Older adults experience mental illness at similar rates to the rest of the population. They do, however, experience the additional stigma of aging in addition to the continued stigma around mental health. Depression and dementia are most commonly experienced by this population, however depression continues to be underrecognized and undertreated. "Depression in seniors is often misunderstood … The most important misconception about seniors and depression is the assumption that a person who has never had it won't develop it." To read more about this topic, check out this article recently published in the Washington Post.
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Comedian and TV-star Wayne Brady, unbeknownst to the public and even his close friends, has been battling depression for years. Recently, however Brady openly discussed his mental health struggles, the impact his friend Robin Williams' death had on him, and the "double standard in Hollywood when it comes to admitting to #depression as opposed to a drug problem". "'People are like, 'Wayne Brady's always happy!'" he says. "No I'm not. Because I'm human.' 'Having a bad day is one thing, having a bad week is another, having a bad life … You don't want to move, you can't move in the darkness," he explains. "You're like, 'I am just going to sit right here and I want to wallow in this. As much as it hurts, I am going to sit right here because this is what I deserve. This is what I deserve, so I am going to sit here because I am that horrible of a person.'" You can watch an interview of Wayne Brady talking about his battle with depression here: http://www.etonline.com/…/153335_wayne_brady_opens_up_abou…/ Dr. James Lynch, a physician and professor in the department of hematology and oncology, and the dean of admissions at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainseville, recently spoke out about depression and suicide among med students and physicians. In the article "Suicide: A Doctor's Story", Dr. Lynch talks about his own personal struggles with depression and encourages students and doctors with mental health concerns to reach out for support. "For the many young physicians Lynch hopes his story might someday help, the lessons are clear. “First,” he says, “we need to be honest about our suffering and encourage others to do the same. Second, we need to build strong relationships, so people know they have someone they can confide in. And finally, we need to be more perceptive and compassionate toward those experiencing similar trials.” Put your knowledge and skills to the test with the case of a 64 year old man who presents as tearful and depressed, and states he is "tired" of his family issues and medical conditions and has been feeling this way for the last year, but increasingly so in the last few days. While the patient explains that 3 of his children are affected by substance abuse and relationship problems, he is particularly fixated on one of his daughter's partners who struggles with addiction and also abuses her and her children. The patient describes a plan to shoot this man and then kill himself. During his visit, the patient also describes a complex medical history including: poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, a stroke 18 months ago that resulted in left homonymous heamianopsia and vertical gaze paralysis, adenocarcinoma in the colon that was treated surgically, as well as cryptogenic cirrhosis, splenomegaly and portal gastropathy. At the time he presents his serum glucose is 650 mg/dL (36 mmol/L) and his A1C is 10.9%. The patient does not endorse any symptoms of psychosis, and denies any personal or family psychiatric history, or personal history of substance abuse. While he is alert and oriented, his judgment and insight are found to be impaired. Can you come up with a diagnosis or treatment plan? "Diabetic and Depressed'" by Magdalena Romanowicz, Christopher L. Sola, and John H. Davidson (Current Psychiatry). Dubbed "Nuggets" this 5 minute video may be short and simple, but it sends a powerful message about #addiction and its devastating effects ... "The concept of this video succinctly captures the heartbreaking reality of addiction. It explains the initial lure, the tunnel vision that follows, and the practically inevitable conclusion. It also puts into perspective the plight of the addicted person, inviting viewers to feel empathy for them instead of contempt. It's difficult to watch this video and not want to call any person in your life who's exhibited warning signs recently—which makes "Nuggets" the rare animated short that could potentially save lives" (http://www.fastcocreate.com/3039010/this-animated-short-cleverly-reveals-the-truth-about-addiction-and-its-devastating). Baycrest Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario has recently partnered with the National Ballet School to provide seniors living with dementia an opportunity to experience the arts and humanities through movement, music, and dance. The new initiative, titled Movement to Music, is more than just a way to keep individuals with dementia physically active. "Movement bypasses a lot of the verbal areas of the brain and the need for a lot of the cognitive processing … it is a non-verbal form of communication. So because of that it’s particularly suited to people with dementia because it doesn’t require a lot of the cognitive function that is needed for regular communication or interactive talking.” To see the program in action check out this great Globe and Mail video. In the article, "I Had Postpartum Psychosis - More Must Be Done To Help Others Like Me" a mother from Scotland describes her frightening experience with postpartum psychosis, and discusses the challenges she faced in seeking help, as well as the frustrations with first being labeled as malingering. Ultimately, the author Vonny Moyes, pushes for enhanced awareness of postpartum mental health issues and calls for improved screening and increased support for others like her. "Psychosis doesn’t live up to its Hollywood image; instead it’s often a silent erosion of your own existence, which makes it hard to spot. When delusions and reality blend so seamlessly, you don’t have the self-awareness to shout out. The voices are your reality. And the toxic thoughts. You become caged inside yourself so abruptly that you simply cannot find the fortitude to reach out." A 911 operator in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who often receives emergency calls from people feeling troubled and lonely, collaborated with a group of local artists to "do something positive for people struggling with mental illnesses during the holiday season". Together the artists wrote and recorded a Christmas CD that not only helps to change the way we think about mental health, but the funds from CD sales will go to support the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. Not only does the CD work to inform the public about mental health but it also "contains information about mental health programs and ways that people can find help". You can find out more about this musical project here: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/10/911-christmas-music_n_6284612.html?utm_hp_ref=tw To hear a sample of the main track and to purchase the CD visit: http://www.mentalhealthns.ca/christmas-cd/ In follow-up to yesterday's post about a physician being attacked during a psychiatric assessment, Dr. Sandy Simpson, chief of forensic psychiatry at the CAMH - Centre for Addiction and Mental Health helps us to better understand mental illness and violence, in this brief but informative blog post.
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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