Grief And ‘The Widowhood Effect’

 

It’s a situation that you hear about quite frequently. When an older person dies, their spouse may then also pass in a matter of months. The proper term for it is the Widowhood Effect, but the truth of the matter is that it’s a very avoidable scenario.

 

Believe it or not, there is actually some new scientific evidence that points to certain health risks during the grieving process. The especially applies to seniors who have been married for an extended amount of time. According to a study of 99 people who had recently become bereaved, physical ailments can begin manifesting due to depression and inactivity.

 

Obviously those who are older are already in a more fragile state, but their premature passings can be avoided if they began to properly deal with their grief. If they don’t, however, there are real risks of cardiovascular issues and internal inflammations.

 

Researcher Chris Fagundes helped lead the study and spoke to Science Alert about the findings.

 

“Previous research has shown that inflammation contributes to almost every disease in older adulthood,” he explained to the site. “We also know that depression is linked to higher levels of inflammation, and those who lose a spouse are at considerably higher risk of major depression, heart attack, stroke and premature mortality.”

 

For the study, Fagundes and his partner took blood samples from all of the participants. Each exhibited different levels of depression after losing a loved one. What the team found was that those with elevated bereavement symptoms had higher levels of inflammation (particularly within the protein set called cytokines).

 

Science has already proven that elevated cytokine levels can lead to cardiac illness. And among the heaviest grievers who volunteered, there was a 53 percent increase in the presence of that particular protein.

 

“This is the first study to demonstrate that inflammatory markers can distinguish those who are widowed based on grief severity such that those who are higher on grief severity have higher levels of inflammation compared with those who are lower on grief severity,” Fagundes continued. “Now that we know these two key findings, we can design interventions to target this risk factor in those who are most at risk through behavioral or pharmacological approaches.”

 

Indeed, proper counseling and emotional support can be extremely beneficial during the mourning process. Obviously no one can completely take away the pain of losing a longtime loved one, but using the appropriate coping tools and resources can quite possibly save a life.

 

Pets May Help With Severe Depression

In case you were unaware, we are big pet lovers at Inneractions. Not only do they offer affection and support, they may actually be able help people who are clinically depressed. At least that’s what writers from The Journal of Psychiatric Research are now reporting and to us, it makes a lot of sense.

 

The latest Journal issue offered data that showed people with severe depression (who may be struggling in treatment) were able to significantly reduce their symptoms after adding a pet into their lives. Portuguese researchers Jorge Mota Pereira and Daniela Fonte contributed to the study, interviewing multiple participants who had “treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.” Each were encouraged to adopt one animal, with 20 going for dogs and seven selecting a cat.

 

After 12 weeks (with regular ongoing checkups), more than 33 percent of the group that adopted saw their depression symptoms go from severe to mild. One big discovery was that pet ownership gave these participants a greater sense of purpose.

 

“By having the responsibility of taking care of an animal, people have to get up in the morning to take care of the animal, namely pet them and feeding them,” the researchers explained in their report. “In the specific case of dogs, the need of taking a dog for a walk, hike and run promotes the increase of physical activity and could help its owner to meet new people that also have pets, sharing experiences and improving their social skills.”

 

All very encouraging material, though it was emphasized that pet adoption may not be for everyone. The checkups proved to be a very important component of the study. There is also the very real possibility of a severely depressed subject not being able to handle the responsibilities of ownership and thus neglecting their dog or cat.

 

Mota Pereira and Fonte singled that out at the end of their study, advising that only those who appreciate their animals should go down this path.

 

“It is worth noting that these benefits will only occur in people that appreciate domestic animals,” the researchers concluded. “Those who choose adoption must have the time, attention and money necessary to take care of their pets.”

 

If taking an action like this could benefit you or someone you are close to who is battling depression (assuming they are up for the challenge), we think that it’s a good idea. Especially since there are so many abandoned animals in shelters right now, in need of a good home.

 

Dating With Depression

 

Is it impossible to date and find love when you’re suffering from depression? Absolutely not. But it can be a challenge and does require more effort than someone who is not dealing with a mental health struggle. TheFix.com recently addressed this very relevant topic on their website and offered helpful tools for anyone who feels hopeless about their romantic life.

 

Taking quotes and inspiration from relationship therapists, the site first dug into some of the symptoms people with depression may experience when trying to make a love connection.

 

“Battling depression can be physically and emotionally taxing, so make sure you’re going at your own pace and being kind with yourself in the process,” expert Lindsey Pratt told the site. “If you struggle with this, you may notice that it prevents you from feeling excitement over special moments. You may also have trouble finding energy to spend time with a new person or that your ability to imagine a happy future with a certain partner feels limited.”

 

Pratt went on to emphasize that it is perfectly ok to experience these feelings and those who do are certainly not alone. She also added that there will undoubtedly be challenges; but by continuing to put in work, you can slowly overcome them.

 

“Patience” and “compassion with yourself” are two key points that Pratt mentioned. Patience comes with working at finding a suitable mate. It may take a while and you may encounter bad matches, but it is important to carry on. Compassion refers to pushing away self-doubt if a date or online connection goes bad. This, of course, is not easy to do, but with professional support and continued effort, you can learn not to personalize rejection.

 

There are also preliminary exercises to take which can help avoid an uncomfortable dating scenario. One suggestion was to schedule a meetup at a time of the day when you feel most positive. Also, choosing an activity and location that brings you joy can help set a relationship up for success.

 

The article also recommended openness and honesty when it comes to your depression diagnosis. Time it right and don’t be ashamed to mention that you are struggling with a mental health issue.

 

“You’ll need to determine the best time to discuss your depression with a date,” the site expert went on to say. “Often this conversation happens a month or two into dating. I really like to encourage people to say, ‘You know what? I suffer from a condition that’s pretty common in the population. I have this sadness sometimes about me.’ You don’t even have to use the word depression.”

Addictions And Suicides Are Lowering U.S. Life Expectancy

 

If you think mental health and addiction aren’t creating a ripple effect in this country, you may want to look at the latest stats released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Their new research shows that the country’s life expectancy rate has lowered for the third year in a row due primarily to these issues. Now, American babies born this year aren’t expected to live past 78 years old.

 

The way these stats are calculated has to do with U.S. death rates as a whole. And not surprisingly (with the opioid addiction crisis in full swing), overdoses lead the pack. In just two years, ODs have seen a 10 percent increase; primarily among men.

 

Suicides were another strong contributor to the overall life expectancy rate. Since just 2017, there was nearly a four precent jump in people who take their own lives. And though men still account for more of these types of fatalities, women are showing an increase as well. As of today, suicides are the 10th leading cause of death in America.

 

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield spoke to the media about these latest findings. He found the rates especially troubling, since a majority of these deaths were preventable (as opposed to cancer or other diseases).

 

“Life expectancy gives us a snapshot of the nation’s overall health and these sobering statistics are a wakeup call that we are losing too many Americans, too early and too often, to conditions that are preventable,” Dr. Redfield explained. “We must all work together to reverse this trend and help ensure that all Americans live longer and healthier.”

 

The site Vox.com took the research a step further, illustrating what a big role addiction plays in this scenario. They singled out the states that had the lowest life expectancy rates, all of which have been flagged as being riddled with opioid dependencies.

 

As illustrated in the map below, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania were the major culprits. On a somewhat positive note, it appears as though our home state of California is one of the lesser impacted regions.

Regardless, we find these latest statistics particularly troubling. One of our missions at Inneractions is improve health, both mental and physical. In our opinion, working with trained professionals to deal with addictions and emotional hurdles is truly the key to turning these life expectancy figures around. We encourage anyone who is struggling to please reach out and to avoid becoming another tragic statistic.

 

Tackling Depression Through Song

We all know about the healing power of music. Finding solace in a song lyric or a classical orchestra can very therapeutic, especially when dealing with issues like addiction, anxiety or grief. And that goes for the Top 40 tracks of today as well. We certainly tip our hat to any contemporary artist who offers comfort in their songs. One, in particular, is the incredibly popular band Imagine Dragons, who just released a new single about coping with depression.

Ironically, the Dragons song “Zero” appears on the soundtrack for a family film. A standout single from the Ralph Breaks The Internet album, it definitely has a upbeat feel. But in reality, it touches upon the mental struggles that many people in this country deal with on a daily basis.

Written and produced by the band themselves, “Zero” reflect some very personal emotions (according to lead singer, Dan Reynolds).

“Zero is a song about somebody who feels empty, who feels like nothing, but continues on and puts a smile on their face,” Reynolds explained to The New York Post. “That’s kind of the theme of my life: a constant battle to find positivity in living and feeling a little empty at times. I’m trying to fill that void.”

Despite having millions of fans and large earnings from album sales and tours, Reynolds admits that he gets down quite often as well. Since the band’s inception, Reynolds has been open about his depression struggles and emphasized that fame and money did not fix the problem. As he mentioned on a recent morning show, it is something he continues to work on.

Interestingly Imagine Dragons purposely chose Ralph as an outlet for the song, particularly because of its themes about the internet and social media. Reynolds and the band want to get the message out that is ok to experience these feelings and people shouldn’t get caught up in the negativity they may encounter online.

“That journey of feeling like nothing and trying to realize and recognize your worth as a human is an important part of life,” Reynolds concluded. “And given the distorted version of reality kids face online and the expectations that come with it, this struggle is real for so many people right now.”

One other unique way that the band is exposing the single is through a colorful new video. It brings out the powerful depression lyrics amid bumpy, eye-grabbing visuals. And clearly, with 22 million views, it appears to be working.

You can watch the full “Zero” video below.

The Dark Side Of The Holiday Season

With November upon us, expect to see lots of joyful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s ads plastered on your TV’s and mobile devices. And while that’s all fine and dandy, it is worth noting that this season can stir up difficult emotions as well. In fact, many studies have shown that depression, anxiety and addictive tendencies all increase during the “holiday season.”

Recently Forbes touched upon this timely issue, calling out several of the triggers that can dredge up dark feelings. Stress, for example, is much more common during the November and December months due to an increase of demands. Everything from work deadlines, to holiday shopping lists, to travel hassles and what have you. A lot can be expected of a person during this period and it is important to take a step back for mental health checks and self care.

Anxiety is another common emotion during this time of year. Though the idea of spending time with family is exciting to most, there can be certain loved ones who create anxious feelings. Facing a dysfunctional family member (who perhaps harassed or abused you) can be tremendously difficult and often times drives people to use in order to escape painful memories.

On the family front, grief also comes into play. Perhaps this is the first Thanksgiving without a parent or a grandparent. That, in itself, is incredibly painful and can send people into a depressive spiral. Divorce and separation is often thrust to the forefront too, especially if you’re anticipating uncomfortable confrontations with an ex.

The Forbes piece called out a specific symptom of depression that occurs during the holiday season. It is defined as “anhedonia” or the loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Basically, it is the inability to experience joy or pleasure.

“This is a time when there is an increase in stressful demands, an inability to sidestep family issues, and heavy emphasis put on managing expectations,” Forbes writer Anita Sanz explained in the article. “Thus, the holidays can leave a person dealing with depression with increased feelings of sadness, guilt, inadequacy, overwhelm, alienation, and unworthiness.”

So what can be done to combat these issues? The article goes on to lay out several helpful tactics; including creating laid out plans and timelines, setting realistic expectations and simply avoiding toxic situations. We too are making ourselves available during these months to lend support to anyone anticipating a difficult end of the year. Please, reach out in advance and save yourself unnecessary trauma and pain.

Social Media May Help Seniors With Depression

Often times, social media is associated with many negative connotations. Some people claim it can be addictive and potentially cause ADHD. Others warn about its dark underbelly and the predators who use it to sell drugs or scam account holders. But let it be known that there are many positive aspects to this medium as well. It all depends on how people choose to use it. And, as a recent study showed, for lonely seniors, social media is proving itself to be a powerful tool.

Reuters Health recently reported that people 67 and older who live in assisted living communities have found sites like Facebook and YouTube to be incredibly inspiring. And for those of them who suffer from chronic pain (as many older Americans do), depression levels dropped significantly following regular usage of social media.

The research specifically revealed that 15 percent of seniors dealing with pain showed signs of depression. When sites like Facebook entered the equation, however, that number changed to just 6 percent. Study co-author (and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor professor) Shannon Ang attributed that shift to the sense of community that social media brings. Even if family members and friends live far away, these web destinations make them feel much closer.

“Using online social media to maintain contact with family members and friends is a good way to compensate for seniors who restrict their social activities due to pain. It is not going to replace seeing people in person, but it will help supplement their reduced activities,” Ang explained. “For us, this study is about preserving mental health.”

The only hiccup is that many people within this age group are somewhat unfamiliar with these sites and how they work. So despite the fact that a place like Facebook can drastically decrease depression symptoms, only 17 percent of that population regularly logs on.

This, of course, will change as younger generations enter their senior years and it will be very interesting to see what kind of role social media will play for the next set of older Americans. But for now, we agree that these types of sites should be strongly considered in the fight against elderly depression. And on that note, we encourage family members to teach their parents and grandparents about the benefits of staying virally connected.

“It’s very well known that social support is helpful for depression and physical symptoms,” Ang concluded. “It’s a growing area of interest in research and clinical care.”

New Show Brings Attention To Mental Health & Suicide

The fall TV season has officially begun and with it are a slew of new shows, ranging from silly sitcoms to action packed reboots. But in between all of that is a an ABC series that is tackling a very important topic. The new drama A Million Little Things directly touches upon suicide and mental health. It is also going beyond the script to help viewers come to terms with these issues.

The show itself profiles a very real scenario. In it, a man who has everything to live for is suffering from depression in silence. Though his family and close friends don’t realize it, successful businessman Jon Dixon (played by Office Space’s Ron Livingston) is battling demons that he can’t overcome and chooses to take his own life in the first episode. This literally sets the series in motion, as the surrounding characters learn to process and cope with Jon’s abrupt decision.

One of the things we like most about Little Things is the honesty it conveys. Not only in the scenario of Jon Dixon, but also with his inner circle. There are characters in recovery, divorced couples and the honest topic of grief is brought out into the open on a regular basis.

Now as we mentioned above, there are other elements that go outside of the show. One of the big ones involved an important Public Service Announcement that was aired after the pilot episode. In it the cast spoke out about suicide prevention, along with some special guests. You can watch it in its entirety below…

As you may notice, there are some famous faces in that clip as well. Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda and the wife of the late Chester Bennington also appear in the PSA. They, of course, have been directly impacted by suicide and want others to get help before it’s too late.

“The passing of my husband cannot be in vain,” Benningston’s wife Talinda says in the clip. “His passing was a catalyst for opening up dialogue with respect to emotional and mental health. Throughout his life, he saved countless lives with his music and philanthropy. And through his death, he continues to save lives by spotlighting the urgent need for a change in our mental health culture.”

The :30 spot is followed by a website address and 800 number for suicide prevention. We applaud Mike, Talinda and everyone involved in the making of the A Million Little Things. This is an extremely important topic and one that all too often gets buried on primetime TV.

Using Technology To Identify Depression

 

 

Depression certainly has its symptoms and indicators, but what if there was a more advanced way to identify it? Over as the esteemed Massachusetts college MIT, researchers have been testing an artificial intelligence system that may be able to flag warning signs based on the way that we communicate.

 

This groundbreaking research actually analyzes speech and text messages to see if certain patterns appear that may indicate depression. Incorporating the use of a neural network model; the A.I. listens to (or reads) conversations, then provides a diagnosis. Interestingly, no direct questions or answers are necessary. For this to work, people just need to carry out regular conversations.

 

“We call it ‘context-free’ because you’re not putting any constraints into the types of questions you’re looking for and the type of responses to those questions,” MIT analyst Tuka Alhanai explained. “If you want to deploy [depression-detection] models in a scalable way… you want to minimize the amount of constraints you have on the data you’re using. You want to deploy it in any regular conversation and have the model pick up, from the natural interaction, the state of the individual.”

 

Trigger points that may lead to a depression diagnosis include longer pauses between words or a slower pattern of speech. When it comes to texting, words like “low,” “sad” or “down” raise the red flags. Patterns are sought out as well, indicating that these types of behaviors happen regularly when a particular person is having a long dialogue.

 

“The model sees sequences of words or speaking style, and determines that these patterns are more likely to be seen in people who are depressed or not depressed,” Alhanai added. “Then, if it sees the same sequences in new subjects, it can predict if they’re depressed too.”

 

Though it’s still in the testing phase, Alhanai has high hopes for making these A.I. programs more available. He did not rule out the possibility of turning this tool into a Smartphone app that can be used for voice recordings and alerts. He also foresees doctors and counselors using it for their own professional assessments.

 

One other interesting stat mentioned in the article was the fact that 37 percent of people suffering from depression in the U.S. continue to go undiagnosed. And as we all know, these types of dark feelings can be a gateway to addiction, self-harm or even suicide. Let’s hope this future tech can decrease that number.

 

Mental Health Among ‘Midlife Women’

  Depression is obviously a very personal issue, but there are certain trends that come to light among different genders, races and age ranges. One segment recently singled out was women who are experiencing “midlife.” These particular age ranges, which covers the menopausal years of 45-60, has shown an increase in mental health struggles.   Professors at The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine helped identify this trend and even went so far as to release guidelines for treating this particular age set.   “Pre-menopause is a window of vulnerability for the development of both depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes,” Pauline Maki, lead researcher at the University, explained. “The recent suicide of Kate Spade at 55 years of age shows the seriousness of mental health issues in midlife women, a group that has shown a 45% increase in suicide rates over the past 15 years.”   The prime era for these depressive symptoms to begin (according to the data) is roughly three to four years before menopause. It is during this time that periods become irregular and symptoms like hot flashes begin to occur. Coming to terms with this major life change can be a major mental challenge for a woman, even if they’ve had no history of depression.   Other external factors can come into play as well, creating additional hardships for midlife women. This can include the death of a parent, caring for an aging loved one and empty nest syndrome, among others. Considering the hormonal imbalances that may be happening simultaneously, this can be a recipe for some very dark emotions.   Maki added that these feelings are completely normal and, in fact, are very common.   “When you add in hormonal changes that can affect the brain’s ability to cope with these stressors, it’s no surprise that depression is a common occurrence in midlife women,” she explained. “If your mood is low, if you’re feeling irritable, I want women to understand there is a consensus that this is normal before and during menopause.”   Advice provided by the researchers included attending counseling sessions and considering antidepressants. They also shared the successes of hormone therapy, which is used to treat the physical symptoms of menopause. Removing stressors like hot flashes and lack of sleep can make a tremendous difference for a women’s emotional state.   At Inneractions, we regularly hold therapy sessions for women experiencing depression and know firsthand how difficult the challenges of midlife can be. If you or someone you are close to is having a difficult, please do not hesitate to reach out.