Alzheimer's Society’s Post

Would you rather live with pain but fully aware of it, or slowly lose your memories but live without realising you are in pain? How do you choose? Do you get to choose? 🤔💭 Sorry to bring up a serious topic, but it's essential! I recently watched "Still Alice," which reveals the stark-naked truth about early-onset Alzheimer’s. For those unfamiliar with dementia, this movie might seem like a tear-jerker. For those who know, it's a horror movie of the worst kind! 😢🎬 Over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, yet many know little about its symptoms or progression. "Still Alice" portrays the stages of the disease: from forgetting a few words, to getting lost in familiar places, to losing oneself at home, and ultimately not even knowing how to tie your shoes. It's heartbreaking to watch on screen, but devastating in real life. 💔🧠 There are ways to detect it early and slow its progression (links in comments), but myths abound. It's crucial to get information from trusted sources. The movie also highlights the struggles of caregivers, reminding us to support their mental health too (links in comments). "Those with dementia are still people and they still have stories and they still have character and they're all individuals and they're all unique. And they just need to be interacted with on a human level." - Carey Mulligan 💬❤️ Please share your own stories here to normalise this disease and show others they are not alone! 🌍🤝 #StillAlice #DementiaAwareness #MentalHealth #Alzheimers #CaregiversSupport #HealthEducation #MemoryLoss #HumanConnection #ShareYourStory #Rediscover #RediscoverUwithV

I happened to hear these authors talk about their work on Chris Hayes' podcast and I was riveted--in part because I have become increasingly interested in suicidality in adulthood, especially among gay men. It is evident in research that middle-aged white men have the highest rates of death by suicide, and these authors recognize this problem in their research. However, they broaden this phenomenon to include other kinds of deaths among this group--which they attribute to "accidental poisonings." When someone dies from alcoholic liver disease or an opioid-related relapse, their death certificate doesn't say "suicide," yet the cause of the deaths can be, and perhaps should be, grouped together. I thought describing these deaths as "Deaths of Despair" to be a much more useful, and moving, way to think about something that is clearly a growing crisis. I expected to gain insight into my own research when I read the book, but what I didn't expect was to think about my own brother. Sean died in April, suddenly, alone in his apartment, at the age of 56--just 4 years older than me. He, like the men described in the book, did not have a bachelor's degree (in fact, was a high school dropout), had suffered from serious drug addiction and alcohol abuse in his life, was underemployed, and had serious health problems. In fact, it's likely that he died from an accidental poisoning--an unintentional mix of medications that should not have been mixed. I know he died from despair. They were writing about my brother. While the authors rightly and incisively point to capitalism as being at the root of deaths of despair, I'm not sure if I had thought about capitalism's role in my brother's death. Nor, necessarily, in the role of despair in the men that I've been interviewing. But I do, without a doubt, see that capitalism is inseparable from a society that leaves many, many people feeling as if they have no value or meaning in the world. An interesting plot twist, to learn that my own interest in despair among gay men could also by tied to my own awareness of the despair that plagued my brother...and how all of those elements live within me.

So today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2024. To my fellow fibromyalgia warriors I see you, I hear you & I feel your pain. But unless you fight this daily battle, the reality is society is blind to this disability. why is this you ask when we live in a world full of medical advances & knowledge. There is not enough research into fibromyalgia, the causes, treatments, instead we are just told it’s a long term chronic pain condition with very little that can be done we are just expected to get on with it, to ride the waves whilst also trying to navigate daily life & for some careers . From my own research, I have been able to find an explanation, trauma & fibromyalgia have significant links and I believe mine was caused by my trauma in school as a young person. Then throw a lack of understanding into the mix & que stereotypes, miss judgement, prejudice and discrimination. “Your to young to have fibromyalgia”, the looks you get parking in a disabled parking bay. The countless doctors appointments, going round in circles till you get answers. “It’s all in the brain, it’s just tiredness have a nap and you will be ok” We are labelled as “lazy”, told to “just get on with it you will be fine”. Dismissed by so many people because one minute we can be fine, the next we can be in overwhelming pain beyond our control. The reality is there is no magic fix but for us we have DREAMS, GOALS & CARERS & just want to be understood. Please educate yourself because 1 in 20 people are diagnosed with this disability, that’s at least 1 child in every class ( yes children & young people can experience fibro too), in an office of 40 thats at least 2 members of staff. Be kind to everyone you meet because you don’t know what battles they may be facing 💜🦋 #Fibromyalgia #struggles #chronicillness #childhoodtrauma #discrimination #wehavedreamstoo

As we grow older, it's natural to feel concerned about changes in our mental abilities. Almost 40% of us will experience some form of memory loss after we turn 65 years old. But even if we experience memory loss, chances are still unlikely that we have dementia. For the most part, our memory loss is mild enough to live our day-to-day lives without interruption. . . Memory difficulties associated with normal aging and dementia can be told apart in a number of ways. Know how to compare memory loss related to aging vs dementia: . . Signs of memory loss as a part of normal aging: ✅ You're unable to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago. ✅ You're unable to remember the name of an acquaintance. ✅ You forget things and events occasionally. ✅ You occasionally have difficulty finding words. ✅ You are worried about your memory, but your friends and relatives are not. . . Signs of dementia: 🚨You're unable to recall details of recent events or conversations. 🚨You're unable to recognize or know the names of family members. 🚨You forget things or events more frequently. 🚨You have frequent pauses and substitutions when finding words. 🚨Your friends and relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems. . . Alzheimer Society of Canada . . #alzheimersawarenessmonth #dementiacanada #alzheimersociety #alzheimercanada #firstlink #endalz

“You know, it’s not sunny in here, right?” “You only work part-time?” Seemingly harmless comments? 🌞 Microaggressions may seem small, but their impact can be profound - especially for those who’ve experienced trauma. These subtle comments or behaviours can trigger painful memories and contribute to ongoing distress. At an OT conference I recently attended, a speaker shared how after his traumatic brain injury, he often faces hurtful and ignorant remarks in the community and workplace. He wears adaptive coloured-glasses indoors to manage uncomfortable symptoms of light hyper-sensitivity. Yet, when looking at him, you would hardly be able to tell that he lives with a ‘disability’ or has any sort of impairment: the ‘invisible’ disability. He was grocery shopping when someone made this ‘sunny’ comment to him. In the early phase of his rehabilitation journey, these types of comments would cause him to avoid going out and become more disconnected from the outside world. Although he now copes by ignoring these comments and swearing at these people in his mind when feeling upset by what he hears, these words still deeply hurt. It’s important to become more self-aware of how we interact with people, especially when we know nothing about their lived experience. Some of those things that may look ‘odd’ or deviate from the status quo might actually have good reasons behind them, and even if they don’t - it’s not our place to judge. And I’m not saying that we should constantly walk on eggshells, but creating spaces of compassion, understanding, safety & respect serves to benefit us all. 💟 https://lnkd.in/gFdyHgwT https://lnkd.in/grZncCSc #Microaggressions #WordsMatter #MentalHealthOT #TraumaTherapy #TraumaTherapistFeels #TraumaAwareness #HealingJourney #SafeSpaces #MentalHealthMatters #UnityinDiversity #TheInvisibleDisability

Day 6 of the Mental Illness Awareness Campaign: Explore the complexities of dementia: from memory loss to daily challenges. 🧠 Understand Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and more in this informative video. #DementiaAwareness #MemoryCare #HealthEducation

The preterm journey can be one of the overwhelming and loneliness stage in the life of a new mother and father. This coupled with anxiety, stress, postpartum depression and worst of all fear of unknown. Join us to have a round table discussion on navigating the preterm journey. https://lnkd.in/eytF2psd Tari Agiobu, ACIPM great initiative. #mentalstruggleisreal #maternalmentalhealth #passionanygivenday

Loneliness is an all-too-common feeling among seniors, and the effects of chronic loneliness can be devastating. Studies have found that isolation and loneliness are associated with a variety of physical and mental health issues in elderly individuals, including cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. While we often think of loneliness as simply an emotional experience, it can have serious implications for the overall health of seniors. In this video, we will explore the causes and consequences of chronic loneliness in the elderly and discuss how it can be addressed. #Adolescence #growing #growth #parenting #loneliness #help #therapy #healthy #betterlife #future #family Watch full video via the link below: https://loom.ly/iR9sGjc

Why PCOS Women commit Suicide? Let's talk about something that often gets pushed aside in discussions about women's health.✨ PCOS and Mental Health. 💭 The constant battle with symptoms like weight gain, acne, hair loss, and infertility can chip away at self-esteem and lead to a profound sense of hopelessness. But it's not just the physical symptoms that take their toll, it's the silent struggles that often go unnoticed. ✨Anxiety and Depression ✨Societal pressure ✨Lack of understanding ✨Financial strain ✨Feelings of isolation So, it's no wonder that women with PCOS are more likely to contemplate suicide. It's a devastating reality that we can no longer ignore. (Watch the full video on my Youtube channel. Link 🔗 in my BIO.) Do you resonate with this content? 👉🏽Share this with someone who needs this. #pcossymptoms #pcosfitness #pcossupport #pcossupportandpositivity #pcosfriendly #pcoshormonalimbalance #pcospregnancyjourney #fertilityissues #pcoscysters #pcosinsulinresistance #fertilityhealth #pcossucks #pcosnutritionist

FOR THE LOVE OF MEN... In today's world, where men's aggressive behaviors are often met with brutal judgment and harsh punishment, we need to take a closer look at what's really going on inside these men. Behind their tough exteriors, those well-groomed six-packs, handsome pockets, many are simply untreated, traumatized children trapped in adult bodies. Understanding and addressing men's mental health is crucial. These men, who often seem strong and invincible on the outside, are carrying deep, invisible scars from their past. Listening to men on death row and in prisons, I've come to see them differently. These men are often driven by childhood wounds they aren't even aware of. From brutal murders to extreme violence, many of these men have stories rooted in deep-seated childhood trauma. For instance, one man had been abandoned by his mother at just three years old. This pain followed him throughout his life, leading to violent outbursts against women in authority, starting as early as kindergarten. Their violent actions often come from feeling deeply rejected and humiliated by adults or other kids. Another man, whose mother died when he was eight, opened up to me because I acknowledged his loss. He had never talked about this deep pain with anyone before. These stories show how important it is to understand and address early childhood traumas to improve men's mental health. Aggression often starts with experiences in childhood. Boys and girls may both have insecure attachments, but they handle them differently. Boys might detach, acting like they don't care about their parents, while girls might become anxious and clingy. These early experiences can shape how they express aggression later in life and impact their mental health as adults. For the love of men, we must look beyond their aggressive behaviors and see the deep scars driving their actions. By addressing these issues, we can start to heal both individuals and our society.  #MenMentalHealth