someone going through the same is to learn as much as you can and spread awareness about it. Mental health is not a stigma, and it can be overcome by love and compassion. Be kind to one another.

Read More: Borderline Personality Disorder: Simplifying the Illness