Alzheimer's Disease: A Slow Death

Unfortunately, "A Slow Death" may seem harsh when talking about this disease. Alzheimer's disease is an accelerating condition that alters and changes the parts of the brain that involve memory, intelligence, judgement, language function, and behavior. Most of the infected doesn't realize what is wrong, usually it's the closest family members that start to notice the changes.

It is not clear as to how this Disease is started or why it happens and the research is always ongoing all over the world. Typical early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include: Memory loss, inability to use judgment and make decisions, confusion about what time and day it is, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty learning and remembering new information, difficulty expressing himself or herself, decreasing ability to perform everyday tasks like cooking a meal or paying bills. There is no cure for Alzheimer's but there are medicines to slow the process of this killing disease but there are ways to prevent this disease from creeping up on someone you love.

In a post of a great blog writer(thank you Lisa!) I found out about a great program, "Art Without Boundaries." They are looking for individuals willing to open AWB chapters by participating in a paid apprenticeship program. This organization's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders by providing Mneme Therapy.

I am a Psychology Major and I have been volunteering for two years in the Alzheimer's Unit at Shady Rest Care Pavillion in Fort Myers, Florida. I remember my first day there I was nervous and unaware of first hand affects of Alzheimer's on the people involved. The other volunteers and I set up the activities room for a game of Bingo for the residents. The residents all came in and of course needed help with playing the simple game of Bingo they use to know. There was one resident that clung to my every word. After Bingo, I wheeled him back to his room and we were almost to his room and he got really upset and said it was his birthday and no one remembered. I felt horrible and got one of the nurses and told her what he said. She smiled and said, "Sweetheart, it isn't his birthday but when he was younger his parents never celebrated his birthday because they were always too busy, he had 11 brothers and sisters." He thought he was turning 8 years old, in reality his was 98 years old. Alzheimer's can make its victims remember their childhood and they tend to live in the past as their present. I left the nursing home with another volunteer and we went to the store and got balloons, cake and a stuffed animal--we went back to the home and surprised him for his "birthday." It was actually one the greatest moments in my life.

Alzheimer's can take away a family member without putting them in the grave but there are ways to play along with the disease. I learned that the first day with interacting with someone with Alzheimer's. There is hope and researchers that are getting closer to the answers some people may need.

Addictions and Intervention

Addiction is a disease where someones lifestyle is altered by destructive behavior. Such as drugs, alcohol abuse, gambling, sex, tobacco, eating or any other obsessive behavior that may cause harm to the mind or body or that changes one's lifestyle negatively. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse in 2005, "In 2003, nearly 20 million people over the age of 12 in the United States reported having used an illicit drug. Over 15 million people abused prescription drugs such as pain medication in 2003, more than double the number that did so in 1992. In addition, 119 million Americans over the age of 12 reported alcohol use of some kind."

Addictions are learned and sometimes people judge others if they are not familiar with addiction. Most people with an addiction do not have the intention to want to hurt themselves or anyone else. Some researchers say our brains are primed for addiction and others tend to disagree and say that the conditions of addiction are learned or caused by or from depression or other disorders.

I believe the main issue here is how to help these people. Addiction will continue to be part of human life and there will be people who will need this continuous help. How can we help them? Many people may say rehab, but the main obstacle with rehab is whether or not they want the help. Most addicts aren't aware of their addiction "problem" and if they are aware they easily want to push the blame on something or someone else. Providing an intervention for someone may save their life. Here is a video clip on intervention, the affects of addictions and the steps it takes to become sober. This second video clip is of Alyson a drug addict who was faced with an Intervention by her family and friends on the A&E Show "Intervention."

Many people do not get the help they need. I think many addicts do not want help because they will then be faced with the issues they tried to drowned at an early stage in their life, usually where there addiction(s) began. I want to believe there is always some light to a person who needs help. I believe people never lose who they are it is just lost in the alteration and negative changes they make either consciously or subconsciously to escape the problems they were having. People with addictions need help and they may seek it in different ways and times to the people they love. If you know someone with an addiction or are interested in the subject visit this website(thank you Tom!) for helpful tips and helplines/sites. It is never to late to seek help or to learn about addiction and how to help in ways like an intervention.

What is the Best Treatment for Anxiety?

Anxiety is an apprehension over an anticipated problem or fear. Thousands of people around the world suffer from Anxiety Disorders. It can affect everyday life and function and eventually take a turn into a downward spiral of depression and more Anxiety attacks. In order to treat someone with an Anxiety Disorder you must know the etiology of the disorder. When you know the cause it will be easier for the Doctor to prognosis different treatment options.

The first and most common treatment is the treatment of benzodiaepines drugs such as Valium and Xanax. These drugs can alter the brain chemistry and change the thought process while having a panic attack [due to having an anxiety disorder]. It has also been proven that types of Therapy also alter the brain chemistry and changes the thought process it just takes a longer amount of time. Dr. John Krohol stated that "research shows time and time again that medication alone — virtually any medication you can name — in the treatment of a mental disorder is not nearly as effective as when it is combined with psychotherapy." The problem is that many people aren't ready, mature, or even care enough to take the time therapy takes. Everyone now a days wants instant gratification. We want to be fixed and fixed now and this isn't just with treatments that our doctors give us it can be with any aspect of our every day life.

Psychotherapy has made improvements to patients living with Anxiety Disorders or even Depression. Results from Psychotherapy studies have shown that patients were less likely to relapse. Being against the overuse of prescription drugs I believe that any type of therapy can benefit anyone who is willing to take the steps and time it offers to get back on the road to success to having a normal functioning life.