This is a blog that I educate and express my opinions on some health and mental Health issues. Different therapies used in psychotherapy are also discussed.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Facts and Characteristic of Sucide among different demographics
Suicide is the act of deliberately killing oneself. This can be active suicide where one actively does something to end their life, like overdosing or shooting themselves. It could also be passive suicide where someone does something indirectly that is likely to cause death. This could be drug abuse, failing to treat a physical illness, and high risk sports.
It is estimated that 1 million people in the world commit suicide each year. 12 to 25 suicides are attempted for every one that succeeds. Suicide rates have apparently increased by 60% in the world in the last 45 years. South Korea recently surpassed Japan in having the highest suicide rate among the industrialized world. Only Guyana, Hungary, Slovenia and countries in the former USSR have higher suicide rates than South Korea.
Death by active suicide was the 10th cause of death in the United Sates of America in 2007. It is the 2nd leading cause of death among 25-34 years, and the 3rd leading cause of death among teenagers. Elderly adults male, 65 and above have for a long time had the highest rate of suicide in the USA although it seems the adolescent rates has surpassed this group.
Theories on why people commit succeed
Different theories offer different explanations as to why people commit suicide. According Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, a person kills themselves in order to murder the image of the love-hated father or mother. A behaviorist theorist believes that a person kills themselves because of inadequate reinforcement.
The humanist and existentialist whose philosophy is based on the meaning of life, believe that people commit suicide when they lose the meaning and purpose of life. Sociologist on the other hand believe that suicide is precipitated by environmental factors such as urbanization, poverty, racism, sexism, corporate exploitation of individuals among such social issues.
The medical view is that suicide is caused by chemical imbalances producing emotional and psychological instability. The Television has also been named as a cause for suicide because studies have shown that suicides, motor accidents and many non fatal accidents occur immediately after the showing of soap opera’s.
Statistical Reasons for Suicide
Research shows that 10% of those who commit suicide do so for no apparent reason. Unfortunately once they are dead they cannot elucidate why they did it. Another 25% commit suicide because they have a preexisting mental instability. In this group will be those with schizophrenia. About 40% commit suicide on impulse. They will most probably be going through a crisis and lack coping skills. This is the group that is most likely to call for help.
Another group commits suicide because they have depressive suicide. This kind of person has a high level of unacceptable rage which eventually becomes repressed and turned in against self in suicide. Not only is this person suicidal, but is also homicidal and may be the person least suspected by anyone.
Another group commits suicide to relieve pain or as a revenge against the offending person. 25% will have premeditated thoughts of suicide and will weigh the pros and cons and then actively decide to commit suicide.
Myths about Suicide
1) One of the myths is that talking about Suicide causes suicide by planting the idea in a person’s head. The fact of the matter is that a person who is suicidal is already thinking about it. Talking about it helps them diffuse the tension that is causing them to be suicidal. It also helps you understand their frame of mind and can thus intervene appropriately.
2) Another myth is that once a person is suicidal , they will forever be suicidal. The fact of the matter is most people are suicidal for a limited period of time when circumstances in their life seem overwhelming. However, suicidal feelings can recur in the future if they do not learn of better coping skills.
3) Another myth is that depression and suicide are synonymous. While people who are depressed may have a death wish, this is only because they are hurting. Depression is manageable and that is why it is important to seek help when depressed.
High risk for suicide
Be alert when someone communicates their intention to die. 80% of those who attempt suicide communicate directly or indirectly of their intention . Some may utter words like “ I want to go to sleep and never wake up” , “I wish I had never been born” or “you’ll be sorry when I am gone”.
Matters that add the risk for suicide
a) A close friend of family member having committed suicide, b) Alcohol and drug abuse increase the risk, c) Experiencing divorce, d) Physical disability, e) Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, f) A specific suicide plan, e) Mental instability
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/385972_the-facts-and-characteristics-of-suicide-among-different-populations#ixzz15CiL1qBl
It is estimated that 1 million people in the world commit suicide each year. 12 to 25 suicides are attempted for every one that succeeds. Suicide rates have apparently increased by 60% in the world in the last 45 years. South Korea recently surpassed Japan in having the highest suicide rate among the industrialized world. Only Guyana, Hungary, Slovenia and countries in the former USSR have higher suicide rates than South Korea.
Death by active suicide was the 10th cause of death in the United Sates of America in 2007. It is the 2nd leading cause of death among 25-34 years, and the 3rd leading cause of death among teenagers. Elderly adults male, 65 and above have for a long time had the highest rate of suicide in the USA although it seems the adolescent rates has surpassed this group.
Theories on why people commit succeed
Different theories offer different explanations as to why people commit suicide. According Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, a person kills themselves in order to murder the image of the love-hated father or mother. A behaviorist theorist believes that a person kills themselves because of inadequate reinforcement.
The humanist and existentialist whose philosophy is based on the meaning of life, believe that people commit suicide when they lose the meaning and purpose of life. Sociologist on the other hand believe that suicide is precipitated by environmental factors such as urbanization, poverty, racism, sexism, corporate exploitation of individuals among such social issues.
The medical view is that suicide is caused by chemical imbalances producing emotional and psychological instability. The Television has also been named as a cause for suicide because studies have shown that suicides, motor accidents and many non fatal accidents occur immediately after the showing of soap opera’s.
Statistical Reasons for Suicide
Research shows that 10% of those who commit suicide do so for no apparent reason. Unfortunately once they are dead they cannot elucidate why they did it. Another 25% commit suicide because they have a preexisting mental instability. In this group will be those with schizophrenia. About 40% commit suicide on impulse. They will most probably be going through a crisis and lack coping skills. This is the group that is most likely to call for help.
Another group commits suicide because they have depressive suicide. This kind of person has a high level of unacceptable rage which eventually becomes repressed and turned in against self in suicide. Not only is this person suicidal, but is also homicidal and may be the person least suspected by anyone.
Another group commits suicide to relieve pain or as a revenge against the offending person. 25% will have premeditated thoughts of suicide and will weigh the pros and cons and then actively decide to commit suicide.
Myths about Suicide
1) One of the myths is that talking about Suicide causes suicide by planting the idea in a person’s head. The fact of the matter is that a person who is suicidal is already thinking about it. Talking about it helps them diffuse the tension that is causing them to be suicidal. It also helps you understand their frame of mind and can thus intervene appropriately.
2) Another myth is that once a person is suicidal , they will forever be suicidal. The fact of the matter is most people are suicidal for a limited period of time when circumstances in their life seem overwhelming. However, suicidal feelings can recur in the future if they do not learn of better coping skills.
3) Another myth is that depression and suicide are synonymous. While people who are depressed may have a death wish, this is only because they are hurting. Depression is manageable and that is why it is important to seek help when depressed.
High risk for suicide
Be alert when someone communicates their intention to die. 80% of those who attempt suicide communicate directly or indirectly of their intention . Some may utter words like “ I want to go to sleep and never wake up” , “I wish I had never been born” or “you’ll be sorry when I am gone”.
Matters that add the risk for suicide
a) A close friend of family member having committed suicide, b) Alcohol and drug abuse increase the risk, c) Experiencing divorce, d) Physical disability, e) Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, f) A specific suicide plan, e) Mental instability
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/385972_the-facts-and-characteristics-of-suicide-among-different-populations#ixzz15CiL1qBl
Grief, Loss, and the Process of Healing
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;---A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;--- A time to keep silence, and a time to speak" Ecclesiastes 3: 1,4,7.
Grief is something that everyone will experience at one time or another during their lifetime. It is the emotional suffering we feel after a loss of some kind. It may be the loss of a loved one through death, the loss of a relationship, like in the case of divorce, the loss of an opportunity, the loss of health, and the loss of youth.
Individuals are unique in how they experience loss and grief. Some people have healthy coping mechanism while others hinder the grieving process. It is important to acknowledge the grief because by so doing you promote the healing process. Grieving takes time and with support and appropriate mourning the individual does experience healing.
Symptoms of Normal Grief
Grief from a loss affects a person physically, emotionally, behaviorally and cognitively. Symptoms for normal grief are numerous and can be serious depending on how they are handled. However different people experience grief and loss differently and the symptoms will differ depending on the person’s coping mechanism.
The Stages of normal grief process
Grief is a healing process from a loss and it is therefore important to ensure that the healing process is allowed to happen. Dr Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her 1969 book, OnDeath and Dying named five stages of grief that people go through following a series of losses as follows;
1) Denial and Isolation- The first thing that most people do after experiencing a loss is to deny the loss. This may cause someone to withdraw from their usual social contacts because they do not want to be confronted about the loss or to talk about it.
2) Anger- The person grieving may become furious at the person inflicting the pain of loss or at the world for letting it to happen. The person may blame themselves and feel guilt for letting it happen even if the situation was beyond their control.
3) Bargaining- The person may start making bargains with God on what they will do to stop the loss from happening. This is common in cases where someone has a loved one who is terminally ill or in the case of a divorce.
4) Depression- the person feels numb and almost has a death wish. By this time the person has accepted the inevitable but is finding it hard to move on. There maybe underlying sadness and anger.
5) Acceptance- In this stage the person has accepted the loss and the anger and sadness have mellowed off.
Dr Kubla-Ross stages of grief have been applied to other forms of personal loss like the loss of a job, or the onset of a disability. In her book, On grief and Grieving: Finding the meaning of Grief through the five stages of loss, Dr Kubler-Ross states that,
“the stages have evolved since their introduction, and they have been very misunderstood over the past three decades. They were never meant to help tuck messy emotions into neat packages. They are responses to loss that many people have, but there is not a typical response to loss, as there is no typical loss. Our grief is as individual as our lives”.
Dr Kubler- Ross further says that the 5 stages “are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. Not everyone goes through all of them or goes in a prescribed order”. Some experts suggest that people go through all stages no matter what the loss is. Others suggest that not everyone goes through all the five stages while others add other stages to the five.
The greater the loss the more intense we feel each stage and the longer it may take to go through the stages. It is also important to note that people go backwards and forward through the stages. Healing is a gradual upward climb with peaks and valleys.
Grief and Stress:
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/383038_grief-loss-and-the-process-of-healing#ixzz15CfNUoUv
Grief is something that everyone will experience at one time or another during their lifetime. It is the emotional suffering we feel after a loss of some kind. It may be the loss of a loved one through death, the loss of a relationship, like in the case of divorce, the loss of an opportunity, the loss of health, and the loss of youth.
Individuals are unique in how they experience loss and grief. Some people have healthy coping mechanism while others hinder the grieving process. It is important to acknowledge the grief because by so doing you promote the healing process. Grieving takes time and with support and appropriate mourning the individual does experience healing.
Symptoms of Normal Grief
Grief from a loss affects a person physically, emotionally, behaviorally and cognitively. Symptoms for normal grief are numerous and can be serious depending on how they are handled. However different people experience grief and loss differently and the symptoms will differ depending on the person’s coping mechanism.
The Stages of normal grief process
Grief is a healing process from a loss and it is therefore important to ensure that the healing process is allowed to happen. Dr Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her 1969 book, OnDeath and Dying named five stages of grief that people go through following a series of losses as follows;
1) Denial and Isolation- The first thing that most people do after experiencing a loss is to deny the loss. This may cause someone to withdraw from their usual social contacts because they do not want to be confronted about the loss or to talk about it.
2) Anger- The person grieving may become furious at the person inflicting the pain of loss or at the world for letting it to happen. The person may blame themselves and feel guilt for letting it happen even if the situation was beyond their control.
3) Bargaining- The person may start making bargains with God on what they will do to stop the loss from happening. This is common in cases where someone has a loved one who is terminally ill or in the case of a divorce.
4) Depression- the person feels numb and almost has a death wish. By this time the person has accepted the inevitable but is finding it hard to move on. There maybe underlying sadness and anger.
5) Acceptance- In this stage the person has accepted the loss and the anger and sadness have mellowed off.
Dr Kubla-Ross stages of grief have been applied to other forms of personal loss like the loss of a job, or the onset of a disability. In her book, On grief and Grieving: Finding the meaning of Grief through the five stages of loss, Dr Kubler-Ross states that,
“the stages have evolved since their introduction, and they have been very misunderstood over the past three decades. They were never meant to help tuck messy emotions into neat packages. They are responses to loss that many people have, but there is not a typical response to loss, as there is no typical loss. Our grief is as individual as our lives”.
Dr Kubler- Ross further says that the 5 stages “are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. Not everyone goes through all of them or goes in a prescribed order”. Some experts suggest that people go through all stages no matter what the loss is. Others suggest that not everyone goes through all the five stages while others add other stages to the five.
The greater the loss the more intense we feel each stage and the longer it may take to go through the stages. It is also important to note that people go backwards and forward through the stages. Healing is a gradual upward climb with peaks and valleys.
Grief and Stress:
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/383038_grief-loss-and-the-process-of-healing#ixzz15CfNUoUv
Causes, Diagnosis, managemnet and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
ADHD is the most common childhood Disorder and is characterized by inattention, disorganization, restlessness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. The American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM- IV-TR) categorizes ADHD into the Inattentive Type and Hyperactive-Impulsive Type.
When it is Attention Deficit Disorder -Predominately Inattentive there has to be six or more symptoms of inattention with fewer symptoms of hyperactivity. The symptoms must have persisted for at least six months. If it Attention Deficit Disorder- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type, there must be at least six or more symptoms of hyperactivity impulsivity with fewer symptoms of inattention.
Current research on the disorder is focused on deficiencies in the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The Central Nervous System is comprised of the brain and nerves in the spinal cord. It acts as the main control system of the body, directing and coordinating actions. Researchers believe that the prefrontal and limbic portions of the brain are the major sites with the neurotransmitters problems that cause ADHD.
How do neurotransmitters Work
The human nervous system has billions of nerve cells or neurons that carry messages through the body. These messages directs a individual to listen, pay attention when someone else is talking, remember assigned task or stick with a task until it is finished.
The nerve cells or neurons carry impulses (nerve cells) from one end of the cell to the other, (the dendrites to the axon). Between the neurons is a space known as the synapse in which messages from the neurons cross. The neurotransmitters are released at the synapse to help the message move across to the next neuron.
It is believed that in ADHD, the messages move down from the neuron but stop and do not always cross the synapse to the next. This disruption is mostly caused by a chemical deficiency in neurotransmitters, which interrupt the normal flow of messages throughout the body. The defective movement of the neurotransmitters cause difficulty in paying attention, controlling impulses, suppressing inappropriate responses and regulating motor activity.
Characteristic of the Disorder
Dr Russell Barkley one of the leading authority on ADHD has identified five major characteristics of the disorder. These are;
a) Lack of persistence of effort on task;
b) Behavioral Impulsivity;
c) Hyperactivity or hyper responsiveness;
d) Failure to follow through on rules or instructions
e) Fluctuation in the quality of work. According to Dr Barkley this may actually be an indicator of the disorder.
Treatment and management of ADHD
Since ADHD is considered to be genetically transmitted, family History is very important in diagnosis. A patient’s history detailing the nature and onset of behavioral symptoms is a must before diagnosis as well as a description of the current symptoms. The medication used in managing the symptoms include stimulants and certain anti-depressants.
The most common medication used is stimulants and include includes drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. Stimulants are believed to inhibit dopamine reuptake. Additionally amphetamine promote increased release of dopamine from vesicles.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/382120_causes-diagnosis-management-and-treatment-of-attention-deficit-hyperactive-disorder-adhd#ixzz15Cc8DEV8
When it is Attention Deficit Disorder -Predominately Inattentive there has to be six or more symptoms of inattention with fewer symptoms of hyperactivity. The symptoms must have persisted for at least six months. If it Attention Deficit Disorder- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type, there must be at least six or more symptoms of hyperactivity impulsivity with fewer symptoms of inattention.
Current research on the disorder is focused on deficiencies in the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The Central Nervous System is comprised of the brain and nerves in the spinal cord. It acts as the main control system of the body, directing and coordinating actions. Researchers believe that the prefrontal and limbic portions of the brain are the major sites with the neurotransmitters problems that cause ADHD.
How do neurotransmitters Work
The human nervous system has billions of nerve cells or neurons that carry messages through the body. These messages directs a individual to listen, pay attention when someone else is talking, remember assigned task or stick with a task until it is finished.
The nerve cells or neurons carry impulses (nerve cells) from one end of the cell to the other, (the dendrites to the axon). Between the neurons is a space known as the synapse in which messages from the neurons cross. The neurotransmitters are released at the synapse to help the message move across to the next neuron.
It is believed that in ADHD, the messages move down from the neuron but stop and do not always cross the synapse to the next. This disruption is mostly caused by a chemical deficiency in neurotransmitters, which interrupt the normal flow of messages throughout the body. The defective movement of the neurotransmitters cause difficulty in paying attention, controlling impulses, suppressing inappropriate responses and regulating motor activity.
Characteristic of the Disorder
Dr Russell Barkley one of the leading authority on ADHD has identified five major characteristics of the disorder. These are;
a) Lack of persistence of effort on task;
b) Behavioral Impulsivity;
c) Hyperactivity or hyper responsiveness;
d) Failure to follow through on rules or instructions
e) Fluctuation in the quality of work. According to Dr Barkley this may actually be an indicator of the disorder.
Treatment and management of ADHD
Since ADHD is considered to be genetically transmitted, family History is very important in diagnosis. A patient’s history detailing the nature and onset of behavioral symptoms is a must before diagnosis as well as a description of the current symptoms. The medication used in managing the symptoms include stimulants and certain anti-depressants.
The most common medication used is stimulants and include includes drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. Stimulants are believed to inhibit dopamine reuptake. Additionally amphetamine promote increased release of dopamine from vesicles.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/382120_causes-diagnosis-management-and-treatment-of-attention-deficit-hyperactive-disorder-adhd#ixzz15Cc8DEV8
Issues, Challenges and harmonization of a blended family
A rising rate of divorce in the Western world and new definitions of a family have ensured that most families now live in non-traditional and or blended families. The traditional nuclear family with a mother, father and children who live together under the same roof is no longer the norm
Statistics show that "approximately 1300 new stepfamilies are formed every day in the US“ and as time goes by this kind of family is getting more common than the exception. In a blended family, one or both parents have been married before. Both have lost a spouse through death or divorce and both or one of them has children from the previous relationship.
Challenges
Newly married couples without children usually spend their first month together building up their relationship. Couples in a blended family on the other hand are often more consumed with their own children than with each other. This may threaten the cohesion of the family and result in another divorce.
A second marriage may resurrect old unresolved anger and hurt from the previous marriage for both the adults and children. For example, a child may have been secretly hoping that the parents will reconcile and the new marriage destroys that hope.
The couple’s previous spouse may also act up when they learn of the new marriage, particularly if they had hopes of reconciling. A couple may also feel guilty if the children reject their new partner because they do not want to betray their other parent.
Factors about children in a blended family
Young Children (0-9 years) find it easier to adjust to the new family because they thrive on close, cohesive relationships. At this age children are more accepting of a new adult in the family, particularly if they are a positive influence to them. The parent must be careful though to reassure them because they tend to feel abandoned if they think that their parent is spending more time and energy with the new spouse than with them.
Preteens and young adolescents (10-14 years) have the most difficulty in adjusting to the blended family. This is a difficult develoment period for a child and they are more sensitive to a lot of things. A step parent must be especially aware and allow time to bond with them before stepping in as a disciplinarian.
Teenagers and young adult (15 years -21) need less parenting and may have less involvement with the step family. This is the age that the child is learning to separate from the family of origin and finding their own identity. They may therefore not be bothered much unless they feel ignored.
Another factor to remember is the way different genders accept the new family. Boys seem to accept a step father more quickly than girls. Girls are also very uncomfortable with physical shows of affection from their step father. Both in the early part would prefer verbal affection, such as praises and compliments instead of kisses and hugs
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/379714_issues-challenges-and-harmonization-of-a-blended-family#ixzz15CZueVls
Statistics show that "approximately 1300 new stepfamilies are formed every day in the US“ and as time goes by this kind of family is getting more common than the exception. In a blended family, one or both parents have been married before. Both have lost a spouse through death or divorce and both or one of them has children from the previous relationship.
Challenges
Newly married couples without children usually spend their first month together building up their relationship. Couples in a blended family on the other hand are often more consumed with their own children than with each other. This may threaten the cohesion of the family and result in another divorce.
A second marriage may resurrect old unresolved anger and hurt from the previous marriage for both the adults and children. For example, a child may have been secretly hoping that the parents will reconcile and the new marriage destroys that hope.
The couple’s previous spouse may also act up when they learn of the new marriage, particularly if they had hopes of reconciling. A couple may also feel guilty if the children reject their new partner because they do not want to betray their other parent.
Factors about children in a blended family
Young Children (0-9 years) find it easier to adjust to the new family because they thrive on close, cohesive relationships. At this age children are more accepting of a new adult in the family, particularly if they are a positive influence to them. The parent must be careful though to reassure them because they tend to feel abandoned if they think that their parent is spending more time and energy with the new spouse than with them.
Preteens and young adolescents (10-14 years) have the most difficulty in adjusting to the blended family. This is a difficult develoment period for a child and they are more sensitive to a lot of things. A step parent must be especially aware and allow time to bond with them before stepping in as a disciplinarian.
Teenagers and young adult (15 years -21) need less parenting and may have less involvement with the step family. This is the age that the child is learning to separate from the family of origin and finding their own identity. They may therefore not be bothered much unless they feel ignored.
Another factor to remember is the way different genders accept the new family. Boys seem to accept a step father more quickly than girls. Girls are also very uncomfortable with physical shows of affection from their step father. Both in the early part would prefer verbal affection, such as praises and compliments instead of kisses and hugs
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/379714_issues-challenges-and-harmonization-of-a-blended-family#ixzz15CZueVls
Alzheimer's, the condition and prognosis
It is estimated that 5.2 million in the United States of America suffer from Alzheimer's of which 2/3 of the diagnosed cases are women. In the UK the numbers are about 750,000.
Alzheimer's is generally seen as a disease of the developed West due to the number of people impacted by the disease. This is mainly because of a larger elderly population as well as lifestyle conditions. Researchers have however warned that by 2020 the developing world in particular China, Latin America and India will be heavily impacted by the disease.
Alzheimer's is a debilitating brain disorder named after the German Physician, Alois Alzheimer, who first identified it. The nature of the disease affects both the patient and those closest to them. It is not easy to have a loved one become childlike and totally lose their memory. I volunteered in a senior facility five years ago with an Alzheimer's wing, with the aim of understanding the disease. I did it for six months and it was the most humbling experience of my life.
There is a saying from where I come from that your creation is not complete until you die. Surely Alzheimer's disease epitomizes this saying because among the residents were people who were great men and women in their times and included, engineers, pilots, music teachers,and some millionaires. Yet the disease had made that irrelevant to them because they could not remember or relate to it.
Symptoms
The symptoms for one developing the disease may first be noticed by those closest to the person. It may start with lapses of memory and difficulty in finding the right words for every day objects as well as mood swings. These symptoms by themselves are also common symptoms of aging but with Alzheimer's, a pattern of symptoms emerge in a period of six months or more as follows:
1) Routinely forgets recent events, appointments, names and faces,
2) Difficulty in understanding what is being said
3) Becomes confused
4) Becomes distant, irritable,, or apathetic
5) Suffers mood swings
Late Symptoms: As the disease progresses the person may develop more serious symptoms requiring 24/7 care like;
1) Getting up in the middle of the night as well as wondering away from home and in the process getting lost. This may result in sundowner syndrome whereby the Sufferer experience periods of extreme agitation and confusion during the late afternoon or early evening hours, leading to irritability towards caregivers or hospital staff.
2) Losing inhibitions and social skills and my undress in public or make inappropriate sexual advances. Some people develop a crude language like cursing when this maybe totally contrary to their nature before the disease.
3) Eventually the person loses their personality and even the ability to swallow and is totally dependant on the caregiver. The person may be bed bound before death.
The disease is occasioned by damage to the brain cells and nerves by a disruption to the chemicals that transmit instructions around the brain. Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. “Scientists are not absolutely sure what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer’s disease.
Causes and Risk factors connected with Alzheimer's
The exact cause of Alzheimer is not known although it is linked to a specific gene. Cases that can be traced to genes are however not many leading to the assumption that it is more of an environmental and lifestyle disease. Studies show that smokers are more than twice as likely to develop the illness than people who have never smoked. A chemical in tobacco, nornicotine, naturally present in tobacco, maybe partly responsible for Alzheimer's as well as accelerating the aging process.
Having type 2 diabetes has also been shown to increase a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s by up to 65%. A research from the Rush University, Chicago in 2004, identified the risk in a five year study of more than 800 people. Professor Clie Ballard, director of Research at the Alzheimer’s Disease Society stated that “ diabetes along with other conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are well recognized risk factors for Alzheimer”.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/379058_alzheimers-the-condition-and-prognosis#ixzz15CXbTzja
Alzheimer's is generally seen as a disease of the developed West due to the number of people impacted by the disease. This is mainly because of a larger elderly population as well as lifestyle conditions. Researchers have however warned that by 2020 the developing world in particular China, Latin America and India will be heavily impacted by the disease.
Alzheimer's is a debilitating brain disorder named after the German Physician, Alois Alzheimer, who first identified it. The nature of the disease affects both the patient and those closest to them. It is not easy to have a loved one become childlike and totally lose their memory. I volunteered in a senior facility five years ago with an Alzheimer's wing, with the aim of understanding the disease. I did it for six months and it was the most humbling experience of my life.
There is a saying from where I come from that your creation is not complete until you die. Surely Alzheimer's disease epitomizes this saying because among the residents were people who were great men and women in their times and included, engineers, pilots, music teachers,and some millionaires. Yet the disease had made that irrelevant to them because they could not remember or relate to it.
Symptoms
The symptoms for one developing the disease may first be noticed by those closest to the person. It may start with lapses of memory and difficulty in finding the right words for every day objects as well as mood swings. These symptoms by themselves are also common symptoms of aging but with Alzheimer's, a pattern of symptoms emerge in a period of six months or more as follows:
1) Routinely forgets recent events, appointments, names and faces,
2) Difficulty in understanding what is being said
3) Becomes confused
4) Becomes distant, irritable,, or apathetic
5) Suffers mood swings
Late Symptoms: As the disease progresses the person may develop more serious symptoms requiring 24/7 care like;
1) Getting up in the middle of the night as well as wondering away from home and in the process getting lost. This may result in sundowner syndrome whereby the Sufferer experience periods of extreme agitation and confusion during the late afternoon or early evening hours, leading to irritability towards caregivers or hospital staff.
2) Losing inhibitions and social skills and my undress in public or make inappropriate sexual advances. Some people develop a crude language like cursing when this maybe totally contrary to their nature before the disease.
3) Eventually the person loses their personality and even the ability to swallow and is totally dependant on the caregiver. The person may be bed bound before death.
The disease is occasioned by damage to the brain cells and nerves by a disruption to the chemicals that transmit instructions around the brain. Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. “Scientists are not absolutely sure what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer’s disease.
Causes and Risk factors connected with Alzheimer's
The exact cause of Alzheimer is not known although it is linked to a specific gene. Cases that can be traced to genes are however not many leading to the assumption that it is more of an environmental and lifestyle disease. Studies show that smokers are more than twice as likely to develop the illness than people who have never smoked. A chemical in tobacco, nornicotine, naturally present in tobacco, maybe partly responsible for Alzheimer's as well as accelerating the aging process.
Having type 2 diabetes has also been shown to increase a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s by up to 65%. A research from the Rush University, Chicago in 2004, identified the risk in a five year study of more than 800 people. Professor Clie Ballard, director of Research at the Alzheimer’s Disease Society stated that “ diabetes along with other conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are well recognized risk factors for Alzheimer”.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/379058_alzheimers-the-condition-and-prognosis#ixzz15CXbTzja
Communication and conflict resolution between Parenrs and Adolescents
Adolescents and parents contrasting desires and experiences contribute a lot to the increase in conflict between the two. Adolescents desire for independence and peer acceptance often contribute to the tendency to conform to peer groups norms and influences and to resist and challenge parental directives and adult authorities
Parents on the other hand have difficulties relinquishing control resulting in conflictual parent-adolescent communications pathways and potentially escalating negative consequences for all involved. The adolescence stage is a developmental phase that requires a restructuring of the parent-child relationship in which communication plays a central role.
Research shows that most parent-adolescent conflict tends to be about mundane issues such as personal appearance, curfews, telephone usage, completing chores and homework among such issues. It is however suggested that such mundane conflicts may be proxies for concern over more complex and sensitive issues involving trust, independence, peer influence, risky behaviors and sexuality.
Several investigations have established that frequent and often intense relationship breakdowns between parents and adolescents can have severe effects contributing to the externalizing and internalizing problems including delinquency, running away form home, substance abuse, adjustment disorders, low self esteem and depression. On the parents side such ongoing conflict has been found to contribute to parental dissatisfaction depression, anger and marital distress (Robin & Foster, 1989).
Given the likelihood of negative consequences resulting from dysfunctional parent -adolescents relationships, the goal of treatment is to improve communication between parents and adolescents. Highlights for the intervention have included the need to assess the nature of interpersonal conflict in order to improve parent-adolescent communication and negotiation skills.
It is however not clear, whether it is the quantity, intensity, source, perceived discrepancy and or emotional impact of the conflict between parents and an adolescent that contributes most to the poor parent-adolescent relations. The challenge for clinician therefore is to develop procedure that can assess and alleviate familial conflict.
Research shows that from late childhood to adolescence, factors outside of the family become increasingly more predictive of adolescent problem behaviors. Dysfunctional conflict, engendering beliefs, anger, triangulation, cross generational coalitions, and shifting parental coalitions get in the way of family members responding and negotiating in a constructive fashion.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/375152_communication-and-conflict-resolution-between-parents-and-adolescents#ixzz15CVU221W
Parents on the other hand have difficulties relinquishing control resulting in conflictual parent-adolescent communications pathways and potentially escalating negative consequences for all involved. The adolescence stage is a developmental phase that requires a restructuring of the parent-child relationship in which communication plays a central role.
Research shows that most parent-adolescent conflict tends to be about mundane issues such as personal appearance, curfews, telephone usage, completing chores and homework among such issues. It is however suggested that such mundane conflicts may be proxies for concern over more complex and sensitive issues involving trust, independence, peer influence, risky behaviors and sexuality.
Several investigations have established that frequent and often intense relationship breakdowns between parents and adolescents can have severe effects contributing to the externalizing and internalizing problems including delinquency, running away form home, substance abuse, adjustment disorders, low self esteem and depression. On the parents side such ongoing conflict has been found to contribute to parental dissatisfaction depression, anger and marital distress (Robin & Foster, 1989).
Given the likelihood of negative consequences resulting from dysfunctional parent -adolescents relationships, the goal of treatment is to improve communication between parents and adolescents. Highlights for the intervention have included the need to assess the nature of interpersonal conflict in order to improve parent-adolescent communication and negotiation skills.
It is however not clear, whether it is the quantity, intensity, source, perceived discrepancy and or emotional impact of the conflict between parents and an adolescent that contributes most to the poor parent-adolescent relations. The challenge for clinician therefore is to develop procedure that can assess and alleviate familial conflict.
Research shows that from late childhood to adolescence, factors outside of the family become increasingly more predictive of adolescent problem behaviors. Dysfunctional conflict, engendering beliefs, anger, triangulation, cross generational coalitions, and shifting parental coalitions get in the way of family members responding and negotiating in a constructive fashion.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/375152_communication-and-conflict-resolution-between-parents-and-adolescents#ixzz15CVU221W
The Differences between Structual Family Therapy and Experientail (Satir) Family Therapy
The focus of Family therapy is on the family as a unit and how the members relate to one another within the unit. The focus is on roles, interpersonal dynamics and communication between the members.
Structural Family therapy, propounded by Salvador Minuchin, suggests that the life History of a family is a succession of experiments in living. The model focuses on the patterns of interaction within the family which gives clues as to the basic structure and organization of the system. Structure in this context refers t the invisible set of functional demands that organize the way the family interact.
A family operates through repeated transactional patterns that regulate the behaviors of family members. Such patterns describe how, when and to whom family members relate. Families are governed by two general systems of constraint; the generic and the idiosyncratic.
The generic connotes a hierarchal system in which the parents have greater authority over the children. It operates under the notion of reciprocal and complementary functions discerned by labels applied to families indicating their roles and functions.
The idiosyncratic constraint suggest that rules and patterns may evolve but with time the reason for doing things in a particular way maybe lost. The rules and patterns are however retained and become part of the family structure.
Families, according to this model operate under subsystems namely spousal, parental, siblings and extended subsystem whose rule is hierarchical. The model insists in there being appropriate boundary between generations for the proper functioning of the family.
Therapy does not focus on problem solving because symptomatic behavior is viewed as a logical response in the family’s given structure. Changing the structure will help solve the problem and changing the structure maybe the main goal of therapy.
Experiential Family therapy proposed by Virginia Satir, on the other hand operates on the premise that families are balanced rule governed systems. Through the basic components of communication and self esteem, families provide a context for growth and development.
The cornerstone of this model is the primary survival triad. This triad includes the parents and child or children. According to Virginia Satir, each child acquires identity and self esteem to the constructive and destructive interaction characteristic of this triad.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/373541_structural-family-therapy-as-compared-to-experiential-satir-family-therapy#ixzz15CU8cvt3
Structural Family therapy, propounded by Salvador Minuchin, suggests that the life History of a family is a succession of experiments in living. The model focuses on the patterns of interaction within the family which gives clues as to the basic structure and organization of the system. Structure in this context refers t the invisible set of functional demands that organize the way the family interact.
A family operates through repeated transactional patterns that regulate the behaviors of family members. Such patterns describe how, when and to whom family members relate. Families are governed by two general systems of constraint; the generic and the idiosyncratic.
The generic connotes a hierarchal system in which the parents have greater authority over the children. It operates under the notion of reciprocal and complementary functions discerned by labels applied to families indicating their roles and functions.
The idiosyncratic constraint suggest that rules and patterns may evolve but with time the reason for doing things in a particular way maybe lost. The rules and patterns are however retained and become part of the family structure.
Families, according to this model operate under subsystems namely spousal, parental, siblings and extended subsystem whose rule is hierarchical. The model insists in there being appropriate boundary between generations for the proper functioning of the family.
Therapy does not focus on problem solving because symptomatic behavior is viewed as a logical response in the family’s given structure. Changing the structure will help solve the problem and changing the structure maybe the main goal of therapy.
Experiential Family therapy proposed by Virginia Satir, on the other hand operates on the premise that families are balanced rule governed systems. Through the basic components of communication and self esteem, families provide a context for growth and development.
The cornerstone of this model is the primary survival triad. This triad includes the parents and child or children. According to Virginia Satir, each child acquires identity and self esteem to the constructive and destructive interaction characteristic of this triad.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/373541_structural-family-therapy-as-compared-to-experiential-satir-family-therapy#ixzz15CU8cvt3
You don't need to be sexy to be real
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" Proverbs 14: 12
There seems to be a calculated move in the world today to make everyone value themselves by their sexuality. Everything these days is about sex. Even food commercials manage to sneak in something about sex. We now talk about people being sexy to add value to their being. I have seen little girls aged 8 years dress provocatively because they want to be sexy. In other words our self worth has now been reduced to how sexy we are or are not.
This has led to a culture of sex without value and morality has been thrown out of the window. We want to catch up with the sexiness of others to fit in or to sound hip regardless of the consequences. This is why we laugh at virgins or those who chose a celibate life because they are the odd ones out. In fact you can be considered to be having a mental health issue if you are not having sex.
One is considered real if they are having sex as a heterosexual, homosexua,l bi-sexual or is using some form of toys to have sex. Pornography has become easily accessible and has awakened demons in people that has caused them to do things that perhaps were unimaginable before. These days I hear talk about open relationships where couples although married agree to have sex with others outside the marriage. Then there is the added element of group sex.
The question we must ask ourselves is whether sex is supposed to control our being as we are led to believe by the powers behind this campaign. What has an 8 year old child got to do with sex? The girl’s body is not even formed yet she is being encouraged to value herself by how sexual she looks. What happens to this girl later in life? It seems to me that the reason we are having all these deviant sexual behaviors is because of the message being paraded in the media.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/371288_you-dont-need-to-be-sexy-to-be-real#ixzz15CSPGQ7F
There seems to be a calculated move in the world today to make everyone value themselves by their sexuality. Everything these days is about sex. Even food commercials manage to sneak in something about sex. We now talk about people being sexy to add value to their being. I have seen little girls aged 8 years dress provocatively because they want to be sexy. In other words our self worth has now been reduced to how sexy we are or are not.
This has led to a culture of sex without value and morality has been thrown out of the window. We want to catch up with the sexiness of others to fit in or to sound hip regardless of the consequences. This is why we laugh at virgins or those who chose a celibate life because they are the odd ones out. In fact you can be considered to be having a mental health issue if you are not having sex.
One is considered real if they are having sex as a heterosexual, homosexua,l bi-sexual or is using some form of toys to have sex. Pornography has become easily accessible and has awakened demons in people that has caused them to do things that perhaps were unimaginable before. These days I hear talk about open relationships where couples although married agree to have sex with others outside the marriage. Then there is the added element of group sex.
The question we must ask ourselves is whether sex is supposed to control our being as we are led to believe by the powers behind this campaign. What has an 8 year old child got to do with sex? The girl’s body is not even formed yet she is being encouraged to value herself by how sexual she looks. What happens to this girl later in life? It seems to me that the reason we are having all these deviant sexual behaviors is because of the message being paraded in the media.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/371288_you-dont-need-to-be-sexy-to-be-real#ixzz15CSPGQ7F
The Crisis that Gets worse in America-Obesity
According to statistics 2/3 of Americans are obese or overweight. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that obesity in America has increased by 60% within the last twenty years while obesity in children has tripled in the past thirty years.
One would think that a nation like America which claim to lead the world in knowledge and progress would be better informed about such a risky healthy situation. This it seems is one area that America has failed or is unable to tame. It is submitted that before this problem can be solved, there is need to understand why America has this problem. Until this is done the problem will continue and as usual it will be normalized to make obese people feel good about their condition while increasing the numbers.
I have observed that there is a double message that is being communicated when it comes to obesity. On the one hand, it stated there is a problem caused by something that people are doing or not doing but on the other hand it is no one’s fault that people are obese. Lately some researchers are starting to justify obesity as being genetic. One then must ask whether this gene is prevalent in America.
Tied with obesity crisis is the addiction problem which again is prevalent in America or perhaps in the Western world. If one is not addicted to alcohol or drugs, One is addicted to sex, another to food, and God knows what else. This again is said to be genetic and people should not be blamed for choosing such lifestyles. After all they cannot help themselves. In reality though, American lifestyle is tied to this crisis.
For one, America, like most Western countries is an individualistic nation where community accountability is not appreciated. It seems like people are disconnected and although they are together they are disjointed. There is also a separation between the spiritual and the physical. Virginia Satir, a humanist and experiential therapist, argues that the separation of mind and soul has led the person from the Western world to equate their identity with their mind and not with their whole being.
Satir further contends that as a consequence most individuals feel “isolated inside their bodies” (Satir & Baldwin, P 167). This inner fragmentation mirrors the outside world, which is seen as a multitude of separate parts existing for the benefit of separate interest groups. The result of this is alienation from nature and other human beings. God created human beings to function as both spiritual and physical beings in a community.
When human beings are not living as intended they will act out somehow. They will look for something to feel the void. Some may turn to food, others sex, others drugs and alcohol among such things. These things by themselves cannot solve the problem and as such they end up controlling the person. People use Food as a companion, as a comfort or as medication when it was never intended to.
The other thing is the “fast” life that Americans thrive in. It seems to me like they are a people chasing after something which I suspect they do not even know what it is. Most Americans will tell you with pride that they work 16 hours a day or they have three jobs. While we all value the ethics of hard work and the ability to provide for oneself and family, how can anyone who works like that still expect to function with normalcy? Rest and relationships are part of our wholeness and when this is lacking one will fill the void with something else.
Tied to the fast life is the fast food culture. Instead of eating a diet of pure, wholesome foods coming directly from the land, Americans eat a diet of packaged, processed, and refined foods. “Fast-food restaurants have become mainstream in the past 30 years and practically all of America takes advantage of the cheap prices, quick service and tasty meals”. Convenient as these foods maybe, the fact of the matter is that they contain practically no nutrients.
Most fast foods are comprised of saturated fats and highly refined carbohydrates as well as being loaded with sodium and sugar. Even the school foods epitomizes the American culture of eating. The school meals are unhealthy and has helped to create more obese children. Few Americans ever cook fresh foods from the scratch and there seems to be a conspiracy to encourage this. I say this because foods like fresh vegetables and fruits are the most expensive compared to processed foods.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/371212_the-crisis-that-gets-worse-in-america-obesity#ixzz15CRVUFzc
One would think that a nation like America which claim to lead the world in knowledge and progress would be better informed about such a risky healthy situation. This it seems is one area that America has failed or is unable to tame. It is submitted that before this problem can be solved, there is need to understand why America has this problem. Until this is done the problem will continue and as usual it will be normalized to make obese people feel good about their condition while increasing the numbers.
I have observed that there is a double message that is being communicated when it comes to obesity. On the one hand, it stated there is a problem caused by something that people are doing or not doing but on the other hand it is no one’s fault that people are obese. Lately some researchers are starting to justify obesity as being genetic. One then must ask whether this gene is prevalent in America.
Tied with obesity crisis is the addiction problem which again is prevalent in America or perhaps in the Western world. If one is not addicted to alcohol or drugs, One is addicted to sex, another to food, and God knows what else. This again is said to be genetic and people should not be blamed for choosing such lifestyles. After all they cannot help themselves. In reality though, American lifestyle is tied to this crisis.
For one, America, like most Western countries is an individualistic nation where community accountability is not appreciated. It seems like people are disconnected and although they are together they are disjointed. There is also a separation between the spiritual and the physical. Virginia Satir, a humanist and experiential therapist, argues that the separation of mind and soul has led the person from the Western world to equate their identity with their mind and not with their whole being.
Satir further contends that as a consequence most individuals feel “isolated inside their bodies” (Satir & Baldwin, P 167). This inner fragmentation mirrors the outside world, which is seen as a multitude of separate parts existing for the benefit of separate interest groups. The result of this is alienation from nature and other human beings. God created human beings to function as both spiritual and physical beings in a community.
When human beings are not living as intended they will act out somehow. They will look for something to feel the void. Some may turn to food, others sex, others drugs and alcohol among such things. These things by themselves cannot solve the problem and as such they end up controlling the person. People use Food as a companion, as a comfort or as medication when it was never intended to.
The other thing is the “fast” life that Americans thrive in. It seems to me like they are a people chasing after something which I suspect they do not even know what it is. Most Americans will tell you with pride that they work 16 hours a day or they have three jobs. While we all value the ethics of hard work and the ability to provide for oneself and family, how can anyone who works like that still expect to function with normalcy? Rest and relationships are part of our wholeness and when this is lacking one will fill the void with something else.
Tied to the fast life is the fast food culture. Instead of eating a diet of pure, wholesome foods coming directly from the land, Americans eat a diet of packaged, processed, and refined foods. “Fast-food restaurants have become mainstream in the past 30 years and practically all of America takes advantage of the cheap prices, quick service and tasty meals”. Convenient as these foods maybe, the fact of the matter is that they contain practically no nutrients.
Most fast foods are comprised of saturated fats and highly refined carbohydrates as well as being loaded with sodium and sugar. Even the school foods epitomizes the American culture of eating. The school meals are unhealthy and has helped to create more obese children. Few Americans ever cook fresh foods from the scratch and there seems to be a conspiracy to encourage this. I say this because foods like fresh vegetables and fruits are the most expensive compared to processed foods.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/371212_the-crisis-that-gets-worse-in-america-obesity#ixzz15CRVUFzc
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