Ignite your potential
There are many risk factors to high blood pressure:
Biological Factors:
Social Factors:
Socioeconomic status
Lifestyle Factors:
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Being overweight or obese
Alcohol addiction
Too much salt in the diet
Resources:
My family has always had a history of high blood pressure. My mom in particular has struggled with it for many years. High blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. While blood pressure can change with posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally average 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic for adult age 20 and over. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are believed to have high blood pressure.
Typically people with high blood pressure have symptoms of:
Change mindset when leaving work
There may be times when you just can’t finish up your tasks at work. Or maybe it’s a bad day you had (boss making horrible decisions, coworkers acting out, etc.). It is easy to think about that and bring it home. However, it is important to leave not bring it home. Home is place where you can destress and not have these things bother you. By changing your mindset at work you can make your home a peaceful sanctuary.
Here are some resources for soldiers suffering from PTSD
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK, Veterans Press 1
It is a 24/7 days a week access line to counselors to help veterans in an emotional crisis.
Website to provide support and information
Provides information and resources for understanding PTSD
Recently I watched the Oscar-winning movie Hurt Locker. It opens with a powerful quote by journalist Christ Hedges, which sets the mood immediately. “The rush of a battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” It is a story that follows a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit. Specialist Owen Eldridge (played by Brian Geraghty) is the youngest member of the EOD squad. Although he is outwardly tough he suffers mental anguish and believes he is responsible for the death of his original squad leader. From psychiatric perspective the character Specialist Owen Eldridge especially caught my eye. He is an example of what can happen to soldiers in real life after being in a hostile environment. Many soldiers can develop depression, suicidal ideations, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Today’s blog will focus on the symptoms of PTSD and tomorrow’s blog will identify resources that are available.
Include your siblings.
It is important to maintain family harmony, as well as having the opportunity to discuss roles and responsibilities that will be shared.
Discuss parent’s wishes.
It is important to talk to your parents about their wishes. These include medical wishes (advanced health care directives), long-term care choices, etc.
Help your parents assess their health.
Talk to a professional to determine where they are physically, emotionally and mentally.
Review options.
Consider multiple options and backup plans.
Financing.
Research social security and medicare, as well as other sources of income.
The person may begin getting their life in order by making a will, giving things away or saying goodbye as they emotionally detach.
Facade
The person may appear to be doing much better following a depressive episode. However, this may be to give them enough energy to attempt suicide.
Negative coping mechanisms
A person may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. They are not able to adequately problem solve situations that normally would not present any difficulty.
Plan of suicide
A person begins thinking about methods of suicide.
Depression
Symptoms of depression can become more severe in intensity and chronic.
Consequently, quality of life and relationships are significantly affected.
Lack of self-care
Self-care and treatment are a low priority.
Negativity
A person expresses a dissatisfaction with life. They may have a negative perspective of everything going on around them.
Victim role
The person takes on the victim role which fosters helplessness and hopelessness.
Suicidal thoughts
They may have a death wish. Although they may not want to kill themselves, they may see suicide as the only choice to escape their pain.
Hopelessness
The person feels that nothing will ever improve. They may feel that they do not have control and that everything is a mess.
Confusion
The person is often confused and irritated. This low frustration tolerance seeps into all areas of life.
Breaking relations and associations
The person disengages from their support system. They may not feel the energy to participate or may believe that anything will make a difference.
Low energy level
The person does little or nothing, spends their time daydreaming, and does not follow through on tasks.
Helplessness
The person focuses on the negative view rather than the positive view of things, which increases feelings of helplessness.
Impulsive behaviors
The person may make rash decisions without thinking through choices and consequences.
Isolation
The person makes up excuses and avoids socializing and utilizing other resources.
Physical symptoms
These include appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, fatigue, headaches, etc.
No routine
The person does not maintain their daily schedule. They may find it difficult to get everything done as they previously had been able to.
