Health and fitness

New Year 2023: Parenting Resolutions For Kids With Mental Health Issues

January 3, 2023 by www.boldsky.com Leave a Comment

Kids

Tuesday, January 3, 2023, 12:11

A survey conducted by UNICEF in 2021 with 20,000 children and adults in 21 countries found that children in India seem reluctant to seek mental health treatment. India’s young people between 15 and 24 years of age expressed only 41 per cent support for mental health problems, compared to the average of 83 percent across 21 countries [1] .

Only a minority of young people in Indian society believed that people experiencing mental health issues should seek help. Across all other countries, a majority of young people believed that reaching out to others was the best way to cope with mental health challenges.

There is a large spectrum of physical factors that may contribute to the development of mental disorders, including heredity and brain chemistry.

Mental Health And Indian Children

Identifying mental disorders in children can be difficult for guardians and health care providers. As a child grows and develops, he or she experiences many physical, mental, and emotional changes, which differ from adult development. Moreover, they learn to cope, adapt, and interact with others and their environment [3] .

The majority of Indian children with mental health disorders do not receive a diagnosis and are reluctant to seek treatment or assistance. A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2019 reported that 50 million Indian children were affected by mental health issues even before the pandemic ; 80 to 90 per cent did not seek treatment [4] [5] .

Despite these disparities, India spends only 0.05 per cent of its health budget on mental health annually, according to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2017 [6] .

Parental Resolutions To Combat Mental Health Issues In Children

Children’s physical health and development depend on their mental and psychological well-being. As parents, let us make a commitment on this New Year’s day to help children cope with stress by providing them with appropriate coping mechanisms.

Here are a few tips on parenting resolutions for children with mental health issues.

The most common mental disorders diagnosed in children and adolescents are ADHD , anxiety problems, behavioural problems, and depression . ADHD is the most prevalent neuro-behavioural disorder in children and adolescents, with prevalence levels ranging from 5 per cent to 12 per cent in developed countries [7] .

Throughout this article, we will discuss Parental Resolutions To Combat Mental Health Issues In Children, which refer to anxiety, behavioural problems, and depression.

Tips For Parents To Combat Mental Health Issues In Children

1. Come up with joint resolutions

The experts suggest that you sit down with your children and discuss with them possible goals they would like to set as their New Year’s resolutions. If it’s too overwhelming, simply discuss them as goals.

2. Observing sudden changes in behaviour

There are several red flags that may indicate a child needs support, including sudden changes in behaviour such as being isolated from friends and family, not following routines, or withdrawing from activities that a child normally enjoys [8] .

3. Communication that is healthy and open

In order to be a responsive parent, you need to communicate well with your child. Listen patiently to what they are trying to say and assure them that you will always be there to support them if they encounter difficulties.

4. Take action to demonstrate your love and support

You can never love your child too much, only do (or give) things in the name of love, such as overprotection, indulgence, leniency, and low expectations. When these things are given in place of true love, then you have spoiled children [9] .

5. Assisting them in becoming more organized

As a result of day-to-day schedules and the pressure that comes with performance, children often suffer from high levels of stress and anxiety. Help them to become more organized by following daily routines, and encourage them to live an active lifestyle [10] .

6. Model the right coping mechanisms

The way in which a parent handles their emotions is continuously observed by their children. In order to de-stress ourselves, we often engage in activities such as deep breathing, coloring, painting, taking a walk, or listening to music. To help our children cope with stress and strengthen their life skills, we can introduce similar strategies to them.

7. Positive feedback and encouragement

The goal is to motivate them to repeat the right behaviour. It is equally important to make sure that your child feels loved and supported, and to provide a safe environment in which to develop their resilience.

8. Engage in play therapy

Taking part in group activities such as games and singing and dancing reduces stress, develops emotional and social skills, helps build confidence, and provides opportunities for learning and social interaction [11] .

On A Final Note…

Every child is different, so you will need to employ different parenting tips because one-size-fits-all strategies do not work. There may be some children who are tough and stubborn, while others may be resilient and prevail despite how hard their parents treat them.

The importance of providing a supportive and loving environment where children can express themselves can not be overstated. There is a need for mental health conversations to be normalised amongst teachers, parents, and social groups. It is crucial that we as parents put mental health at the top of our priorities so that our children can live a happier and fuller life.

When your child’s behaviour persists for more than a few weeks, causes distress for your child or your family, or interferes with your child’s functioning at school, at home, or with friends, consider seeking help. Immediately seek help if your child is acting unsafely, or talks about hurting themselves or others.

It is therefore possible to effectively treat many mental disorders using medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two [2] .

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Woman awarded thousands after turning to ‘really unpleasant’ DIY dentistry

April 1, 2023 by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Lucy Bodycote swollen cheek

Lucy Bodycote attempted DIY dentistry after her surgery but failed to fix her problems (Image: Submitted)

A woman claims she had to spend days draining her infected gums after dentists failed to treat her rotten teeth.

Lucy Bodycote has been awarded £15,500 in a legal settlement with her dental practice after she says she was forced to carry out “really unpleasant” DIY dentistry.

The 44-year-old’s dental practice says it “does not accept the accuracy” of the facts portrayed by Lucy’s solicitors.

Over several years, Lucy of Huncote, Leicestershire, says she saw nine different dentists at The Avenue Dental Practice.

When Covid lockdown came into effect, she claims she had to drain her gum after her face swelled up.

She told Leicestershire Live : “At the start of March 2020 I was experiencing problems with an infected tooth and the left side of my face started to swell up.

“I was prescribed antibiotics but as we were about to go into lockdown I couldn’t get an appointment at my dentist and I was told the only way to be seen was going to A&E.

“The hospital was the last place I wanted to be with Covid so rife at the time, so I was left having to drain the lump on my gum every day which was really unpleasant.”

She recalls her problems had begun years earlier.

She says she started going to the surgery in Stewart Avenue in 2004 and had many appointments with the dentists at the practice who provided multiple fillings over the years.

When she started to experience pain in one tooth, she says she was provided with antibiotics, however these did not seem to help ease her pain so she asked for the tooth to be extracted – but this did not go to plan.

She said: “I was in so much pain and after multiple emergency visits and rounds of antibiotics my tooth pain still prevailed.

“Eventually I told the clinic I could not take it any longer and needed the tooth out.

“I had to beg for them to take my tooth out as I felt that was the only option,” she claims.

Untreated decay and infection in Lucy’s upper left-side teeth (Image: Submitted)

“I had anaesthetic injections for the procedure, however, I could still feel everything.

“I was informed that I couldn’t have any more anaesthesia and remember leaving in floods of tears from the pain without so much as a follow-up call to check if I was okay.”

After her experiences in lockdown she decided it was time to pay extra and go private.

She went to an appointment at the new dentist and claims several problems she had not been aware of were discovered.

She claims: “After I had my examination, it came to light that I had multiple rotting teeth, a capped tooth fitted incorrectly leaving a gap, and multiple other errors.”

Lucy contacted the Dental Law Partnership in 2020 (Image: Submitted)

She contacted the specialist medical negligence solicitors Dental Law Partnership in 2020.

It said analysis of her dental records showed that, if The Avenue Dental Practice had used reasonable care and skill, she would not have experienced untreated decay in five different teeth, have had to have multiple root fillings, and experience the loss of several teeth.

Speaking about how the ordeal has affected her, she said: “I’m deeply disappointed in the dentists who treated me because I put my fate in their hands and they messed up so many of my teeth.

“After forking out thousands of pounds to rectify my damaged teeth, and having more teeth removed, I decided to contact the Dental Law Partnership to see if they could help.”

The Pentagon Is Wrong. Gender Transition Is Effective.

April 9, 2018 by www.nytimes.com Leave a Comment

What does it mean to be transgender?

A Pentagon report released last month, recommending that most transgender Americans be disqualified from military service or forced to serve in their birth gender without full health care, has renewed debate over this question.

Is a person less fit to serve if he or she has a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria — significant distress over an incongruity between one’s birth sex and gender identity? Does welcoming such people threaten the cohesion of an organization like the military?

In its unsigned report, the Defense Department argues it does . Its main rationale is that people with a history of gender transition or dysphoria have higher odds of mental health conditions that unacceptably raise the risks of harm to unit cohesion, lethality, good order and overall readiness.

The Pentagon concedes that gender dysphoria is treatable, but asserts there is “considerable scientific uncertainty and overall lack of high-quality scientific evidence demonstrating the extent to which transition-related treatments” address the symptoms associated with gender dysphoria. The report mentions the high suicide rates of the transgender population as a central reason for its ban.

Yet the Pentagon is wrong.

Mounds of scholarly studies stretching back decades — and with increasing volume and quality in recent years — have been conducted on whether gender transition resolves the symptoms of gender dysphoria. That research reveals an overwhelming consensus that transgender people who have adequate access to health care can and do function effectively.

The What We Know Project , a research initiative I lead at Cornell’s Center for the Study of Inequality, recently completed one of the largest comprehensive literature reviews to date on the well-being of people who underwent gender transition (which typically involves some combination of hormone therapy and surgery). The advantage of this approach is that a global database search returns the full universe of research on a given topic, making it less likely that results are biased by the selective use of outlier studies.

Our findings make it indisputable that gender transition has a positive effect on transgender well-being. We identified 56 studies published since 1991 that directly assessed the effect of gender transition on the mental well-being of transgender individuals. The vast majority of the studies, 93 percent, found that gender transition improved the overall well-being of transgender subjects, making them more likely to enjoy improved quality of life, greater relationship satisfaction and higher self-esteem and confidence, and less likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicidality.

Only four studies (7 percent) reported mixed or null findings, and none found that the transitioning created more harm than good. Despite recent media focus on anecdotes about “transgender regret,” actual regret rates across numerous studies were minuscule, generally ranging from 0.3 percent to 3.8 percent. Our review of primary research confirmed the positive findings of at least 16 previous literature reviews.

The research shows that gender transition improves well-being, and that it can redress the specific health conditions that the military claims are its primary concern, particularly suicidality. A 1999 United States study found a “marked decrease of suicide attempts” and substance use in its postoperative population. In a 2014 British study, gender transition “was shown to drastically reduce instances of suicidal ideation and attempts.” The study reported that “67 percent of respondents thought about suicide more before they transitioned and only 3 percent thought about suicide more post-transition.”

Research suggests that gender transition may resolve symptoms completely. A 2016 literature review by scholars in Sweden concluded that, most likely because of improved care over time, transgender “rates of psychiatric disorders and suicide became more similar to controls,” and that for those transitioning after 1989, “there was no difference in the number of suicide attempts compared to controls.” The corollary is also true: Another study found that withholding hormone treatment from transgender people increased the risk of depression and suicide.

While transgender people can still face disproportionate stresses after transition, research suggests that stigma and discrimination are primary causes of such “minority stress.” That’s all the more reason we should provide treatment and social support rather than exclusion and barriers to care.

Suicide and mental health challenges do not, of course, define transgender people, many of whom are just as healthy as their peers. There are other populations that are plagued by suicide, including the military community itself. Children of military members are at much higher risk for suicidal ideation than both the general and the transgender population. Yet children of service members are not barred from enlisting, despite these higher risks. This suggests a double standard in which transgender people are singled out for unequal treatment not because they present an unacceptable risk but simply because of bias.

The studies we reviewed, like all research, have methodological limitations. It’s virtually impossible, as well as unethical, to conduct randomized, controlled trials on transition care because of the small size of the transgender population and because it would require withholding treatment from those who need it.

Yet even with these limitations, the quality and quantity of research on gender transition are robust, showing unmistakably that it’s highly effective. The only way to call this kind of a consensus “uncertainty” is to ignore all the research that doesn’t support a specific agenda, which appears to be just what the Pentagon did.

Colorectal surgeon shares four warning signs of bowel cancer ‘not to miss’

April 1, 2023 by www.express.co.uk Leave a Comment

Bowel cancer: Dr Amir explains symptoms to look out for

Bowel cancer is considered the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, with around 16,800 lives lost due to the condition every year. The good news is that early detection can improve your prognosis and maximise your chances of effective treatment. This makes symptom awareness front and centre, according to colorectal surgeon James Kinross, from King Edward VII Hospital .

Despite its daunting nature, bowel cancer doesn’t always make a grand entrance.

The first symptoms can often be vague and non-specific but knowing what to look for can help.

That’s why Kinross shared four “warning” signs of bowel cancer “not to miss”.

Know when you go

Perhaps not surprising but the first red flags often strike inside the bathroom walls.

Bowel cancer: Symptoms may include pain or lump in your stomach. (Image: GETTY)

Kinross said: “One potential indicator of bowel cancer is any significant change in your pooing habits, which can vary from person to person.

“For example, pooing more often than normal, or having looser, runnier stools.

“This would be more likely related to an external factor such as stress, eating more fibre or a change in diet , but it’s worth getting yourself checked if the problem persists.”

While paying attention to your bowel movements might make you feel squeamish, even the NHS stresses that any changes in this area are a key symptom.

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Blood in stools

If you don’t suffer from haemorrhoids and you begin to notice blood in your stools, this could be a sign of cancer .

The blood can be mixed in with your poo, on top of the stool, in the toilet bowl, or on the loo roll.

The expert said: “Normally your doctor will ask you to simply supply them with a stool sample, and they will use a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) to uncover any hidden blood in your stool.

“This will help them assess whether the problem is bowel cancer or another issue.”

Discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating could be a bowel cancer sign. (Image: GETTY)

Woman, 25, hit with cancer after spotting ‘dark’ sign in her stool

Abdominal pain

From muscle fatigue to period pains, there are various benign triggers for abdominal pain.

However, Kinross explained that discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating – which can lead you to eat less, and in turn lose weight – is something that needs to be assessed by a doctor.

Pain or lump

The colorectal surgeon said: “You may have pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.

“Though this is likely to be benign, it may indicate a malignant growth .

Cancer signs and symptoms to look out for include bleeding. (Image: Express.co.uk)

“With that in mind, you should always have any new lumps, or lumps which have increased in size, checked by your GP.”

Don’t be embarrassed

The expert underlined that early detection is one of the “best” ways to increase your survival outcomes.

Kinross added: “Though talking about your poo – or bowel habits – may seem embarrassing, doctors are there to listen confidentially and without judgement.

“Talking to them will allow them to run the necessary tests and treat you as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Expert Article: 8 Evils To Win Over This Dussehra For Perfect Mental Well-Being

October 4, 2022 by www.boldsky.com Leave a Comment

Wellness

Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 14:17

The glorious Indian festival, Dussehra, is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. While some celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over the monstrous Mahishasura, some rejoice in the annihilation of the king of demons, Ravana, by the hands of the mighty Lord Rama.

The 10-headed Ravana’s effigy is burnt every year to mark the victory of goodness over darkness. Unfortunately, what we miss to acknowledge is the darkness present within ourselves – negativity, homelessness, toxic patterns, and unhealthy habits that are weakening our mental health.

This Dussehra, why don’t we take the opportunity for a little introspection? Let’s find out the evils within ourselves and heal them. This year, winning over these 8 evils will bless you with perfect mental health.

1. Comparing yourself to others

There are two kinds of comparisons –

a. Upward comparisons b. Downward comparisons

Upward comparison is the one that you make with people living a better life than yourself. You compare your current situation with theirs, envy their happiness, and feel bad about yourself.

Downward comparison is the one that you make with people who are having it worse than you. You see them being unfit or having a poor job. This makes you feel good about yourself. But in return, it leaves you unmotivated by giving you a fake sense of satisfaction.

Both these comparisons are bad for your mental health. The only kind of comparison that should exist is the one that you make with yourself. Redirect your efforts to be dedicated to being better than you were yesterday.

2. Inactive Lifestyle

Living an inactive or sedentary lifestyle accounts for doubled risks of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and other cardiovascular diseases. It also impacts your mental health with anxiety issues, stress, depression, and insomnia.

You may enjoy perfect health and fitness, yet exercising is a must for everyone alike. Including physical workouts should be a priority in your list to defeat the evil of a sedentary lifestyle.

Make exercising fun to make it a long-term habit. Try finding an accountability partner. Choose any means to sweat it out from weight training, cardio, skipping, brisk walking, yoga, or group activities like Zumba to remain fit and healthy.

3. Procrastination

The ” I’ll do it tomorrow ” attitude slaughters millions of dreams every year. You keep sitting on your plans until one day you lose the means and time to turn them into reality.

You keep making one resolution after another just to remain the same. The habit of delaying your tasks and ignoring your duties may work for a dinner table joke but destroys your sanity in the long term.

Apart from restricting your potential, procrastination brings anxiety, lifelong regret, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression as its end product. Take proactive steps to defeat the silent killer.

4. The inability to say “no”

Are you the kind of person who says ” yes ” to helping others in their projects when you’re struggling to meet your own deadlines? If yes, then it’s a habit that you need to drop soon.

Being kind and empathetic towards others is a great trait. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of your mental well-being. By saying yes to everyone and everything, you spread yourself too thin.

You may find it difficult to reject requests and invitations for the fear of hurting or losing them. Realize that the people who care about you will understand your circumstances and those who don’t, shouldn’t matter.

5. Dehydration

Who thought drinking 1 liter of water a day can lower your concentration span and turn you into a crybaby at work? Well, recent studies prove that dehydration does exactly that.

Not drinking enough fluid makes you prone to mood swings, anxiety, stress, and in extreme cases, depression. You lash out at people for petty reasons. Plus, it affects digestion.

You can avoid these unfavorable situations by simply drinking around 3 liters of water per day. Soon, you will experience a positive change in your relationships and brain performance.

6. Perfectionism

Gone are the days when perfectionism was considered a positive trait. I’m not telling you to stop giving your best to a task. What’s unhelpful is setting unrealistic expectations and constantly obsessing over perfection.

It is the shortcut to distorted self-image, dissatisfaction, frustration, and failure in completing tasks at times.

A perfectionist often finds it difficult to deal with disapproval and accept constructive feedback. They seem confident but silently struggle. Overcoming perfectionism is not a cakewalk. Combat this habit by setting realistic goals, acceptance, celebrating small accomplishments, and searching for meaning over perfection.

7. Inadequate sleep

Your body repairs itself while sleeping. It boosts your mood, memory, attention span, and productivity. On the other hand, not getting sufficient sleep on a daily basis invites a list of physical ailments and mental disorders.

Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Paranoia are some of the major diseases caused due to lack of sleep. Its minor drawbacks include poor decision-making abilities and interference with proper brain function and simple cognitive functions.

Fighting this evil is simple. All you have to do is to get 6-8 hours of interrupted sleep every night. Keep your room cool and dark to fall asleep early.

8. Living without a purpose

A purpose gives meaning to your life. Without a purpose, you don’t feel like getting up in the morning, making your bed, and going to work. You lack direction in your life and have nothing to look forward to.

An existence like this deactivates your brain reward system making you feel numb. Slowly, you don’t find pleasure in the things that you once enjoyed. A thick cloud of hopelessness engulfs your reality.

Be dedicated to your goals if you are already aware of your purpose. Those who are unaware of their objective in life, take your time to find out what drives you to lead an overall satisfying life.

Don’t forget to pledge to defeat these evils this Dussehra!

Mental Health Helpline Numbers: [email protected] | 10 AM- 8 PM (Monday to Saturday) [email protected] |2 PM- 10 PM (Monday To Friday); 10 AM – 10 PM (Saturday and Sunday) [email protected] |8 AM – 10 PM [email protected] | 10 AM – 6 PM.

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