How a Struggling Economy Affects Mental Health

When an economy starts to weaken, it causes more stress for the people involved. Economic turmoil such as struggling to pay bills, unemployment, or threats of foreclosure play an enormous role in people’s mental health: risks include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and/or compulsive behaviors (such as overeating, gambling, or spending).

Warning Signs that the Economy is Affecting YOU:
•Excessive anxiety or anger
•Change in sleep patterns
•Increased use of narcotic drugs and/or alcohol
•Not feeling up to doing everyday activities

Recent studies and polls have shown that from 2008 until the present, Americans have felt much sadder, more stressed, and more overwhelmed than in past years. The unemployment rates are significantly higher as of late and many people are struggling to make ends meet. It is normal for these extra stressors to cause turmoil in one’s life and frequently it takes a toll on people’s mental well-being.

It is important to acknowledge that the economy is affecting everyone, and that at some point it is all going to get better. People should reach out to their community and work together to make the hard time easier for everyone.

SOURCES:
Getting Through Tough Economic Times: http://www.samhsa.gov/ECONOMY/

Mental Stress Spirals with Economy:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-11-stress-poll_N.htm

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Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by extreme changes in a person’s diet and lifestyle. People may choose to eat almost nothing at all, or extremely overeat, while being preoccupied with thoughts about their weight and the food they are taking in. In many cases, eating disorders have a psychological component, and are a way for people to have some control in their lives. Additionally, many people try to hide their eating disorder, as they hope it will go unnoticed. Eating disorders are usually classified into two types:

ANOREXIA NERVOSA:
People with this disorder yearn to be thin and try so hard that they may not eat much of anything. They feel like they are overweight and see themselves as looking that way, even after significant weight has been lost. Their body loses a lot of its strength and weight and eventually, this disease can take a person’s life.

BULIMIA NERVOSA:
People who suffer from this disease, eat unusually large amounts of food, and then feel a lack of control, so they get rid of the food from their system- usually by purging (laxatives, extreme exercising, or diuretics may also be used). A person suffering from this disorder may have problems with their throat, glands, and teeth if the disorder continues, and may eventually end in death as well.

Eating disorders are more common in women, but they are popping up everywhere in today’s society. They are treatable in most cases, through use of counseling, monitoring, medications, and by creating a new life-style plan. Eating disorders are very serious and can ultimately lead to death, so they should be treated as soon as someone notices a problem.

SOURCES:
Eating Disorders: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml

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Dealing with a Troubled Teen

The teenage years are commonly a time of rebellion and experimentation for adolescents. Arguments may become more frequent, they may change their appearance, they may experiment with drugs and alcohol, and they may spend less time at home. These are common behaviors for a teenager, but in some cases they are far more extreme.

But what do you do when a teen becomes out of control, and how do you know when that is? If you notice any extreme changes in the teen’s life, this is a warning sign that something may be wrong: for example, new friends or no friends, becoming violent or harmful to other people or things, change in school performance, change in behavior and/or dramatic mood swings. Parents usually know their teenagers the best, so they are best equipped to notice these differences.

But what do you do when you see these changes? First you should observe their behavior and think about why they might be doing these things: explore the options. The next step is realizing that a change needs to be made (maybe with the parent as well) and to reconfigure the established parenting style.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Reward positive and responsible behaviors and decisions.
• Create clear rules and enforce them regularly. This also means establishing reasonable consequences if the rules are not followed.
• Try to communicate with the teen about what is going on in their life and stay open-minded.
• Stand by your decision.

Boot camps, wilderness treatment facilities, boarding schools, and the like should all be last resort options. If making changes in the home does not seem to work, try going to see a professional. Sometimes all teenagers need is a little help and they will be able to get back on track.

SOURCES:
Troubled Teen 101 http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles11.html

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Cocaine

coke, blow, snow, flake, snowball, nose candy, etc.

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that is put into the body in three common ways: smoking, sniffing, and/or injection. It gives users a feeling of extreme pleasure, but it lasts only a short amount of time. If cocaine is smoked (known as crack cocaine) the high is almost immediate but only lasts about 5 or 10 minutes; if it is snorted, the high may not occur as rapidly, but will most likely last longer, about 15-30 minutes.

Some Signs of a Cocaine User:
•Bloodshot eyes and/or frequent runny nose
•Nosebleeds
•Weight loss
•Dilated pupils

Some Risks of Using:
•Addiction
•Risk of paranoia and/or depression
•Headaches
•Decrease in strength of immune system
•Irritability, anxiety, or restlessness
•Decreased appetite
•Long term: cardiac arrest or damage to nasal septum

Cocaine is a very addictive substance and the high is only short-lived, so when the high ends, users continue to go back for more. They may experience a crash after their high has ended and this only helps to feed the addiction. The risks and side effects are very serious and often times using leads to serious addictions.

Sources:
Cocaine Facts (Blow) http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugs-cocaine.aspx#
Cocaine http://www.theantidrug.com/drug-information/commonly-abused-
drugs/cocaine.aspx
Signs of Cocaine Addiction http://www.addictionca.com/signs-of-cocaine-use.htm

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (also known as PTSD) can occur after a person has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event.
These events can include:

•Combat
•Violent attacks (such as rape, abuse, or assault)
•Serious and sudden accidents (such as a car accident)
•Natural disasters (flood, hurricane, etc)
•Death of a loved one
•And other life changing events

It is natural for people to feel upset or anxious after such an event has occurred, but if the symptoms continue for more than a month without seeming to get better, the individual may have PTSD. These people may distance themselves from friends and family, become depressed, turn to drugs or alcohol, have nightmares or problems sleeping, and/or think about the event regularly. For some, these thoughts are overwhelming and can consume much of their life.

The onset of PTSD usually occurs soon after the traumatic event has occurred. However, it is possible that people will feel the effects of it years down the road. There are medications to help people diagnosed with this condition, but many professionals believe that therapy is a stronger, more long-term solution. It may help the person open up about their experiences and learn to think about life in a different way.

PTSD is a very serious condition that goes beyond people that go away to war. It is affecting more and more people, and treatment is readily available to those who seek it out.

SOURCES:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: 1372-4D20-C8E6CFE1B56A38AB>
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview: < http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-
panic/tc/post-traumatic-stress-disorder--topic-overview>

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Suicide

“More than 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.” (www.nimh.nih.gov)

Suicide is a serious issue that is plaguing the world today. It is the third leading single cause for death in America and has been occurring more frequently in recent months due to the declining economy and other uncontrollable factors. People commit suicide when they feel that something is terribly wrong in their life and they cannot think of another way out. Friends or family members should try not to judge these people or try to counsel them alone; the best option is for the individual thinking about suicide to seek treatment.

Warning Signs:
•Talking about suicide or what life would be like if they were “gone”
•Depression
•Previous suicide attempts
•Getting rid of prized possessions
•Personality changes
•Engaging in risky behaviors

People who have attempted suicide before are very likely to commit suicide in the first year after the attempt. Also, people who are depressed make up about 30-80% of the population that does commit suicide. Statistics say that on average 8 out of 10 people give some type of warning sign before they commit suicide.

How to Help if you Fear Someone you Love is Considering Suicide:
•Trust your instincts
•Don’t swear to secrecy or leave the person alone
•Don’t be judgmental and talk to the person about their concerns
•Have them get treatment, even if they resist

Suicide is a very devastating event and can potentially be prevented if someone is brave enough to intervene. People who are thinking about killing themselves are often crying out for help, so help them if you can. And if you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide, seek treatment- the benefits are endless.

Sources:
Fact sheet: Suicide
The Numbers Count: Mental Health Disorders in America

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How Substance Abuse Affects Families

When a person becomes addicted to a drug, it often affects the people around them. Although the others are not actually using the drug, they sometimes feel its effects in different ways. An addict does not always realize how their actions are impacting the people they love, but family and friends do pay a price as well.

Financial Effects:
When an addict lives with his/her family, they may spend more money on their addiction than their budget allows. Money that is needed for bills or food may be spent on drugs and it leaves the rest of the family responsible for making up the loss. Additionally, if the addiction becomes severe, an addict may steal from their loved ones in order to get a high and again the family is left to figure out the issues that are created.

Exposure Effects:
Exposure may begin in someone’s life before they are ever born. If a woman is pregnant and still using drugs, her unborn baby may face irreparable damages. And later, when someone begins (or continues) to use drugs in their everyday life, it is not long before the people around them begin to notice. Children are sometimes exposed to these drugs and do not even understand what they are. The largest problem with this is that exposure leads to familiarity and could potentially cause them to consider using drugs in the future.

Emotional Effects:
Despite the numerous battles that families of addicts have to fight, the emotional one may be the toughest. Children may lose their parents and adults lose their siblings or spouses to addiction, and the loss is immeasurable. Often times, the loved ones feel the stress from the addiction when they try to cover up the addict’s problems as well as argue with them about what is going on. Addiction may cause more arguments and sometimes even physical abuse, and people can only handle so much.

Sources:
Substance Abuse- Effects of Substance Abuse on Families
http://family.jrank.org/pages/1647/Substance-Abuse-Effects-Substance-Abuse-on-Families.html
Drug Abuse and Addiction
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects
_treatment.htm
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