Tag: bp_docs_comment_access_anyone
Two Spirit
What does it mean to be Two Spirit?!
“Two-spirit” is a term used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender or spiritual identity, and refers to a person who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit. They walk between being feminine and masculine. As an umbrella term (a term that many different other terms may fall under) it may include gender variance and sexuality preferences, including people who might be described in Western culture as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
This video does a great job explaining what two spirit is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4lBibGzUnE
The creation of the term “two-spirit” was proposed during the “Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference”, held in Winnipeg in 1990 (GO CANADA!). The term is a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term niizh manidoowag, two spirits. Two-spirit people may also use terms from their Indigenous language to describe same-sex attraction or gender variance, such as winkt (Lakota) or nàdleehé (Dinéh). Some Indigenous languages do not have terms to describe sexual identities such as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Many Indigenous languages are verb-focussed, and describe what people do rather than how they identify.
How to Be an Ally to the LGBTQ2S+ Community
Have you ever wondered how you can be supportive of the LGBTQ2S+ community, even if it’s not part of your own identity?
An ally is someone who chooses to commit themselves to behaving in ways that are supportive of the LGBTQ2S+ community, regardless of their own identity and beliefs. Allies are vital. They not only provide support, but they also can use their own strengths and titles they hold to advocate for this community and reduce discrimination against them.
The fact that you’ve gotten this far in this post shows that you are already beginning the process to becoming an ally. Great work! Read on for more tips:
1. Reflect on your own assumptions, beliefs, and values.
Take some time to do this, and then think about how these pieces may consciously or subconsciously affect your thoughts, behaviour, and actions. Being a good ally often starts with taking a look in the mirror!
2. Listen with an open mind.
Focus on listening to the other person and using empathy to understand their perspective instead of making judgments about what they say. This can help build trust and let the other person know that you want to understand their point of view, despite any differences in your backgrounds or experiences. And if there is something that you don’t understand, just ask instead of assuming.
3. Believe them.
Part of listening with an open mind is believing what the other person shares with you. It’s not your job to judge what they say. As you are listening, it is important as a good ally to affirm the person’s story – meaning that you do not question, but validate what they are describing at face value (i.e. “Wow, I can’t imagine how you feel going through this. That sounds really hard.”).
4. Use preferred names/pronouns/terms appropriately.
This affirms to the person that you are acknowledging their identity. See the last couple weeks’ posts for more info on this one 🙂
5. Be an advocate!
This can be big or small. This can look like something supportive on social media, educating friends, colleagues, or family members when you hear them being discriminatory, or speaking to local policy makers about the need for change. Being an advocate is about taking any form of action against discrimination or hatred toward the community.
Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the way you understand and interact with the world around you.
At the beginning of an episode, people may feel that things around them seem different or strange. They may start to experience problems concentrating, thinking or communicating clearly, or taking part in their usual activities. At the height of the episode, people may experience breaks from reality called psychosis. These could be hallucinations (sensations, like voices, that aren’t real) and delusions (strong beliefs that aren’t true, like the belief that they have superpowers). Some people feel ‘flat’ or numb. They may also experience changes in mood, motivation, and the ability to complete tasks. After an episode, signs can continue for some time. People may feel restless, withdraw from others, or have a hard time concentrating.
The exact course and impact of schizophrenia is unique for each person. Some people only experience one episode in their lifetime while others experience many episodes. Some people experience periods of wellness between episodes while others may experience episodes that last a long time. Some people experience a psychotic episode without warning while others experience many early warning signs. No matter how someone experiences schizophrenia, researchers agree that early treatment can help reduce the impact of episodes in the future.
Who does it affect?
Schizophrenia can affect anyone. It usually starts to affect people in the teen years, though females often start to experience the illness a little later than males. No one knows exactly what causes schizophrenia or why it can affect people so differently. Genes, the way a person’s brain develops, and life events may all play a part.
What can I do about it?
While there is no cure for schizophrenia, people can and do recover. Recovery may mean learning to reduce the impact of problems, work around challenges, or maintain wellness. Most people use some combination of the following treatments and supports.
Some people need to spend time in hospital if they experience a severe episode of psychosis. This is a time to figure out the best treatment for you and begin your journey to health.
Medication
Medication called antipsychotics may help reduce the severity of symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, and may eliminate these symptoms all together for many people. Continuing medication after you feel well again may help reduce the risk of relapse (when symptoms come back).
All medications can cause side effects—some of which can be uncomfortable or difficult. It’s best to have ongoing, open conversations about medication with a doctor so that everyone understands how a medication is affecting you, what can be done, and what other options you may have.
Counselling and supports
Counselling can help with many problems like low mood, anxiety, and relationships. You can learn helpful skills like problem-solving and setting goals. There are also therapies to help reduce the impact of delusions and hallucinations. Schizophrenia can affect people’s goals around education, work, and independent living. Professionals like occupational therapists and social workers can help with daily living, social skills, employment or volunteer training, and community activities. They can also connect you with community supports like home care, housing, and income assistance.
A big part of managing schizophrenia is relapse prevention. You can learn what might trigger an episode and learn to recognize early warning signs of an episode. The goal is to learn when to seek extra supports, which may help reduce the impact or length of the episode.
Self-care is important for everyone. Small steps like eating well, getting regular exercise, building healthy sleep habits, spending time on activities you enjoy, spirituality, and connecting with loved ones can make a big difference.
Schizophrenia can leave people feeling very isolated and alone. At times, many people who experience schizophrenia feel uncomfortable around others. But many also worry about what others will think of them. The right relationships can be supportive and healing. Your support team can help you connect with support groups.
How can I help a loved one?
Supporting a loved one can be hard. It can be difficult to understand what a loved one is experiencing, and their behaviour may be confusing at times. Many people worry about their loved one’s future. The good news is that schizophrenia is treatable—and love and support can go a long way. Here are some tips for helping a loved one:
- Learn more about schizophrenia so you have a better idea of what to expect and how you can help.
- Schizophrenia can have a big impact on people’s ability to concentrate and make sense of information. Loved ones may not react to things in ways you expect or may struggle with tasks that seem simple to you. It’s okay to feel frustrated, but it isn’t anyone’s fault.
- If a loved one has trouble following conversations, choose a quiet space and speaking calmly and clearly.
- It’s best to avoid arguing with delusions or hallucinations. A more helpful strategy is to focus on the feelings that delusions or hallucinations bring up.
- Ask your loved one how you can help. This may be a simple as helping with day-to-day tasks.
- Talk about dealing with emergencies when your loved one is feeling well and decide how you can contribute. Write it down in a crisis plan and share it with your care team. This is also a good time to talk about behaviours you aren’t willing to deal with.
- Learn more about support services for care providers through your loved one’s care team, provincial or territorial health services, or community organizations.
- Depending on the barriers that your loved one experiences, planning for the future with tools like a Registered Disability Savings Plan can bring peace of mind.
- Set your own boundaries, and seek support for yourself when you need it. Think about joining a support group for loved ones and seeking counselling for the entire family
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness. It often involves exposure to trauma from single events that involve death or the threat of death or serious injury. PTSD may also be linked to ongoing emotional trauma, such as abuse in a relationship or having to undergo invasive or distressing medical procedures.
Something is traumatic when it is very frightening, overwhelming and causes a lot of distress. Trauma is often unexpected, and many people say that they felt powerless to stop or change the event. It could be an event or situation that you experience yourself or something that happens to others, including loved ones.
PTSD causes intrusive symptoms such as re-experiencing the traumatic event. Many people have vivid nightmares, flashbacks, or thoughts of the event that seem to come from nowhere. They often avoid things that remind them of the event—for example, someone who was hurt in a car crash might avoid driving.
PTSD can make people feel very nervous or ‘on edge’ all the time. Many feel startled very easily, have a hard time concentrating, feel irritable, or have problems sleeping well. They may often feel like something terrible is about to happen, even when they are safe. Some people feel very numb and detached. They may feel like things around them aren’t real, feel disconnected from their body or thoughts, or have a hard time feeling emotions.
People also experience a change in their thoughts and mood related to the traumatic event.
Who does it affect?
While most people experience trauma at some point in their life, not all traumatic experiences lead to PTSD. We aren’t sure why trauma causes PTSD in some people but not others, but it’s likely linked to many different factors. This includes the length of time the trauma lasted, the number of other traumatic experiences in a person’s life, their reaction to the event, and the kind of support they received after the event.
Some jobs or occupations put people in dangerous situations. Military personnel, first responders (police, firefighters, and paramedics), doctors, and nurses experience higher rates of PTSD than other professions.
What can I do about it?
Many people feel a lot of guilt or shame around PTSD because we’re often told that we should just get over difficult experiences. Others may feel embarrassed talking with others. Some people even feel like it’s somehow their own fault. Trauma is hurtful. If you experience problems in your life related to trauma, it’s important to take your feelings seriously and talk to a health care professional.
Counselling
A type of counselling called cognitive-behavioural therapy (or ‘CBT’) has been shown to be effective for PTSD. CBT teaches you how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours work together and how to deal with problems and stress. You can also learn skills like relaxation and techniques to bring you back to the present. You can learn and practice many skills in CBT on your own. Exposure therapy, which can help you talk about your experience and reduce avoidance, may also help. It may be included in CBT or used on its own.
Medication
Medication, such as antianxiety medication or antidepressant medication, may help with anxiety itself, as well as related problems like depression or sleep difficulties.
Support groups
Support groups can also help. They are a place to share your own experiences and learn from others, and help you connect with people who understand what you’re going through. There may also be support groups for loved ones affected by PTSD.
How can I help a loved one?
When someone is diagnosed with PTSD, loved ones can also experience a lot of difficulties. You may feel guilty or angry about the trauma itself—then, on top of those feelings, experience difficulties around PTSD. You may feel like your loved one is a different person, worry that things will never be normal, or wonder what will happen in the future. Here are some tips to help you cope:
- Start by learning more about PTSD. This can give you a better idea of your loved one’s experiences.
- People who experience PTSD may withdraw from family and friends. Even if your loved one doesn’t want to talk, you can still remind them that you are there to listen when they’re ready.
- Understand that behaviours related to PTSD—like avoiding certain situations or reacting angrily to a minor problem—are not about you. They are about the illness.
- While it’s usually not a good idea to support behaviours that create problems, it’s still important to support your loved one’s overall movement toward wellness. This balance is not always easy, but you need to respect your own boundaries, too.
- Ask what you can do to help, but don’t push unwanted advice.
- Try to put your own feelings into words and encourage your loved one to do the same. It’s easier to solve problems or look at conflicts when you know what’s really going on.
- Take care of your own wellness, and seek support for yourself if you experience difficulties.
- If a loved one’s PTSD is affecting other family members, it may be helpful to seek family counselling.
With support, people can recover from PTSD and the effects of trauma. Recovery is good for the entire family, especially for young people who are still learning how to interact with the world. A loved one’s recovery is a chance for everyone to learn the skills that support wellness.
Anaesthesia
Anesthesia or anaesthesia is a state of controlled temporary loss of awareness that is induced for medical purposes.
Local anaesthesia numbs a specific part of your body, while general anaesthesia suppresses central nervous system activity resulting in unconsciousness and a lack of sensation. Sometimes general anaesthesia is also referred to as “sleep medicine”. You may have to get this before a surgery or a test that may be painful or require you to sit or lay very still. Anesthesiologists (or “sleep doctors”) are experts in giving this type of medicine and monitoring your body so that you stay safe. They go to school for a very long time (about 12 years) to do this job.
There are two different methods of receiving general anaesthesia. One is through a mask (typically an option for children 9 and under) and the other is through an IV (preferred for most children 10 and up). –
- The mask is connected to a machine that blows anaesthetic gas onto your face, and the patient’s job is to sit or lay still and to breathe. After a little while of breathing in this gas, you will have that special sleep so you don’t hear, feel, or see anything during your procedure. The time it will take to fall asleep depends on your body, but it does take longer than getting an IV. The anaesthetic gas has a funny smell, kind of like a permanent marker.
- With an intravenous (IV), the anesthetic medicine goes straight into your bloodstream through a very small flexible tube. Your skin may feel cold as the medicine enters your body, but very soon after (around 5 seconds), you will have that special sleep so you don’t hear, feel, or see anything during your procedure. The anesthetic medicine is given throughout your entire procedure and once it’s over, it’s turned off. *See my post under the “procedures” folder in documents for detailed information about getting an IV.*
Shortly after the anesthetic is done being administered, you’ll wake up. You may feel a bit groggy and confused.
Read below to see the answers to some questions I asked an anesthesiologist:
- How do you decide between administering anaesthesia via mask vs. IVs for patients?
Most of the time, we always would prefer to use an IV to administer anesthetic. It is safer for patients. When children are younger sometimes they find starting an IV scary or upsetting so we will use a mask to put them to sleep first. As a general rule, we will put most kids to sleep with a mask 10 years and under if they prefer. Kids come in all sizes though. If you are over 100lbs no matter what your age, an IV is a safer way to go to sleep. There are other medical factors that may mean you need an IV anesthetic – medical conditions, airway structure, if you have recently had something to eat… Your anesthesiologist will let you know what is safe for you. Anesthetics are dosed by weight, so the bigger you are the more you need. It takes a lot of anesthetic gas to breath in when you are big. Anesthetic gases are quite stinky and I don’t like masks, so if I was going to sleep I would always choose an IV.
- So often people think “nothing to eat or drink after midnight” is what we want – NOT TRUE! Coming in dehydrated usually makes you have more nausea, makes it harder to start IVs and makes you hungrier as well. Follow the instructions left by your anesthesiologist – which may include a drink of clear fluids.
- Try and discuss the plan for induction of anesthesia beforehand. If you are using a mask, try practice breathing into a mask at home. If you are getting an IV think about how you want to distract yourself while it is happening. Do you need freezing cream before the IV? If there are specific things that really stress you (i.e. too many people, loud sounds, bright lights) us know that and we can try and avoid those stressors as you are going off to sleep.
- Probably the biggest thing is that its ok and completely normal to be nervous (everyone is) .. this isn’t something that you do everyday. We know that. I’d be more surprised if you weren’t nervous. Luckily this is something we do every day. We’ve spent a lot of time being an expert in putting people to sleep and waking them up safely – and you need to know that too. It will be ok.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental illness. It’s made up of two parts: obsessions and compulsions. People may experience obsessions, compulsions, or both, and they cause a lot of distress.
Obsessions are unwanted and repetitive thoughts, urges, or images that don’t go away. They cause a lot of anxiety. For example, someone might worry about making people they love sick by bringing in germs. Obsessions can focus on anything. These obsessive thoughts can be uncomfortable. Obsessions aren’t thoughts that a person would normally focus on, and they are not about a person’s character. They are symptoms of an illness.
Compulsions are actions meant to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions. Compulsions may be behaviours like washing, cleaning, or ordering things in a certain way. Other actions are not obvious to others. For example, some people may count things or repeat phrases in their mind. Some people describe it as feeling like they have to do something until it feels ‘right.’ It’s important to understand that compulsions are a way to cope with obsessions. Someone who experiences OCD may experience distress if they can’t complete the compulsion.
People who experience OCD usually know that obsessions and compulsions don’t make sense, but they still feel like they can’t control them. Obsessions and compulsions can also change over time.
Who does it affect?
OCD can affect anyone. Researchers don’t know exactly what causes OCD, but there are likely many different factors involved, such as family history, biology, and life experiences.
What can I do about it?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be very challenging and hard to explain to other people. You may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty. These feelings can make it hard to seek help. Because obsessions and compulsions take a lot of time, it can be hard to go about your daily life. Many people describe OCD as something that takes over their life, and this is not easy to deal with. But the good news is that OCD is treatable. It’s important to talk to a health professional.
Counselling and support
A type of therapy called cognitive-behavioural therapy (or ‘CBT’) is shown to be effective for helping people with OCD. It teaches you how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours work together, and teaches skills like solving problems, managing stress, realistic thinking and relaxation. For OCD, therapy may also include a strategy called exposure and response prevention, which helps you learn new ways to look at obsessions and compulsions.
Support groups can also be very helpful. They are a good place to share your experiences, learn from others, and connect with people who understand what you’re going through. OCD can make people feel very isolated and alone, so support groups can be a good way to build a support network.
There are many self-help strategies to try at home. Small steps like eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing healthy sleep habits can really help. You can practice many CBT skills, like problem-solving and challenging anxious thoughts, on your own. Ask your support team about community organizations, websites, or books that teach CBT skills. And it’s always important to spend time on activities you enjoy and connect with loved ones.
Medication
Antidepressants are the most common medication for OCD.
How can I help a loved one?
Supporting a loved one who experiences OCD can be challenging. Many people feel like they have to follow along with a loved one’s compulsions. Some people who experience OCD avoid certain things or activities, and other people may feel like they have to do everyday things for a loved one.
You may have many different complicated feelings. You may feel upset when a loved one is experiencing distressing symptoms of OCD, but you may not see why a normal task could be a problem. You may want a loved one to be more independent, but see how challenging certain things can seem. If a loved one’s experiences with OCD affects others, especially young people, it’s a good idea to seek counselling for everyone. Family counselling is a good option for the entire family. Here are more tips to help you support someone you love:
- A loved one who experiences OCD usually understands that their experiences don’t make sense. Trying to argue with obsessions or compulsions doesn’t help anyone.
- Avoid ‘helping’ behaviours around OCD—for example, helping a loved one avoid things that cause anxiety. This can make it harder to practice healthy coping skills in the long run. Instead, it may be more helpful to focus on the feelings behind the behaviours.
- Signs of OCD can be more difficult to manage during times of stress—and even happy occasions can be stressful. Recognize that a loved one may need extra supports, and try to plan ahead.
- Every small step towards managing OCD behaviour can take a lot of courage and hard work, so celebrate every victory.
- Set your own boundaries, and seek extra support when you need it. Support groups for loved ones can be very helpful.
Phobias and Panic Disorders
Everyone feels scared at times, and it is a normal and good thing. But sometimes, fear becomes too much. This fear stops us from going about our usual routines or working towards our goals. Phobias and panic disorder are two examples of mental illnesses that can lead to these problems.
What are phobias?
A phobia is an intense fear of a specific thing like an object, animal, or situation. Two common phobias include heights and needles.
We all feel scared of certain things at times in our lives, but phobias are different. People change the way they live in order to avoid the feared object or situation. For example, many people feel nervous about flying, but they will still go on a plane if they need to. Someone who experiences a phobia around flying may not even go to an airport. Phobias can affect relationships, school, work or career opportunities, and daily activities.
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder involves repeated and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear or terror that lasts for a short period of time. It involves physical sensations like a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, shaking, sweating or nausea. A panic attack goes away on its own.
Panic attacks can be a normal reaction to a stressful situation or a part of another mental illness. With panic disorder, panic attacks seem to happen for no reason. People who experience panic disorder fear more panic attacks and may worry that something bad will happen as a result of the panic attack. They may avoid places, sensations, or activities that remind them of a panic attack.
Some people avoid any situation where they can’t escape or find help. They may avoid public places or even avoid leaving their home. This is called agoraphobia.
Who do they affect?
Anyone can experience panic disorder or a phobia. No one knows exactly what causes phobias or panic disorder, but they are likely caused by a combination of life experiences, family history, and experiences of other physical or mental health problems.
What can I do about it?
Most people who experience problems with anxiety recognize that their fears are irrational but don’t think they can do anything to control them. The good news is that anxiety disorders are treatable. Recovery isn’t about eliminating anxiety. It’s about managing anxiety so you can live a fulfilling life.
Your doctor will look at all possible options to make sure that another medical problem isn’t behind your experiences.
Counselling and support
Counselling can be very helpful in managing anxiety, and it’s often the first treatment to try if you experience mild or moderate problems. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (or ‘CBT’) is shown to be effective for many anxiety problems. CBT teaches you how thoughts, feelings and behaviours all work together. Counselling for panic disorder and phobias, in particular, may also include exposure. Exposure slowly introduces feared things or situations.
Support groups may be a good way to share your experiences, learn from others, and connect with people who understand what you’re experiencing.
There are many self-help strategies to try at home. Small steps like eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing healthy sleep habits can really help. You can practice many CBT skills, like problem-solving and challenging anxious thoughts, on your own. Ask your support team about community organizations, websites, or books that teach CBT skills. And it’s always important to spend time on activities you enjoy and connect with loved ones.
Medication
Antianxiety medication may be helpful. Some types of antidepressants can help with anxiety, and they can be used for longer periods of time. Some people take medication until their anxiety is controlled enough to start counselling.
How can I help a loved one?
Many people who experience anxiety disorders like panic disorder or phobias can feel ashamed about their experiences. They may blame themselves or see their experiences as a problem with their personality rather than an illness. It’s important to recognize the courage it takes to talk about difficult problems.
Supporting a loved one in distress can be difficult, especially if you don’t fear the object or situation yourself. You may also be affected by a loved one’s anxiety. For example, some people seek constant reassurance from family and friends, or demand that they follow certain rules. These behaviours can lead to stress and conflict in relationships. But with the right tools and supports, people can manage anxiety well and go back to their usual activities. Here are some tips for supporting a loved one:
- Remember that thoughts and behaviours related to anxiety disorders are not personality traits.
- A loved one’s fears may seem unrealistic to you, but they are very real for your loved one. Instead of focusing on the thing or situation itself, if may be more helpful to focus on the anxious feelings that they cause. It may also help to think of times you have felt intense fear to empathize with how your loved one is feeling.
- People naturally want to protect a loved one, but ‘helping’ anxious behaviours (like taking care of everyday tasks that a loved one avoids) may make it harder for your loved one to practice new skills.
- If a loved one’s behaviours are affecting you or your family, it’s a good idea to seek family counselling. Counsellors can help with tools that support healthy relationships.
- Be patient—it takes time to learn and practice new skills. Take time to congratulate a loved when you see them using skills or taking steps forward.
- Set your own boundaries, and seek support for yourself if you need it. Support groups for loved ones can be a good place to connect with others and learn more.
Coronavirus or Something Else? Symptom Comparison Chart
*This chart does not replace receiving a diagnosis or a test result, but is meant for you to assess your own symptoms if you’re unsure of what you may have.*
See more here: https://www.adventhealth.com/blog/coronavirus-vs-flu-or-common-cold-know-difference
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