Greetings!
| In this issue... |
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| More
Middle-Aged Women Suffering from Eating Disorders |
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Most
of us think of adolescent girls or young women when we
hear about eating disorders, however, studies are now showing
a steady increase in eating disorders for women in their
30s, 40s and beyond.
Read
on..
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| April
is the Cruelest Month: Highest Suicide Rates |
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The
highest rate of suicide during the year occurs not in the
dead of winter, but in April. Learn why more people kill
themselves during such a hopeful
season.
Read on...
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| Spring
Ideas to Lift Your Spirits |
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Spring
is upon us, so why not grab some friends and family and
make the most of the season? Here are some ways to appreciate
the small joys that spring
can bring.
Read on...
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| Ask
Dr. B.: Medication Issues and Bipolar Disorder in a Child |
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|
 Dr. Bedrosian answers questions from members relating to:
Read on...
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| MySelfHelp.com
Now Accepts Electronic Check Payments |
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|
 In
response to the many requests received, MySelfHelp.com now
accepts electronic checks in addition to credit card and
mail-in check payment options.
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| Give
the Gift of Healing |
|
 Does someone you know suffer from depression, an eating
disorder, or poor self image? Encourage him or her to seek
treatment and attend a support group. You can also consider
giving the gift of a membership to MySelfHelp.com.
|
| More
Middle-Aged Women Suffering from Eating Disorders |
Most of us think of adolescent girls or young women when we
hear about eating disorders, however, studies are now showing
a steady increase in eating disorders for women in their 30s,
40s and beyond. Some of these women are experiencing a recurrence – or
relapse – of an earlier problem, or simply have been
suffering in silence with the problem for years.
Younger women who develop an eating disorder are typically
motivated by the desire to control their weight and body image.
Older women, on the other hand, may be motivated more often
by moods, stress, and the desire to gain more control. Even
those who struggled when younger and received appropriate treatment
may experience relapses of the bingeing and purging behavior
triggered by stress and other problems associated with relationship
issues, marriage, motherhood, unresolved family issues, etc.
Although, like younger women, some older women may be in denial,
more of them are becoming more open and motivated to get help
after suffering for years. Younger women, however, seem to
respond more quickly to treatment, which is focused on addressing
a more limited number of common issues such as weight and body
image. Conversely, older women are usually dealing with more
complex, sometimes long-lasting, underlying issues that trigger
their eating disorder.
Treatments for all who suffer have improved significantly
over the last twenty years, with the presence of more eating
disorder specialists and treatment centers, new technologies
like online tools and programs to enhance therapy and facilitate
recovery, and a greater public awareness of these disorders
and the need for treatment. For a middle aged woman who has
a more realistic perspective on the health risks, this offers
hope.
Top
of newsletter |
| April
is the Cruelest Month: Highest Suicide Rates |
The highest rate of suicide during the year occurs not in
the dead of winter, but in April.
At first glance, this statistic does not seem to make sense.
Why would more people kill themselves during such a hopeful
season, when (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) the weather
is improving, days are getting longer, and plants are blooming?
The answer may be that these positive developments actually
trigger more suicidal thoughts. If you are depressed in the
winter months, you have a good deal of company. During the
winter, many people have the “blues,” complaining
about the weather and the shortened days. For people who are
not experiencing a clinical depression, spring typically brings
with it a greater sense of optimism and provides more opportunities
for participating in activities. People are outdoors, socializing
and enjoying themselves. For those who are depressed, the contrast
between what they are feeling and what other people seem to
be experiencing becomes more noticeable at this time of the
year. As a result, they may begin to see things in a more hopeless,
pessimistic light. Unfortunately, as people become more hopeless,
they are more likely to feel suicidal and to act on those feelings.
It is no wonder, then, that T.S. Elliot, a famous poet, described
April as “the cruelest month”.
If you or a loved one experience suicidal thoughts and feelings,
please discuss the matter with people close to you, including
your healthcare providers. April may be the cruelest month,
but it does not mean that your life is hopeless. Although spring
may be late this year for you, things can and will improve.
Top
of newsletter
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| Spring
Ideas to Lift Your Spirits |
Spring is upon us, so why not grab some friends and family
and make the most of the season? Here are some ways to
appreciate the small joys that spring can bring.
Go hiking
and reward yourself afterwards with a picnic.
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Add
a splash of color to your home by planting window boxes
with early bloomers like pansies and daffodils.
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Cheer on
your favorite baseball team.
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Take a walk with your kids
around the park or woods and try to name all the different
trees,
plants, animals and
sounds.
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Buy a fun pair of rain boots and splash around in
the puddles after a storm.
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Enjoy going for a walk or run
outside in shorts and a t-shirt.
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Experiment in the kitchen
with tasty recipes that use some of spring’s freshest
produce, like asparagus, spinach, mangoes, and berries.
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Play
catch or kick the ball around in the backyard with your
kids.
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Make a list of three new and exciting things you
would like to do this summer and start planning now!
Top
of newsletter
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| Ask
Dr. B.: Medication Issues and Bipolar Disorder in a Child |
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My therapist wants me to go to a psychiatrist for an evaluation
for medication. I am worried this means she thinks I am really
bad off, or even that she might be giving up on me. What should
I do?
Chris L.
Dear Chris,
Most psychotherapists look upon medication as another important
tool to help people overcome their problems. A medication evaluation
provides an opportunity to find out whether medication might
be appropriate for your difficulties. By going to the evaluation,
you are not agreeing to take medication, you are just exploring
the possibility. I would encourage anyone in your position
to go and see what the psychiatrist recommends. You should
also share your thoughts about this matter with your therapist,
especially your fears that she might be giving up on you. I
suspect that she will tell you that she is hardly ready to
give up on you.
My pediatrician thinks my six-year-old has bipolar disorder
and wants to give him lithium. Do you think that is a good
idea?
Jack M.
Dear Jack,
I am assuming that the pediatrician has suggested medication
because your son has been experiencing some significant behavioral
or emotional problems. Because diagnosing mental health problems
in children this young can be quite complicated, it is important
to consult with a specialist. If it were my child, I would
want to have him evaluated by a mental health professional
who specializes in children. Similarly, before giving medication
to a child this young, I would first want to consult with a
pediatric psychiatrist.
Send questions for Dr. Bedrosian to info@myselfhelp.com.
You can use first name and last initial or a pseudonym – as
we do not publish member names or identities.
Top
of newsletter
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| Exercise
Can Relieve Depression |
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Moderate,
regular aerobic exercise has been shown to be very helpful
with mild to moderate depression and other mental health problems.
If you are thinking about starting an exercise program, consider
the following suggestions:
- Pick
an exercise that most appeals to you. If you are not
sure, try a few activities out before committing to a plan.
- Start
small and take baby steps. Keep your goals modest.
If you would like to walk an hour a day, start by walking
for fifteen minutes. Build up your endurance gradually.
- Give
yourself points for showing up. No matter how you perform,
you are doing yourself some good by exercising.
- Do
not make your workout torture. Do not buy into the "no
pain, no gain" school of thought. If an exercise is unpleasant,
you are less likely to stick with it.
- Build
exercise into your schedule. If you do not make a
regular place in your schedule for exercise, you may let
other things keep you from doing it.
- Bring
a workout buddy. This may help you work out more faithfully.
- Start
new every day. No matter what you did yesterday or
in the past, you can always choose to take better care
of yourself today.
If
you have medical problems, speak to your physician before
beginning an exercise program.
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