HealtyDayS

Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of death in children and teens. Over 28,000 people killed themselves in one year alone. Ten times that many people also attempted suicide. Women are three times as likely as men to attempt suicide. Men are three times as likely as women to complete suicide. Suicide is not just a problem of the young. The highest suicide rate is in people over age 65.

What are some of the mental problems that cause suicide? People with major depression and bipolar illness account for 50 percent of completed suicides. People with alcohol and drug abuse problems account for another 25 percent of completed suicides. Here are some of the other risk factors for suicide:
* family history of suicide,
* previous suicide attempt,
* terminal illness or chronic pain,
* feelings of hopelessness,
* gender - male,
* age - adolescent or elderly,
* race - Native American or white,
* marital status - single, divorced, or widowed,
* sexual orientation - gay or bisexual,
* recent loss - loved one, job,
* loss of social support, and
* important dates - holidays, birthdays, anniversaries.

If you suspect that someone may be suicidal, take action. Most suicides give some signals ahead of time. Adults or teens may try to get their affairs in order or give away possessions. Some children who are thinking of suicide may give away all their toys. Do not forget that small children commit suicide, too. Children as young as age three have been known to intentionally commit suicide. Talk to the suicidal person, to the family, or to your local suicide crisis hot line. Call 911 or the police if you do not know who else to talk to.

Almost everyone sometimes feels that it would be easier if we could go to sleep and not wake up. Then we would not have to deal with our problems. But when the crisis is over, we are glad that we are alive. The problem shrinks in importance. Suicidal people need help and treatment in order to realize that there are always choices.

Spouse abuse happens in all kinds of relationships. Husbands abuse wives and wives abuse husbands. Homosexual relationships are not an exception. Race does not make a difference. Income does not protect people. Well-educated people can abuse and can be abused. The most common form of spouse abuse is violence by men against women. Almost half of all women murdered in this country are killed by their husbands or boyfriends. Nearly four thousand die each year. In the U.S., a man beats a woman every 15 seconds.

Abusers tend to follow the same pattern. Someone is unlikely to beat you up on the first date. Most abusers are very nice at first. Then they start to seem a little too jealous. They may start putting you down when they talk to you. Often you start feeling worthless. Eventually, the violence begins. By that time, you may feel like you deserve it. You may blame yourself.

Many abusers feel guilty after the abuse. They may be very loving after it is over. They may promise that it will never happen again. But sooner or later, it will. Abusers almost always blame the victim. “It’s your fault”, they say. If only you wouldn’t do this or that, they wouldn’t have to hit you. Remember, it is never, ever, okay to hit another person, unless you are defending yourself from a physical attack. It does not matter what you say or do. No one has the right to hit you.

Abusive people generally learn these habits when they are young. They usually come from families where someone hit someone else. Alcohol is involved in most cases of spouse abuse. People under the influence of drugs and alcohol can not think clearly. This does not mean that they are not responsible for their actions. It means that they need to work on their problems with drugs or alcohol as well as their problems with violence.

The more dependent you are on the abuser, emotionally or financially, the more difficult it may be to leave. Many abusers take advantage of this. Studies have shown that pregnant women may be at higher a risk for abuse. Many women feel like they cannot leave an abusive boyfriend or an abusive husband because they are afraid he will hurt or kill them. But your chances of being killed are greater if you stay with an abusive spouse than if you leave. If someone hits you, even once, you need to take it very seriously. Do not let shame stop you from getting help. Call your local spouse abuse center or battered women’s shelter for help.

This is not a hard disorder to diagnose. If someone is getting up out of bed and walking around while still asleep, then that person is sleepwalking. If you have ever seen a sleepwalker, you have probably noticed that he or she:
* has a blank, staring expression,
* can be awakened only with a lot of effort,
* does not seem to hear or notice anyone,
* cannot remember the episode the next day, and
* may be confused at first when she or he wakes up.

Some people have mild episodes and may only sit up in bed. Other people have been known to get out of bed, walk up and down stairs, leave buildings, and so forth. Some people may try to eat, drink, or use the bathroom while asleep.

Many children sleepwalk. Out of ten average children, between one and three will sleepwalk at some time. Most children will grow out of it by age 15. Sleepwalking runs in families to a large extent. It occurs in equal numbers of boys and girls. Most of the time, sleepwalking is not considered a true disorder. Sleepwalking disorder is diagnosed only when the sleepwalking starts to interfere with home, work, school, or social life. There are some treatments available for sleepwalking. Ask your primary healthcare provider for more information.

There is a myth that it is dangerous to wake a sleepwalker. This is not true. It may be difficult to wake a sleepwalker, but it is not dangerous. The easiest way to deal with a sleepwalker is to take him or her by the hand and lead her or him back to bed. You may need to take precautions if you have a sleepwalker in the house. Do not lock someone in a room. This is very dangerous in case of fire. However, there are inexpensive motion sensors and other alarms that can be set up to let you know if a sleepwalker is on the move.

Sometimes practical solutions are best. One authority has suggested that if your spouse is a sleepwalker, you should push the bed against one wall and have him or her sleep on the inside. The only way she or he can get out of bed is to crawl over you, which wakes you up. Then you wake the sleepwalker up, and you both go back to sleep.

Sleepwalking in an adult who has no previous history of it can sometimes indicate other medical problems. If this happens to you or someone you care about, make sure that you consult your healthcare provider for an evaluation.

There is probably nothing as frightening for a parent as the fear of having a child sexually abused. It is not clear if child sexual abuse is happening more these days, or if people are just more likely to talk about it.

It is never okay for an adult to have sex with a child, even if the child seems to consent or even seems to want it. These are common excuses that child sexual abusers give. It is important for parents to be aware of what the usual “child molester” is like. Most people have ideas that are wrong and that may put their children into dangerous situations.

People usually fear that strangers may sexually assault their child. Most abusers are relatives, friends, neighbors, or people that the child knows socially. Most use the child’s trust in them rather than using force to get cooperation. Many do not believe that they are doing anything wrong and may seem to be people who love children.

Most child sexual abusers are male but there are females who engage in this as well. Do not trust your child to someone just because she is a woman. Many people are afraid that gay men will assault their children. The typical abuser is a straight man. He may identify as straight even if his usual victims are small boys.

Children are usually abused by someone of their own race. There is no reason to fear that someone else from another race or another culture is more likely to assault your child. Child abusers and abused children come from all incomes, from the very rich to the very poor.

Teaching your child about “good touch” and “bad touch” early on will help protect your child. Also teach your child about “good secrets” and “bad secrets”. A good secret is something like not saying what someone’s Christmas present is ahead of time. A bad secret is a secret that the child feels guilty about, or is only keeping because a grown-up made him or her promise. Encourage your child to be honest with you.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, contact the local police or child abuse authorities. If a child you care for has been abused already, seek help for her or him. Child sexual abuse is a terrible thing, treatment is important.

What used to be called “senility” is now called “dementia”. Many people are afraid of becoming “senile” or developing dementia. This is because as our population grows older, more people will eventually get some form of the problem. However, while the risk increases with age, there are precautions that can be taken to reduce it. There are many different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. No one is certain about its cause. As a result, we do not know how to prevent this type of dementia.

Strokes are the second most common cause of dementia. To reduce your risk of stroke, make sure that you keep an eye on your blood pressure. Take medicines, if they are prescribed. Watch your diet and limit your salt intake. Get plenty of exercise. Walking for twenty minutes three days a week can make a huge difference in your overall health, as well as reducing your risk of stroke. If you suffer from arthritis, consider water exercises in a heated pool.

HIV can cause dementia. The best way to avoid dementia due to HIV is to avoid becoming infected with the virus. Remember that HIV is a contagious disease. People of all ages can get HIV. Elderly people are at risk as are the middle aged and adolescents. Ask questions and consider getting tested before beginning sexual contact, no matter what your age or the age of your partner.

Stopping or controlling your use of certain substances can help you avoid dementias. Some people ask if they should stop smoking or drinking. Most doctors would advise you to stop smoking and to drink only in moderation. These steps not only improve the quality of your life, but also reduce your chances of developing dementia. Make sure that each physician or medical professional that prescribes medications for you knows all the medicines that you take. If you cannot remember them, take them with you when you visit your doctor. Never, ever use someone else’s medications.

Keep yourself physically healthy. Get enough to eat and drink. Take a multivitamin with your largest meal each day. Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water daily. Get at least 20 minutes of walking or other exercise daily. Keep your mind fit. Read, play cards, do crossword puzzles, join a discussion group or take a class.

Keeping your mind active and involved will keep you as sharp as possible. Become active in a civic or faith community organization. Donate some of your time to those who are less able. This will help you feel good about yourself. Getting older does not mean becoming senile.

Senility is an old term for what we now call dementia. There was a time when even medical professionals thought that as a person aged they would eventually become “senile”. We now know that there are many causes for dementia. We also know that aging does not necessarily include dementia.

Dementia is a break down of intellectual abilities, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, that results from an organic disease or a brain disorder. An emotional disturbance and a personality change often accompany it. Dementias are more common among the elderly, but can strike people in their forties. Some can even affect children. There are dozens of medical problems that can result in dementia. Many of these conditions are treatable. Others can be only partially reversed.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Few people get this before age 50. By age 65, about 3 percent of people have it. By age 85, over 20 percent of people have Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is slow moving. It usually starts out with people having trouble learning new things or forgetting recent events.

Alzheimer’s usually causes death within ten years. New medicines are being tested that may help people with this disease. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, make sure you get the diagnosis confirmed. Experts suspect that as many as half of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may actually have something else. Overmedication, dehydration, and major depression can all look like Alzheimer’s in an elderly person. All of these are treatable. If you are concerned, ask your primary healthcare provider about a referral to a neurologist or neuropsychologist. You can also call the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 272-3900 for more information.

Other dementias are usually easier to diagnose. The second leading cause of dementia is dementia due to strokes. Other causes include Pick’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and AIDS-related dementia. People can develop dementia from long misuse of drugs or alcohol. Also at risk are people who inhale paint or other poisonous substances to get high.

Many people who fear that they are losing their memories refuse to go to the doctor because they do not want their fears confirmed. However, what you may get is news that the problem can be treated.

Self-esteem is a term that refers to how you feel about yourself. It is based on the ways you think and how you feel about yourselfon a day to day basis. It is not always the same.

People with low self-esteem often blame themselves when something goes wrong, but give the credit to someone else when they do something right. People with low self-esteem often have trouble accepting a compliment. They may feel embarrassed about praise. They may even feel like they are an impostor somehow.

Low self-esteem can be very damaging. People who are abused by their spouses may stay because they feel like they deserve it. Their home lives and work lives may suffer. They can even end up physically ill. Low self-esteem is also closely tied with depression. If you feel like your self-esteem is down, you should also wonder if you might be suffering from depression. How can you tell if you have low self-esteem? You:
* put yourself down or do not know how to respond if you get a compliment,
* feel guilty a lot of times, even if you know something is not your fault,
* apologize all the time for everything,
* believe that you do not deserve things that others think you deserve, or
* do not feel like you are a good parent, spouse, or child.

Individual or group therapy can often be very helpful. Ask your healthcare provider for more information. There are also many good books about self-esteem. Sometimes learning to be more assertive can really help your self-esteem. A classic book that has helped many people is called Your Perfect Right and is available in bookstores.

If you have low self-esteem, take some action to help yourself. The changes people can make are amazing. Just think of how it would feel to have someone say that you did a good job and hear yourself respond, “Thanks, I think so, too!”

Seasonal affective disorder, or S.A.D. was once considered a mood disorder. Now it is thought to be a part of other types of mood disorders. People with major depression or bipolar disorder may have what is known as a seasonal pattern specifier.

This means that someone has depressive episodes that occur only at certain times of the year. In this case, depression usually comes on in fall or winter and gets better in the spring. It must be a pattern for at least two years before a diagnosis is made. Manic episodes may have a seasonal pattern as well.

In a depressive episode without a seasonal pattern, symptoms such as lack of sleep and weight loss are common. Depressive episodes that occur in a seasonal pattern differ from typical depressive episodes. Symptoms include:
* sleeping too much,
* craving carbohydrates,
* overeating, and
* weight gain.

It is hard to know how many people with a mood disorder have a seasonal pattern. Younger people are more likely to be affected than older people. Women may be more likely to have a seasonal pattern. The further north you live, the more likely you are to be affected.

Treatment for depressive episodes with a seasonal pattern is the same as for other forms of depression. An antidepressant drug such as Prozac or Zoloft may be used. Bright light therapy may be helpful. In those with bipolar disorder, this treatment may bring on a manic or hypomanic episode. It must be used cautiously for this reason.

If you feel like your mood disorder is related to changes in the seasons, tell your healthcare provider and ask them to refer you to an experienced psychiatrist. This can help you get the best treatment.

Many people confuse schizophrenia with multiple personality disorder. It is actually something very different. Schizophrenia does not mean a split personality. Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder. People are said to have this when they show two or more of these signs within one month:
* delusions, which are unshakable false beliefs,
* hallucinations, usually hearing voices,
* speech that does not make sense,
* very odd behavior, and
* lack of normal behaviors, such as lack of speech, lack of emotion, etc.

In addition, they must also have problems at work or home for at least six months before this diagnosis can be made. Other possible problems have to be excluded to diagnosis schizophrenia.

You may hear about “positive” and “negative” signs of schizophrenia. Positive signs are present in a schizophrenic but not in an average person. These include hallucinations and delusions. Negative signs include the inability to express emotion and the inability to set goals and meet them.

Schizophrenia usually starts between the teens and the mid-thirties. Some people have been diagnosed in childhood and some after age forty. Most forms of schizophrenia are diagnosed when people are in their twenties. Several million people in the U.S. are affected. It occurs slightly more often in men than in women. Schizophrenia typically runs in families, but can occur in a family with no history of it.

There are several different types of schizophrenia. In general, the treatment and outlook is similar for most types. People diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia may have a better chance of being able to work and live independently. Unfortunately, they may also be the most likely to become violent. Treatment for schizophrenics includes medicines, training to get along better with others and education about their illness.

Pyromania centers on setting fires. Most children go through a stage where they like to see fire. This is normal. If they are taught about fire safety, supervised children can assist adults around a campfire. Some children still manage to sometimes sneak away and play with fire. This is frightening, but it is not a psychiatric disorder. Pyromania is something different.

People have pyromania only if they meet all of these signs. They:
* set fires on purpose more than once,
* are very tense or very excited before setting the fire,
* seem fascinated or attracted by fire and objects, people, or situations around fire, and
* experience pleasure or relief when setting or watching fires.

A person with pyromania does not set fires for money, to express political beliefs, to hide signs of a crime, or to show anger. It is not pyromania if someone sets a fire in response to a delusion or hallucination. It is also not pyromania if the person setting the fire is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, has a conduct disorder, or has an antisocial personality disorder. A true pyromaniac just likes fire.

Most pyromaniacs are male. Although children set a lot of fires, pyromania usually occurs in adolescence or adulthood. People with this disorder may have poor social skills. Many have learning problems. Pyromaniacs tend to plan in advance to start fires. Many of them like to watch any fire they can. They may like to set off fire alarms. People with pyromania often do not seem to care about the loss of property, the injuries, or even the deaths that result from fires.

Pyromania is extremely dangerous to the person with the disorder as well as to others. If you suspect that someone you care about may have pyromania, ask your primary healthcare provider for a referral to a mental health professional as soon as possible