Concordia University study has discovered a new link between chronic disease and social isolation

Difficult circumstances often bring people closer together. But a new Concordia study published in Health Psychology has found that the onset of chronic illness often results in sufferers feeling lonelier -- even for those who have had a steady partner for 50 years or more.
Researchers at the Personality, Aging, and Health Lab at Concordia took on the study because they found that, while plenty of research examined the effect of loneliness on illness, there was a lack of empirical evidence about whether or not illness contributes to loneliness.
"We were surprised by the amount of literature that examined whether people who are lonely are more likely to get sick," says Meaghan Barlow, the study's first author. "Yet none of them asked the opposite question: 'Do sick people get lonely?'"
The new study reveals that they often do when they advance in age, and that it happens regardless of being in a long-term relationship when faced with a bleak diagnosis. "The quality of our social ties plays a role when it comes to coping with the effects of serious disease in later life. And just having a partner around may not be enough," Barlow says.
Barlow and her co-author, Sarah Liu, measured changes in loneliness between 2004 and 2012 in a sample of 121 older adults who were mostly in their 70s. The study was supervised by Carsten Wrosch, who holds a research chair in aging and health at Concordia.
Looking at the numbers provided some insights into how self-protective strategies can reduce the stress associated with a serious health issue. In particular, positively reappraising a difficult health situation and not blaming oneself for the illness prevented feelings of loneliness, most likely because it helps maintain motivation for social involvement and prevents depressive symptoms. "Putting a halt to socializing only contributes to a downward spiral," Barlow says. "Dealing with a chronic illness shouldn't prevent you from still trying to get out there if you can."
Naturally, the challenge for society is to help an aging population find motivation to stay engaged, which means recognizing that the psychological side effects of disease can be offset with an increase in inspiring activity.
"The fact that loneliness can lead to further complications means that measures can be taken to prevent the effects from looping back around," Barlow says. "Finding different ways to connect with other people also means you are less likely to blame yourself for being sick, and you can't count on a partner to fill that gap."
Source:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/289369.php

Mental health a concern in drought

By PHILIP LY

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  The workers from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) spoke to communities in Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke about the services available to them.

MENTAL health workers have visited three drought-stricken towns in the Orana region to help farmers and families deal with depression and anxiety.

The workers from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) spoke to communities in Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke about the services available to them.

The visits were made at the request of the state minister for mental health and western NSW, Kevin Humphries.

RAMHP co-ordinator Jenn Caine said community members were often unaware of the services available to assist people experiencing mental health problems because of stress.

She said information was key to ensure rural communities knew what services were available and how they could access them.

"There are simple ways to stay mentally healthy but this can easily be overlooked when experiencing ongoing stress and isolation when being so busy working on the farm," Ms Caine said.

beyondblue Chief Executive Officer Kate Carnell said depression and anxiety levels in cities and rural areas were similar but became problematic in droughts.

She said one in three Australians would experience depression or anxiety at some point in their lives but when people were subjected to prolonged and elevated stress levels, the statistics worsened.

"The increased level of stress does lift the levels of depression and anxiety and unfortunately services may not be accessible in those [drought] areas," Ms Carnell said.

"These are clinical conditions just like a medical condition... the earlier you get help, the quicker you'll recover," she said.

She said suicide rates were an issue where there was a disparity between cities and rural areas.

"Suicide is higher in rural and regional areas than in the cities due to a range of reasons, one of them being the limited access to services," Ms Carnell said.

Ms Caine said the RAMHP aimed to provide information about what help was available to overcome depression or anxiety.

"Distance can easily be eliminated as an obstacle but it's the awareness that is potentially the problem," she said.

Mr Humphries said there was no question that the pressures some people faced during times of adversity, such as a drought, could an have an impact on their lives.

"That's why I have asked the RAMHP to send additional staff out to some of the most drought-affected areas to provide additional support to communities like what help is available and what they do to access it if needed," Mr Humphries said.

RAMHP is a key initiative of the University of Newcastle's Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health.

Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/2102378/mental-health-a-concern-in-drought/?cs=12