Dispelling 5 common myths about depression

The more you know about depression, the more likely you are to be able to help yourself or help others. While great strides have been made in recent years to educate the public about depression and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, many myths still remain about the condition.



* Myth - Depression is a character flaw. Depression is not a personal weakness and it should be viewed as any other medical condition. People who are depressed are often unable to function as they had in the past and struggle to accomplish everyday tasks. This is not because they are lazy or being dramatic, it is because depression is a serious health issue that should be recognized and treated as early as possible. Both young people and adults who are depressed need professional treatment.



* Myth - Only certain types of people have depression. Depression affects all ages, races and genders. Sometimes people believe that only certain types of people can be depressed. Even people who seem to have everything including a good job and healthy relationships can have depression. While statistics show that some groups, like older adults, are more likely to suffer from depression, anyone can struggle with the illness. It can run in families, but anyone, even those without a family history, can be depressed.



* Myth - Depression causes people to be violent. People who are depressed are no more likely to be violent or commit crimes than members of the general population. Although some people with depression do experience feelings of anger and sometimes have outbursts, the vast majority of people who have depression never harm anyone.



* Myth - Depression is not a big deal. If left untreated, depression can lead to extreme changes in your mood, thoughts, behaviors and bodily functions, and for some people suicidal thoughts. Almost everyone who dies by suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like "You'll be sorry when I'm dead," or "I can't see any way out" - no matter how casually or jokingly said - may indicate serious suicidal feelings.



* Myth - Depression will go away on its own. Positive thinking is not enough to cure depression. Some people who have mild depression can make lifestyle changes which can help alleviate symptoms of depression, but many others need to seek treatment to get better. A mental health professional can help them learn more positive ways to think about themselves, change behaviors, cope with problems, or handle relationships. A clinician can prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms of depression. For many people, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is beneficial. Early detection is extremely important because 80 percent of people who receive some form of treatment for depression can learn to manage the condition and live a fulfilling life.



* Fact - Help is available. If you think you or someone you know might be struggling with depression, you are encouraged to visit HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org and take an online mental health screening. Online screenings are free, anonymous and available 24/7.



Although the screenings are not diagnostic, they do provide valuable insight helping to identify if you are exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and connecting you with appropriate treatment resources.



NOTE: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger because of thoughts of suicide, call 911 immediately. If there is no immediate danger but rather a need to talk to someone, call the national suicide prevention line at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).

A guide for getting through emergency home repairs

A surprise can be fun on some occasions, like your birthday. But when it comes to home repair emergencies, a surprise is the last thing you want.



Unfortunately, this is a situation all too many homeowners find themselves in after a home emergency. Often they discover that a repair they assumed would be covered by their home insurance or local utility is actually their responsibility to fix.



From water and drainage systems to electrical and heating/cooling configurations, your home is a complex network of pipes, wires and electrical components that could require an emergency repair at any time.



An outside water pipe breaking or a sewer line collapsing can easily rank as a homeowners' worst nightmare; however, when an emergency occurs, most homeowners are not aware of who is responsible for the damage. In fact, less than 50 percent of the homeowners in a recent national survey, conducted by GfK Roper Custom Research, knew that they were responsible for repairs to the water line between their house and the street.



This is where companies that offer emergency home repair plans, such as HomeServe, can make the difference between peace of mind and an expensive and time-consuming repair.



"According the results of the survey, one third of all homeowners responding assumed that their local utility was responsible for the cost of a burst water line between their house and the street, when this is usually not the case," says Tom Rusin, chief executive officer of HomeServe. "One of the challenges of home ownership is that the potential for expensive repairs is always out there. In fact, repairing a water service line can cost more than $2,000 and simply clearing a blocked drain can cost upwards of $350."



Rusin suggests that all homeowners do the following things to minimize the potential financial liability and hassle associated with home repair emergencies:



1. Speak to your homeowners insurance agent to get a clear understanding of which areas of your home are covered by your insurance policy and which ones are not. Potential trouble spots include interior and exterior electrical wiring, outside water service and sewer lines, inside plumbing and gas piping, central heating and air conditioning systems, and the water heater.



2. Similarly, speak to your local electric, gas, and water utilities to determine equipment that you may be responsible for. As mentioned earlier, the water and sewer lines that run underneath the lawn are the responsibility of the homeowner in the vast majority of cases.



3. Proper maintenance of home components greatly minimizes the chance of an unexpected emergency. For example, check the air filter on your central heating or cooling system regularly and change it about once every three months during the season. Protect water pipes from freezing with proper insulation or draining them prior to winter. And fix leaky faucets and toilets to save water and prevent bigger problems.



4. Consider a home emergency protection plan that can relieve you of not only the financial burden of a home emergency, but also the uncertainty involved in looking for a repair person on a Sunday afternoon.



"The more prepared homeowners are for a home repair emergency, the more peace of mind they'll have and the more time they can spend enjoying their house with their families," says Rusin.

Making a difference with socially responsible investing

If you regularly watch the evening news, you likely have seen stories about social activism and massive protests in support of issues like the environment. Not only are they trying to communicate directly with the public, they are also asking some corporations to change. These are noble causes that sometimes involve a level of personal risk. Another way of exacting change is by working with companies from the inside. In other words: investing in them.

According to Rosalie Vendette, senior advisor in socially responsible investment (SRI) with Desjardins Group, SRI is an emerging field that is still defining itself. "It's really about engagement, not activism," says Vendette. "An engaged investor seeks to persuade management to adopt more responsible environmental, social and governance practices. A common way to sway management is to draw attention to these concerns through direct dialogue. While consumers have the power to decide whether or not to buy a product, investors wield their power in a much more strategic manner. For example, companies that fail to address the environmental impact of their operations can do serious damage to both their public image and their pocketbook. Conversely, companies that reduce their environmental footprint see their stock rise in more ways than one."

Interestingly, there remains a perception that SRIs yield lower returns because performance may be sacrificed in favour of principles. "In the medium to long term, SRI criteria have little impact on fund performance," says Denis Dion, product manager with Desjardins Investment Fund Development Department. "A study of American funds published in the Journal of Investing found that over an 18 year-period, an index of 400 U.S. companies that met SRI criteria performed comparably to the S&P 500, which indexes 500 major U.S. corporations."

"The point is that SRI is a paradigm shift and we're eagerly working to spread the news," says Vendette. "We know that this new approach will continue to transform how we have traditionally invested in companies. And ultimately, we hope that this will contribute to more sustainable corporate practices."

To find out more about Socially Responsible Investing, speak to your financial advisor.

Remodeling for resale vs. impressing your friends

It's one more area where we can show our sophistication and good taste. We can, and often do decorate to impress and make a statement about how successful we are.



It's an ego thing. It makes us feel good to show our financial success.



And in one way it's often men who go over the top the most. We can argue about it if you want.



They want imported everything including granite or marble, architectural designs, custom finishes and expensive kitchens and baths, along with lots of garage space for luxury cars.



But some luxury cars hold their value far batter than houses do.



A good many sports stars have bankrupted themselves buying this stuff.



A really unique house may only appeal to one person, the person who remodeled it or built it.



There are several problems when a house like this goes to resale.



1. The really expensive finishes and decorating are too individual to work well at resale. The owner might like orange granite, but no one else does.



2. The costs of certain types of décor can never be recovered at resale. It's something the owner wanted that no one else wants or will pay for.



3. The house may be over improved for the values in the neighborhood. For example fashionable granite that has gone into kitchens all over the country. The stuff costs several thousand dollars to install but houses no longer sell for enough money to recoup the cost.



4. Custom paint is a turn off to buyers when houses go to resale. It's ALWAYS the wrong color. The wrong color, meaning any color that is not neutral, just won't sell.



5. The décor that the owner has spent so much time and money on does not appeal to buyers. Often it might even turn them off and they run from the property to the next one. Decorating styles can really be a disadvantage at resale.



6. Custom houses usually only appeal to the owner/ builder. No one else wants the floor plan that has all the kids sleeping in a one-room dorm or the workshop in the bedroom wing. A poorly done remodel can mess up a perfectly good house plan, too.



7. It can be very difficult to sell a house in an area if it is very different from the other houses in the neighborhood. In the southeast for example, most buyers prefer traditional exteriors. A hard contemporary or mid century modern may take way longer to sell than something more traditional. It's the reason neighborhoods have architectural review boards. They don't want anything really different.



So if you expect to have to resell your home any time in the near future control your spending. Only spring for the expensive stuff that will move with you when you go. The house may still represent something important for your ego without being so individual you can't sell it. Resale means you want to appeal to as many buyers as you can so you can sell a house quick.



That means the property has to be sort of average.



It might be more fun to impress your friends with great food and a feeling of simple luxury. 5 stars for comfort can trump the most outrageous décor with your friends and guests.



by: Paula Stone



http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_4809.shtml

A woman's 'rare' journey: life with an uncommon disease

People living with rare diseases are extraordinary in many ways, often demonstrating exemplary traits when faced with extraordinary challenges. Lacey Williams, a young adult who is currently attending college in Spokane, Wash., has overcome difficulties that other people her age will likely not face in their lifetime because of her rare disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Williams' rare disease journey began at age 4 when she was diagnosed with HAE. HAE is a genetic disease that affects about 6,000 people in the United States. People with the disease can get repeated swelling attacks anywhere in the body, including their arms, legs, hands, feet, stomach, genitals, face or throat. HAE attacks can be unpredictable, painful, debilitating and disfiguring. This often makes everyday activities like walking, driving or even fastening a button difficult, or even impossible. Many patients with HAE also live in fear of a swelling attack in the tongue or throat, which could be fatal if the airway closes.

Growing up, Lacey, like many people living with a rare disease, found her condition embarrassing and alienating. She wanted to fit in and be "normal," so she hid her HAE from her friends and classmates. Williams feared that people would treat and look at her differently if she told them the truth about her disease. But during her senior year of high school, Williams' perspective on having a rare disease changed. She hesitantly revealed her condition to some close friends and family, finding them to be not only understanding, but remarkably supportive. Embracing their support, she realized she no longer needed to deny her rare disease. Instead, she saw the importance of using her story to help other people with rare diseases accept and embrace them as unique.

Williams was determined to not let HAE set her back. She maintained a positive outlook and stayed involved in school and sports, including basketball and lacrosse. "My swelling attacks affect me physically, but I don't let them stand in my way," says Williams. "I live my life and keep up with my priorities daily, even if I'm dealing with a swelling attack."

Williams feels lucky that there are now treatment options available for HAE; 95 percent of rare diseases do not have treatments available. Since opening up about her disease, Williams has given speeches at local schools about HAE, as well as discussed her condition in her college essay. Her story was even featured in a newspaper and on a TV news segment in her hometown. She hopes that this recognition will continue to raise awareness about rare diseases like HAE, encourage tolerance for people with differences that make them rare, and improve the road to diagnosis and treatment for those dealing with a rare condition.

"Hereditary angioedema has taught me to put up with hardships and continue on with my responsibilities. The most important thing that I've learned from this disease is not to let uncontrollable adversities overtake my ambitions," says Williams.

For those living with HAE, please visit www.HAEA.org. For those interested in rare diseases, the people living with them, as well as ways to embrace being "rare," please visit www.globalgenes.org.* To learn more about HAE, including how HAE impacts people living with the disease, visit www.HAEandMe.com, an online resource for people with HAE, their friends and family members that offer tips and advice for people of all ages. (*These links will take you to third party sites containing information that is reviewed or managed by the respective parties responsible for the content.)

Inspirational Quote of the day by Kalu

"The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy."

― Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

Mother Nature knows best: How natural elements in the home make you healthier

(BPT) - When it comes to health and wellness, the design of your home may prove to be just as important as your diet, sleep habits or exercise routine. This is the premise behind biophilic design - the idea that incorporating natural elements into your home, such as wood or plants, can actually improve overall health.



In reviewing existing research from Canada and Austria on the health impact of wood and other natural elements, environmental psychologist Dr. Sally Augustin and researcher Dr. David Fell of FPInnovations found that humans automatically relax when they are surrounded by elements from the natural world. In fact, these materials have a pronounced effect on the autonomic nervous system, lowering blood pressure and stress levels.



"When we experience things in a built environment that are similar to hospitable natural spaces that sheltered humans for thousands of years, we feel relaxed and de-stressed in a profound way," Augustin says. "We are not as stressed in difficult situations and our lives are improved."



While most research on biophilic design has focused on schools and healthcare settings, both Augustin and Dr. Fell say the same principles apply to home building and design. "Everyone responds positively to natural materials. These are biological responses, not learned," Fell says.



Though we all can't have sweeping views of the ocean or find the forest in our backyard, homeowners can make easy fixes to up the nature quotient in their homes.



1. Let the sun shine in



According to Augustin and Fell, research links exposure to natural light to positive health outcomes, including weight loss and improved mood. Whenever possible, homeowners should minimize window coverings to let the natural light shine in.



2. Use your green thumb



The addition of green plants to any indoor space is the most literal way of bringing the outside in. Green, leafy plants can brighten up any room and inspire a relaxed and peaceful setting.



3. Make waves



Water - particularly the sound of water - is soothing and relaxing. It's easy to take advantage of that by incorporating a fountain or other water element into your home.



4. Go with the grain



Whether purchasing a new home or remodeling, nature is easily incorporated into a home through a wood feature wall, ceiling, wainscoting or floors. "We're talking about wood where we can see the grain. This really has a fundamental effect on the autonomic nervous system," Augustin says. Unlike other natural elements, wood can also be used for a home's structure and exposed beams still produce a stress-reducing response.



5. Admire the views



Simply rearranging your furniture to take advantage of the best outdoor views or natural light can help improve your home's overall atmosphere. If you can, orient furniture so that you have views of the outside and nature, as this should be the focal point of any room.



"Looking at peaceful nature views distracts our minds from thoughts that make us cognitively exhausted," Augustin says. "The mind has a chance to relax and refresh. When it comes to relieving stress and creating a soothing atmosphere, it turns out that you really can't beat Mother Nature."