Focusing On One’S Self

Posted on April 29, 2016 by JmaC

I must admit focusing on ones self is not an easy thing to do!
I constantly am preaching to my son, about words we say, simple words, really do not, at any age, give that good intention, or impression that we sometimes are trying to show, exhibit or be! As we age as well it is the action (s) that speak louder that the words! Now meaning with that is sometimes there are too many words to define what we are! I think, I have to, or I know I do “Stop” as I tell him with the “words” and start the action of what the words really mean!

This may not make sense to you, but, what I am getting at is there are so many characteristics in each one of us and within me, I have been for a couple of yearsm maybe longer saying to myself:
“Wow where did that go”
When I say “Where did that go” I am meaning a part of me the action within myself, of how, and what I sis, I usually dismiss that and say “we all change” but we do really remain the same!

I think for myself I have a fight, and battling is really not a strong suit for me, maybe when i was younger, I could debate the good fight, inward, outward, it did not matter!

Once were, or what was there, is still just that, there inside of me, and us, if this applies to you! I am talking about character, i always said:
“Nothing is going to hurt nor touch me the way this or that did!”

That I think was a lie to myself to get through perhaps whatever it was at the time, I have come to think that how long am I going to think about what “once was” when I can simply, well maybe, not so simply “dig it out” of me, I use to define myself the whole me, according to how much,m or what I was titling that with my job. Now with out a job for 15 years that Anniversary of January year 2000, I feel and see that you do not have to per say make money without a title of, or from a job, you, no one is defined that simply, it is all about for me, the matters of my heart!

I am very happy to come to this point, finally, with in myself, but at the same time scared as crap about what I am going to have to face in that mirror, and the work I am going to have to do to, let’s just say to “reinvent” myself, yea that makes sense to me, I like that!

I am using the word dig, because once a seed with in me was once blooming of the petals that once were have stopped growing. If I dig, I think, I hope, I am or (we) will find it, eventually with all the work, and the exhaustion of digging, and the faith of anything, doesn’t have to be Religous, just faith with in ourselves, or me anyways I can be, or have that characteristic (s) to the front of my mind!

The weird thing I use to do, to basically not have to deal with any given situation is to lock it away, strange as that sounds it worked for a very, very long time for me, not anymore!

Now that can be of a good thing or bad it’s all up to me!

The basic point is within myself those things I would miss or say wow where did that go, is still here. I have to work to get it out, and that all depends on how do I want it! With me everything and anything has to come from my heart. I think, of the passion is there for it, along with the drive, anyone can achieve it. IN fact, I basically have absolutely no drive without the passion with in my heart.

I wonder if we are all wired the same way?

Some how I dont understand how but somehow something with in me changed, no bodies to blame, not even myself, but it is as if I got lost per say inside, strange enough that can happen. I come to realize all of the time I took to lock away all the negative aspects in my life in any given situation, relationships etc. basically in my mind just blew up!

“THIS IS WHAT I WOULD SAY AND DO”

OK where did that come from this wont hurt me, they are words, they will only affect me if I allow them  to. Then to take extra precaution to not get hurt, nor let that back into my life, i would unlock the door that lead to the back of my mind, I pictured it as a BIG STORAGE CLOSET!

I would remove a box from the many shelves with in the closet, grab it, open up the lid that was sealed tight, take the lid off of the box, and put the words negativity etc., in that box along with the hurt feelings! Then I would put the lid back on the box, put it back on the shelf and quickly close and LOCK THAT DOOR!

Like I said though it worked for a while. We all have many different coping strategies, mechanisms, etc. No matter what the word they all mean the same…. I would rather simplify my words, and use the extra energy to put those works in to “ACTION.”

I am expressing this here like this cause writing has always helped me!

Get it on paper Jan, get it out, and it won’t hurt as much!

Well that is a hunk of BS cause no matter how much I want to deny the fact that I am a sensitive person, because of what I have been through in childhood, that is just not right, it sounds ot me as an excuse of sorts, because we all have a story to tell, what we went through, seen , heard smelt, etc..
My father being or I should say acting as the pillar of strength, kind of made me realize that he was not as strong as perceived to be, and that is/was ok!

My husband God Bless him doesn’t understand a word of this, but it is, what it is, it’s just me!

 

JmaC

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Bipolar Disorder Preventing Manic episodes

Posted on April 29, 2016 by JmaC

Bipolar Disorder: Preventing Manic Episodes

Introduction:

The more you know about bipolar disorder, the better you will be able to cope with this lifelong illness. There are many steps that you can take—or help a loved one take—to recognize and better manage manic episodes.
Learn the warning signs of a manic episode and get early treatment to avoid disruption in your life.

At the same time each day, record your mood and any symptoms.
Take medicines as instructed by your doctor to help reduce the number of manic episodes.
To help prevent a manic episode, avoid triggers such as caffeine, alcohol or drug use, and stress.

Exercise, eat a balanced diet, get a good night’s sleep, and keep a consistent schedule. This can help reduce minor mood swings that can lead to more severe episodes of mania.
Have an action plan in place so that if you do have a manic episode, those who support you can follow the plan and keep you safe.

How do I manage a manic episode?
Know the warning signs
Learn to recognize your early warning signs. One of the most important ways to avoid a manic episode is to identify early signs and seek treatment.

Common early warning signs of a manic episode include:

Needing less sleep.
Being more active.
Feeling unusually happy, irritable, or energetic.
Making unrealistic plans or focusing intensely on a goal.
Being easily distracted and having racing thoughts.
Having unrealistic feelings of self-importance.
Becoming more talkative.

The best way to manage bipolar disorder is to prevent manic episodes. Although that is not always possible, you can identify and try to avoid the triggers that may lead to a mood swing. One of the most important aspects of managing your illness is to stay on a routine, particularly keeping a stable sleep pattern.

Managing a manic episode

Maintain a stable sleep pattern. Go to bed about the same time each night, and wake up around the same time each morning. Too much or too little sleep or changes in your normal sleep patterns can alter the chemicals in your body. And this can trigger mood changes or make your symptoms worse.

Stay on a daily routine. Plan your day around a fairly predictable routine. For example, eat meals at regular times, and make exercise or other physical activity a part of your daily schedule. You might also practice meditation or another relaxation technique each night before bed.

Set realistic goals. Having unrealistic goals can set you up for disappointment and frustration, which can trigger a manic episode. Do the best you can to manage your illness. But expect and be prepared for occasional setbacks.

Do not use alcohol or illegal drugs. It may be tempting to use alcohol or drugs to help you get through a manic episode. But this can make symptoms worse. Even one drink can interfere with sleep, mood, or medicines used to treat bipolar disorder.

Get help from family and friends. You may need help from your family or friends during a manic episode, especially if you have trouble telling the difference between what is real and what is not real (psychosis). Having a plan in place before any mood changes occur will help your support network help you make good decisions.

Reduce stress at home and at work. Try to keep regular hours at work or at school. Doing a good job is important, but avoiding a depressive or manic mood episode is more important. If stress at work, school, or home is a problem, counselling may help improve the situation and decrease stress.

Keep track of your mood every day. After you know your early warning signs, check your mood daily to see whether you may be heading for a mood swing. Write down your symptoms in a journal. Or record them on a chart or a calendar. When you see a pattern or warning signs of a mood swing, seek treatment.

Continue treatment.
It can be tempting to stop treatment during a manic episode because the symptoms feel good. But it is important to continue treatment as prescribed to avoid taking risks or having unpleasant consequences from a manic episode. If you have concerns about treatment or the side effects of medicines, talk with your doctor. Do not adjust the medicines on your own.

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Medicaid information by Topic

Posted on April 29, 2016 by JmaC
Medicaid Information by Topic:
Eligibility
Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage to nearly 60 million Americans, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and individuals with disabilities. In order to participate in Medicaid, Federal law requires States to cover certain population groups (mandatory eligibility groups) and gives them the flexibility to cover other population groups (optional eligibility groups). More information is available in the Eligibility section.
Benefits
States establish and administer their own Medicaid programs, and determine the type, amount, duration, and scope of services within broad federal guidelines. States are required to cover certain “mandatory benefits,” and can choose to provide other “optional benefits” including prescription drugs. States receive federal matching funds to provide these benefits.  More information is available in the Benefits section.
Cost Sharing
States have the option to charge premiums and to establish out of pocket spending (cost sharing) requirements for Medicaid enrollees. Out of pocket costs may include copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other similar charges. More information is available in the Cost Sharing section.
Waivers
The Social Security Act authorizes multiple waiver and demonstration authorities to allow states flexibility in operating Medicaid programs. Each authority has a distinct purpose, and distinct requirements. To find out what kinds of waivers and demonstrations have been proposed and/or approved in each State, see the list below. This option will allow you to find a waiver operated under a specific authority. More information is available in the Waivers section.
Long-Term Services & Supports
The Medicaid program allows for the coverage of Long Term Care Services through several vehicles and over a continuum of settings. This includes Institutional Care and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). Please click on this option for more information. More information is available in the Long-Term Services & Supports section.
Delivery Systems
States have choices in their approach to reimbursement and delivery system design under the Medicaid Program. More information is available in the Delivery Systems section.
Quality of Care
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program seek to provide safe, effective, efficient, patient-centered, high quality and equitable care to all enrollees. To achieve these goals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) partners with States to share best practices and to provide technical assistance to improve the quality of care. More information is available in the Quality of Care section.
Data & Systems
Medicaid.gov is intended to become a major resource for information on Medicaid systems, coding information and data. The plan is to over time enhance the current capabilities of these Medicaid systems to share timely and meaningful Medicaid data. More information is available in the Data & Systems section.
Enrollment Strategies
The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) works with States to identify and enroll people who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program but who are not enrolled. More information is available in the Enrollment Strategies section.
Program Integrity
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to combating Medicaid provider fraud, waste, and abuse which diverts dollars that could otherwise be spent to safeguard the health and welfare of Medicaid enrollees. More information is available in the Program Integrity section.
Financing & Reimbursement
Medicaid is jointly funded by the Federal government and the States. The Federal government pays States for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). More information is available in the Financing & Reimbursement section.
Indian Health and Medicaid
The population of American Indians and Alaska natives living in the United States totals 5.2 million according to the Census Bureau.  More than 1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives are enrolled in coverage through Medicaid and CHIP and many more are eligible for coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. Medicaid and CHIP can serve as a critical source of care for this community. More information is available in the Indian Health & Medicaid section.
Outreach Tools
Throughout the nation, efforts to enroll eligible individuals in health insurance are moving forward. Millions are eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – in many states, more people than ever before – and still need to be connected to the vital health benefits these programs provide. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment is year-round and is not subject to an open enrollment period. Eligible individuals can enroll at any time and get coverage right away. More information is available in the Outreach Tools section.
Medicaid State Plan Amendments
A Medicaid and CHIP state plan is an agreement between a state and the Federal government describing how that state administers its Medicaid and CHIP programs. It gives an assurance that a state will abide by Federal rules and may claim Federal matching funds for its program activities. The state plan sets out groups of individuals to be covered, services to be provided, methodologies for providers to be reimbursed and the administrative activities that are underway in the state. More information is available in the Medicaid State Plan Amendments section.
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2014 FDA drug safety communications

Posted on April 29, 2016 by JmaC

2014 Drug Safety Communications

FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA reporting mental health drug ziprasidone (Geodon) associated with rare but potentially fatal skin reactions

12/11/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about case of rare brain infection PML with MS drug Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)

11/25/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA reviews long-term antiplatelet therapy as preliminary trial data shows benefits but a higher risk of non-cardiovascular death

11/16/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for asthma drug Xolair (omalizumab), including describing slightly higher risk of heart and brain adverse events

9/26/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA recommends not using lidocaine to treat teething pain and requires new Boxed Warning

6/26/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions with certain over-the-counter topical acne products

6/25/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA review of cardiovascular risks for diabetics taking hypertension drug olmesartan not conclusive; label updates required

6/24/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns that cancer drug docetaxel may cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication after treatment

6/20/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of next-day impairment with sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) and lowers recommended dose

5/15/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA study of Medicare patients finds risks lower for stroke and death but higher for gastrointestinal bleeding with Pradaxa (dabigatran) compared to warfarin

5/13/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requires label changes to warn of rare but serious neurologic problems after epidural corticosteroid injections for pain

4/23/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA clarifies Warning about Pediatric Use of Revatio (sildenafil) for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

3/31/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for antibacterial Doribax (doripenem) describing increased risk of death for ventilator patients with pneumonia

3/6/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA to review heart failure risk with diabetes drug saxagliptin (marketed as Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR)

2/11/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA evaluating risk of stroke, heart attack and death with FDA-approved testosterone products

1/31/2014
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation

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Service Dog’S for Bipolar Disorder

Posted on April 29, 2016 by JmaC

Service dogs for Bipolar Disorder:
Updated March 09, 2015.

Can those with psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression benefit from interaction with animals? The answer is a resounding, “YES!” “There are an increasing number of dogs being trained to assist individuals with a range of disabilities, including seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and psychiatric disorders” (Sachs-Ericsson et al, 2002). Not only can those with bipolar disorder benefit from the love of and for a pet, but they are also permitted under the Americans with Disabilities Act to employ the assistance of a service dog.

The Benefit of Animals

According to Dr. Aaron Katcher of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Patricia Gosner of the University of Southern Alabama, animals offer benefits to those with mental illnesses through a number of venues (Lipton, 2001):

Pet Ownership – It is common knowledge, and supported by a large body of scientific research, that owning a pet is generally good for people. There are social and emotional benefits to loving and caring for another creature and having that affection returned.

Animal-Assisted Activities – Trained volunteers hold informal activities in institutional settings such as prisons, hospitals and nursing homes. These activities provide patients with the opportunity to hold, cuddle, pet and interact with animals such a rabbits or dogs or even pigs.

Animal-Assisted Therapy – This involves the use of animals in formal therapy sessions. The presence of a friendly animal helps to ease a patient’s anxiety. This involvement can also improve social interactions and decrease aggressive behavior.

Psychiatric Service Dogs – As noted by Dr. Gosner, “These dogs perform specific tasks that mitigate the negative effects of the person’s mental illness” (Lipton, 2001).

The Law Relating to Service Dogs
It is important to note that to qualify for the protections and allowances of the Americans with Disabilities Act, both the individual and the canine, must meet specific criteria. In short, an individual must have a disability and a service dog must be specifically trained to meet the needs of that disability.

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered. (Department of Justice, 2002).

The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. (Department of Justice, 1996).

The Role of Service Dogs

Joan Froling, a trainer and consultant with Sterling Service Dogs, provides a detailed list of tasks for which service dogs are trained to assist those with psychiatric disabilities. A few of the overall tasks include:

Assistance in a Medical Crisis – Service dogs are trained to retrieve medications, beverages and telephones. They can bark for help, answer a door bell, and even dial 911 on special K9 speaker telephones.

Treatment Related Assistance – These special animals can be trained to deliver messages, remind individuals to take medications as specific times, assist with walking as well as alerting sedated individuals to doorbells, phones or smoke detectors.

Assistance Coping With Emotional Overload – Service dogs can be taught to prevent others from crowding their owner. They can be taught to recognize a panic attack and nuzzle a distraught owner to help with calming.

Security Enhancement Tasks – These canines are often trained to check the house for intruders. They can turn on lights and open doors. They can assist with leaving a premises during an emergency.

In summation, service dogs are of considerable benefit to those with psychiatric disabilities. As noted in their study reviewing the benefits of assistant dogs, Natalie Sachs-Ericsson et al write, “Through clinical observation, anecdotal reports, and retrospective and cross-sectional studies, preliminary support was found for the conclusion that ADs have a positive impact on individuals’ health, psychological well-being, social interactions, performance of activities, and participation in various life roles at home and in the community” (2002).

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