Chatham Daily News – Recently, I have been amazed at how accurate the forecasters were concerning the possibility of flooding. Predicting the local river systems would be overwhelmed by impending rain, they issued early warnings for people to take the appropriate precautions. Sure enough by Friday, the heavy rains arrived …
The Telegraph – Mental health should be given as much priority as physical health, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has claimed, as those with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years sooner. The organisations, which take charge of commissioning NHS services from next week, should ensure that patients get …
Mental illness is one of the great taboos in society. Nobody wants to admit to it – not even depression – let alone bipolar or schizophrenia. Decent mainstream portrayals of mental illness are extremely rare and tend to glamourise the condition of the sufferer. Therefore we have A Beautiful Mind …
The Goods on Hoarding By Gail Adams Hoarding is the accumulation of objects to the degree that it prevents the use of living space as it was originally intended. A mild hoarding problem may involve only minor inconveniences but in more severe cases the clutter may completely cover counters, stovetops, tables, chairs, sofas, beds and so on. Stuff can easily fill sinks and bathtubs and may also cover the floor so that it is impossible to move around the home without stepping on things. Only a small portion of the objects hoarded ever get used. In addition, these possessions are usually …
Resiliency is an ingredient to be encouraged in a family caregiver given the kind of challenges she faces vis-a-vis caring for a family member, neighbour, or friend living …
So many people today complain of lack of overall energy in their lives. When it comes to caregivers, so much of their time is devoted to the ill person that they can quickly burn out or “run on empty”. Sometimes the situation is that a loved one might feel well for a while and then relapse, so caregivers need to be prepared mentally and emotionally for these “ebbs and flows”. Isabelle Leblond, a successful personal trainer shares with us her insights on things that people should be doing to keep those energy (and hence mood) levels up. Here is what …
We are all aware that caregivers face many obstacles when caring for a mentally ill loved one. Sometimes situations become overwhelming but there are ways to cope. Francine Waters, counselor at AMI-Quebec suggests her top 5 ways to de-stress. 1) Breathe! Doctors and fitness trainers alike recommend deep breathing. Here’s how to perform deep breathing effectively: Breathe in long, while filling your stomach and chest area with air. As you do this exercise, tense up all your muscles. Next breathe out slowly while consciously relaxing every limb in your body. Repeat several times. 2) Worrying about the future often is …
Everyday families – and especially mothers – have opportunities to improve the strength of their ill relatives’ recovery. It’s not complicated. Just be aware of the messages you are sending by what you say and do. A recent research study set out to better understand the trajectory of recovery. The authors believed that that the attitudes of family members would have an impact on their ill relatives’ self-image. Their view was based on the well-known fact that a positive self-image is vital to recovery. Those who see themselves as less competent, able or successful tend to behave in a …
“When I am in this anxious mood I noticed obstacles more than an harmonious reality. This illustration conveys that feeling” What is it that helped me to go through my difficulties with anxiety? Most of the time I was responsible to find activities in volunteering, taking courses, going to events, conferences to help keep me busy, to try to avoid the constant nerves … but did they make me feel happier ? My answers for this was never clear but what I can say is that activities kept me busy – so busy that I didn’t have much time …
