According to a recent survey, Britons spend more than five years of their total life worrying. This means for 27 days a year, Britons find themselves amidst worries. The survey conducted on 2000 Britons, by advice web site ReallyWorried.com, stressed that the major causes for anxiety for Britons was personal health, followed by financial issues and increasing crime. Certain other reasons include Cost of living, Terrorism, children’s future, National Health Service, Gun knife culture, Global warming and Pensions. The survey revealed that it is the young people in their late teens who find themselves worried the most. Astonishingly, 10 per cent of the youth of Britain spend 12 hours a day stressing, and the cause of anxiety being getting on the property ladder rather than sexual, educational or environmental fears. The fairer sex worries more over the fear of their partners having affairs. On the contrary, men are more preoccupied with anxiety relating to sex, either a lack of it or their performance. The research shows that most people in Britain are really worried — whether it’s about something monumental like their partner is cheating on them or something relatively simple to sort out such as getting to grips with technology, said Richard Rubin, founder of ReallyWorried.com. Worry is a harbinger for depression and that is why maximum cases related to depression are reported from the European countries. Image Via:DnaIndia
Health &
TagMental illness at work on the rise among Britons
A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has found that an increasing amount of sickness leave is due to depression or stress. The study finds that mental illness is now the second largest reason for UK workers. Staff personnel with depression were said to take an average of 30 days off a year. Those under stress were reported to be away for 21 days. The study states that it is the public sector workers who are more likely to take time off work because of mental illness. And among them, the problem is more prevalent among older staff. The CIPD in its report said the latest findings would worry the government more, in light of a huge surge in the figure of people with mental health problems claiming their incapacity benefits. This research shows how important it is for managers and HR practitioners to be aware of the signs of mental ill health so that they can take action early and provide support before the individual’s condition deteriorates to the point they go off on long-term sick leave, said Ben Willmott, CIPD employee relations adviser. Government should provide tax incentives to persuade more corporations to offer occupational health services to the staff, so that they work more closely with employers to spot opportunities for phased return-to-work for those affected with less demanding or reduced hours roles. Image Via:BBC
Male depression linked to poor sibling relation during childhood
Relationship with your siblings as a child determines your vulnerability to depression. A recent study puts such men at risk of developing depression who had poor relationships with siblings during childhood, than those who got along better. The study, Childhood Sibling Relationships as a Predictor of Major Depression in Adulthood, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, emphasizes that it doesn’t mean that a poor childhood relationship with a brother or sister causes depression, but the two are strongly associated. The study spans over 30 years and assessed 229 men who were being followed since they were 18 or 19 in 1939-42. The men were interviewed along with their parents and re interviewed when they were 25, 30 and 50, and the questionnaires have continued to interview to the present. Researchers lay the credit of their study to prospective design and long follow-up. After gathering information from these questionnaires, experts came to know about the type of relation the men shared with their siblings as kids and adults. It was also taken into account whether any of the men had a family history of depression. The study spotted 15% of the men, who had poor relationship with their mothers and the 16 % having a family history of depression suffered from the same later in life. But 26% were those who had poor or vicious relation with siblings, had episodes of major depression as adults. The study cautions that all those prone to depression for poor relation with siblings were men, highlighting that the trouble fits if the person is a male. But, this is not to out rightly reject females from the study. It might be the case that males are more vulnerable to developing stress and depression for their relation to siblings than females. However, the study is mum on whether depression causes harsh interactions among siblings, or whether vicious relationships are an early indication of depression, and also whether the two factors relate to each other to enhance the risk. So, what are you waiting for? Develop a close, warm relationship with your siblings if want to evade trouble later on. Image Via: Nytimes.com
Regular physical exercise helps in tackling depression
Regular physical exercise can be an effective alternative for medicines if you are suffering from depression. Spend a few minutes everyday in physical exercises and meditation. You won’t need to follow the medicated procedures. Physical activity of the body adjusts brain chemistry leading to feelings of well being. Exercise also helps in tackling anxiety. Depression is a chemical disorder, which alters the function of normal brain behavior. A depressed person sees no positive in anything. He lives a frustrated life. In extreme cases, depression might result in other diseases like Alzheimer’s or force the patient to suicide. But, physical exercise refreshes thoughts, mental set-up of the brain changes. Positive thoughts substitute the negative ones, leading to positive self-concept, more self-esteem and more positive moods. Studies indicate that regular exercise may be as effective as other treatments like medication and counseling to relieve mental health problems such as depression. It is found that people who indulge themselves in some kind of physical exercise daily tend to have significantly less depression. Exercise regulates the mental metabolism and helps in developing positive thought, which are totally opposite to depression. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Public Health, physical exercise must form a regular feature of a person’s routine. The MHDDAD or Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, treats its over 2,00,000 patients per year with a treatment plan that carries a plethora of physical exercises spanning from walking, jogging to gardening. Physical exercise can significantly improve well being of the person. It can help provide a distraction from worries, tensions, stress and anxiety. Exercise enables to keep the body fit, helping in sound sleep, which is a must for a person afflicted with depression. On the whole, it can change the entire perspective of life for a person. However, before endeavoring a serious exercise program, people with clinical depression should discuss it with their doctor. Image Via: The Weekly
Loneliness is dangerous for your health
One thing that has accompanied development is the ever-increasing loneliness. Yeah! I know that we do socialize, we do throw big bashes, we meet new people everyday, but the warmth in our conversations, the security of feelings have been lost way back. I don’t wanna preach anything but my point simply is – ‘we are lonelier then ever’. We might have all the riches in the world, we might be in a top position is our firm but we aren’t able to find a single soul to tell our problems to. Thus, loneliness in its various physical, mental and social shapes is taking its toll and believe me that’s a threat to human society. Louise Hawkley and John Cacioppo, two psychologists from the University of Chicago have been trying to solve the complex, inevitable web of loneliness, by studying both the superficial and underlying factors. As per the findings that were reported in this month’s ‘Current Directions in Psychological Science’ which is a journal of the Association for Psychological Science indicate that the problem snow balls into bigger issues with time. It increases, both by breadth and length. As per the studies, lonelier people not only face troubles with a greater helplessness but also are not easy to talk about them to anyone. They instead of seeking help in such conditions retire back to a shell life, which worsens their conditions. The researchers studied college-aged group and also studied a group of people aged between 50 and 68 for a whole year. People reported almost the same number of stressful or demoralizing events but the lonely ones had more experiences of chronic stress as an aftermath. On a molecular level, the lonelier ones reported increased flow of epinephrine, a hormone in their bodies. The increased hormone level indicates that these people go through a lot of stress which leave them with heightened arousal conditions. Also, loneliness takes its toll proportional to the age factor. Loneliness can be one of the factors, which can make you look 60 when you have just crossed 45. Another condition that the researchers observed was that lonelier people had lesser sleep and also what we may call ‘micro awakenings’. The word here means that the amount of the sleep of the lonelier people is almost equal to those who have social circles, but the quality of sleep is poorer. Yeah! Lonely people have a disturbed sleep which doesn’t let their body, mind and soul to relax. Thus, if you find anyone who you think is a loner, stretch out your hands to welcome him/her in your world. Source: Physorg Image credit: Teensexercise
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Nature and Nurture Theory
Just like nature and nurture shape up our physical and mental faculties, these two factors also seem to determine our response to stress. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD has been shown to have a genetic and environmental connection. A study conducted by Kerry Ressler, of Emory University in Atlanta, established that an individual may be at an increased risk for developing PTSD if he/she possesses a particular gene variant in combination with a past traumatic experience. The research team examined the effects of a gene called FKBP5 and concluded that the presence of this gene could mean a predisposition to PTSD. Every individual has a different mechanism to deal with stressful situations like violence, accidents, natural calamity and war. While some succeed in leaving behind bad memories and moving on with life, others remain haunted by them for a long time to the extent that it affects their mental health and social well-being. PTSD is characterized by frequent nightmares, anxiety attacks, phobic behavior, insomnia and traumatic flashbacks. The genetic link is also supported by the research on identical twins which sates that an identical twin is more likely to suffer from PTSD if the other twin is already affected as compared to fraternal sets. In any case however, the presence of a traumatic or stressful experience is mandatory. Another suppoting study by Avshalom Caspi and Terrie Moffitt, of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, has traced a gene called MAOA which is said to predispose a subject to antisocial behaviour when accompanied by a history of abuse or trauma. Though the research is still in a preliminary stage, scientists claim that it could lead to new discoveries and approaches in diagnosing and treating stress-related psychiatric disorders. Source: Times Online Image: Fearofflyingdoctor