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Additional video and information can be found at www.bringchange2mind.org
For more video and information about mental illness visit www.bringchange2mind.org
Additional video and information available at www.bringchange2mind.org
See more of Producer/Director Ron Howard’s ground-breaking videos fighting the stigma of mental illness at www.bringchange2mind.org
Myth: Homelessness has declined dramatically in recent years.
Fact: The criteria through which the government defines homelessness can change as often as these surveys are taken. Sometimes people living in cars, or staying with their relatives are considered homeless; sometimes they are not. Therefore it is not always an equal comparison to the previous count.
Myth: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character.
Fact: Mental illnesses are a result of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Research has shown genetic and biological factors are associated with schizophrenia, depression, and alcoholism. Social influences, such as loss of a loved one or a job, can also contribute to the development of various disorders.
Myth: Children do not experience mental illnesses.
Fact: A report from the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health showed that in any given year 5-9 percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances, which can result in mental illness.
Myth: Homeless people will probably always be homeless.
Fact: The length of homelessness varies from person to person. Many spend years on the streets and then are able to get permanent housing.
Myth: Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just “crazy.”
Fact: The fact is that brain disorders, like heart disease or diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively.
Last week I shared a movie trailer and urged you to see “The Soloist.”
This week I’m doing the same.
And after you see this life-altering film, go to Take Part and become a member of the live, active community that is taking action, taking part and making a difference in the lives of all those affected by serious mental illness or homelessness.
See “The Soloist.”
Learn, love, be prepared to be altered.
Then Take Part.
And share your thoughts with us here.
I urge you.
Most Lovingly,
In The Soloist, Jamie Foxx disappears and Nathaniel Ayers consumes the screen.
As Steve Lopez, played perfectly by Robert Downey Jr., learns lessons about life and love and commitment and mental illness, the viewer learns the same.
The path is rugged, the destination somewhat surprising, the film, enthralling and illuminating.
Watch The Soloist with an open mind and an open heart, and you will learn. You will learn about dignity and differences and friendship and love. You will also learn about stigma and hopelessness and homelessness and fear. And then you will learn about respect and commitment and courage and acceptance.
You will gain a sense of how schizophrenia feels to the one diagnosed. Two particular scenes go beyond the comfort zone in an effort to offer the viewer that opportunity.
It works.
If you couldn’t empathize with the seriously mentally ill before, you will after seeing The Soloist.
And I hope you will.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to personality changes, memory loss, intellectual slowing, and other Alzheimer’s symptoms. Although each person with Alzheimer’s is different, most progress through a series of stages, each of which is characterized by more serious Alzheimer’s symptoms.
The following seven stages were developed by researchers and physicians to describe how you or your loved one will change over time. Your doctor might collapse the seven stages into early/middle/late or mild/moderate/severe, so these classifications are provided as well.
Stage 1 (Absence of Impairment)
There are no problems with memory, orientation, judgment, communication, or daily activities. You or your loved one is a normally functioning adult.
Stage 2 (Minimal Impairment)
You or your loved one might be experiencing some lapses in memory or other cognitive problems, but neither family nor friends are able to detect any changes. A medical exam would not reveal any problems either.
Stage 3 (Noticeable Cognitive Decline)
Family members and friends recognize mild changes in memory, communication patterns, or behavior. A visit to the doctor might result in a diagnosis of early-stage or mild Alzheimer’s disease, but not always. Common symptoms in this stage include:
Stage 4 (Early-Stage/Mild Alzheimer’s)
Cognitive decline is more evident. You or your loved one may become more forgetful of recent events or personal details. Other problems include impaired mathematical ability (for instance, difficulty counting backwards from 100 by 9s), a diminished ability to carry out complex tasks like throwing a party or managing finances, moodiness, and social withdrawal.
Stage 5 (Middle-Stage/Moderate Alzheimer’s)
Some assistance with daily tasks is required. Problems with memory and thinking are quite noticeable, including symptoms such as:
Even though symptoms are worsening, people in this stage usually still know their own name and the names of key family members and can eat and use the bathroom without assistance.
Stage 6 (Moderate to Late-Stage/Severe Alzheimer’s)
This is often the most difficult stage for caregivers because it’s characterized by personality and behavior changes. In addition, memory continues to decline, and assistance is required for most daily activities. The most common symptoms associated with this stage include:
Stage 7 (Late-Stage/Severe Alzheimer’s)
In the final stage, it is usually no longer possible to respond to the surrounding environment. You or your loved one may be able to speak words or short phrases, but communication is extremely limited. Basic functions begin to shut down, such as motor coordination and the ability to swallow. Total care is required around the clock.
Although the stages provide a blueprint for the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms, not everyone advances through the stages similarly. Caregivers report that their loved ones sometimes seem to be in two or more stages at once, and the rate at which people advance through the stages is highly individual. Still, the stages help us understand Alzheimer’s symptoms and prepare for their accompanying challenges.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s at The Alzheimer’s Association.
