Healthy Relationships in College

On this Valentine's Day, let's take a brief look at the ingredients of a good, healthy relationship. While the focus of this blog is on college students, what follows can certainly apply to anyone, at any age. College students have many opportunities to meet new friends and develop enriching relationships on campus. Such relationships can make the difference between a positive and negative college experience. It is important to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and to know how to make choices to preserve the former and improve the latter. Here are a few hallmarks of a healthy relationship:

• Mutual respect and civility
• A sense of reciprocity, or "give and take"
• Feeling supported and supporting the other
• A significant degree of trust and honesty
• Fairness and equality as adults
• Comfort with emotional intimacy or closeness
• Comfort with distance and "separateness", or being able to have your own life apart from the other
• Open, direct communication without fear of reprisal, hidden agendas, or manipulation
• Good "boundaries", or being able to set personal limits with self and others

While no relationship is perfect and we all have bad days, students should be able to evaluate their relationships and feel, on the whole, that they are positive and healthy. If they are less than healthy, steps should be taken to improve them. Such steps involve both assertiveness and listening. If you have concerns about the state of your relationships with family members, friends, roommates, faculty, co-workers or others, contact your campus counseling service for assistance.

About beating the stigma's on mental illness at the workplace

Last week I read a tweet about a BBC article on prosthetic Hollywood masks being used to educate trainee mental health nurses. The writer of the article seemed enthusiastic about the idea and so were the people in the attached video. 

What surprised me most was that they seemed to be unaware of the stigma attached to using those masks. To me they seemed to portray people with mental illness as weird Hollywood movie characters.  They didn't look at all like the people I have been supporting in my 25 years of mental health nursing. 

This article shows again that there is still a lot of stigma's to beat within the profession. Besides: what about non-verbal communication, the most important thing to learn about because most people put their 'mask' on pretending they are fine. As very often, do we all. But maybe more when we are anxious or paranoid and don't feel safe enough to express ourselves. 

"I am fine" is the most commonly told lie. When you use masks you can't see the look in someone's eyes or their facial expressions. 

This idea isn't helping trainee mental health nurses and as a result of that its not helping the people who have mental health problems. Its  counter-productive. A much better idea would the use of trained actors as we had when I was at nursing school. 

We all stigmatise and probably much more than we think.  The stigma attached to mental illness is a major obstacle to our patients and to better care. Lives will be improved if we keep ourselves and each other aware of that.

The stigma within the profession leads to a lot of unwanted and serious effects. A few examples: 

It makes people feel unwanted; 

I'm not understood and;

I'm uncared for. 

Apart from that it's a great danger to their physical health because it leads to not being taken seriously when having a physical health problem. I have seen people die from stigma, from not being believed, from assuming it was "psychosomatic"or "attention-seeking" It's that serious. 

I once supported a patient to ER after she suddenly lost the sight in one eye. She talked very slowly, a reason for the triage nurse to think that it was psychosomatic and if I had not been there to urge her to contact an ophthalmologist that patient would have been blind now. 

The stigma within the profession discourages our patients to dare to take chances in life, to improve their future. It prevents family members from being important team members. It leads to people feeling labelled instead of being a person with many strengths and skills, someone who is more than just a diagnosis. It prevents us from really listening to someone. 

I have a patient who was put in an isolation room for throwing a glass on the floor because a voice told her so. She wasn't hurting anyone. Later she said : "if only someone had asked me why I did that they would have known I had voices. And I would have cleaned it up and paid for a new glass if they had asked me ".

I used to get annoyed about stigma's but nowadays I find beating them a challenge instead of a problem. The stigma on mental illness is an important reason why people don't understand and why those who with  mental health problems often don't dare to seek help in time.
I hope this mask issue will lead to better awareness of the stigma within ourselves and our colleagues.And to improved support of people with mental illness so they feel listened to ,accepted and cared for.

5 dating tips for those with a mental illness

  

David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Last week, we talked about dating someone with a mental illness. Today, we’re taking a look from the other side. Dating can be overwhelming and confusing, and having a mental illness just adds to that. But it is possible to have a successful, happy and healthy relationship even if you are struggling with your mental health. It took me quite a while, but finding that balance is possible. Here are my suggestions to speed up your process.

1. Don’t expect her to read your mind.

This is a good tip in general, but especially important when mental illness is involved. Other people don’t know what you’re thinking or feeling if you don’t tell them. For instance, you can’t expect someone to cheer you up if he doesn’t even know you’re feeling depressed. Assert your needs. Be as open about what you’re experiencing as you are comfortable with (and as is appropriate at your stage of the relationship). This will help your partner get a better picture of what you’re dealing with, which makes it easier for both of you.

2. Take responsibility.

Mental illness pushes us to do things we would not otherwise do. There are times when we legitimately can’t help it, but you can’t blame everything on your illness. It is not a crutch and it is not an excuse. You have choices, no matter how much you feel the odds are stacked against you. When you really, truly tried your best and your illness got in the way, say that and explain what happened. But you still need to own up to your faults because you are not possessed. You made a decision. You are still you and we all
                                                                             make mistakes sometimes.

3. Respect his needs.

It can be easy to get caught up in our own needs when we are struggling with our mental health. It feels like too much is going on and a lot of energy goes to managing our symptoms. But your partner has needs, too. Respect that she can’t always answer your call at three in the morning. Be okay with him taking the night off to see his buddies. See how you can be helpful as well. Even if you can’t do everything you’d like to, you can make an effort to show that you respect and value her.

4. Work on your recovery.

Your biggest gift to your partner is yourself. That is one motivation to work on improving. You want to be fully present and available, which can be hard when you are struggling with yourself. Dating someone with a mental illness can be stressful, so the improvements you make help it be more manageable for your partner. A healthy you is more able to meet his needs as well. Just be careful that your partner doesn’t become your only motivation.

5. Love yourself.

Have you ever heard someone complain about herself and thought, “I don’t see that at all”? No matter how unlovable you think you are, there are reasons others like and care about you. Pushing away this love to wallow in self-pity not only is unhealthy for you, but can be hurtful to your partner. Self-image is a huge part of mental health. Focus on what you do appreciate about yourself. You should be doing something to show that you care for yourself every single day. Besides, the more you healthily love yourself, the more you can healthily love others.

What has your experience been with dating while struggling with a mental illness? Talk about it in the comments.

Anti-Epilepsy Medication May Reduce The Effects of Stroke

Currently, new research suggests that the anticonvulsant medication, retigabine, could dramatically reduce the effects of stroke.  Researchers have already recognized the potential of this medication in treating neurologic conditions, such as migraine, tinnitus and neuropathic pain.

By observing mice models, researchers discovered that merely a single dose of retigabine prevented loss of balance and motor coordination following a stroke.  Balance and coordination was tested by using a balance beam.  The mice that were not treated with retigabine following a stroke displayed more slips and falls whereas the treated mice easily manoeuvred along the beam.  Researchers even remarked that it had appeared as though the treated mice had not even experienced a stroke.

In addition, brain tissue showed significantly less damage following a stroke when mice were treated with retigabine.  Interestingly, the medication also protected brain tissue for up to 5 days post-stroke.

The team studied ischemic stroke, the most common occurring type, where oxygen and nutrients are blocked due to a clot in a blood vessel.  After only 6 hours, cells deprived of oxygen and nutrients that are dying can be affected in such a way that they are unlikely to be repaired.  “Moreover, when cells die, they release factors that trigger many types of responses including an inflammatory response, leading to more cell death in the areas around the blood clot.”

“Retigabine and similar agents open specific proteins called potassium ion channels, whose action stops the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain.”  Therefore, researchers theorize that electrical activity can be stopped before causing more damage and conserved until blood supply is restored.

According to researchers, “future studies will assess how long brain function can be protected after a stroke, and whether injury-related seizures can be prevented.

At this time, embolic or thrombotic strokes are treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) drugs, which dissolve clots and restore blood flow. However, tPA works by thinning the blood therefore, cannot be used in many circumstances, such as patients with high blood pressure or weak blood vessels.  Additionally, it must be used within a few short hours following a stroke as later treatment with this drug may actually cause more damage.

According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people suffer a stroke each year.  Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are permanently disabled.  Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and every seven minutes, a Canadian dies of heart disease or stroke.  Now is the time to continue research and improve these figures.

Anti-epilepsy drug preserves brain function after stroke, research suggests
Stroke Statistics

© www.mentalhealthblog.com

5 tips for dating someone with a mental illness

  

Imagerymajestic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s February, so romance is on everyone’s minds. Love is such an important emotion. It can change lives in a way that nothing else can. We all need love, and that includes those of us with mental health issues. Here are some suggestions to help you if you are dating someone with a mental illness.

1. Ask appropriate questions.

You need to be reasonably respectful of your partner’s privacy, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. Preface them with, “You don’t have to answer this, but I’d like to know…” so that he doesn’t feel like he is being pressured. Focus on what pertains to you. “What do you want me to know about your condition and how it makes you feel?” “How can I be helpful?” “What are signs that your symptoms are worsening and what do you need when that happens?” It matters a lot when someone takes the time to find out how she can be supportive.

2. Give him space – or don’t.

At a time when your partner is doing reasonably well, talk about how much space she needs and when she needs it. Also talk about when he should not be alone. For instance, someone with PTSD might not want to be touched while experiencing flashbacks. Discuss those boundaries. Alternately, depressed people tend to shy away from others, but it isn’t always healthy. Asking in advance, is it okay to take initiative when these times come? If serious suicidal thoughts are an issue, make sure that your partner has someone to be around at all times. Support and space are equally important and it’s helpful to know when each is needed.

3. Focus on her strengths.

Mental illness can make you feel vulnerable, inferior – even useless. Some people feel like they aren’t contributing enough to the relationship or that they are being a burden. This is why it’s very important to make note of when he does something positive. Notice specific actions and comment on them. Things as simple as “Thank you for making me dinner,” “You look nice today,” and “I appreciate that you spent time with me today,” can boost self-confidence and foster positive emotions. A lot of people with mental illness need reassurance, so knowing they did something right can bring peace of mind.

4. Be accommodating and flexible.

Part of the challenge of mental illness is that it’s unpredictable. Sometimes there’s a reason that symptoms flare up, such as stress or failure, but other times random little things can set off an episode. Work with what you have at any given time. If you had a dinner and movie date planned, but your partner is too anxious to leave the house, order takeout and watch something on Netflix. If physical intimacy is difficult, go slowly and let him take the lead. If she has a hard time being around strangers, don’t drag her to big social events. 

5. Set your own boundaries.

Having a partner with a mental illness can be stressful. At times, you might find yourself in a caretaker role and it can be draining. This is why it’s important that you set boundaries. For instance, make sure you have enough time to take care of yourself. You might need to state that when he starts yelling at you, you will leave until he has calmed down. It might be helpful to make clear that there are some things she can’t blame on her illness (and what they are). It’s important to be understanding, but if you are struggling, you need to have the space to take a break and gather your strength. You can’t be as helpful if you aren’t doing well yourself.

Mental illness is hard on both partners, but it isn’t an impossible barrier to a happy relationship. While your partner might have some challenges, he also has gifts to offer. Living with a mental illness can make you empathetic, brave, considerate, grateful, persistent, thoughtful, strong and any other number of positive qualities. It encourages deep feelings and that includes love. In the end, both of you are just people. You have frustrating qualities as well. But love is beautiful in that it can make everything else disappear, if only for a moment at a time. Love is worth whatever it takes.

Check back on Tuesday to hear about dating from the other side.

What have you found helpful in dating someone with a mental illness? Tell us in the comments.

FDA Approves Device To Treat Obesity

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the very first weight loss device that controls satiety.  The Maestro Rechargeable System targets the neural pathway between the brain and the stomach that controls feelings of hunger and fullness.

However, this device will only be available to adults aged 18 years of age and older with a body mass index of 35-45 combined with at least one other obesity-related condition (i.e. type 2 diabetes) that have had no success with weight loss programs.

How does it work?

“The Maestro Rechargeable System consists of a rechargeable electrical pulse generator, wire leads and electrodes implanted surgically into the abdomen. It works by sending intermittent electrical pulses to the trunks in the abdominal vagus nerve, which is involved in regulating stomach emptying and signaling to the brain that the stomach feels empty or full. Although it is known that the electric stimulation blocks nerve activity between the brain and the stomach, the specific mechanisms for weight loss due to use of the device are unknown.”

In addition, health care professionals will have the ability to adjust settings on this surgically implanted device as required throughout treatment.

Is it safe?

A clinical trial consisting of 233 patients with a BMI of 35+ were tested over a period of 12 months to ensure the product is safe and effective.  The Maestro Rechargeable System was tested on all patients however, 76 of the devices were not activated. Results showed that those with the activated devices lost 8.5% more weight than those with inactive devices.  Remarkably, fifty-two and a half percent of the patients with the active device experienced a 20% weight loss and 38.3% lost 25% of their excess weight.

However, both groups experienced a weight loss.  In fact, participants with the active devices did not even lose at least 10% more than those with inactive devices.  In addition, reported side effects included nausea, pain at the neuroregulator site, vomiting, surgical complications, pain, heartburn, problems swallowing, belching, mild nausea and chest pain.

Despite these results, the FDA determined that the benefits outweigh any risk to a patient that meets the eligibility criteria.  An FDA-sponsored survey also indicated that individuals would be willing to use this device based on the presumed weight loss.  Still, the FDA requires that the manufacturer conduct a five year follow up study of a minimum of 100 patients to further review the device’s safety and effectiveness.

Facts on obesity:

• During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high.
  
• More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese.
  
• Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.
  
• The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

FDA approves first-of-kind device to treat obesity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© www.mentalhealthblog.com

More Than Two Drinks Per Day Can Increase Your Risk of Stroke

According to a new study, drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks each day in middle-age increases a person’s risk of stroke more than typical risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Researchers used data gathered between 1967 and 2010 from 11,644 individuals from the Swedish Twin Registry to compare the effects of heavy drinking on risk of stroke. Heavy drinking was defined as 2 or more drinks per day and light drinking as less than 0.5 drinks per day.  

Results demonstrated that heavy drinking increased the risk of stroke by 34% in comparison to light drinking.  The heavy drinkers were also more likely to have a stroke 5 years earlier than their counterparts, regardless of genetics or other factors.  In addition, middle-aged heavy drinkers exhibited a risk of stroke comparable to individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes.  Moreover, the study found that almost 30% of participants had suffered a stroke and by age 75, blood pressure and diabetes were regarded as the main cause of stroke. 

“Among identical twin pairs, siblings who had a stroke drank more than their siblings who hadn't had a stroke, suggesting that mid-life drinking raises stroke risks regardless of genetics and early lifestyle.”

Not only does regular heavy drinking increase the risk of stroke, it also affects blood pressure and causes various health complications.  

Effects of Alcohol:

Drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time – can take a serious toll on your health.  Here’s how alcohol can affect your body:

Heart: Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including:

• Cardiomyopathy – Stretching and drooping of heart muscle
• Arrhythmias – Irregular heart beat
• Stroke
• High blood pressure  

* Research also shows that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may protect healthy adults from developing coronary heart disease.

Liver: Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations including:

• Steatosis, or fatty liver
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Fibrosis
• Cirrhosis

Pancreas: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion. 

Cancer: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, including cancers of the:

• Mouth
• Esophagus
• Throat
• Liver
• Breast

Immune System: Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease.  Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much.  Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections – even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

Brain: Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.  

People who have been drinking large amounts of alcohol for long periods of time run the risk of developing serious and persistent changes in the brain. Damage may be a result of the direct effects of alcohol on the brain or may result indirectly, from a poor general health status or from severe liver disease.

Up to 80 percent of alcoholics, however, have a deficiency in thiamine, and some of these people will go on to develop serious brain disorders such as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).  WKS is a disease that consists of two separate syndromes, a short–lived and severe condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy and a long–lasting and debilitating condition known as Korsakoff’s psychosis.

The symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy include mental confusion, paralysis of the nerves that move the eyes (i.e., oculomotor disturbances), and difficulty with muscle coordination. For example, patients with Wernicke’s encephalopathy may be too confused to find their way out of a room or may not even be able to walk. 

Approximately 80 to 90 percent of alcoholics with Wernicke’s encephalopathy also develop Korsakoff’s psychosis, a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems. Patients with Korsakoff’s psychosis are forgetful and quickly frustrated and have difficulty with walking and coordination. Although these patients have problems remembering old information (i.e., retrograde amnesia), it is their difficulty in “laying down” new information (i.e., anterograde amnesia) that is the most striking. 

Heavy drinking in middle-age may increase stroke risk more than traditional factors
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

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