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welcome! to anxieties 101!
after looking things over here at anxieties 101,
try out "the layer down under," (part of the emotional feelings network of sites) & read a special "i
just gotta say it" column concerning porn addiction by clicking here! Be sure to scroll down towards the bottom of the right hand column to find it!
 
Making the site work best for you!
You'll
notice that there are many underlined link words in each article below. The reason for this is that you've reached
not only, "anxieties 101," but the emotional feelings network
of sites. There are many sites included within the network that will be visited by clicking on these underlined link
words. They're all linked together thru the underlined link words to offer the opportunity for a more thorough understanding
of whatever problem you're investigating!
The reason for this opportunity
is very simple & yet you may be unnerved by all those underlined words! I've been in recovery from post traumatic stress disorder, depression & many other dysfunctional ventures & thru it all I've discovered that emotion & feeling
work may be the missing link that many people miss when trying to find solutions to their problems.
Developing a sense of curiosity about why you feel the way you do, is essential in finding the solution you so desperately are searching for. If you
can't find what you came here looking for, visit the homepage for the emotional feelings network of sites by clicking here & read the options on
the homepage for the networks index of sites. Try to be specific when looking for an emotion or feeling & click on the
site you need!
It's very simple & very
interesting to follow your way thru the layers of your buried or stuffed emotions & feelings that have accumulated throughout
the years!
Best of luck & if you're
still stuck, send me an e-mail anytime, by clicking here & I'll be glad to send you an immediate personal response!
Sincerely,
Kathleen
 Oh No!! Next year this will be me!
kathleen
Your 50's: Not Necessarily a Crisis
Posted by S. Brent Ridge, M.D.
Oh no!
Your 50s! Mid-life crisis, right? Not necessarily.
People in their 50's are just starting to enjoy life. Life isn't over, not by a long shot. Here are some ways you can keep
yourself living decades past your 50's.
If you're in your 50's
Exercise. This should keep your blood sugar levels in good control, preventing diabetes & positively affecting your
blood pressure & heart rate. Exercise is also very important for healthy bones.
Women
You need to start thinking about preventing osteoporosis.
Women should have a bone density assessment at least once as a baseline during your 50's or shortly after the first signs
of menopause begin in order to catch problems early on.
Once you have osteoporosis,
it's difficult & expensive to have your bones remineralized; therefore, it's important to catch this disease early.
Steps to prevent osteoporosis
include an adequate intake of calcium & vitamin D & weight bearing/resistance exercises to strengthen your bones.
What are weight bearing / resistance exercises?
Resistance exercise to help
build your bone requires that you exercise to the point of exhaustion. Therefore, if you're lifting a dumbbell, you need to
do as many repetitions as necessary in order to completely exhaust that muscle, i.e. to the point where you can't do another
lift with that muscle. It's at this point that the resistance is enough so that you begin building more bone.
Men
Don't be fooled. Osteoporosis isn't just for women.
Men can get this during the later part of life, even in their 70's & 80's. I've noticed that most physicians don't
screen for osteoporosis in men, even in their later years. If you or a loved one falls into that age group &
have not had a screening for osteoporosis, I suggest asking your physicians for one.
Everyone
Also in your 50's, you need to lower your caloric intake, while maintaining
your nutrient intake.
In other words, you need to
make wise decisions about your food consumption. Your calcium intake needs go up, your vitamin D intake needs to increase
(you can get this from fortified milk & other dairy products) & you need three
to four servings of low fat dairy each day.
Most people don't realize
that in your 50s, you can't absorb as much B-12 from your food intake - even though the level required is still the same
as when you were younger. Therefore, this is a good time to start taking multi-vitamins.
Your doctor will start paying
extra attention to your cholesterol levels because high levels can indicate predisposition to heart disease and stroke, and
may require medications.
He/she will also start paying extra
attention to your glucose levels. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients
develop type 2 diabetes in their 50s.
Everyone should get their first colonoscopy while in their 50s. As bad as they may seem, it is necessary and nowadays,
most doctors sedate you so you have no recollection of the procedure at all.
If the colonoscopy is completely
normal, you do not have to do it again for another 10 years. If a polyp is discovered, you may need to have a colonoscopy
every three to five years depending on what kind of tissue that polyp was made of.
Your 50's is also a time
to be testing your mental fitness and mental acuity. Some research studies have shown that early treatment of conditions,
such as dementia, can affect long-term outcomes. Therefore, many doctors will test for memory decline and cognitive functions
around the age of 50 and at least yearly there after.
Are you or someone you care
for in your 50s? If you have any recommendations/comments, I would love to hear from you.
Depression Raises Seniors' Death Risk
Study finds its effect equals those of heart disease & diabetes
THURSDAY, Sept. 29 (HealthDay News) For
older patients, depression may be as much a risk factor for death as cardiovascular disease
& diabetes, a new U.S. study finds.
"How depression increases death rates isn't clear," researcher Dr. Joseph Gallo of the Univ.
of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.
"Possibly depression makes people less likely to take care of themselves or acts directly on the immune system in ways we don't completely understand."
Reporting in the September issue of the American
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, his team studied the 2 year health outcomes of 1,226 patients aged 60 & older in
more than 20 primary-care practices in New York City, Philadelphia & Pittsburgh.
Of the 1,226 patients, 598 had depression. At the end of 2 years, 64 of the patients with depression had died.
The study authors said that
depression in this group of patients was equal to cardiovascular disease & diabetes in terms of
raising death risk.
The study findings suggest
the need for better integration of care for older adults with chronic medical & mental health conditions.
A better
understanding of how an older patient's mental health affects physical well-being can help doctors provide effective, lifesaving treatment.
More information: The American Academy of Family Physicians
has more about depression & older adults (familydoctor.org ).
Approximately 20% of
Americans ages 55 & over experience specific mental disorders in any given year. The most common disorders, in
order of prevalence, are:
- Severe cognitive impairment
Up to 37% of older adults in primary care settings
experience symptoms of depression. Schizophrenia & personality disorders are less common, but there is evidence of underreporting
of mental disorders in older adults.
Mental disorders can also
negatively affect the ability of older people to recover from other health problems.
- Heart attacks are 5 times more likely to be fatal for a person
who is depressed
- The risk of death for nursing home residents w/major depression is 60 % higher than for residents who don't have a mental disorder
The first symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders among older persons often take the form of physical complaints.
Have you experienced a major life transition & feel differently
than your normal self for an extended period of time? Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
- Withdrawal
from regular social activities
- Lack
of energy or interest in things that were once enjoyable
- Excessive
worry about finances or health
- Staring
off into space (or at the television) for prolonged periods of time
Depression isn't a natural part of
aging.
Everyone feels sad or blue sometimes. Usually people can continue to carry on w/regular activities. Such feelings are generally temporary & the individual eventually returns to his or her normal mood state.
A clinically depressed person suffers from symptoms that interfere w/his or her ability to function in every day life. These symptoms include much
more than feeling blue.
When clinically depressed... the affected older person may lose their will to live.
Finding themselves
beginning to question the value of life, their thoughts may turn to suicide. Not being able to cope w/feelings of diminished self-esteem or excessive feelings of guilt, the symptoms can escalate causing many to take to their bed or not bother getting dressed in the morning. Appetite &
sleep usually begin to deteriorate next as lethargy sets in.
At this point the
senior may show little interest in his or her own welfare & little interest in doing things that in the past brought pleasure.
Recognizing depression in older individuals isn't always as easy as seeing this drastic change in personality or habits. It often is difficult for
a depressed older person to describe how he or she is feeling.
In
addition, the current population of older Americans came of age at a time when depression wasn't understood to be a biological illness. Those who are depressed may fear being labeled "difficult" or worse, or may worry that their illness will be seen as a "character weakness." We are still
fighting the incredibly negative "stigma" of mental illness today.
Those who are depressed, their families & friends may think that a change in temperament or behavior is simply a passing mood, & that the person will just snap out of it with time
passing. Unfortunately, a person experiencing depression can't just get over it that simply.
Depression is a medical illness that should be diagnosed & treated by trained professionals. Left untreated, depression may last months or even years.
If left undiagnosed & untreated, depression can:
- Lead to a loss of independence
- Aggravate symptoms of other illnesses
Depression in Older Adults
Depression is not a normal part of aging. Yet depression is a widely underrecognized & undertreated medical illness.
At your next doctor's visit,
BEFORE you say, "I am fine," ask yourself if you feel:
- guilty or worthless
- nervous or "empty"
- very tired & slowed down
- you don't enjoy things the way you used to.
- restless or irritable
- like no one loves you
- like life is not worth living
Or if you are:
- sleeping more or less than usual
- eating more or less than usual
- having persistent headaches, stomach aches, or chronic pain
These may be signs of depression,
a treatable medical illness. Talk to a doctor or other health care professional.
Helping the Bereaved
It can be hard
to know the right things to say to someone who's just lost a loved one. But without support, their grief is only made worse. Sometimes we avoid bereaved friends & relatives simply because we don't know what to say or do. But the Family Caregiver Alliance says there
are things that can help.
Even if you're
not extremely close to someone who's going thru a loss, the Alliance says you can offer support thru small gestures:
Dealing with fears
It's important to be aware of how the loss of a loved one can affect people. For example, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says someone
who has just lost a wife or husband has some common fears such as:
-
-
-
Financial concerns, of being left destitute
They also have
concerns about losing their friends, since they're now a single & their friends are couples. There's also a sudden identity change
without the partner, "we" now becomes just "me."
Intimacy & aging:
Tips for sexual health & happiness
Today's older adults are active,
on the go & still doing many of the things they enjoyed in their younger years. That includes enjoying sex & intimate relationships.
Like adults
of all ages, you probably want to continue sharing your life in a fulfilling relationship. A healthy sexual relationship can positively affect all aspects of your life, including your physical health & self-esteem.
Though
movies & television might tell you that sex is only for younger adults, that isn't true. The need for intimacy is ageless. You'll never outgrow your need for affection, emotional closeness & intimate love. Most people still have sexual fantasies & desires well into their 80's & 90's.
It's true
that sex won't be the same as it was in your 20's, but that doesn't mean it can't be as fulfilling or as enjoyable. Understanding the changes your body or your partner's body is going thru can help you prepare for some of the challenges you'll face.
Natural changes as you age
As you
know, your body changes as you age & these changes can affect your sexual relationships. Although your body's physical
changes are the most often discussed, psychological issues factor in, too.
Physical
changes
Testosterone regulates your sex drive whether you're a man or a woman.
And most aging men & women produce enough testosterone to maintain their interest in sex. Although your body will go thru
changes that may make some aspects of sex more difficult as you age, these changes give you reason to try new positions &
techniques.
Men &
women experience different changes in their bodies as they age:
- Women.:Most
physical changes in your body are linked to menopause & reduced estrogen levels. As you age, it takes longer for your
vagina to swell & lubricate when you're sexually aroused.
Your vagina also loses elasticity. Together
these can make intercourse less comfortable or even painful. You might also feel a burning sensation during intercourse or discover vaginal bleeding afterward.
Longer foreplay sometimes helps stimulate
your natural lubrication. You can try a water-based lubricant, such as K-Y jelly, or talk to your doctor about estrogen cream
or estrogen replacement therapy.
Having intercourse regularly helps maintain
lubrication & elasticity. If you haven't had intercourse for a while, it'll take time to stretch out your vagina so that
it can accommodate a penis. Talk to your partner about taking it slowly to minimize your pain.
- Men.:As
you age, it might take you longer to achieve an erection. Your erections may be less firm & may not last as long. Aging
also increases the time between possible ejaculations. Trying different positions may make inserting your penis easier for
you & your partner.
Talk to you doctor if you're having problems
maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm. He or she can help you adapt to these changes. Your doctor can discuss medications
that can help you achieve & maintain an erection. In some cases, your doctor might suggest other ways, such as penile
vacuum pumps or vascular surgery.
Psychological
changes
Maintaining your ability to have sex as you age depends on your mind as
much as your body. If you're embarrassed or ashamed of your sexual needs as an older adult, your anxiety can affect your ability to become aroused. Changes in your appearance might also affect your emotional ability to connect.
As
you notice more wrinkles & gray hairs, you might feel less attractive. A poor body image reduces your sex drive because you don't feel worthy of sexual attention from your partner.
The stress of worrying too much about how you'll perform can trigger impotence in men or a lack of arousal in women. Taking things slowly
can help you avoid this pressure.
Talk to
you partner about your anxiety. He or she can offer reassurance.
Changes due to medications & surgery
Some medical
problems can interfere w/how you respond sexually to another person. Chronic pain or surgery & illness that cause fatigue
can make sexual activities more challenging or painful.
Some commonly
used medications can interfere w/sexual function. Drugs that control high blood pressure can reduce desire & impair erection in men & lubrication in women. Antihistamines, antidepressants & acid-blocking drugs can have
side effects that affect sexual function.
Talk w/your
doctor about how your medications & conditions will affect your sexual abilities & how you can minimize those effects.
Improving sex as you age
Many older
adults say their sex lives improve as they age. Yours can, too. Improving your sex life requires more communication w/your
partner & small changes both of you can make.
- Expand your
definition of sex.: Sex is more than intercourse. As you age, other options might be more comfortable & more fulfilling. Touch can be a good alternative to intercourse. It can simply mean holding each other. It can also mean sensual massage,
masturbation or oral sex.
- Communicate
w/your partner.: Communication brings you & your partner closer together. Discuss the changes you're going thru & what your partner can do to accommodate you during sex. Maybe a different position
makes intercourse easier for you, or other sexual activities, such as massage or cuddling, might interest you. Ask your partner
about his or her needs & ways that you can also be accommodating. Communication itself can be arousing.
- Make changes to your routine.: Simple changes can improve your sex life. Change the time of day when you have sex to a time when
you have the most energy. Try the morning - when you're refreshed from a good night's sleep - rather than at the end of a
long day.
Because
it might take longer for you to become aroused, take more time to set the stage for romance, such as a romantic dinner or
an evening of dancing. Try a new sexual position rather than the standard missionary position. You might find one that's more
comfortable for you & your partner.
- Manage your
expectations: If you didn't have sex very often as a younger adult, don't expect to have lots of sex as an older adult. Maybe you & your partner expressed your intimacy in other ways when you were younger - perhaps you preferred great conversation. If that's so, you'll most likely continue
those activities as you age. Partners who enjoy frequent sex when they're younger are more likely to continue that as they
age.
- Take care of yourself. :A healthy diet & regular exercise keep your body finely tuned. This will keep you ready for sex
at any age. Eat a balanced diet w/plenty of fruits & vegetables.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Avoid alcohol, as excessive use decreases
sexual function in both men & women. Illegal drugs such as marijuana & cocaine impair sexual function, also.
Single
seniors can have sex, too. A little less than 1/2 of the people 65 & older in the US are single. If you're single, a new
romance can be exciting & may lead to sexual intimacy. Women live longer than men do, so looking for a partner later in life can be frustrating.
Meet new
people by going to places where other older adults go, such as local senior centers, or by participating in activities other
seniors do, such as adult education courses or mall walking. It's never too late to start a new relationship.
If you
have a new partner, remember to practice safe sex. Many older adults don't do this because they think they aren't at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), including AIDS. Contrary
to popular belief, AIDS isn't a young person's disease. People over 50 make
up about 10% of AIDS cases in the US.
All sexually
active people - no matter what age - can contract STD's. Stay monogamous w/your partner or practice safe sex by using condoms.
Talk w/a new partner about being tested for HIV. Older adults are less likely than are younger adults to have ever been tested.
Talk to your doctor
You might
be embarrassed to discuss sex w/your doctor. But conversations w/your doctor can help you understand the changes your body goes thru as you age & how these changes affect your sexual activity.
prescription for all that ails you...
Welcome to one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Exercise! Regular exercise & physical activity are very important to the health & abilities of older people.
In fact, studies suggest that
not exercising is risky behavior.
For the most part, when older
people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. More likely, it's because
they've become inactive. Older inactive adults lose ground in 4 areas that are important for staying healthy & independent:
- endurance
- strength
- balance
- flexibility
Fortunately, research suggests
that you can maintain or at least partly restore these 4 areas thru exercise, or thru everyday physical activities (walking briskly or gardening, for example) that
accomplish some of the same goals as exercise.
What may seem like very
small changes resulting from exercise & physical activity can have a big impact.
Getting Past the Barriers
You may be reluctant
to start exercising, even though you've heard that it's one of the healthiest things you can do. You may be afraid that physical activity will harm you; or you might think you have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment in order to exercise.
Or, you may feel embarrassed to exercise because you think it's for younger people or for people who look great in gym clothes. You may think exercise is only for people who are able to do things like jogging.
In fact, just about
every older adult can safely do some form of physical activity at little or no cost. And you don't have to exercise in a public place or use expensive equipment, if you don't want to.
Even household
chores can improve your health. The key is to increase your physical activity, by exercising & by using your own muscle power.
Who Can Exercise?
Studies show that, in the
long term, older adults in all age groups hurt their health far more by not exercising than by exercising. As a rule, older people should stay as physically active as they can.
Checkpoints
You have already
read about precautions you should take if you have a chronic condition. Other circumstances require caution, too. You shouldn't
exercise until checking with a doctor if you have:
- irregular, rapid, or fluttery heart beat
- severe shortness of breath
- significant, ongoing weight loss that hasn't been diagnosed
- infections, such as pneumonia, accompanied by fever
- fever, which can cause dehydration and a rapid heart beat
- acute deep-vein thrombosis (blood clot)
- a hernia that is causing symptoms
- foot or ankle sores that won't heal
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