Metabolic Syndrome

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The Anxiety Series, Part I, Long-Term Stress Can Lead To Anxiety, With Another Mental Health Issue Lurking In The Distance

The National Institute Of Mental Health (2020) provides information concerning traits associated with stress in, 5 Things You Should Know About Stress.

When unhealthy (long-term stress) is not reduced, it can lead to an anxiety disorder.  Bhatt (2019) provides a listing of these disorders, according to The Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5):

 

– Separation anxiety disorder

– Selective mutism

– Specific phobia

– Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

– Panic disorder

– Agoraphobia

– Generalized anxiety disorder

– Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder

– Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition

 

 

An effective method in reducing stress can found in,

VIDEO:  3 MINUTE STRESS MANAGEMENT – REDUCE STRESS WITH THIS SHORT ACTIVITY (Therapy In A Nutshell, 2020)

 

 

The preventative health care has to occur during the stress phase to stave off the potential health calamity by engaging in stress management techniques.

 

Some of the others are:

Artistry

– Painting

– Crocheting

– Photography

– Sewing

– Sculpting

Reading

Exercising

Listening To  Music

Construction (example, Habitat For The Humanity)

Volunteer Work

 

 

For people who believe their stress is Coronavirus related, Gutterman (2020) gives a presentation on useful ways in how to deal with stress in,

VIDEO:  6 WAYS TO COPE WITH CORONAVIRUS STRESS AND ANXIETY 

 

 

The calamity:

When anxiety symptoms are ignored, anxiety can lead to depression;

Long-term depression can lead to psychiatric medicine usage because brain chemicals became damaged;

Certain psychiatric medicine can lead to weight gain;

 

AND THEN

 

The weight gain can lead to metabolic syndrome:

– Cardiovascular issues;

– High blood pressure;

– Blood sugar (diabetes), and

– Cancer.

 

 

Vikki

References

Bhatt, N. V., M.D., MPH. (2019). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved From https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286227-overview

 

Gutterman, D., Ph.D. (2020).  6 Ways To Cope With Coronavirus Stress And Anxiety.  Retrieved From https://youtu.be/a5WgPKHxYFE

 

National Institute Of Mental Health.  (2020). 5 Things You Should Know About Stress.  Retrieved From https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml

 

Therapy In A Nutshell.  (2020). 3 Minute Stress Management  – Reduce Stress With This Short Activity.  Retrieved From https://youtu.be/grfXR6FAsI8

 

 

 

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Healthy and Unhealthy Gut Bacteria

Since the January 10, 2014 posting, Psych Central: “Antibodies in GI Tract Linked to Greater Risk for Bipolar Illness”, research on gut bacteria has increased exponentially regarding how good bacteria plays a positive role for the mind and body, and in particular cognitive difficulties that can manifest from unhealthy bacteria.  The following are links for additional literature concerning both kinds of bacteria:

 

Microbes Help Produce Serotonin in Gut (California Institute of Technology (Caltech.edu), April 9, 2015)

Immune system uses gut bacteria to control glucose metabolism (Science Daily, November 14, 2016)

Gut microbiome contributes to Parkinson’s, study suggests (MedicalNewsToday.com, December 2, 2016)

Likely Connection Between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the Gut Microbiome (Psychiatry Advisor, May 17, 2016)

The Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome and Potential Link to Alzheimer’s Disease (US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health – Frontiers in Neurology, April 4, 2014)

The tantalizing links between gut microbes and the brain (Nature, International Weekly Journal of Science, October 16, 2015)

 

The following resource is a brief presentation by Dr. Samuel Hunter:

[VIDEO] “Gut Bacteria and Multiple Sclerosis”

 

 

Vikki

 

 

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Diabetes and Mental Health

Individuals with pre-diabetes, or the full-blown condition, may experience personality changes (i.e., mood swings, irritability). We have to pay close attention to loved ones who suddenly have personality changes and suggest immediate medical attention. While these clues are important, we have to view diabetes from another perspective to understand what may happen for loved ones taking psychiatric medications.

Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors which nurtures coronary artery disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.  The symptoms are elevated levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and excess belly fat.  Two medications closely associated with the syndrome are Clorazil (schizophrenia) and Zyprexa (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). These medications can elevate cholesterol and blood sugars five-fold, creating a profoundly dangerous health condition.

Vikki