Watch Your Mouth

** Please Note: the below blog contains offensive language. 

Please read with caution. Apologies to the readers who may be offended**

Jerk, dickhead, dumbass…. These words flow freely off the tongue in today’s society like water from a waterfall. We can tell ourselves it means nothing, they have just become a figure of speech, but have they? Each time a person is labelled with one of these terms are they affected or hurt? Think about the last time you were called something, you probably blew it off, but I can bet some of you reading this would have felt slightly offended. You would have laughed it off, or had an epic comeback, but without you realising it, it chipped away at part of you. I can hear some of you guys out there saying: this is just a “girl” thing, boys don’t get affected by that sort of language, it’s just how they talk to each other, it is “normal”. They are the people that would say that those boys who do take it personally are not “real” boys, they are soft cocks, wimps, mummy’s boys, but how is this not the same? – I am sorry for causing any offense by this, but I am simply trying to prove a point. Those people that say these sort of things, are you not injuring some other person’s self-esteem? Why are they not as good as you? Why do you have to degrade them so they feel rejected and worthless?

Now think about the last time one of these words rolled off your tongue. Was it directed at someone? How did it make you feel? Tough? Or a coward? How do you think it made them feel? Worthless? Inadequate? We need to remember not everyone is built the same, not everyone has the same resilience to this language. I am not saying that these words are the explicit cause of men’s mental instability, I am simply saying that they can affect a person and contribute to their mental health, and we need to be more aware of how we speak to males because they are vulnerable too. The ability to think before you act or speak is a powerful skill. I challenge all of you reading this to try and think before you speak today and take note of how many times these words slip from your mouth without you realising. How many people do you chip away at?

Don’t believe me, then maybe Gadit¹ can convince you. The article discusses several trials which relates verbal abuse to mental disorders and brain damage. Studies have shown an increase in psychiatric disorders, and a 10% reduction in grey matter of the brain, in adults who were verbally abused as children compared to adults who were not. It also commented on males being less tolerable to verbal abuse than females. Another source also notes bullying as a possible predisposing cause for personality disorders, and it encourages doctors to consider this aspect of a patient’s history in diagnosis.² 

So now tell me, will you still use this language as freely?

References:

1.  Gadit AAM. Verbal Abuse: Does it lead to Mental Disorder? Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. 2011 April 2011;61(4):404-405.

2.  Jackie Craissati, Minoudis P, Shaw J, Chuan SJ, Simons S, Joseph N.  In: Working with personality disordered offenders: A practitioners guide. 2011

Anxiety

WHAT IS IT?

With the lives we lead these days everyday stress and anxiety is unavoidable. However these feelings will usually fade once the situation has passed or the cause of the stress is removed. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings remain even if the factor causing the stress is removed, and hence it can persist without any particular cause and therefore impact on a person’s ability to carry out their daily activities. There are many types of anxiety disorders and the symptoms differ between the types.

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS LIKE?

Statistics have shown that 1 in 7 men aged between 16 and 24 will experience anxiety each year. Together with depression, anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by young men. On too many occasions the signs go unrecognised and untreated as they are commonly blown off as ‘just part of growing up’.  

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

The common symptoms include:

• Hot and cold flushes
• Tightening of the chest
• A racing heart, sweating, trembling, difficulty breathing
• Avoidance behaviour – when a person goes to extreme lengths to avoid a situation
• Obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviour
• Overbearing worries
• Panic or anxiety attacks

THE DIFFERENT TYPES AND THEIR RELATED SYMPTOMS


Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)


The experience of excessive worry and anxiety about common issues such as family, friends, work, money or forgetting appointments. The distinguishing symptoms for this type of anxiety are when the person feels they cannot control their anxiety and they have experienced the anxiety for most days over the length of 6 months.

Social Phobia

When there is a fear of being negatively judged or criticised by others or being in situations which could lead to the person’s embarrassment. Such situations include public speaking, eating and drinking in public, or attending social encounters in public. This can lead them to avoid those situations which in turn can lead to severe isolation.

Specific Phobia

When there is an irrational or persistent fear to a specific object or situation and the anxiety becomes excessive and interfering when placed in the situation or near the object. The fear or anxiety can cause physical symptoms or even panic attacks and generally the person is aware of how unreasonable the phobia is.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This develops after a person is exposed to a very traumatic event that may have occurred either recently or in the past. The person may experience severe, prolonged intrusive thoughts or images of the situation which are distressing and these can come in the form of nightmares.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

When a person experiences intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and must perform certain behavioural or mental rituals in order to experience relief from the anxiety that develops otherwise. This could include excessive hand washing or showering or checking. Generally the person is aware of how irrational their behaviour is.

Panic Disorder

When a person experiences panic attacks and these may not even be related to the situation in which they occur. For diagnosis, the person needs to have experienced 4 panic attacks each month over a series of months.

COMMON CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS?

Anxiety is similar to depression in that there is no one identifiable cause and it can be a culmination of small events or one significant event that triggers it's onset. There are however risk factors which increase the opportunity for the development of anxiety and as you see these are the same for depression:

• Physical health problems (diabetes, asthma, or heart disease
• Family and Relationship problems
• Emotional problems
• Social isolation (lack of male acquaintances to chat too or family support)
• A significant change in living arrangements (such as that brought on by a divorce or separation
• Pregnancy and the birth of a new baby
• Drug and alcohol use (in particular cannabis, amphetamines or sedatives) particularly as the effect wears off
• Personality factors (perfectionism, low self-esteem, a need to be in control)
• A stressful work environment, or change of job
• Death or loss of a loved one

Whatever the cause, the most important thing is to recognise the warning signs sooner rather than later so as to seek help and relief.

TREATMENT

Recovery is definitely possible given the right treatment is sought as soon as possible. Effective treatments include the use of Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) which can include desensitisation therapy whereby there is gradual exposure of the person to situations that trigger the anxiety. There is also anxiety management and relaxation therapy such as meditation and breathing exercises. Anti-anxiolytic’s and antidepressants are also alternative options if previous treatment is unsuccessful.

WHERE TO GET HELP IN AUSTRALIA?

There are many health professionals who can give help to those in need:

• Your local GP
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Social workers in mental health
• Hospitals
• Counsellors

Helplines

Beyondblue helpline: 1300 22 4636


Nurse on Call: 1300 60 60 24


NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Anxiety disorders. Found at: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Anxiety_disorders_overview?open

The Facts - Anxiety. Found at: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety

Depression

WHAT IS IT?

Firstly, it is not to be confused with weakness when it arises in men. Depression is a serious illness in which a person experiences intense feelings of sadness, loneliness, and moodiness on and off for long periods of time. This can be for weeks, months or even years and sometimes for no apparent reason. Depression is more common than you think and more often than not goes undiagnosed especially in young men. A leading reason for this is because of a resistance to admit the existence of a health problem that is effecting not only their physical but also their emotional well-being.

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS LIKE?

1 in 8 men will experience depression sometime in their lives and the statistic rises to 1 in 7 when we consider young men between the age of 16 and 24. This is due to a common misconception of the signs as ‘a part of growing up’ and a lack of awareness of the true signs and symptoms.

For more info: http://infographicjournal.com/the-uncomfortable-truth-men-and-suicide/

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

As men of today’s society, it is important not only for yourselves but also your loved ones that you are aware of the warning signs of depression so that you can seek help straight away. In men these symptoms can range from feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, to fits of rage, risk taking behaviour and excessive alcohol or drug use. However plenty more are listed below…

Physical Symptoms	Emotional Symptoms
loss of energy loss of libido changes in appetite persistent pain changes in sleep patterns lethargy	feelings of guilt, anger or apathy, feeling sad or alone, feeling nervous, experiencing a loss of interest in hobbies thoughts of death or suicide.

COMMON CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

It is important to know that there is no single defined cause of depression. Rather it is understood to be ‘associated’ to a number of things, and it can be a single event or a combination of events that triggers it's onset. More often is it the continuing difficulties such as long-term unemployment, long-term isolation or loneliness, or prolonged stress at work that are associated with depression.

However recent events can trigger depression if a person is already at risk. Potential risk factors include if there is depression in the family history, if the person has a worrying personality, if they have low self-esteem, or if they are self-critical or sensitive to personal criticism. Other risk factors include if the person has:

• Physical health problems (diabetes, asthma, or heart disease)
• Relationship problems
• Emotional problems
• Social isolation (lack of male acquaintances to chat too or family support)
• A significant change in their living arrangements (such as that brought on by a divorce or separation)
• Pregnancy and the birth of a new baby
• Drug and alcohol use (in particular cannabis, amphetamines or sedatives)

However it is important to understand that everyone is different and whilst you cannot always identify the cause of the depression or change the difficult circumstances, the most important thing is to recognise the warning signs and seek help. Thus, for those men in these circumstances or possessing some of these risk factors, it is important to remain aware and critically assess yourself for the early signs of depression

TREATMENT

Just as there is no one cause, there is also no one treatment that will suit every scenario. But there are a range of effective treatments both psychological and medicinal. Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IT), Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are some of many psychological therapies that encourage men suffering with depression to change their negative thinking patterns and to improve their coping skills so they can face life’s stresses. The treatments aim to both improve and prevent depression from reoccurring in the future. If psychological therapy has not been successful though, the use of antidepressant medication either by itself or in conjunction with therapy can help improve the outcome. As there are many types of antidepressant medications available, this decision is made in consultation with your doctor.

WHERE TO GET HELP IN AUSTRALIA?

Depression is not something that will pass away on it’s own. Professional help is needed and this can include:

• Your local GP (can help establish an action plan)
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Social workers in mental health
• Hospitals
• Counsellors

Helplines:

• Beyondblue helpline: 1300 22 4636
• Mensline Australia Tel: 1300 78 99 78
• Nurse on Call: 1300 60 60 24

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Anxiety and Depression in Men. Found at: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Anxiety_and_depression_in_men?open
The Facts - Depression. Found at:
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression

Schizophrenia

WHAT IS IT?

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and disabling medical condition of the mind which affects a person’s normal ability to think, feel, and act. It is a distortion or loss of contact with reality. For some people there is recovery and improvement of the symptoms however for many the illness is prolonged and can mean years of distressing symptoms and disability.

WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS LIKE?

Schizophrenia affects both men and woman alike and affects all ethnic groups just as equally across the world. It has a prevalence rate of 1% in the general population and 10% in people who have a first degree relative who suffers from schizophrenia. Most people who are affected experience their first episode between the ages of 16 and 30 hence the need for a higher awareness in young men especially as it has been shown that men develop the symptoms earlier than woman.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

Those suffering from schizophrenia will experience a combination of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms.

Positive Symptoms:

• Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices, or other noises)
• Feeling a sense of disconnection from the body and feeling tingling or burning sensations otherwise non-existent
• Seeing things that aren’t there
• Experiencing delusions – when the person has false beliefs that are not culturally acceptable
• Having disorganised speech

Negative Symptoms:

This refers to when the person is lacking normal behaviours otherwise present in the general population. These symptoms are generally more difficult to detect in comparison to the positive symptoms.

• Lack of expression
• Lack of motivation in completing normal everyday activities
• Lack of pleasure

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Poor ability to execute functions (including making decisions)
• Lack of ability to concentrate for long periods of time
• Problems with working memory
• Along with these symptoms is what is referred to as the ‘inappropriate effect’ which is when for example the person suffering with schizophrenia hears sad news but reacts inappropriately by laughing.

As a result of all of these symptoms combined, the person will most commonly need help with everyday tasks, will often neglect their own basic hygiene, or seem lazy or unwilling to help. Also due to the cognitive symptoms, the person will find it difficult to maintain employment.

COMMON CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

The actual cause of schizophrenia is not known however it is understood that people can be born with a genetic predisposition to the disorder and triggers such as stress, trauma or drug use, in particular marijuana, LSD or the use of speed, can induce the first episode.

TREATMENT

Whilst there is no cure at the present, the most reassuring factor is that schizophrenia is treatable and the symptoms can be reduced if not eliminated. This requires professional help which can include a combination of medication, counselling and community support programs such as assistance in finding accommodation & suitable training, work and employment.

WHERE TO GET HELP IN AUSTRALIA?

If these symptoms are familiar and you are detecting them in yourself or a mate, please consult a doctor or encourage your mate to consult his local GP. For those suffering episodes of schizophrenia, helplines are available for support and assistance.

• Your Local GP
• Caregivers, if family is otherwise not available to be the primary caregivers
• Hospitals

Helplines

For persons aged 12-25, call Eheadspace on 1800 650 890

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, for 24/7 phone counselling

Call 1800 18 SANE

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

All About Schizophrenia. Found at: http://au.reachout.com/All-about-schizophrenia

Schizophrenia. Found at: http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/187-schizophrenia

National Institute of Mental Health: Schizophrenia. Found at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/index.shtml?utm_source=wordtwit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wordtwit#pub1

Bipolar Disoder

WHAT IS IT?

“Manic depression” – A mental disorder whereby the individual experiences periods of mania (highs), depression (lows), and periods of normal moods.

Various severities of manic and depressed states can be seen.

There are two types: 

Bipolar Disorder I - which exhibits periods of mania and depression of extreme severity, often with psychotic episodes, and 

Bipolar Disorder II - which exhibits less severe periods of mania and depression and no psychotic episodes.


WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS LIKE?

• Bipolar disorder shows no gender difference 
• 1 in 33 Australians (male and female) will develop Bipolar disorder
• In terms of reporting the disorder – Australian males are less likely (5.3%) to do so than females (7.1%)


WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?


Some mania signs and symptoms:

• Feeling extremely happy or outgoing for extended periods
• Feeling irritable or agitated
• Racing thoughts shown through rapid speech, and continuously changing topics
• Restlessness and not sleeping 
• Exhibiting impulsive risky or inappropriate behaviours such as going on a very large shopping spree, impulsive sex
• Is distracted easily
• Feeling invincible
• Psychotic episodes including hallucinations or delusions


Some depression signs and symptoms:

• Feeling worried or down for extended periods
• Withdrawal from family, friends, activities they usually enjoy
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Inability to concentrate, remember things and make decisions 
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Attempts of suicide

Some mania signs and symptoms:

• Feeling extremely happy or outgoing for extended periods
• Feeling irritable or agitated
• Racing thoughts shown through rapid speech, and continuously changing topics
• Restlessness and not sleeping
• Exhibiting impulsive risky or inappropriate behaviours such as going on a very large shopping spree, impulsive sex
• Is distracted easily
• Feeling invincible
• Psychotic episodes including hallucinations or delusions
• Some depression signs and symptoms:
• Feeling worried or down for extended periods
• Withdrawal from family, friends, activities they usually enjoy
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Inability to concentrate, remember things and make decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Attempts of suicide


COMMON CAUSES/RISK FACTORS:

Biological	Psychological	Social
Genetic link – main factor	Stress            Personality	Past conflicts           Drug and alcohol use            Isolation from society

TREATMENT


There is no cure for Bipolar Disorder, treatment simply helps to manage the symptoms. Multiple methods are undertaken in order to create a management plan for each individual so that symptoms can be monitored and severity in mood swings can be minimised.

These methods can include:

• Medications
• Psychotherapy or counselling 
• Electroconvulsive therapy
• Illness Education 
• Reduction of stresses
• Healthy diet
• Exercise plan
• Being a part of a support group
• Charting of moods


WHERE TO GET HELP IN AUSTRALIA?


Make an appointment with your GP. Be specific about your states of highs and lows to your Dr as Bipolar is often misdiagnosed.


Online Support:

                         

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/

                         

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ 

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Beyond Blue: Types of Depression. Found at: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/types-of-depression

Beyond Blue: For Men. Found at: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-me/men 

Black Dog Institute Fact sheet on Bipolar Disorder in Young People. Found at: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/bipolardisorderinyoungpeople.pdf

National Institute of Mental Health Booklet on Bipolar Disorder. Found at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/nimh-bipolar-adults.pdf