Common Mental Health

Dementia, a common disorder,  is usually of a chronic or progressive nature in which there is deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation.Consciousness is not affected.

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.

Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke.

Dementia affects each person in a different way, depending upon the impact of the disease and the person’s personality before becoming ill. The signs and symptoms linked to dementia can be understood in three stages.

Early stage: the early stage of dementia is often overlooked, because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include:

• forgetfulness
• losing track of the time
• becoming lost in familiar places.

Middle stage: as dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more restricting. These include:

• becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
• becoming lost at home
• having increasing difficulty with communication
• needing help with personal care
• experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.

Late stage: the late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms include:

• becoming unaware of the time and place
• having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
• having an increasing need for assisted self-care
• having difficulty walking
• experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.

At present, there is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course.

Nationally, Suicide is becoming a major public health concern.  Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.

Signs and Symptoms

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.
* Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
* Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
* Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
* Talking about great guilt or shame
* Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
* Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
* Talking about being a burden to others
* Using alcohol or drugs more often
* Acting anxious or agitated
* Withdrawing from family and friends
* Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
* Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
* Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
* Talking or thinking about death often
* Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
* Giving away important possessions
* Saying goodbye to friends and family
* Putting affairs in order, making a will

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.