Men shouldn’t suffer in silence with depression and anxiety

My dad killed himself and, having struggled with feelings myself, I want to make sure I deal with them properly. You should too

‘Things always change, as long as you give them the chance to.’ Photograph: Alamy

I was 24 when my dad, Peter Manderson, took his own life. We had a troubled relationship and hadn’t spoken to each other for about six years; for no real reason we just stopped. Then one day I got in touch to try and repair some of the damage. It was Boxing Day and we argued over the phone about where to meet. I got angry, and my dad, who was a gentle man, stammered and stuttered. The last words I said to him were: “If I ever see you again I’m going to knock you out.” It all seems so desperately trivial now.
The tragic last hours of Robin Williams’ life have been raked over in minute detail over the past week. Susan Schneider, his wife, has said he was battling depression and anxiety, as well as the early stages of Parkinson’s.
I still don’t know what was going through my dad’s mind when he killed himself in a park not far from where he lived in Brentwood, Essex, in April 2008. I’ll never know. The last time I saw him alive was my 18th birthday. He had been in and out of my life for years. I was brought up by my gran in Hackney, east London, because neither of my parents were capable of looking after me. I just wish that he could have reached out to someone, anyone.
The moment I found out my dad had killed himself is as clear today as it was when it happened. That morning I woke up with a sense of dread knowing that something was very wrong. My gran came into my room with tears in her eyes and said: “Stephen, your dad’s dead. He’s hanged himself.”
His death was a complete shock and it’s still a struggle to articulate how I felt. I went through so many emotions that day. At first I was angry with him for doing what he did. I kept thinking, how could he take himself away from me? Williams’ daughter Zelda said something similar about her dad: “I’ll never understand how he could be so loved and not find it in his heart to stay.”
I thought my dad was selfish for taking the easy way out. But then I quickly realised that I was the one who was being selfish for thinking he was selfish. For someone to be able to do that, I don’t think it is cowardice; it’s the only solution they think they have. The last thing I said to him kept replaying in my head – you have no idea how much I regret that the final words he heard from me were anger and hate. I would give anything to change that. I never got a chance to say a proper goodbye or tell him that I loved him.
Last year in Britain, almost 6,000 people killed themselves, leaving behind families struggling for answers. Men aged between 30 and 44 are most at risk. My dad was 43. I later found out that one of his brothers had killed himself two years before and that another brother, whom I am named after, is believed to have died after allowing himself to fall into a diabetic coma.
Communication is a big problem with us men. We don’t like to talk about our problems; we think it makes us look weak. There have been times when I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression. I even had cognitive behavioural therapy and although that didn’t work for me, I did find that talking about things to someone helped the problem seem smaller than it was in my head. It’s important to let things out and not bottle them up.
Society likes to tell you that you have to be happy all the time, and it’s easy to think that if you’re not happy then there’s something wrong with you. But happiness isn’t permanent, it’s not something you can feel all the time – and neither is sadness.
What happened to my dad and uncles makes me want to deal with things. As much as I love my dad, I don’t want to be the father to my child that he was to me. I wrote the song Lullaby about my experience of depression and how it has affected my life. The most important lyrics are the final two lines: “Things always change, as long as you give them the chance to.”
Know that is true. I just wish my dad did.

Source:-  http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/20/men-suffer-depression-anxiety

Five-year-olds treated for depression and anxiety

Children as young as five are being referred for treatment for depression and anxiety, the BBC has found.

Figures showed mental health teams in Sussex are working with more than 1,000 under-18s while in the Solent 324 young people were referred for therapy.
Prescriptions for Fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac, have risen 26% in Oxfordshire and 13% in Berkshire from April to September last year.
MPs recently announced an extra £22m to tackle child mental health treatment.
Experts said children are coming under increasing stress because of unemployment, financial problems and substance abuse among their parents.
In February, the NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Sussex estimated it was working with about 330 under-11s and about 830 12 to 18-year-olds with anxiety and/or depression.
While in Dorset, 212 young people were diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorder with 118 of them being under 16 at the date of referral.
Plastic animals With the approval of health professionals and his family, the BBC was given access to a therapy room in Sussex, where eight-year-old "Jack" was receiving treatment for anxiety.
Having developed a deep-seated fear of leaving his mother he has been seeing child behaviour experts since he was 18 months old.
"The anxieties, I think started probably very soon after he was born," said child psychologist Jo Russell.
"There were other difficulties in the family, some stresses around employment and finances, and then his parents separated when he was just a toddler."

During his therapy "Jack" dangles his toys from a window, 30ft from the ground

During his therapy, the BBC observed "Jack" wind up a large ball of sticky tape around his hand and tie up his toy plastic animals with string before dangling them out of the window, 30ft above the ground.
"In his mind he's putting that little creature in a position of insecurity," Ms Russell said.
"Will that little creature manage to get to the ground or not? Through that play, this little boy and I have been able to think and talk about how people cope with feeling very insecure."
Jack's mother "Joy" said she knew her son, who has thrown things at her and put holes through doors, was "different" from other children at a young age.
"He gets very like a spring, he gets wound up and explodes," she said.
"He can be very loving and caring and when it's like that it's absolutely amazing but you have the other side which goes along."
After several years of therapy, his mother said "Jack" had improved, but could still be "up and down."
NHS Solent, which covers Southampton and Portsmouth, saw 324 young people with a problem of depression referred to it between September 2010 and August 2011, the youngest of whom was five years old.
It also revealed 378 patients, aged 16 and under, were referred for a range of mental health therapies not just for depression, including cognitive behaviour therapy, anxiety management and art and play therapy.
'Entrenched problems' Its youngest patient, a two-year-old, was referred for specialist child psychotherapy.
Barbara Inkson, child clinical psychology at Solent NHS Trust, said it was seeing an annual rise of about 10% in referrals.
However, its database can only record a reason for referral and not subsequent diagnosis.
"What is clear is that levels of emotional disorders, including depression as well as anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders, are rising in line with other referrals to CAMHS here in the city," she said.

Child psychologist Jo Russell said difficulties within the family can cause stress in children

The charity, Young Minds, said it wants more treatments based in school and the community rather than in mental health units, which it says can be intimidating for children.
The government recently announced an extra £22m funding to tackle child mental health over three years, to expand state-of-the art psychological therapies and extend training for community workers.
Nationally, one in 10 children aged between five and 16 years old has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem and of adults with long-term mental health problems, half will have experienced their first symptoms before the age of 14.
Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, said: "Intervening early when a child or young person starts struggling to cope is proven to reduce the likelihood of that young person developing much more severe and entrenched mental health problems.
"It is vital that we invest in children and young people's mental health in order to prevent a generation of children suffering entrenched mental health problems as adults."
Source:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18251582

Five-year-olds treated for depression and anxiety

Children as young as five are being referred for treatment for depression and anxiety, the BBC has found.

Figures showed mental health teams in Sussex are working with more than 1,000 under-18s while in the Solent 324 young people were referred for therapy.
Prescriptions for Fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac, have risen 26% in Oxfordshire and 13% in Berkshire from April to September last year.
MPs recently announced an extra £22m to tackle child mental health treatment.
Experts said children are coming under increasing stress because of unemployment, financial problems and substance abuse among their parents.
In February, the NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Sussex estimated it was working with about 330 under-11s and about 830 12 to 18-year-olds with anxiety and/or depression.
While in Dorset, 212 young people were diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorder with 118 of them being under 16 at the date of referral.
Plastic animals With the approval of health professionals and his family, the BBC was given access to a therapy room in Sussex, where eight-year-old "Jack" was receiving treatment for anxiety.
Having developed a deep-seated fear of leaving his mother he has been seeing child behaviour experts since he was 18 months old.
"The anxieties, I think started probably very soon after he was born," said child psychologist Jo Russell.
"There were other difficulties in the family, some stresses around employment and finances, and then his parents separated when he was just a toddler."

During his therapy "Jack" dangles his toys from a window, 30ft from the ground

During his therapy, the BBC observed "Jack" wind up a large ball of sticky tape around his hand and tie up his toy plastic animals with string before dangling them out of the window, 30ft above the ground.
"In his mind he's putting that little creature in a position of insecurity," Ms Russell said.
"Will that little creature manage to get to the ground or not? Through that play, this little boy and I have been able to think and talk about how people cope with feeling very insecure."
Jack's mother "Joy" said she knew her son, who has thrown things at her and put holes through doors, was "different" from other children at a young age.
"He gets very like a spring, he gets wound up and explodes," she said.
"He can be very loving and caring and when it's like that it's absolutely amazing but you have the other side which goes along."
After several years of therapy, his mother said "Jack" had improved, but could still be "up and down."
NHS Solent, which covers Southampton and Portsmouth, saw 324 young people with a problem of depression referred to it between September 2010 and August 2011, the youngest of whom was five years old.
It also revealed 378 patients, aged 16 and under, were referred for a range of mental health therapies not just for depression, including cognitive behaviour therapy, anxiety management and art and play therapy.
'Entrenched problems' Its youngest patient, a two-year-old, was referred for specialist child psychotherapy.
Barbara Inkson, child clinical psychology at Solent NHS Trust, said it was seeing an annual rise of about 10% in referrals.
However, its database can only record a reason for referral and not subsequent diagnosis.
"What is clear is that levels of emotional disorders, including depression as well as anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders, are rising in line with other referrals to CAMHS here in the city," she said.

Child psychologist Jo Russell said difficulties within the family can cause stress in children

The charity, Young Minds, said it wants more treatments based in school and the community rather than in mental health units, which it says can be intimidating for children.
The government recently announced an extra £22m funding to tackle child mental health over three years, to expand state-of-the art psychological therapies and extend training for community workers.
Nationally, one in 10 children aged between five and 16 years old has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem and of adults with long-term mental health problems, half will have experienced their first symptoms before the age of 14.
Sarah Brennan, chief executive of Young Minds, said: "Intervening early when a child or young person starts struggling to cope is proven to reduce the likelihood of that young person developing much more severe and entrenched mental health problems.
"It is vital that we invest in children and young people's mental health in order to prevent a generation of children suffering entrenched mental health problems as adults."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18251582

Energy drinks 'increase health problems and drug and alcohol abuse'

Energy drinks can lead to mental health problems and drug and alcohol abuse in teenagers, researchers have warned.
Their findings have been published just a day after it emerged a teenager's heart stopped three times after downing 10 Jagerbombs mixed with Red Bull.
Jayde Dinsdale, 18, was drinking the Jagermeister spirit and energy drink shooter, which cost £2.20 for two, on a night out with friends, in Yeovil, Somerset.
But as the alcohol wore off, the high levels of caffeine in her system took control of her heart rate - causing it to accelerate dangerously out of control, medics have since said.
She suffered three heart attacks and temporarily 'died' on her bathroom floor after she downed ten high-caffeine Jagerbombs on a 'two-for-one' promotion night.
The new research, published in the journal Preventive Medicine, found that students prone to depression - and those who smoke marijuana or drink alcohol - are more likely to consume energy drinks.
Among the 8,210 high school students surveyed, nearly two thirds reported using energy drinks at least once in the past year, with more than one in five consuming them once or more per month.
And worryingly, it was the younger high school students who were more likely to consume energy drinks than older ones.

 

Last month researchers at the University of Michigan reported that teenagers who drink energy drinks are much more likely to also drink alcohol and use drugs. They are also more likely to start smoking.
They suggested this could be because  teenagers who are ‘sensation-seekers’ or ‘risk orientated’ are more likely to drink energy drinks.
In turn, having these character traits means they are also more likely to experiment with other substances.

As the alcohol wore off, the high levels of caffeine in Miss Dinsdale's system caused her heart rate to accelerate dangerously. She suffered three heart attacks, temporarily 'died' and needs an internal defibrillator

Energy drinks have been associated with a number of negative health effects, including cardiovascular symptoms, sleep impairment and nervousness and nausea. The side effects are caused by the beverages' high concentration of caffeine.
Study author Dr Sunday Azagba said: 'Marketing campaigns appear designed to entice youth and young adults. It's a dangerous combination, especially for those at an increased risk for substance abuse.'

The researchers from the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University in Canada, are calling for limits on teens' access to the drinks and reduction in the amount of the caffeine in each can.
Dr Azagba said: 'The trends we are seeing are more than cause for concern, particularly because of the high rate of consumption among teenagers.

Another recent study found teenagers who drink energy drinks are much more likely to also drink alcohol and use drugs. They are also more likely to start smoking

'These drinks appeal to young people because of their temporary benefits like increased alertness, improved mood and enhanced mental and physical energy.'
In recent years energy drink sales have skyrocketed, with sales predicted to reach $20 billion in 2013 in the United States alone.
Dr Azagba said: 'In our opinion, at the very least steps should be taken to limit teens' access to energy drinks.'
She added there was also a need to increase public awareness and education about the potential harms of these drinks and to minimise the amount of caffeine available in each drink.
'This won't eliminate the problem entirely, but steps like these can help mitigate harm that appears to be associated with consumption of these drinks.
'This is something we need to take seriously. Change won't happen without a concerted effort.

The study was based on data from the 2012 Student Drug Use Survey, consisting of a representative sample of junior and senior high school students from three provinces in Atlantic Canada.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2575578/Energy-drinks-increase-risk-drug-abuse-mental-health-problems.html

New study to investigate benefits of online treatment of anxiety and depression

The Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Psychology has begun the search for participants in a trial to see whether anxiety and/or depression can be treated online.

The project is a collaboration between the TCD team, SilverCloud Health, a Dublin-based developer of online behavioural health and mental wellness solutions, and Aware, Ireland's depression support, education and information organisation.
A person taking part in the trial will self-administer two online treatments with additional support covering Aware’s remit for the treatment of depression, while TCD’s study will focus on the treatment of generalised anxiety in students, seen particularly around exam time.
As part of the Aware trial, researchers are looking to recruit upwards of 300 participants nationwide to evaluate the effectiveness of a supported online delivered treatment intervention for mild to moderate depression.
Support is being provided by Aware-trained volunteers who have experience in using the SilverCloud Health platform. For those looking to avail of Aware’s Life Skills Online programme, the service will be provided free of charge to participants and aims to help people learn new ways to manage feelings of stress, anxiety, worry or depression.

A call for volunteers

TCD will also be looking for 150 volunteers to take part in its study on general anxiety.
A number of countries across the world have already begun to help patients with depression and anxiety using similar online treatments to those using the SilverLight Health technology which has shown to be successful.
The study’s principle investigator is Dr Derek Richards, director of clinical research and innovation with SilverCloud Health and a research fellow at TCD’s School of Psychology who, with the help of the 450 volunteers, will look to depression and anxiety in Ireland.
“Based on the success achieved to date with supported online treatments for depression and anxiety, we believe that participants in both trials will demonstrate significant decreases in symptoms post-intervention and a corresponding increase in quality of life indicators,” said Richards.
Ireland is one of the most affected nations in terms of depression and anxiety, with reported figures of between 7.9pc-12.3pc of the country suffering from depression while an estimated 36pc of the adult student population suffers from clinical anxiety.
Source: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/item/35638-new-study-to-investigate/

I Battle Depression and Anxiety

Looking outside as it snows wondering to myself who am I and do I deserve this happiness ? People like us usually want happiness but how is it that I am unhappy with unimaginable happiness. This happiness is at someone else's expense but isn't the nature of all happiness, such tragedy? Illusions and confusions of moral dilemmas that seem impossible to untangle. Like vines they just hang off the branches of ethics waiting for me to use them to swing ahead of the humanity statistics of my time. I have become lazy have I not, wasting away the better parts of me letting them rot or have I just become like this snow. Icy, cold , flying in a disorganized manner in which ever direction this wind takes me. Its ungrateful they say to not accept happiness when it comes knocking, but there comes a time when one must let the dust collect on the recently locked doors. Happiness bright in nature has begun to come from the depths of wild, evil and hysterical shadows. It has become a luxury which I no longer accept. I reject happiness to keep it and claim it as my own without guilt or remorse is psychopathic in nature. Many strangers have suffered for it I will not let this chain continue.