I have struggled with mental illness for nearly half my life. Over time I have fought battles with social anxiety, general anxiety, major depression, ptsd, anorexia, insomnia, seasonal affective disorder, and borderline personality disorder. I am still fighting many of these battles today. I have been in recovery for two years now and counting. Lots […]
Category: mental health
davidrothbauer
My followers, and those that know me personally know that I sometimes struggle with mental health issues and sometimes I talk about it here. I’ve never regretted it when I have. But often I won’t, for various reasons that are usually not good ones. I will continue to do so, in hopes that someone who […]
Gray Clouds, Clear Skies
Since the [Major Depressive Disorder] diagnosis, I have ventured in and out of the valley of depression at least 6 times, perhaps more. The thing about depression is – the more episodes you have, the more episodes you will have. All through those years, I asked God to someday use this in my life for […]
Saying goodbye to ‘Headclutcher’ photos
What does mental illness look like? Can a photo show what it’s like to have conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? Time to Change have launched a new range of photographs to illustrate media stories about mental illness.
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
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
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{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} 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
Samsung Develops Gadget to Detect Strokes
In recent news, engineers at the Samsung Electronics Creative Lab (C-Lab) have developed an Early Detection Sensor & Algorithm Package (EDSAP) that has the ability to detect strokes. “The resulting headset is equipped with sensors that transfer data to algorithms that allow you to observe your brainwaves on your Smartphone, tablet or upright computer to make sure you are not at risk.”Interestingly, this device could potentially save lives by ensuring that people obtain proper medical attention in a timely manner. Samsung claims that it’s even more efficient than hospital equipment as it analyzes brainwaves more rapidly and detects more detail due to a rubber-like ultra-conductive material. Apparently, the headset is merely a prototype and the sensors will actually function effectively in any type
Depression May Be Linked to Inflammation in the Brain
New research in Canada reveals that inflammation deep in the brain may be linked to depression. Specifically, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) studied the brain scans of patients with depression and those without. Results showed 30{c754d8f4a6af077a182a96e5a5e47e38ce50ff83c235579d09299c097124e52d} more inflammation in the brains of patients with clinical depression. In addition, symptoms worsened with the degree of inflammation. Keeping in mind that researchers only studied the scans of 40 patients, concrete conclusions are a tad premature.Nevertheless, this research does offer new ideas for investigation, which could uncover other possible causes for the illness as well as potential new treatments for depression. In other words, perhaps reducing inflammation in the brain may alleviate or eliminate the symptoms. This is exciting news for the individuals that do not respond
Commonly Used Medications Linked to Dementia
A new study reveals that higher doses or prolonged use of medications with anticholinergic effects significantly increases the risk for developing dementia. Although, this is not the first study to discover such a link, it is the first to suggest that the risk of dementia as a result of taking such medications may not be reversible.“An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells. The nerve fibers of the parasympathetic system are responsible for the involuntary movement of smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lungs, etc.”Anticholinergic agents are used to treat a
Mental Illness Can Have More Impact on Life Expectancy Than Smoking
According to researchers at Oxford University, mental illness has an effect on life expectancy that is equivalent or greater than smoking. A great deal of effort and spending has been invested into smoking cessation programs and smoking awareness campaigns. This new research should prompt the government, health care and social services to shift their focus in an effort to increase life expectancy for those living with mental illness.Researchers reviewed 20 review papers from clinical studies that reported mortality risk among mental health problems, substance and alcohol abuse, dementia, autistic spectrum disorders, learning disability and childhood behavioral disorders. These studies included over 1.7 million individuals and over 250,000 deaths. They also used studies and reviews that reported life expectancy and risk of dying by suicide. All results were compared to