Read one of the articles OR videos within the supplemental readings/video folders and respond to it in a blog. (There are some very interesting articles and videos this week!)
I watched the video "Faces of Meth" from this weeks supplemental videos and was very disturbed by what I saw. It's very disheartening that a drug with such negative physical and psychological effects has gained such popularity in a high income/well educated country like the United States. Unlike with other drugs it appeared from this video that these drastic physical effects can occur, even when one has used the drug only for a short period of time. Most of the people appeared much thinner than in the previous photo, unkempt (long beards, long/messy hair, dirty faces, worn out clothing), many had the signature meth sores and several appeared to have a dazed look in their eye.
It's easy to see that many of these individuals have chosen to use this drug because it is fairly easy to make, making it a relatively inexpensive drug and the long lasting effects of it's high. The weight loss and increased energy has also made this drug desirable to many women, especially those that have children making it's use not only harmful for them but also for the children that are around it or cared for by a person using this drug. I think meth is a horrible drug and I can't imagine why anyone would want to do this to themselves. I hope more will be done to prevent the use of this drug and help those that are currently using, stop.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Blog # 12
Have you ever known someone with a mental illness? How did/does the illness impact his/her life? What have you learned about this mental illness just from knowing them?
My fiancee' experienced Post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq in 2003. Although his instance of nightmares and anxious behavior has decreased significantly, he continues to occasionally have nightmares of his war experience. Because he was given the appropriate care after returning home this has never had a negative impact on his daily life. Although I will occasionally notice his nervousness when there is an unexpected firework or over crowded place his symptoms are have always been very minimal.
From knowing him I have learned a lot about PTSD and the difficulties soldiers that have been in combat zones face when they come home. In the instances when he does wake up from a nightmare I try to reassure him of where he is, what's going on and that if he needs to talk about it I am there. I have never found it my place to start questioning what he was having a nightmare over, if he wants to tell me he does and if he doesn't, then that is OK too. I truly believe this response to stress is appropriate for anyone and dislike when mental health uses the term illness for PTSD and other related topics.
My fiancee' experienced Post traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq in 2003. Although his instance of nightmares and anxious behavior has decreased significantly, he continues to occasionally have nightmares of his war experience. Because he was given the appropriate care after returning home this has never had a negative impact on his daily life. Although I will occasionally notice his nervousness when there is an unexpected firework or over crowded place his symptoms are have always been very minimal.
From knowing him I have learned a lot about PTSD and the difficulties soldiers that have been in combat zones face when they come home. In the instances when he does wake up from a nightmare I try to reassure him of where he is, what's going on and that if he needs to talk about it I am there. I have never found it my place to start questioning what he was having a nightmare over, if he wants to tell me he does and if he doesn't, then that is OK too. I truly believe this response to stress is appropriate for anyone and dislike when mental health uses the term illness for PTSD and other related topics.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Blog # 11
If everyone lived "with our future in mind", do you think that we would live differently? (different habits, behaviors, etc)
This is a difficult question to answer because I truly feel it is dependent upon the person. I think it also depends a lot on age, gender, culture and beliefs. I do however believe that most of us would live differently if we were keeping the future close in mind. I think that being diagnosed with a chronic disease, especially one that is known to be fatal at some point really changes a persons point of view on how they should live their life. It is often only when we are aware of our own mortality that we appreciate life to the fullest. I think as we each examine our plans, goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future we realize where our priorities are and what we value most and alter our lifestyle according. I encourage each of you to sit down and really think about what things you find most important in your life and whether or not you are living your life in a manner that reflects those priorities or not?
This is a difficult question to answer because I truly feel it is dependent upon the person. I think it also depends a lot on age, gender, culture and beliefs. I do however believe that most of us would live differently if we were keeping the future close in mind. I think that being diagnosed with a chronic disease, especially one that is known to be fatal at some point really changes a persons point of view on how they should live their life. It is often only when we are aware of our own mortality that we appreciate life to the fullest. I think as we each examine our plans, goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future we realize where our priorities are and what we value most and alter our lifestyle according. I encourage each of you to sit down and really think about what things you find most important in your life and whether or not you are living your life in a manner that reflects those priorities or not?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Blog # 10
Is heart disease common in your family? What are some of the environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, and educational factors that impact the prevalence of this disease?
Heart disease is very common on both sides of my family. We have had several grandparents dies from heart attacks between age 38 and 60. And several others who have experienced high blood pressure and cholesterol since their late 20's. Knowing of this family medical history makes good heart health a very important priority for me.
Heart disease can often be influenced by many factors that are either environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomic and educational. For my family particularly I believe heart disease has been influenced the most by physical and cultural factors. Each of the family members that has experienced heart disease have been smokers which has likely increased their risks. Of these members they have also been been raised in small town families with "traditional" eating/cooking habits. Meals often consisted of meat and potatoes, with everyone adding an ample amount of salt before eating.
It is important to me to maintain a healthy diet, proper exercise, avoid exposure to smoke and see a physician regularly to decrease my risks of developing similar heart diseases.
Heart disease is very common on both sides of my family. We have had several grandparents dies from heart attacks between age 38 and 60. And several others who have experienced high blood pressure and cholesterol since their late 20's. Knowing of this family medical history makes good heart health a very important priority for me.
Heart disease can often be influenced by many factors that are either environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomic and educational. For my family particularly I believe heart disease has been influenced the most by physical and cultural factors. Each of the family members that has experienced heart disease have been smokers which has likely increased their risks. Of these members they have also been been raised in small town families with "traditional" eating/cooking habits. Meals often consisted of meat and potatoes, with everyone adding an ample amount of salt before eating.
It is important to me to maintain a healthy diet, proper exercise, avoid exposure to smoke and see a physician regularly to decrease my risks of developing similar heart diseases.
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