Sunday, May 6, 2007

News about counseling and mental health for those living in Cary, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Dundee, Marengo, Woodstock and Wauconda, IL…

Many people don't believe in AD/HD.

They say that AD/HD kids have parents who don't have a clue about discipline because they probably never had any themselves. Others think that teachers have turned soft and can't control their classes anymore.

Another theory is that you had a head injury because you were dropped on your head as an infant. However, a majority of people with AD/HD never had any type of head
injury?

OK, so where does AD/HD come from?

One scientific study done through PET (positron emission tomography) scans showed a decrease in brain activity in regions that control activity and impulsiveness, and they have
linked this to an inability to process glucose properly. AD/HD also has been linked to genetics.

25 to 35% of people with AD/HD have parents with it while in the general population, only 4 - 6% of people do.

As a kid, it's hard to be the "kid who's always getting in trouble" or the kid "who never shuts up," of whatever. And if you're one of the 15% of adults that still exhibit AD/HD
behavior, you might be having trouble with organization, have some kind of addiction, or spend too much money on things you really don't need.

Zero in on those weaknesses and address them. A good place to start is with a support group, whether it's offline or online.

Of course, if you need to seek professional help, do it and take medication if you find it helps you. Just take positive action to change your life, if you're heading down the road to self-bashing. It's the absolute worst thing you can do!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

News about counseling and mental health for those living in Cary, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Woodstock and Lake in the Hills, IL ...

While the manic phase of Bipolar Disorder is perhaps the most disturbing to those around the patient, the depressive phase is most dangerous to them. During these phases, bleak emotions can even cause some to become suicidal.

It is important to recognize the signs that those experiencing a depression may be considering suicide. Along with knowing the signs of suicidal behavior, you should also know who to contact to help.

Signs of a depressive episode include a persistent sad or empty mood, fatigue, changes in appetite and sleep, a lack of motivation and feelings of guilt, anger and anxiety.

While these symptoms are uncomfortable, it is when these dark feelings brought on by bipolar depression give birth to thoughts of suicide that they become dangerous.

Signs that someone may be contemplating suicide include obvious signals such as the person talking about suicide or wanting to die. Other signs perhaps known only to the depressed patient include feeling as if she is a burden to family or friends, feeling as if the circumstances will never change or improve, or feeling that nothing she does is of any importance or makes a difference. The person contemplating suicide may turn to alcohol or drugs to help numb the emotional distress.

Another sign the person may be thinking about killing themselves include purposefully putting herself in situations where she might be harmed. Finally, she may also put her affairs in order or write suicide notes about her intentions and feelings of emptiness.

If you suspect someone you know is considering suicide as the result of a bout of Bipolar Depression, there are some steps you can take to help stop the attempt. If you need immediate help, call the police, 911, or take the person to the nearest emergency room.

Be prepared to tell these people exactly what the problem is, what disorder the person suffers from and what, if any, medications they may be taking. You should also make sure the suicidal person is not left alone. Perhaps most important, be sure the person does not have access to any weapons or large amounts of medications.

Some people take the time to plan their suicide attempt carefully while some may think up their attempt on the spur of the moment. Either way, no suicide attempt should be taken lightly. With proper treatment and medication, the feelings of worthlessness and emptiness that come along can be relieved.

If you are on a doctor prescribed treatment regimen, stay on it. If not, your doctor and therapist can get you started on a plan that will help your life look more promising.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Benefits of Antidepressants Outweigh Risks for Kids, Teens-News about counseling and mental health for those living in Cary, Barrington, Elgin, Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Woodstock and Lake in the Hills, IL

Young adults beginning treatment with any antidepressant should be warned about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior associated with the drugs, health officials said.

The Food and Drug Administration proposed labeling changes that would expand a so-called "black box" warning now on all antidepressants. It would broaden the severe warning's current language, which applies only to children and adolescents, to include adults 18-24 during the first month or two of treatment with the drugs, the FDA said.

Eli Lilly and Co., the maker of Prozac, Zoloft manufacturer Pfizer Inc. and other pharmaceutical companies said they would comply with the FDA's request.

"We believe this step will help ensure that the millions of people with depression who are young adults age 24 and under and their families can make informed treatment decisions while minimizing the fear and stigma associated with depression," Eli Lilly said in a statement.

Pfizer spokeswoman Shreya Prudlo said the company would update its label, which she said already calls for close monitoring of patients when they begin taking Zoloft. She added, however, "There is no established causal link between Zoloft and suicide in adults, young adults or children."

The proposed labeling changes also would note that studies have not shown this increased risk in adults older than 24, and that adults 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.

The expanded warnings would emphasize that depression and certain other serious psychiatric disorders are themselves the most important causes of suicide.

"Antidepressant medications benefit many patients, but it is important that doctors and patients are aware of the risks," said Dr. Steven Galson, the FDA's drugs chief.

The FDA advises that patients of all ages starting on antidepressants should be "monitored appropriately and observed closely" for worsening symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behaviors or unusual changes in behavior.

Still, any risks are small: for every 1,000 patients 18-24 treated with antidepressants, the FDA would expect there would be five additional patients who have suicidal thoughts or exhibit suicidal behavior, said Dr. Thomas Laughren, who oversees psychiatric drugs for the FDA. The FDA analysis was based on studies of 11 antidepressants in more than 77,000 patients.

The proposed changes came with the endorsement of FDA expert advisers. Some experts have argued that the changes are overdue while others maintain they could keep drugs from those who need them.

Thursday, April 26, 2007-ADHD

ADHD and Learning Disabilities
ADHD is accompanied in 20-45% of the cases by a problem with learning. Before school age, when present, the child demonstrates problems in understanding some speech elements, such as words, sounds ,or pronunciation ,doubled by writing and mathematical disorganization,reading and spelling problems .

Dyslexia, a reading disorder that appears in 9 % of the cases.

ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
This problem follows ADHD in 35% of the cases and is mostly encountered in boys.  It manifests in
"authority problems", and, sometimes, even in violence towards other children.

These patients refuse to be obedient thereby manifesting obvious hostility. (ODD).

ADHD and Tourettes Syndrome.
In a very few cases,Tourettes syndrome accompanies
ADHD. It's characteristic symptoms are repetitive mannerism, vulgarities, nervous tics (grimaces, blinking, clearing of throats,snorting,sniffing or barking
some words.).