Postpartum Depression in Men

Typically postpartum depression is thought of as a condition that women go through after they give birth to a child, the reality is that men can experience many of the same issues. While postpartum depression for women can be different because it involves difficult hormones changes and other issues, men can also have problems dealing with the stress of having a newborn child. Men can feel considerably depressed or anxious while trying to care for a child and it can negatively affect their health and ability to function as parents.

Postpartum depression takes place for men when they become overwhelmed by the stress and responsibility of caring for an infant. They may deal with sleepless nights, conflict with their spouse, and anxiety about their child during the first year of the baby’s life. When the stress leads to certain symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, insomnia, appetite problems and feelings of hopelessness then postpartum depression may have developed.

Certain problems can put men at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression such as lack of sleep, personal history of depression, poor relationships with spouse or other family members, poor social life, economic problems and other issues. When risk factors are present, the stress of parenthood can lead to serious depression symptoms that become difficult to combat alone especially with a child to care for. It is important to keep in mind that men also need plenty of emotional support when they have children and women are not the only ones who are vulnerable to postpartum mental health issues.

For men struggling with postpartum depression it is crucial to get help from a professional to address some of the factors that may be contributing to the symptoms. Talking to a therapist can help ease stress and provide the chance to work on tactics to cope with depression and parenthood.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/postpartum-depression-in-men/

Seeing a Family Member Homeless

When someone in the family has an addiction, loved ones often feel helpless and don’t know what to do to change their behavior. Sometimes the addict reaches their lowest point and may end up on the street, homeless because their addiction has become out of control. If this happens, it is crucial for the family to step in and help them recover before their situation gets worse.

Homeless people very frequently suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and the prognosis for living on the street for an addict is not good. They could get into dangerous situations and their health and wellbeing will suffer greatly. Loved ones might feel panicked and afraid when they find out that a family member is homeless and their initial reaction may be to take them into their home.

However, the first thing to think about when helping a family member from homelessness is how to address their addiction. Once you make sure they are safe, it is then time to start researching shelters and recovery programs that are designed to help homeless people with addictions. Getting them into some kind of treatment should be your first priority once you get them off of the street.

Once you do some research into the best treatment plan for them, make sure to drop them off and accompany them when they enter the facility. Since they most likely have hit rock bottom as a result of their homelessness, they may already understand how important it is for them to quit their substance abuse. It can also be helpful to check in on their progress, attend family therapy sessions and be supportive throughout their recovery program.

When an addict becomes homeless, they are at their most desperate point and need your help. Most importantly they also need professional treatment to get back on their feet.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/seeing-a-family-member-homeless/

Adrenaline and Bipolar Disorder

People who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience two very distinct conditions for certain periods of time. The mania and depression that accompany bipolar disorder can lead to physical and mental changes that are difficult for the person to control. During the manic phase, people with bipolar disorder can have hormonal changes and a type of adrenaline rush that causes them to behave erratically.

In a period of mania, the individual will feel excited and optimistic with more energy than usual. The adrenaline that they experience during the manic phase can cause them to talk rapidly, find it difficult to focus and control themselves. They may begin to engage in risk taking behavior and act impulsively going on shopping sprees or putting themselves in dangerous situations.

After going through the constant adrenaline rush of mania, someone with bipolar disorder will eventually start to enter a period of depression. A sudden withdrawal of stress hormones and the loss of adrenaline causes the individual to crash and become more lethargic, depressed and hopeless. During the depression phase, people with bipolar disorder may sleep more and have trouble accomplishing tasks or even getting out of bed in some cases.

Phasing in and out of mania and depression can take its toll on a person’s health as they go through different stress and adrenaline levels that affect them physically and mentally. Medication for bipolar disorder can help reduce some of the symptoms of mania and depression so that they don’t interfere with the individual’s life. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also have a positive impact on stabilizing the person’s mood and helping them cope with triggers that could cause an episode.

With treatment, eventually bipolar disorder will cause less extreme mood swings and they can minimize the adrenaline rush of mania followed by the crash of depression.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/adrenaline-and-bipolar-disorder/

Alcohol Increases Effects of Cigarettes

People that drink alcohol regularly often also smoke cigarettes when they are out drinking. It is also very common for alcoholics to also struggle with cigarette addiction simultaneously. Why are the two problems so closely connected?

One of the reasons that people smoke when they drink, whether they are aware of it or not, is that nicotine helps offset that sedative effects of alcohol. The body may be seeking something to counteract the slow reaction times and other issues that go along with consuming alcohol. Another possible cause is that alcohol actually increases the rewarding effects of nicotine when the two substances are consumed together.

Studies have shown that when compared to a placebo drink, alcohol tended to enhance the pleasure and calming effect of cigarettes with nicotine. Even a fairly low dose of alcohol can elicit these effects, according to the study, which explains why people who drink have a very hard time quitting smoking. The interaction of the two drugs makes it very common for people in alcohol recovery to continue being addicted to cigarettes for some time.

Because cigarettes combat some of the effects of alcohol and alcohol in turn increases the effects of nicotine, people make a strong association with both drug habits. Alcoholics in recovery who still smoke may feel a stronger craving for alcohol when they have a cigarette. Someone who has quit smoking may relapse and smoke a cigarettes if they have had a few drinks.

For optimal health and to avoid the drug habits influencing one another, it can be beneficial to quit both smoking and alcohol at the same time. Both alcohol and cigarettes are toxins that cause cravings for one another and affect recovery. Quitting both can be challenging but it will create a faster path to sobriety and increased wellness.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/alcohol-cigarettes-effect/

Dealing With Self-Loathing

Feelings of self-loathing can sabotage relationships because one person may feel that they are not “good enough” to be with other people. Those who cope with self-loathing can sometimes become isolated because they see so many negative qualities in themselves and assume that others will eventually see them. Someone who is hyper-aware of their limitations or perceived flaws can never be convinced of their worth unless they confront the cause of their self-loathing.

It can be difficult for people with self-esteem issues to build up confidence since compliments from others might have very little effect. A good tactic for people with self-loathing issues is to try to acknowledge that they might not know themselves as well as they believe. Although they might feel that they see and understand all of their own flaws, the reality is that the way they perceive themselves is often very inaccurate.

If someone who is a self-loather can learn to understand that the way they see themselves is not necessarily the “right” way then it opens up the possibility that they might not be as flawed as they think. They might see themselves as boring, worthless or untalented but others might see them as interesting and fun. Considering other people’s perspectives can help break down some of the deeply ingrained beliefs that affect their self-esteem.

People with self-loathing issues can also work on accepting praise from others and recognizing the ways in which they are supported and loved. Other people in their lives see their value and if they are able to understand that then it can start to change their perception of themselves. With time they can start to see their own positive qualities and allow themselves more self-care.

Self-loathing is a complex problem, but it is possible to reduce feelings of self-hatred through therapy and changing perspectives.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/dealing-with-self-loathing/

Addiction and Memory Loss

Drug abuse can have a devastating effect on a person’s personal life as well as their physical well-being. Repeated abuse of alcohol and other drugs can cause damage to essential functions in the body, especially in the brain. Addicts who have been abusing drugs for many years often experience memory loss and other problems with their cognitive functioning.

Hundreds of studies show a significant link between substance abuse and memory loss which as a result affects things like learning, language and comprehension. When a person experiences a blackout during alcohol or drug use, for example, it prevents the brain from completing the process of forming memories. Persistent drug use can cause not only issues with recalling recent events but also long term memory loss.

Drug use affects the hippocampus which is essentially the brain’s memory-storage system. Someone who becomes heavily dependent on drugs like alcohol will start to see long-lasting effects to their memory and brain function. They may begin to struggle with learning new things and have trouble recalling details such as birthdays and other important dates.

In some of the worst cases of addiction, people can develop serious brain damage leading conditions such as dementia. This typically occurs with excessive drinking over a long period of time and deals with issues of memory, learning and cognitive skills. Alcoholic dementia is a serious condition that is difficult and nearly impossible to reverse in some cases.

For people that are struggling with an addiction and are starting to experience some memory loss it is crucial to quit so that they can reverse some of the damage to their brain. Once sober, most addicts can start to see their cognitive function improve gradually over time. Getting treatment can help prevent further substance abuse from damaging memory and learning beyond repair.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/addiction-and-memory-loss/

It Gets Better

Even though facing an addiction may seem hopeless, there are many opportunities to work toward a better future. Only people who have experienced addiction firsthand will understand the destructive toll it takes on your life. When you have hit rock bottom it can be difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel but for most people who manage to get help, things will ultimately get better.

The image surrounding addiction, especially in Hollywood, is often of the addict who can’t escape their own self-destructive tendencies and they are never able to recover. Recent films like “A Star is Born” show a main character who is destroyed by his addiction and never gets the opportunity to try to fully live sober. Even though these kinds of tragedies do occur, the majority of people who receive treatment for addiction are able to survive and lead healthy lives.

One of the biggest issues with addiction is the significant stigma that people experience with the disease. In that sense it is different than any other disease that has its normal ups and downs. When people relapse and their disease worsens temporarily, they are judged very harshly by society in a way that can jeopardize their ability to recover.

Even when someone relapses, if they are able to get the support that they need it doesn’t mean that they have failed in their recovery. As with any disease, continuing treatment can mean that it gets easier every time as they work toward permanent sobriety. Going back to treatment after a relapse is often a normal part of the process.

Although addiction is sometimes stigmatized and portrayed harshly in the media, most people find that they can become healthy and sober with the right treatment and support from peers, friends and family.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/it-gets-better/