Helping A Loved One With Depression

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration. 

Depression affects people of any gender, age or background, it affects over 120 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.

Depression can become chronic affecting the person's ability to take care of himself or to do everyday chores.

Depression can lead to loss of employment and relationships with family and friends.

If your loved one is suffering from depression there are things you can do to help and make them feel.
 better. 

The loved one will need support, but support is more than a shoulder to cry on.

If you are a care giver,  you must realize that treatment is important.
 
Here are some ways to go about giving your help.

• Get active in their care- If you are a care giver , get active in their care.
• Talk about it- let them know you care
• Stay in contact-Call, visit or involve them
• Focus on small goals- Praise their small achievements
• Keep informed
• Give them help to get to and from appointments
• Encourage and remind them to take medication
• Remind them to keep doctor's appointment

This article is about many ways you can help a family member or loved one who is suffering from depression.
View the ways and read about each in more detail, they are in slide format.

Click Here to begin.

Behaviour Sleep Techniques -No Harm to the Child

A recent study showed that behaviour sleep techniques don't cause harm to the child or  to the parent.  They can be confidently used for infants' sleep problems and to relieve the burden on the parents.

The participants in the study were children at age 6 months. It was a follow up to another study in which parents reported sleep problems at age 6 months.

Read about the study in TheSpec.com

Pacifiers My Stunt Emotional Growth Of Boys

 In a study that assumes babies can't smile, pout, or furrow a brow while using a pacifier, researchers found  that their use may affect emotional growth of boys.

While girls appear to make satisfactory progress despite their use, boys grow up emotionally stunted by frequent use of pacifiers during the day.

The studies were done on the use of pacifiers on the emotional developement of children.

Researchers are asking that the results of the studies be taken seriously and that parents cut down on the use  of pacifiers during the day.

Click below to read more on the study.
TheSpec.com

Marriage -A Cure For Cancer

Another time when giving for health instead of another can be useful is during cancer treatment.

According to a recent study supportive care and social support may make marriage a miracle cure for cancer.

A study involving 168 patients with lung cancer found that 1/3 of those who were married were still alive after three years, while only 10% of those who were single were still alive.

The patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation over a period of ten years.

Based on the result of the study, researchers are reporting  that marriage may be that miracle cure.

Whereas chemotherapy and radiation are approved treatment for cancer, social support from close family members can improve the quality of life.

Cancer is a major non-communicable disease taking the lives of millions each year. The main risk factors for the disease are unhealthy eating, physical  inactivity, smoking, overweight/obesity and air pollution.

According to the study marital status is a strong predictor of survival.

The strong social support given by a marriage mate and family members may account for the health benefits of marriage.

The  will and the motivation to survive on account of a marriage mate may also play a part.

Read more on the study.

How To Help Seniors Have A Safe Stay In Hospital

The question was how best can an elderly woman prepare for a comfortable stay in hospital and a safe recovery.

The person who raised the question was a family member and the hospital stay for knee surgery.

Giving for health begins as soon as the decision for surgery is made.

Support and encouragement from family members are important before surgery, they can help with physical and emotional support. This may mean giving up some of their time or even money.

Preparing both physically and emotionally means better health prior to surgery. Good health before surgery means quicker and fuller recovery.

A positive attitude on the part of the family member can go a long way towards to fostering hope and

After surgery, while recovering, instead of giving her flowers or a get well card, instead of a box of chocolates or some of her favourite cookies give a gift of health.

Leg surgery will affect mobility and the ability to be physically active. Remember to give gifts that can assist with mobility and daily living.

There are medical aids and supplies that will assist with daily living and for safe recovery; these can be given as wrapped gifts instead of others.

Here are some useful advice for family members and care givers on how they can contribute to the prevention of delirium. The advice are in an article in the Spec.com
Read about these below.
TheSpec - How to help seniors have a safe stay in hospital