Alcoholism ~

Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. I hope everyone was able to get a chance to take a look at my last blog on biases honoring International Women's Day and it reminded you to take a moment to let a women in your life know she's special or even take some time out for yourself to do some self-care. I also hope there where some coping techniques and skills that we as a whole can all help take from, to help chip away the biases together. 

And with that being said, I would like to get back into the subject of where we left off: Addictions. And today I want to talk about the addiction of alcoholism. 

Al-co-hol-ism

/'alkehollzem/

noun

An addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. 

Inability to control drinking due to both physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. 

very common more than 3 million US cases per year

Treatment can help, but this condition cannot be cured. 

According to statistics, alcoholism is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States; 17.6 million people or one in every 12 adults are diagnosed with alcoholism and millions of more individuals engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking that can potentially lead to alcohol poisoning or death. Unfortunately, the individual who is abusing alcohol is not the only person negatively affected by this behavior. This behavior burdens family, friends, and even children. The mainstream media often does NOT shed light on the gravity of alcohol abuse and INSTEAD publicizes it as acceptable social behavior which can skew the definition of alcoholism. Although there is a fine line between having a drinking problem and having an alcohol addiction, both are unhealthy behaviors that result in difficulties in social relationships and emotional well-being, work or career difficulties, finances, family and other areas in an individual's life. 

Defining a 'Drinking Problem'

Having a "drinking problem" is different from having an alcohol addiction due to one main delineating factor, the ability to take a step back and quit. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH), excessive drinking, binge drinking, underage consumption, and women who drink during pregnancy. By gender, heavy drinking for men is defined as more than five drinks in one sitting and more than 15 drinks per week. For women, it is four drinks in one sitting and more than eight drinks in one week. These individuals may be classified as "almost alcoholic", anything beyond those 15 drinks a week for men and eight for women means you're bordering alcoholism. 

Knowing the Symptoms 

Alcoholism can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. 

*Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

*Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.

*Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from alcohol use. 

*Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.

*Failing to fulfil major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use.

*Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing you physical, social or interpersonal problems.

*Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies 

*Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming. 

*Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount. 

*Experiencing withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms. 

Alcoholism can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.

*Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in our bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more impaired you become. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, impaired judgement, slurred speech, impaired attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called "blackouts", where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma or even death. 

*Alcohol Withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy or prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to four or five days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in school or in social situations. 

What is considered 1 Drink?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one standard drink as any one of these: 

* 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5 percent alcohol)

*8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7 percent alcohol)

*5 ounces (148 milliliters) of unfortified wine (about 12 percent alcohol)

*1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof hard liquor (no harder) (about 40 percent alcohol) 

When to see a Doctor? 

If you feel that sometimes you drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or your family and friends are concerned about your drinking, talk to your doctor. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group, a good way to get get local support is to get in touch with your local Community Services Board in your area they will be able to help guide you towards help specifically tailored to your needs and often can get you support with a case manager who can help you along your journey towards recovery and success. 

Because denial is common, you may not  feel like you have a problem with drinking. You might might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are directly related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Considering seeking help, because there is a pleather of it out there. 

Causes 

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to Alcoholism. Overtime, Drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with experience of pleasure, judgement, and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones. 

Risk Factors 

Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder (Alcoholism) occurs more frequently in the 20's and 30's, though it can start at any age. 

*Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol- related problems or alcoholism. 

*Starting at an early age. People who begin drinking - especially binge drinking - at an early age are at a higher risk of alcoholism. 

*Family history. The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has a problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors.

*Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for people with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar to have problems with alcohol or other substances legal or illegal. 

*History of trauma. People with a history of emotional or other trauma are at an increased risk of alcoholism. 

*Having bariatric surgery. Some research studies indicate that having bariatric surgery may increase the risk developing alcoholism or recovering from alcoholism. 

*Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcoholism. The glamourous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it's OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact our children's risk greatly, so always take that into account when watching TV or choosing your friends. Your children are predisposed what you put on or put in their life is your responsibility. 

The Complications 

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation. But as you continue to drink, you become sedated. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life threatening coma or death. This is a particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the brains central nervous functions. 

Impact on your safety

Excessive drinking can reduce your judgement skills and lower inhibitions, leading to poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviors, including:

*Motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidental injury, such as drowning

*Relationship problems

*Poor performance at work 

*Increased likelihood of committing violent crimes or being the victim of a crime

*Legal problems or problems with employment or finances 

*Problems with other substance use 

*Engaging in risky, unprotected sex, or experiencing sexual abuse or date rape

*Increased risk of attempted or completed suicide

Impact on your health 

Drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can cause health problems, including:

*Liver disease, Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and over time, irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis). 

*Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It can also interfere with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage your pancreas or lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

*Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged hear, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge can cause serious damage to the heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. 

*Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level. 

*Sexual functions and menstruation issues. Excessive drinking can cause erectile dysfunction in men. In women, it can interrupt menstruation. 

*Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye moment (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamin). A thiamin deficiency can also be associated with other brain damages and changes, such as PTSD and dementia and is irreversible, if not promptly treated. 

*Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. It may also cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime. 

*Bone damage. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This bone loss can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. Alcohol can also damage bone marrow, which makes blood cells. This can cause low platelet count, which may result in bruising and bleeding. 

*Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss. 

*Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, increasing your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia. 

*Increased risk of cancer. Long-term, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon, and breast cancers. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of these cancers. 

*Medication and alcohol interactions. Some medications interact with alcohol, increasing it's toxic effects. Drinking while taking these medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, making them dangerous. 

Prevention

Early intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens. If you have a teenager, be alert to the signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol: 

*Loss of interest in activities and hobbies and in personal appearance 

*Red eyes, slurred speech, problems with coordination and memory lapses

*Difficulties or changes in relationships with friends, such as joining a new crowd 

*Declining grades and problems in school 

*Frequent mood changes and defensive behavior 

You can also prevent teenage alcohol use:

*Set a good example with your own alcohol use or have a dry household (no alcohol)

*Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together and become actively involved in your child's life.

*Let your child know what behavior you expect - and what the consequences will be if they do not follow the rules. 

 

The Message 

Alcohol use is the fourth leading cause of Preventable death in the United States (after smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity). According to a 2021 report from WHO, in 2019 the harmful use of alcohol resulted in about 3 million deaths or 5.3% of all deaths around the world, with most occurring among men. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2019 were estimated at 249 billion, or $2.05 a drink. 

Where to get help

NIAAA - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

Email: niaaaweb-r@exchange.nih.gov

Phone: 888-MY-NIAAA (888-69-64222)

Lifeline - National Suicide Prevention 

toll free 24/7 phone: 1-800-273-8255

If you or a loved is an crisis and experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings call 911 or your local emergency officials. 

I hope that this blog has been able to help someone today, whether they're in the middle of this addiction, recovering from or have a family dealing with the grips of this monster it's hard, there's a lot of hoping, praying and faith that goes into it, even for the most unbelieving. You have to trust not only yourself if you are the addict, but the addict if you are their partner and trust is the hardest thing to build and the easiest thing to break. While examining this post I hope you were able to take something away, even if this wasn't relatable it's good to keep in mind that our children are our to sculpt and the media is often wrong in what they portray to be right and fun. 

Until next time, you guys take good care of yourselves and each other. 

cheers, 

Averi. 

Breaking Bias ~

 Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. In honor of International Women's Day I want to discuss ways we can all help support our local communities and women by educating ourselves around how to create a gender equal world. Free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated!. And everyone is unique and different, everyone deserves equality. Together I do believe we can #BreakTheBias

                         Definition 

                                                           bi-as

                                                           /bies/

noun

1. prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. 

verb

1. cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something.

                               Bias and Stereotyping 

Bias is often characterized as stereotypes about people based on the group to which they belong and/or based on an immutable physical characteristic they possess, such as their gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This type of bias can have harmful real-world outcomes. People may or may not be aware that they hold these biases. 

The phenomenon of implicit bias refers to societal input that escapes conscious detection. Paying attention to helpful biases- while keeping negative, prejudicial, or accidental biases in check- requires a delicate balance between self-protection and empathy for others. 

What is Bias? 

Bias is a natural inclination for or against an idea, object, group, or individual. It is often learned and is highly dependent on variables like a person's socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, educational background, etc. At the individual level, bias can negatively impact someone's personal and professional relationships; at a societal level, it can lead to unfair persecution of a group, such as the Holocaust and Slavery. 

What causes people to be Biased?

Starting at a young age, people will discriminate between those who are like them, their "ingroup", and those who are not like them, their "outgroup". On the plus side, they can gain a sense of identity and safety. However, taken to the extreme, this categorization can foster an "us-versus-them" mentality and lead to harmful prejudice.

What is an Unconscious or Implicit Bias? 

People are naturally biased - they like certain things and dislike others, often without being fully conscious of their prejudice. Bias is acquired at a young age, often as a result of one's upbringing This unconscious bias becomes problematic when it causes an individual or a group to treat others poorly as a result of their gender, ethnicity, race, or other factors like disabilities. 

Can a person be Unbiased? 

Generally, no. 

Everyone has some degree of bias. It's human nature to assign judgment based on first impressions. Also, most people have a lifetime of conditioning by schools, religious institutions, their families of origin, and of course the media!. However, by reflecting critically on judgments and being aware of blind spots, individuals can avoid stereotyping and acting on harmful prejudice. 

How can you reduce Bias? 

Telling people to "suppress prejudice" or racism often has the opposite effect when people are trained to notice prejudiced or racist thoughts without trying to push them away, they are able to make a deliberate choice as a result. This can lead to less discrimination and reduced bias over time. 

Biases and Cognitive Errors 

A category of biases, known as cognitive biases, are repeated patterns of thinking that can lead to inaccurate or unreasonable conclusions. Cognitive biases may help people make quicker decisions, but those decisions aren't always accurate. Some common reasons why include flawed memory, scarce attention, natural limits on the brain's ability to process information and stress, emotional input, social pressures, and even aging. When assessing research-- or even one's own thoughts and behaviors - it's important to be aware of cognitive biases and attempt to counter their effects whenever possible. 

What is actor-observer Bias?

When you are the actor, you are more likely to see your actions as the result of eternal and situational factors. whereas, when you are observing other people, you are more likely to perceive their actions as based on internal factors (like overall disposition). This can lead to magical thinking and a lack of self-awareness.

What is Anchoring Bias?

People tend to jump at the first available piece of information and unconsciously use it  to "anchor" their decision-making process, even when the information is incorrect or prejudiced. This can lead to skewed judgement and poor decision-making, especially when they don't have the time to research through their options. 

What is Attribution Bias?

Attribution bias occurs when someone tries to attribute reasons or motivations to the actions of others without concrete evidence to support such assumptions. 

What is Confirmation Bias?

Confirmation bias refers to the brain's tendency to search for and focus on information that supports what someone already believes, while ignoring facts that go against those beliefs, despite their relevance. 

What is the curse of knowledge and hindsight Bias? 

People with hindsight bias believe they should have certain outcomes, which might only be obvious now with the benefit of more knowledge and perspective. They may forget that at the time of the event, much of the information needed simply wasn't available. They may also make unfair assumptions that other people share their experiences and expect them to come to the same conclusions. 

What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

In the Dunning-Kruger Effect, people lack the self-awareness to accurately assess their skills. They often wind up overestimating their knowledge or ability. For example, it's not uncommon to think you're smarter, kinder, or even better at managing others than the average person, but here's a secret; no one's special.

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error 

People are more likely to attribute someone else's actions to their personality rather than taking into account the situation they are facing, However, they rarely make this Fundamental Attribution Error when analyzing their own behavior. 

What is the Halo Effect? 

The Halo Effect occurs when your positive impression of someone colors your overall perception of them (for example Anna Delvy) A negative impression on the first hand, can lead you to assume the worst about a person, resulting in a "Reverse Halo" or "Horns Effect". 

What is the negativity Bias? 

People like to win, but they hate losing more. So they tend to pay more attention to negative outcomes and weigh them more heavily than positive ones when considering a decision. This negativity bias explains why we focus more on upsetting events, and why the news seems so dire most of the time. 

What are Optimism Bias and Pessimism Bias? 

People tend to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes when they are in a good mood. Conversely, when they are feeling down, they are more likely to expect negative outcomes. In both instances, powerful emotions are driving irrational thinking. 

What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy? 

Have you ever heard, "Don't throw good money after bad?" That expression is based on the Sunk Cost Fallacy. Basically, when someone is aware of the time, effort and emotional cost that's already gone into an endeavor, they can find it difficult to change their mind or quit a longtime goal- even when it's the healthiest choice for them. 

How are our Biases Reinforced? 

Once learned, stereotypes and prejudices resist change, even when evidence fails to support them or point to the contrary. 

People will embrace anecdotes that reinforce their biases, but disregard experience that contradicts them. the statement "some of my best friends are ___" captures this tendency to allow some exceptions without changing our biases. 

  Bias is perpetuated by conformity with in-group attitudes and socialization by culture at large. The fact that white culture is dominant in America may explain why people of color often do not show a strong bias favoring of their own ethnic group. 

  How do we perpetuate Bias?

Mass media routinely advantage of stereotypes as shorthand to paint a mood, scene or character. The elderly, for example, are routinely portrayed as being frail and forgetful, while younger people are often shown as vibrant and able. 

Stereotypes can also be conveyed by omission in popular culture, as when TV shows present an all-white world. Psychologists theorize bias conveyed by the media helps to explain why children can adopt hidden prejudices even when their family environments explicitly oppose them. 

About hidden Bias

Scientific research has demonstrated that biases thought to be absent or extinguished remain as "mental residue" in most of us. Studies show people can be consciously committed to egalitarianism, and deliberately work to behave without prejudice, yet still possess hidden negative prejudices or stereotypes.

"Implicit Association Tests" (IATs) can tap those hidden, or automatic stereotypes and prejudices that circumvent conscious control. Project Implicit -- is a collaborative research effort between researchers at Harvard University, the University of Virginia, and University of Washington-- offers dozens of such tests. 

Believing the IAT procedure may be useful even beyond the research purposes for which it was originally developed. It may be a tool that can jumpstart our thinking about hidden biases; Where do they come from? How do they influence our actions? What can we do abut them? 

Biases and Behavior 

A growing number of studies shows a link between hidden biases and actual behavior. In other words, hidden biases can reveal themselves in action, especially when a person's efforts to control behavior consciously flags under stress, distraction, relaxation, or competition. 

Unconscious beliefs and attitudes have been found to be associated with language and certain behaviors such as eye contact, blinking rates and smiles. 

Studies have found, for example, that school teachers clearly telegraph prejudices, so much so that some researchers believe children of color and white children in the same classroom effectively receive different educations.

Now classic experiment showed that white interviewers sat further away from Black applicants than from white applicants, made more speech errors, and ended the interviews 25% sooner, Such discrimination has been shown to diminish the performance of anyone treated that way, whether Black, or white.

Experiments are being conducted to determine whether a strong hidden bias in someone results in more discriminatory behavior. But we can learn something from even the first studies:

* Those who showed greater levels of implicit prejudice toward, or stereotypes of, Black, white, or gay people were more unfriendly toward them. 

*Subjects who had a stronger hidden race bias had more activity in a part of the brain known to be responsible for emotional learning when shown Black faces than when shown white faces.

           What YOU can do to help #BREAKTHEBIAS Break The Bias

Integration, by itself has not been shown to produce dramatic changes in attitudes and behaviors. But many studies show when people work together in a structured environment to solve shared problems through community service, their attitudes about diversity can change dramatically over time. 

By including family members of other groups in a task, children begin to think of themselves as part of a larger community in which (THEY ARE) everyone has skills and can contribute. Such experiences have been shown to improve attitudes across racial lines and between people old and young. 

There also is preliminary evidence that unconscious attitudes, contrary to initial  expectations, may be malleable. For example, imagining strong women leaders or seeing positive role models of African Americans has been shown to, at least temporarily, change unconscious biases. 

'Feeling' unconscious Bias

But there is another aspect of the very experience of taking a test of hidden bias that may be helpful. Many test takers can "feel" their hidden prejudices as they perform the test. 

They can feel themselves unable to respond as rapidly to (for example) old + good concepts than young + good concepts. The very act of taking the tests can force hidden biases into the conscious part of the mind. 

I'd like to believe that when a person has a conscious commitment to change, the very act of discovering one's hidden biases can propel one to act to correct for it. It may not be possible be avoid the automatic stereotype or prejudice, but it is certainly possible to consciously rectify it. 

Committing to Change 

If people are aware of their hidden biases, they can monitor and attempt to ameliorate hidden attitudes before they are expressed through behavior. This compensation can include attention to language, body language, and to the stigmatization felt by target groups. 

Common sense and research evidence also suggest that a change in behavior can modify beliefs and attitudes. It would see, logical that a conscious decision to be egalitarian and knowledge of other groups. Such efforts may, over time, reduce the strength of unconscious biases. 

It can be easy to reject the results of the tests as "not me" when you first encounter them. But that's the easy path. To ask where these biases come from, what they mean and what we can do about them is the harder task. 

Interested in the test? check out the link below 

Chttps://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatouchtest.html

Recognizing that the problem is in many others - as well as in ourselves - should motivate us all to try both to understand and to act. 

I am officially on Google now, just in time for Internal Women's Day! 

So, if you guys' ever want to just give me a review, or need to reach out by phone I will leave the link below. Thank you all for the continued support of blog. 

Until next time please, take care of yourselves and each other. 

Cheers, 

Averi.

Character & Personality Traits ~

  Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. Today I want to talk about Personality and Character traits, and I mean all of it... the good good, the bad and of course the ugly sides that present in all of our personalities and characters. However I am trying to educate myself and all of you how we can be aware of our negative personalities traits, and learn better coping tolls and mechanisms to help us grow into the people that we all were and are meant to be. 

So with that being said, lets jump into another topic shall we?. 

  We could all benefit from being more aware of our characteristics and personality traits. That's because they are significant predictors of our behaviors and attitude. 

The world we live in is different from what it was then, five or even one year ago. Thanks to social media, easy-to-use communication tools, and globalization, the pool of possibilities are constantly expanding. Without a clear idea of one's own preference's, making the right choice can be extremely difficult and confusing. Everyone's personality is unique, and knowing what make us, can lead to more life satisfaction, better life choices, and overall success in both personal and professional parts in one's own life. 

               Character and Personality Traits Defined

While character and personality are both used to describe someone's behaviors, the two examine different aspects of that individual. One's personality is more visible, while one's character is revealed over time, through varying situations. 

in more concrete terms: 

"Personality is easy to read, and we're all experts at it. We judge people [as] funny, extroverted, energetic, optimistic, confident - as well as overly serious, lazy, negative, and shy - if not upon first meeting them, then shortly thereafter: And though we may need more than one interaction to confirm the presence of these sorts of traits, by the time we decide they are, in fact present, we've usually amassed enough data to justify our conclusions."

"Character, on the other hand, takes far longer to puzzle out. It includes traits that reveal themselves only in specific - and often uncommon - circumstances, traits like honesty, virtue and kindness."

(Lickerman, 2011)

While personality is easier to spot, it's largely surface level and slow to evolve. Character, on the other hand, takes longer to discern but is easier to change. That's because character is shaped by beliefs, and with enough effort and motivation, changing one's perspective and view of the world can lead to a shift in one's character. 

  The malleability of character makes sense when you look at human evolution. In order for our ancestors, and their ancestors, and so on and so fourth to survive, they had to adapt to new environments and change with the times - and this remains true in the modern era of 2022 and will continue for generations to come. 

  If an individual deems a change in their surroundings to be significant, then their beliefs will transform to accommodate the change. 

  For instance, an individual who might have a shy personality can learn to switch their attitude toward public speaking when stepping into the role of a teacher. The new social and external demands lead to an internal shift that changes the students demeanor. 

  In this way, even if an individual's inborn preference is to shy away from the public, the beliefs and values that shape his behavior can evolve to reflect the values of his immediate groups and communities. Such awareness and adaptability help with survival. The bottom line is that despite the significance of our inborn personality traits, we can overcome them as required by personal or cultural demands. 

                         Character Trait Theories

Tools for identifying personality traits have never before been more plentiful. "In the U.S. alone, there are about 2,500 personality tests" to choose from (Ash 2012). Yet, quantity does not imply quality.

Due to immense variations in personality, it is difficult to divide people neatly into different classifications. Instead, assessing individuals by the most common personality traits can empower us to deduce a person's behavior by looking at the average of their choices (Pappas 2017).

Below is two of the most widely used personality tools that can identify your personality traits. Some pros and cons of each are also highlighted. 

**Also a quick note I have reviewed only scale-based personality assessments, rather than profile-based assessments. The difference is that the scale-based assessments treats personality traits as existing on a continuum, whereas profile-based assessments classify individuals according to binary categories (e.g., an introvert or an extrovert).**

Common profile-based assessment that you may be familiar with include:

- The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 

- Ennagram 

While these tools can be a fun way to gain some self-insight, they are often critiqued by scientists. 

A key criticism is that the results of profile-based assessments pigeonhole individuals into particular categories (e.g., labeling someone as an introvert or extrovert; a thinker or a feeler) but few things in life are or ever will be so black and white. In reality, it is believed that our personality traits exist on scales with opposite poles, and all of us will fall somewhere between either end of that continuum (e.g., the introversion - extroversion scale). 

Put differently, "if the MBTI measured height, you would be classified as either tall or short, even though the majority of people are within a band of medium height" (Krznaric, 2013) Hence, we've limited this review to only scale-based assessments, which are more scientifically backed. 

                                       The Big Five, or OCEAN Model 

Perhaps the most comprehensive and science-backed personality test available is The Big Five.

Unlike the popular (but disputed) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), this assessment does not divide people into personality profiles but rather analyzes an individual based on the most common traits found within the global community. The traits are easy to remember, as they spell out the acronym OCEAN. 

OCEAN stands for:

1. Openness 

This describes an individual's love for novelty experiences. Those with high scores tend to be more creative. Individuals with lower scores tend to be more conservative and prefer routines.

2. Conscientiousness 

This shows someone's tendency for organization. Those with high scores are seen as motivated, disciplined and trustworthy. Lower scores indicate someone less responsible, and more likely to get distracted. 

3. Extroversion

This factor indicates how cheerful and communicative a person can be. If someone scores highly in extroversion, they tend to be social and likely to accomplish their goals. Low scores indicate someone who is introverted and more submissive to authority. 

4. Agreeableness

This trait describes how someone interacts with those around them. High scores indicate that someone is warm and friendly. Those who tend to be more egocentric and suspicious (or even shy) tend to score lower. 

5. Neuroticism

Emotional stability can reveal a lot about the likelihood of someone developing moodiness and anxiety. High scores on neuroticism indicate someone who is less-assured, and low scores describes a person who is calm and confident. (Westerhoff, 2008)

These categories serve as an umbrella that influences other personality areas, such as:

* Openness : Imagination, feelings, actions, ideas, values, adventurousness, artistic interests, etc.;

* Conscientiousness : Order, self-discipline, competence, achievement- striving, etc.;

* Extroversion : Warmth, friendliness, assertiveness, high activity level, positive emotions, etc.;

* Agreeableness : Trust, compliance, modesty, altruism, sympathy, cooperation, etc.;

* Neuroticism : Hostility, depression, self-conscientiousness etc.;

Interested? Take the Test

Those wishing to know their OCEAN results you can take your free Big Five test here. 

1. 

https://my-personality-test.com/big-5?gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuakuB7JHfDaL348PaUb4dNCjvLq-gvtk5y1fGY5YqBMqUdStzjUxbLnBoCI80QAvD_BwE

                                       The Message 

  While all or most researchers and scientists agree that personality traits are often hereditary and beyond our control, the things we value and believe in can shape our character. 

 

   Expanding self-awareness is likely the first step in gaining control over one's life. So it's no wonder that "the most successful people are the most self-aware people" 

Awareness of others' personalities can also be helpful, especially in situations like hiring someone for your company. And while there are too many personality assessment tools to choose from, some are more consistent than others.

Cultivating an open, agreeable and conscientious environment, whether in the office or at home, can help create values that  are more conducive and supportive of growth and success. Using visualization tools to inspire, motivate, and spark interest in change is vital when aiming to align yourself and others toward a specific goal or mission. 

  It's true, our personality traits are hereditary, but we still have the power to change. Our beliefs and values, which influence character, adapt to our experiences, and are heavily influenced by the different interactions and situations we engage in. 

We are not static creatures, and just like nature, we are constantly changing. It is up to us to decide who we want to grow into. The best way to do that is to take note of where you currently are, and then imagine where you want to go.

  If change is the only constant, then the most successful people are those who control their own transformations. 

It's important to keep believing you can better yourself, because you can. 

If anyone wants to let me know their Big Five feel free to comment down below or send me a message or email! 

Looking forward to hearing everyone's results.

Please take care of yourselves & each other until next time. 

Cheers, 

A

 

 

Opioid Addiction ~

  Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog today while still focusing on the topic of addictions I wanted to delve into Opioid addition and dependence being one of the more serious and common addictions among people in the U.S. more than 200,000 cases of deaths of caused by opiates alone just in the U.S. not including other outlying territories, but those places are still important, and still have opioid epidemics happening that need awareness, empathy and overall kindness when handling individuals in recovery from opioid addiction and dependency. 

Opioid addiction and dependence: 

Physical and psychological reliance on opioids, a substance found in certain prescription pain medications and illegal drugs like heroin. 

Opioids are prescribed to treat pain. With prolonged use, pain-relieving effects may lessen and pain can become worse. In addition, the body can develop dependency on opioids. Opioid dependency causes withdrawal symptoms, which makes it difficult to stop taking them. Addiction occurs when dependency interferes with daily life. Taking more than the prescribed amount or using illegal opioids like heroin may result in death. 

*Usually self-diagnosable 💟

(Consult with your local medical professionals or authorities for medical crisis//advice)

How Opioid addiction Occurs:

Opioid use -- even short term -- can lead to addiction and, too often overdose and death. Anyone who takes opioids is at risk of developing addiction. Your personal history and length of time you use opioids plays a role, but it's impossible to predict who's vulnerable to eventual dependence on and abuse of these drugs. Legal or illegal, stolen or shared, these drugs are responsible for the majority of overdose and deaths in the U.S. today. Addiction is a condition in which somethin that started as pleasurable now feels like something you can't live without. Doctor's define drug addiction as an irresistible craving for a drug, out-of-control and compulsive use of the drug, and continued use of the drug despite repeated, harmful consequences. Opioids are highly addictive, in large part because they activate powerful reward centers in your brain. 

Opioids trigger the release of endorphins, your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters. Endorphins muffle your perception of pain and boost feelings of pleasure, creating a temporary but powerful sense of well-being. When an opioid dose wears off, you may find yourself wanting those good feelings back, as soon as possible. This is the first milestone on the path toward potential addiction. 

Short-term VS Long-term Effects:

When you take opioids repeatedly over time, your body slows it's production of endorphins. The same dose of opioids stops triggering such a strong flood of good feelings. This is called tolerance. One reason opioid addiction is so common is that people who develop tolerance may feel driven to increase their dose so they keep feeling the same effect. 

Because doctors today are acutely aware of opioid risks, it's often difficult to get your doctor to increase your dose, or even renew your prescription. Some opioid users who believe they need an increased supply turn, at this point, to illegally obtained opioids or heroin. Some illegally obtained drugs, such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora), are laced with contaminants, or much more powerful opioids. Because of the potency of fentanyl, this particular combination has been associated with significant deaths in those using heroin. 

If you're taking opioids and you've developed tolerance, ask your doctor for help. There are  other, safer choices available to help you make a change towards healing yourself, and continue feeling well. Don't stop opioid medications without a doctor's help. Quitting these drugs abruptly can cause severe side effects, including pain worse than it was before you started taking opioids. Your doctor can help you taper off opioids slowly and safely. 

Opioid Addiction Risk Factors:

Opioids are most addictive when you take them using methods different from what was prescribed, such as crushing a pill so that it can be snorted or injected. This life-threatening practice is even more dangerous if the pill is a long- or extended-acting formulation. Rapidly delivering all the medicine to your body can cause accidental overdose. Taking more than your prescribed dose of opioid medication, or more often than prescribed, also increases your risk of addiction.

The length of time you use prescribed opioids also plays a role. Researchers have found that taking opioid medications for more than a few days increases your risk of addiction. The odds you'll still be on opioids a year after starting a short course increase after only five days on opioids. 

A number of additional factors -- genetic, psychological, and environmental -- play a role in addiction, which can happen quickly or after many years of opioid use.

Known risk factors of opioid misuse and addiction include, but are not limited to: 

*Poverty

*Unemployment 

*Family history of substance abuse 

*Personal history of substance abuse

*Young age

*History of criminal activity or legal problems including DUIs.

*Regular contact with high-risk people or high-risk environments.

*Problems with past employers, family members and friends 

*History of mental health disorder(s)

*Risk-taking or thrill-seeking behavior

*Heavy tobacco use

*Stressful circumstances 

*Prior drug or alcohol rehabilitation 

In addition, women have a unique set of risk factors for opioid addiction. Women are more likely than men to have chronic pain. Compared with men, women are also more likely to be prescribed opioid medications, to be given higher doses and use opioids for longer periods of time. Women may also have biological tendencies to become dependent on prescription pain relievers more quickly than men are. 

Steps to Prevent Opioid Addiction:

Opioids are safest when used for three or fewer days to manage acute pain, such as pain that follows surgery or a bone fracture. If you need opioids for acute pain, work with your doctor to take the lowest dose possible, for the shortest time needed, exactly as prescribed. 

If you're living with chronic pain, opioids are not likely to be a safe and effective long-term treatment option. Many other treatments are available, including less-addictive pain medications and nonpharmacological therapies. Aim for a treatment plan that makes it possible to enjoy your life without opioids, if possible.

Help prevent addiction in your family and community by safeguarding opioid medications while you use them and disposing of unused opioids properly. Contact your local law enforcement agency, your trash and recycling service, or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for information about local medication takeback programs. If no takeback program is available in your area, consult your local pharmacist for guidance. 

The most important step you can take to prevent opioid addiction? 

Recognize that no one is safe, and we all play a role in tackling the grip these drugs currently hold on our loved ones and communities.

What to do in an Emergency and How to get Help:

An opioid overdose can be reversed with the drug Naloxone when given right away. Improvements have seen in some regions of the country in the form of decreasing availability of prescription opioid pain relievers and decreasing misuse among the nation's teen's. However 2011, overdose deaths involving heroin increased dramatically. Fortunately, effective medications exist to treat opioid addiction, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. 

A NIDA study found that ounce treatment is initiated, both a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and extended release naltrexone formulation are similarly effective in treating opioid addiction. However, naltrexone requires full detoxification, so initiating treatment among active users was more difficult. These medications help many people recover from opioid addiction. Opioid-involved overdose deaths rose significantly from 46,802 deaths in 2018 to 49,860 in 2019...just 12 months alone and almost 50,000 lives gone to ONE addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction and is an need of help SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365- day - a - year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders 

Call: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) 

If you are in the middle of a crisis or the person you are calling for is in crisis and in need of immediate help please don't hesitate and call 911 or your local law enforcement. 

I hope I've been able to help someone today, maybe you're in the middle of addiction, or maybe you know someone who is. Maybe you're in recovery or just fell off the wagon for the fourth time. I get it, I've been there I've actually been in all of those scenarios and now I am a few years into recovery, and I am living for it everyday. I wake up without regrets, with my memory intake and with my dignity in the morning and I can stand to see the person looking back at me in the mirror as I'm getting ready. Who I am today is a completely, and utterly different person from who I was 4 or 5 years ago, but the healing has to start from within, and once you start healing, learning and growing into the person that the drugs have suppressed for so long you begin to see the world through the eyes of a child again and you get all those good feelings back, but better.. it's so much better. Don't just sit here and listen to me talk about it, go experience the beauty of life through sobriety and recovery yourself! 

Until next time --

Cheers,

Averi

Gambling ~

Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog. Today I want to focus on gambling addiction, and how it is the most common impulse control disorder worldwide despite the toll it takes on one's life mentally, financially and emotionally. Gambling is addictive because it stimulates the brain's reward system much like drug's and alcohol, and it is an uncontrollable urge to continue gambling. 

Lets look into this disorder and try to share some light on it and hopefully some courage for those possibly struggling with this disorder. 

Gam-ble 

/'gambel/

verb

gerund or present participle: gambling 

1. play games of chance for money, bet. 

2. take risky action in hope of a desired result. 

                       Overview

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you're willing to risk something you value i.e. friendships, family members, homes, vehicles, and other personal belongings in hope of getting something of even greater value. 

Gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs and alcohol can, leading to addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide your behavior, despite savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to theft of fraud to support your addiction. 

compulsive gambling is a serious condition that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment. 

                        Symptoms 

Signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling (gambling disorder) include, but are not limited to: 

*Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more gambling money

*Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill 

*Trying to control, or cut back or even stop gambling, but without success 

*Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling 

*Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression

*Trying to get back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)

*Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling 

*Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, a job, or school work opportunities because of gambling 

*Resorting to theft or fraud to get gambling money 

*Asking others to bail you out of financial trouble because you gambled money away 

Unlike most casual gamblers who stop when losing or set a loss limit, people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep playing to recover their money -- a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time. 

Some people with compulsive gambling problem may have remission where they gamble less or not at all for a period of time. However, without treatment, remission usually isn't permanent. 

      When to see a doctor or a mental health professional:

Have family members, friends or co-workers expressed concern about your gambling? If so, listen to their worries because denial is almost always a feature of compulsive or addictive behavior, it may be difficult for you to realize that you have a problem, however if you recognize your own behavior from that list of signs and symptoms for compulsive gambling, seek professional help. 

                                                                   Causes

Exactly what causes someone to gamble compulsively isn't well-understood... Like many mental disorders/addictions, compulsive gambling may result from a combination of a biological, genetic and environmental factors.

                                                             Risk Factors

Although most people who play cards or wager never develop a gambling problem, certain factors are more often associated with compulsive gambling. 

*Mental health disorders. People who gamble compulsively often have substance abuse problems, personality disorders, depression, or anxiety. Compulsive gambling may also be associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 

*Age. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However, compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem. 

*Sex. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women Women who gamble typically start later in life and may become addicted more quickly. But gambling patterns among men and women have become increasingly similar.

*Family or friend influence. If your family members or friends have a gambling problem, the chances are greater that you will, too. 

*Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. Drugs called dopamine agonist have a rare side effect that may result in compulsive behaviors, including gambling, in some people.

*Certain personality characteristics. Being highly competitive, a workaholic, impulsive, restless or easily bored may increase your risk of compulsive gambling. 

                          Complications

 Compulsive gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences for your life, such as, but not limited to: 

*Relationship problems

*Financial problems, including bankruptcy

*Legal Problems or Imprisonment 

*Poor work performance or job repeat job losses 

*Suicide, suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts or ideations. 

Although there's no proven way to prevent a gambling problem, educational programs that target individuals and groups at increased risk may be helpful. 

If you have risk factors for compulsive gambling, consider avoiding gambling in any form, people who gamble and places where gambling occurs. Get treatment at the earliest signs of a problem. Don't wait. 

             Understanding the problem --

you cant fix something that you don't understand. To eliminate gambling from your life, you must first learn about the issue and you have a gambling addiction. About 2.6% of the population (that's about 10 million people in the United States) that have a gambling problems and experienced some kind of hardships associated with their gambling problem. 

Something that is really disheartening to me as just as a human being in recovery from drugs and alcohol is all of the current media ads promoting gambling, alcohol deliver etc.. As someone who is trying with their entire being to live a clean solid life seeing things like this every time I have to watch a commercial or ad on my phone is just not fair to me, and it doesn't take into consideration how it makes the family of the compulsive gamblers feel. I really feel like the media needs to rethink what, and who they're promoting. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with compulsive gambling and would like help and treatment there is the National Council on Problem Gambling. They have a phone number you can call, messenger board where you can chat with one of their professionals or you can text with a professional 24 Hours Confidentially 7 days a week. 

Call | 1-800-522-4700

Chat | ncpgambling.org/chat

Text | 1-800-522-4700

If you or a loved is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations you can reach out to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours 7 days a week. 

Call | 1-800-273-8256

Chat | icdepreventionlife.org/chat

I sincerely hope with this entry you've been able to learn about gambling, maybe you found some of the signs and symptoms were relative to you, or maybe you're the loved one of someone with a gambling addiction. Wherever you are in this process just know you aren't alone there is a lot of help available and most importantly you are important so do the work. 

Until next time, take good care of yourself and each other. 

Cheers, 

A 💫

Heartbreak ~

   Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog I'm Averi and today I want to talk about heartbreak, yes you heard me right...heartbreak in the month of chocolates and flowers and full of love.

Well friends for some of us this month might not be full of flowers or chocolates or, even love. 

Some of you may be single, going through a breakup or possibly have lost recently lost a partner due to illness, divorce, etc.

 - whatever you're experiencing it is real. It is okay to feel that way, it will get better.

How To Heal After a Broken Heart:

If you have the capacity to love, then you also have the capacity to be hurt. In fact, anytime you open yourself up to love, you risk getting a broken heart. Heartbreak can hit suddenly and with a lot of force. It is possible to experience heartbreak and then find healing afterward, trust me it can be hard to put into words what a broken heart feels like. Entity explains it well:

"Heartbreak is the overwhelming distress you feel after a [romantic relationship or friendship] ends. It can make someone feel depressed or like they don't have the energy for their normal routine. And in serious cases, it can even make someone feel like they don't want to live anymore at all".

The emotional intensity of your heartbreak can and probably will vary from day to day. But some days and seasons are more overwhelming than others. If you experience any of the following, you should get support, and help to lessen the strain of your emotional pain.

*Depression, anxiety, or any other signs of mental distress

*Feeling such pain that you harm yourself (or think about doing so)

*Thoughts or plans of suicide 

*Isolation from friends, family, or activities you once loved

This list of feelings is by no means exhaustive. The way you experience a broken heart depends on the type of pain you're feeling. If a breakup has left you feeling despair, you may have different emotional struggles from someone who is brokenhearted from grieving after a loss.

Heartbreak and The Body:

your body also feels the effects of heartbreak. Because it thinks you're in physical pain, you're body releases lots of stress hormones. Sometimes you feel tired without reason, or perhaps you lose your appetite, yup that's those stress hormones. 

You may feel excessive tension or numbness. Crying is normal. But be on the lookout for crying spells out of nowhere. If your heartbreak makes you feel ill, or causes you physical pain, it's another sign you need to get help. 

Help For Your Heartbreak:

There's no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed, or even regretful of your heartbreak. The painful situation that caused was real and legitimate, and so are the emotions you do battle with. But you're not alone - and healing your heart is possible.

It begins with knowing, since knowing is you're being. Once you know the source of your pain then you can make a practical plan with people you trust to care for the needs that have unmet since your heartbreak. This spiritual, physical, and emotional Self Care will be instrumental in helping you move forward in healing. 

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve or worsen, or if you have severe depression or crying spells you cannot control. Depending on the severity of depression after a breakup, your doctor may recommend counseling or psychotherapy to help you cope with your heartbreak, especially if you've had suicidal thoughts. 

Ways to cope with heartbreak that doesn't involve the help of a professional include: 

*Exercise | Physical activity can strengthen your immune system and boost your energy, Exercise also increases your body's production of endorphins, which can improve your mood, Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least three times a week.

*Keep Busy | Explore hobbies and keep your mind occupied. If you're feeling depressed read a book, go for a walk, or start a project around the house. 

*Get plenty of shut eye | Getting plenty of sleep can also improve your mental well-being and help you cope after a breakup. 

*Herbal and natural remedies | If you don't want to take a prescription medication, ask your doctor about supplements used for depression, such as St. John's Wort S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe and omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils. Some supplements can't be combined with prescription medication, so make sure to consult with your prescribing physician beforehand. You can also explore alternative therapies for depression, such as acupuncture, massage therapy and meditation.

Getting Support After a Breakup:

Getting support through a breakup is easier when you receive support from family and friends. You don't have to go through this alone, so surround yourself with positive people who encourage you. If you're feeling lonely or scared, call or text a loved one and make social plans, if you aren't a social creature, but you're still feeling lonely call or text a loved one to check in or plan a zoom call. 

Avoid negative people who may judge or criticize you. This can worsen depression and make it harder for you to heal after a breakup. 

You can also fight loneliness and depression after a breakup by cultivating new friendships and reconnecting with old friends. Get together with a few co-workers for lunch or dinner, or get involved in your community to meet new people. Join a club, take a class, or volunteer in your spare time. 

Even if your depression isn't severe enough for psychotherapy. It may be helpful to join a support group. Look for breakup and divorce support groups near your home, or choose a support group for mental illness and depression. You'll most likely meet people who've gone through the same experience or are going through similar experiences, plus learn techniques to cope with your emotions.

Love Hurts... even the loveliest of love hurts. All love stories have their fair share of ugly in them. There is no such thing as a happy ending, and if you can find someone who you can put up with until the day you both check out then you are seriously one of the luckiest humans alive. I hope with my whole being that I have been able to help someone today with this advice or these words, I know your pain is immense but so is your strength. Stand tall, until next time. 

Suicide Prevention

if you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

*Call 911 or your local emergency number 

*Stay with the person until help arrives 

*Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm

*Listen, but don't judge, argue, threaten or yell

If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or a suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255

Please take good care of yourselves, and each other. 

Cheers

Averi

Depression

  Hello dear readers and welcome or welcome back to my blog today I wanna focus on the topic of: depression I personally have walked a long winding road with depression, sometimes winning most time's losing, losing hope, losing time, losing friends, losing family, losing jobs, losing homes, losing myself, losing my grip on life, losing my will to live. I've walked the halls of so many psychiatric facilities I can't count them on my hands and toes and no I am not saying this to brag or to seek out some kind of sympathy I am merely trying to relate and offer guidance through dark turbulent times that happen in life, so if this is something that is affecting you in your everyday life then hopefully this post can help shed some light on this condition.

de-pres-sion

/de'preSH(e)n/

noun

Feelings of severe despondency and dejection.

Examples: Melancholy, misery, sadness, gloom, woe, sorrow, despair.

"self-doubt creeps in and that swiftly turns to depression"

What Causes Depression?

Depression is not a condition that a specific cause. It can happen for many different reasons and have many different triggers usually, depression doesn't doesn't work quickly or suddenly instead, it develops over long periods of time and can lead to a series of "downward spirals" 

 The four major causes of depression are:

*1. Family History | though there are no specific genes that we can look at and trace to depression, if your family members have had depression, you are more likely also to experience depression. The jury is still out on whether, or not this link is due to learned behavior or biology. 

*2. Illness and Health Issues | Physical illnesses or injuries can have a significant impact on your physical health and mental health. Chronic health issues, long term health issues, or physical health issues that drastically change your lifestyle can cause depression. Often, your doctors will understand this and recommend a mental health treatment as a part of your overall treatment. Issues connected to your brain, hormones, menstrual cycle or menopause, low blood sugar or sleep problems can be very impactful. 

*3. Medication. Drugs, and Alcohol | Many different medications can have the unfortunate side effect of depression. If you feel depressed after starting a new medicine or medication, you should research it's side effects or talk to your doctor. There could be a better alternative your doctor could give you alternatively. Additionally, recreational drugs and alcohol use can cause or worsen depression. While they may initially feel like they help symptoms of depression, they will make you feel worse eventually. 

*4. Personality | Some people and personalities are just more apt to experience depression. For example, people who tend to hold in worries, are perfectionists, and are sensitive to criticism are naturally more likely to be depressed. 

Additional causes of depression 

In addition to those causes, two of the more abstract causes of depression can be: 

Life Events | It has been found through research that life events can increase your chance of being depressed. Examples of events like this include:

* Losing your job 

* Being in a dysfunctional relationship 

* Stress at work

* Isolation

* Going through a breakup or divorce 

* Being diagnosed with an illness

* Being unemployed for a long period of time 

* Grieving a loved one (in any way) 

While negative life events or divorce can cause depression, they don't necessarily always cause it. Often, it is more about how you deal with these difficult situations.

And then there's....

Chemicals in the Brain 

Brain chemistry is a vastly complex  and developing field of study. There is much that is still being researched in addition, there are so many other factors besides simple brain chemistry that can lead to depression. Therefore, depression is not merely caused by a lack of certain chemicals, However there are specific processes between nerve cells that can contribute to depression.

Treatments for Depression 

Many of the medications used to treat depression target the brains messaging centers. Some stimulate serotonin or noradrenaline production. In addition, some treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are used to treat depression because they also targets the brain's messaging processes. However, these types of treatments are only used when therapy, lifestyle changes, social change and medication have not helped. 

A more definitive list of treatments for depression is;

*Self-Guided changes to your lifestyle | Simply changing things like your sleep cycle, how you spend your time, and other daily habits can do a lot to improve your depression. 

*Therapy | Beginning counseling, therapy or psychotherapy, with a mental health provider can help you better understand, and cope with your feelings while having someone to talk them through with. You can do therapy for a short time or stay in it for extended periods of time, and due to Covid19 a lot places offer telehealth or zoom which is sometimes just easier.

*Alternative Therapies | Many people with mild depression can heighten their therapeutic experience by supplementing it with acupuncture, hypnosis or biofeedback. 

*Brain Stimulation | For people who suffer from severe depression or psychosis brain stimulation can be beneficial. As mentioned before, ECT or TMS are commonly prescribed. However, you can also try vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

Of course every person's depression is unique to them. Because there is no broad spectrum for how depression can appear. The treatments can also vary person to person. Just know that there is also a wise spectrum for treatment and that it might take a try or two to find the one, or couple of treatments that are right for you. 

Symptoms

Although depression may occur once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, these symptoms occur most of the day, nearly everyday and may include, but are not limited to: 

* Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness

* Angry outbursts, Irritability or frustration, even over small matter

* Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports

* Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

* Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

* Reduced appetite and eight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

* Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness

* Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame 

* Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things

* Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

* Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

15 Celebrities we tragically Lost to Depression / Mental Illness 

#1 Robin Williams 

#2 Marilyn Monroe 

#3 Dana Plato

#4 Kurt Cobain

#5 Chris Cornell

#6 Alexander McQueen

#7 Lee Thompson Young 

#8 Kate Spade 

#9 Anthony Bourdain

#10 Tony Scott 

#11 Don Cornelius 

#12 Mindy McCready

#13 Mac Miller 

#14 Chester Bennington 

#15 Misty Upham 

If you or anyone you know is suffering with depression you are not alone. If you are currently in crisis and need someone to speak with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800) 273-TALK (8255) or you can go to Lifeline

I hope you've enjoyed this read. I look forward to researching the next topic for you guys. 

Take good care of yourselves, and each other. 

Cheers, 

A 💕