scholarly journals Picking Up the Pieces: Coping with a Friend's Suicide

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-140
Author(s):  
Gemma L. Labestre, MST ◽  
Lisa Anna M. Gayoles

People left behind have to grieve and accept the powerlessness over death. They have to grapple and face the void left by the dead person. One of the most tragic deaths is suicide. The ultimate sufferers in this tragedy are those left behind to cope with the emotional trauma of losing a significant other, struggling with many unanswerable questions, self-blaming, and an inability to move on with their lives. For adolescents, losing a peer, classmate, or friend to suicide increases their risk of depression and anxiety. Their psychological well-being is compromised, often leading to complicated grief, major depression, and posttrauma stress. The present study aims to explore, describe, and interpret the lived experiences of peer suicide loss survivors.

Author(s):  
Roslyn Law

Chapter 2 discusses complicated grief, and how the IPT therapist selects grief as an interpersonal focus when the onset of the patient’s symptoms is associated with the death of a significant other and manifests in a bereavement-related depression. It covers how this reaction differs from the predictable sorrow associated with bereavement – the experience of deprivation and desolation. It examines how the DSM-IV echoes this distinction by excluding immediate bereavement reactions in making the diagnosis of major depression, and how clinicians may diagnose major depression only if symptoms persist for more than 2 months after the death or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 771
Author(s):  
Fany Chuquilín-Arista ◽  
Tania Álvarez-Avellón ◽  
Manuel Menéndez-González

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms. Depression and anxiety are common manifestations in PD and may be determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study is to determine the association of depression and anxiety with the dimensions of HRQoL in subjects with PD enrolled in an association of patients. Ninety-five community-based patients with PD diagnosis at different disease stages were studied. HRQoL was assessed using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39); depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Our results showed that depression and anxiety were negatively associated with HRQoL measured by PDSI. Higher motor dysfunction measured by Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging was also associated with worse HRQoL. Depression was the most influential variable in the model. All PDQ-39 dimensions except social support and bodily discomfort were associated with depression. Anxiety was associated with the emotional well-being and bodily discomfort dimensions. These results suggest that physicians should pay attention to the presence of psychiatric symptoms and treat them appropriately.


Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132199372
Author(s):  
Kate Seers ◽  
Rachel C Hogg

There is currently a paucity of literature exploring the experiences of women on the autism spectrum. It is imperative research is conducted to capture the experiences of women on the autism spectrum and ensure appropriate support is provided to this cohort. Drawing upon a social constructionist framework, this qualitative research study sought to understand how psychological and socio-cultural constructions of autism spectrum condition and gender influence the well-being of women on the autism spectrum. Eight participants engaged in a semi-structured interview, with thematic analysis conducted to demonstrate the impact of gender roles and social expectations on the women’s identity and autism spectrum condition expression. The research highlighted the changing understandings of autism spectrum condition across a woman’s lifespan and the process and impact of resisting hegemonic autism spectrum condition categorisation. The findings demonstrate that social constructions of gender and stereotypical understandings of autism spectrum condition, which prioritise a deficit, medical model, have significant consequences for women’s well-being and subjectivity. The women experienced challenging formative years, but with diagnosis and the evolution and acceptance of their identities, they were able to resist negative narratives of autism spectrum condition, embrace their strengths and develop adaptive coping strategies. It is hoped this article generates insights for societal and clinical recognition to better support women on the autism spectrum. Lay abstract Most autism spectrum condition research addresses the neurological and biological causes of autism spectrum condition, focusing upon deficits associated with autism spectrum condition and behavioural interventions designed to minimise these deficits. Little is known about the lived experiences of adult women on the autism spectrum and how they navigate social expectations around gender, autism spectrum condition and gendered understandings of autism spectrum condition. The lived experiences of eight women on the AS will be shared here, with attention to how gendered expectations influence women’s experiences of autism spectrum condition, their sense of self and well-being. Findings showed these women struggled to reconcile the expectations of others, particularly early in life. The women had difficultly conforming to stereotypical ideals of femininity, yet as they aged, they felt less need to conform, valuing their unique style and behaviours. The women also rejected deficit-oriented descriptions of autism spectrum condition generated by the medical community, preferring to focus on their strengths and unique characteristics. It is hoped this article helps psychologists and the wider community to understand and meet the needs of women on the AS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-510
Author(s):  
Melissa Garabiles

This study investigated left-behind Filipino fathers and their involvement as child caregivers. It hypothesized that social support and well-being predict paternal involvement, with well-being as the mediator. Results showed that familial and peer support predicted involvement, with well-being as mediator. Spousal support did not predict involvement or well-being. Findings highlight the importance of familial and peer support to left-behind fathers. Interactions between significant predictors of involvement present novel pathways to childcare. The non-significant role of spousal support is discussed in the context of transnational migration. Several interventions involving families and peers are suggested.


2020 ◽  
pp. 014544552098256
Author(s):  
Sara Rodriguez-Moreno ◽  
Todd J. Farchione ◽  
Pablo Roca ◽  
Carolina Marín ◽  
Ana I. Guillén ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders adapted for homeless women (UPHW). Eighty-one homeless women participated in this single-blinded quasi-experimental clinical trial, involving up to 12 sessions of group treatment, and 3-and 6-month follow-ups. The participants received either immediate treatment with the UPHW ( n = 46) or delayed treatment, following a 12-week wait-list control period (WLC; n = 35). Primary outcomes included depression and anxiety. Secondary measures comprised positive and negative affect, psychological well-being, health perception, and social support. The UPHW resulted in significant improvement on measures of anxiety, depression and negative affect. Improvements in anxiety and depression were maintained over a 3-month follow-up period, but not at 6-month. The reliability of the clinical changes showed significant differences between UPHW and WLC for depression. Moreover, the inter-session assessment in the UPHW group showed a linear trend reduction for depression and anxiety scores along the 12 sessions. The clinical implications on the UPHW in social settings are also discussed.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (15) ◽  
pp. 729-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian L. Gordon Perue ◽  
Susan E. Fox-Rosellini ◽  
Nicole B. Sur ◽  
Erika Marulanda-Londono ◽  
Jason Margolesky ◽  
...  

Recent racial inequities as illustrated by the health disparities in COVID-19 infections and deaths, the recent killings of Black men and women by law enforcement, and the widening socioeconomic inequality and have brought systemic racism into a national conversation. These unprecedented times may have deleterious consequences, increasing stress, and trauma for many members of the neurology workforce. The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Committee within our Department of Neurology provides infrastructure and guidance to foster a culture of belonging and addresses the well-being of faculty, staff, and trainees. Here, we present the creation and implementation of our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDIA) Pledge, which was central to our committee's response to these unprecedented times. We outline the process of developing this unique EDIA Pledge and provide a roadmap for approaching these important topics through a Continuing Medical Education Neurology Grand Rounds aimed at fostering a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and antiracist work environment. Through the lived experiences of 4 faculty members, we identify the impact of bias and microaggressions and encourage allyship and personal development for cultural intelligence. We hope that these efforts will inspire neurology departments and other academic institutions across the globe to make a similar pledge.


Author(s):  
Abhishek Yadav ◽  
Rajeev Mohan Kaushik ◽  
Reshma Kaushik

Abstract This prospective study assessed the effects of diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation on depression, anxiety, and stress levels, as well as glycemic control, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One hundred patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to two equal groups: Group A patients received conventional treatment for T2DM, and Group B patients received conventional treatment for T2DM plus training in diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation and home practice of these stress-management techniques for 6 months. Stress, depression, and anxiety levels, blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded at baseline and after 6 months of treatment in all patients. Baseline characteristics were compared using the chi-square test and student’s t test. Changes in mental well-being and glycemic status were assessed for their significance in each group using student’s t test and compared between two groups using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Baseline levels of the respective change outcome and duration of diabetes were used as covariates in the ANCOVA. A significant decrease was seen in depression, anxiety, and stress scores in Group B, but in Group A only the stress score decreased after 6 months. A significant decline occurred in blood sugar (fasting, 2-hour postprandial, and random) and HbA1c in both groups after 6 months. There was a larger decrease in depression and anxiety scores and HbA1c in Group B than in Group A. The decrease in HbA1c was significantly correlated with the decrease in anxiety and stress scores in both groups and with the depression score in Group A. Thus, the addition of diaphragmatic breathing and systematic relaxation to conventional T2DM treatment appears to have led to improvement in mental well-being and glycemic control in patients with T2DM.


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