The Costco Connection - September 2017

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AWARENESS MONTH

BY DR. DON MORDECAI

WITH VACATION days gone and the academic demands of homework and classwork increasing, we often see a rise in the number of children suffering from depression, a common and treatable mental health condition.

While every teen feels upset or irritable now and then, depression is a more intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness or anger that lasts for weeks or longer and impairs the teen’s ability to function. Left untreated, depression can lead to academic problems, alcohol and drug abuse, and even suicide.

According to information from the National Institute of Mental Health, ;;.; percent of teenagers experienced at least one major depressive episode in ;;;;. Although mental health conditions are treatable and, in many cases, preventable, only half of kids between the ages of ; and ;; will seek care.

Depression can be triggered by stressful events such as changing schools, losing someone close, going through a family divorce or questioning sexual orientation or gender identity. Adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect and poverty are associated with an increased risk for mental health conditions and self-harm attempts. A family history of depression may increase a teen’s risk for becoming depressed.

Reading between the lines

While social media is leading more people to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences publicly, many teens won’t tell anyone they are feeling bad.

Instead, their behavior might change in the following ways:

• Restlessness and agitation.

• Acting out.

• Lack of enthusiasm or motivation.

• Forgetfulness/lack of concentration.

• Withdrawal from social activities.

• Dropping grades.

• Frequent school absences.

• Changes in eating patterns.

• Changes in sleeping patterns.

• Frequent headaches and body aches.

• Substance abuse.

• Self-harm.

How to help

Studies indicate that even one safe, stable and nurturing relationship can be a major protective factor in the face of traumatic events.

The first step is to start a conversation. If you suspect that a young person you are close to is depressed, share your concerns and ask about his or her feelings and challenges at home, at school or with friends. How you approach the topic is critical. Here are a few tips:

• Listen without being judgmental or reactive.

• Avoid lecturing, diagnosing their condition or making accusations.

• Empathize and show them you are there to help. If they think that what they say will anger or distress you, they may not open up to you.

Before reaching out to a child’s parent, consider whether the teen’s depression may be related to a situation at home. If you suspect abuse, share your concerns with a school psychologist or counselor, or contact the agency that investigates child abuse cases in your area.

Treatment for depression can include talk therapy (including individual, group or family counseling), medication or a combination of both.

With the right treatment, ;; percent of people who suffer from depression can feel better—sometimes within weeks. C

Dr. Don Mordecai is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with The Permanente Medical Group, and the Kaiser Permanente national leader for mental health and wellness.

EVERY 4 MINU TES, someone in the United States dies of a stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)—an irregular heartbeat that can cause blood to collect in the heart, possibly forming a clot that could cause a stroke—increases the risk of stroke by 500 percent.

Some 2. 7 million people are already diagnosed with AFib in the U.S. and about one-third of people who may have AFib are still not diagnosed. As many as 12 million people in the U.S. are expected to have AFib by 2030.

AFib is most common in older people, but can occur at any age. Five percent of people over the age of 65 have it; 10 percent of those over 80 have it.

AFib is also more common in people with high blood pressure, heart disease or lung disease.

Symptoms

A normal heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute. Patients with AFib have heart rates up to 450 beats per minute and can experience episodes lasting from minutes to hours with: