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It's often difficult to know how to help a friend or another student you are concerned about. Please know that the Counseling Center is always here to help you work through how to support the person you care about. Below are some guidelines to help you think things through. For further support you can call our office at 507-933-7027 or contact the 24/7 Gustavus Student Crisis Line at 507-933-7222. Supporting a Friend or Family Member with AnxietyIt is normal to feel anxious at times especially during times of stress. For example, most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation or first date. However, when anxiety is ongoing and interferes with one’s daily life and relationships it may be an anxiety disorder. Knowing the signs and symptoms can help you recognize if a friend or family member is experiencing anxiety. Here are some signs and symptoms of anxiety:
What you can do if you recognize anxiety in a friend or loved one:
Information on AnxietyHow common is anxiety?Anxiety disorders, as a group, are the most common mental illness in America. More than 19 million American adults are affected by anxiety each year. College students experience high levels of stress, therefore anxiety is often a challenge for college students. What are the different kinds of Anxiety Disorders?
What are effective treatments for Anxiety Disorders?People with anxiety disorders and often combine psychotherapy (counseling) and medication. Two clinically-proven effective forms of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders are behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy focuses on changing specific actions and uses several techniques to stop unwanted behaviors. In addition to the behavioral therapy techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients to understand and change their thinking patterns so they can react differently to the situations that cause them anxiety. A number of medications that were originally approved for treating depression have been found to be effective for anxiety disorders as well. Some of the newest of these antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other anti-anxiety medications include groups of drugs called benzodiazepines and betablockers . If one medication is not effective, others can be tried. New medications are currently under development to treat anxiety symptoms. Do Anxiety Disorders Co-Exist with Other Physical or Mental Disorders?It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also co-exist with illnesses such as cancer or heart disease. In such instances, the accompanying disorders will also need to be treated. Before beginning any treatment, however, it is important to have a thorough medical examination to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. The information on anxiety was taken from The National Institute of Mental Health Website http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/factsabout-anxietydisorders/faxanxiety.htm on 4/1/2011. Supporting a Friend or Family Member with DepressionIt is common for people who are experiencing depression, not to recognize it in themselves. Therefore as a friend or family member, you may notice signs and symptoms first. While symptoms can vary from person to person, it is helpful to know what the signs and symptoms of depression are.
If you believe that someone in your life has depression, you may feel helpless and you may wonder what to do. You are not responsible for “making them better” or “taking away their problems.” What you can do is learn how to offer support and understanding as well as help them get connected to resources and support to treat their depression. Here is what you can do:
What is depression?Depression is more than the blues or the blahs; it is more than the normal, everyday ups and downs. When that "down" mood, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, the condition may be clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious health problem that affects the total person. In addition to feelings, it can change behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activity and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures. What causes depression?We do not yet know all the causes of depression, but there seems to be biological and emotional factors that may increase the likelihood that an individual will develop a depressive disorder. Research over the past decade strongly suggests a genetic link to depressive disorders; depression can run in families. Bad life experiences and certain personality patterns such as difficulty handling stress, low self-esteem, or extreme pessimism about the future can increase the chances of becoming depressed. How common is it?Clinical depression is a lot more common than most people think. It affects 19 million Americans every year. One-fourth of all women and one-eighth of all men will suffer at least one episode or occurrence of depression during their lifetimes. Depression affects people of all ages but is less common for teenagers than for adults. Approximately 3 to 5 percent of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year. That means among 25 friends, 1 could be clinically depressed. Is it serious?Depression can be very serious. It has been linked to poor school performance, truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. In the last 25 years, the rate of suicide among teenagers and young adults has increased dramatically. Suicide often is linked to depression. Are all depressive disorders alike?There are various forms or types of depression. Some people experience only one episode of depression in their whole life, but many have several recurrences. Some depressive episodes begin suddenly for no apparent reason, while others can be associated with a life situation or stress. Sometimes people who are depressed cannot perform even the simplest daily activities – like getting out of bed or getting dressed. Others go through the motions, but it is clear they are not acting or thinking as usual. Some people suffer from bipolar disorder in which their moods cycle between two extremes – from the depths of despair to frenzied talking or activity or grandiose ideas about their own competence. Can it be treated?Yes, depression is treatable. Between 80 and 90 percent of people with depression – even the most serious forms – can be helped. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and forms psychotherapy found to be helpful. People with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from antidepressants. Most people do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression. This most important step toward overcoming depression - and sometimes the most difficult - is asking for help. Why don't people get the help they need?Often people don’t know they are depressed, so they don’t ask for – or get – the right help. People often fail to recognize the symptoms of depression in themselves or in people they care about. The above information on depression was adapted and taken from The National Institute of Mental Health Website http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/friend-depressed/friend.pdf on 3/31/2011. Supporting a Friend or Family Member with an Eating DisorderSince we live in a culture which is obsessed with thinness and dieting, it can be difficult to recognize when a person's thinking or behavior has become dangerous. You may know someone with an eating disorder. It could be your roommate, sibling, parent, or friend. The person may try to hide it, but the focus of her everyday life revolves—obsessively—around food and weight. Some people try to starve themselves. Others binge and then try to undo their binging through some form of purging. People develop eating disorders as a way of dealing with the conflicts, pressures, and stresses of their lives. Their eating disorders may be used as a way to express control when the rest of life seems out of control. Eating disorders are very serious. They have an impact on both physical and mental health. Left untreated, they can be fatal. When an individual is experiencing an eating disorder, it is often friends and family who notice it as a problem well before the individual does. Here are the signs and symptoms to watch for:
Many people believe that individuals have to be very thin in stature to have an eating disorder. That is absolutely not true. Symptoms and severity vary greatly from person to person. Eating disorders can affect anyone at any time. If you recognize disordered eating, dieting, or exercising in someone you care about here is what you can do:
It also helps to know what to avoid when concerned about someone who may have an eating disorder.
Remember that the counseling center is always here to help if you have any questions or concerns about eating disorders. You can give us a call or make an appointment any time! In reaching out, it always helps to know more about what the individual is experiencing. Therefore the three primary types of eating disorders are described below. But please remember that signs and symptoms can overlap and vary from person to person. It is never too soon to reach out and encourage the individual to get help. AnorexiaAnorexia (clinically known as Anorexia Nervosa) is when people intentionally starve themselves or restrict their intake because of an intense fear of gaining weight. This disorder often involves weight loss, and while people with anorexia may look emaciate, they are convinced they are overweight or fat. Food and weight become obsessions. For some, the compulsiveness shows up in strange eating rituals or the refusal to eat in front of others. They may adhere to strict exercise routines to keep off weight. Anorexia often stems from underlying emotional cues, and can cause individuals to limit or restrict other parts of their lives beyond food- such as relationships, social activities, or pleasure. Anorexia can cause severe medical problems and even lead to death. Loss of monthly menstrual periods is typical in women with the disorder, and impotence often occurs for men. It can become life-threatening; therefore at times people must be hospitalized to prevent starvation. Warning Signs of Anorexia
BulimiaBulimia (clinically known as Bulimia Nervosa) is the repeated cycle of out-of-control eating followed by some form of purging or dieting. People with Bulimia consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess calories by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas, or exercising obsessively. Some use a combination of all these forms of purging. Because many individuals with bulimia "binge and purge" in secret and maintain a normal or above normal body weight, they can often successfully hide their problem from others for years. Many individuals remain at normal body weight or above because of their frequent binges, which can range from once or twice a week to several times a day. Dieting heavily between episodes of binging and purging is also common. Individuals with bulimia often feel out of control in other areas of their lives besides food. It is common for individuals with Anorexia to also develop bulimia. The condition occurs most often in women but is also found in men. Bulimia can have severe medical consequences including dental and esophageal problems, kidney damage, chemical imbalance, and an overall loss of energy and vitality. It can even prove fatal. Many individuals with bulimia, ashamed of their strange habits, do not seek help until they reach their thirties or forties. By this time, their eating behaviors are deeply ingrained and more difficult to change. Therefore when it comes to getting treatment, the earlier the better! Warning Signs of Bulimia
Binge Eating DisorderAn illness that resembles bulimia nervosa is binge eating disorder. Like bulimia, the disorder is characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating or binging. However, binge eating disorder differs from bulimia because its sufferers do not purge their bodies of excess food, and is more commonly referred to as compulsive overeating. Individuals with binge eating disorder feel they lose control when eating, consuming large amounts of food with a pressured or “frenzied” feeling and not stopping until they are uncomfortably full. Episodes of binge-eating are often followed by periods of guilt and depression. Usually, individuals with binge eating disorder have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, and therefore are obese and have a history of weight fluctuations. Binge eating can lead to severe medical problems including high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Binge eating disorder is found in about 2% of the general population - more often in women than in men. Recent research shows that binge eating disorder occurs in about 30% of people participating in medically supervised weight control problems. Warning Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
The information in this article was taken and adapted from The Renfrew Center Foundation website pages http://www.renfrewcenter.com/for-family-friends/index.asp and http://www.renfrewcenter.com/for-family-friends/signs-symptoms.asp on 4/4/11. Which of the following is not an attribute needed to communicate successfully with people from different cultures?When you pay attention to your behavior in relationships, you are. According to Chapter One, all of the following are attributes needed to communicate successfully with people from different cultures except. friendliness.
When people communicate they are often both senders and receivers of messages at the same time true or false?The transactional model of communication suggests that communicators usually send and receive messages simultaneously. When people communicate, they are often both senders and receivers of messages at the same time. We are not communicating when we remain silent.
Which is the best metaphor for qualitatively interpersonal communication quizlet?Which is the best metaphor for qualitatively interpersonal communication? Like precious and one-of-a-kind artwork, qualitatively interpersonal communication is special because it's rare.
What health threats can result from a lack of close relationships?Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
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