Caring for Yourself and Others
Addictions
|
I believe my spouse may have a gambling problem. What should I do?
|
Iowa has a toll-free 24 hour/day hotline for individuals needing information about gambling problems. To contact the Iowa line call 1-800-BETS-OFF. If you are outside Iowa you may call 1-800-522-4700 and you will be directly connected with the hotline in the state you are calling from.
|
|
Related Information:
- 1-800-BETS OFF website
- Includes information on the warning signs of gambling, why people gamble, help that's available, and phases gamblers go through.
|
|
Death and Dying
|
Someone I care about is seriously ill. What can I do or say to help?
|
|
How do you express kindness when a friend or family member is seriously ill or dying? Perhaps the greatest gift you can give, according to grief specialist and author Alan Wolfelt, is the gift of your presence. Along with that, here are some suggestions for easing the way:
- Call before you visit
- Reach out with a loving touch
- Listen well
- Be comfortable with silence
- Smile and laugh
- Focus on the present
- Be yourself
- Share news
- Speak truthfully
- Provide encouragement
- Keep confidences
- Express your love or friendship
- Don't push away tears
- Send mail
- Learn about your friend's illness
- Give practical assistance in meetin day-to-day needs
- Help the family
- Explore other avenues of support
- Allow yourself to grieve
- Respect your limits
- Encourage important decisions
- Honor the person's spirituality
- Trust your intuition
Reference: Expressing Kindness in Times of Illness and Death, Extension publication SP-165
|
|
Related Information:
- Expressing Kindness in Times of Illness and Death
- A 4 page publication (PDF file) expanding on the above suggestions for assisting someone who is seriously ill, perhaps facing death.
- Responding to Death - Tips for Friends
- An easy to read 4 page publication offering effective ways one can be of assistance when a death occurs.
|
|
Depression
|
I'm having trouble sleeping at night, could I be depressed?
|
Yes, but only if combined with other symptoms. Too little sleep or on the other hand sleeping too much can be a sign of depression as well as feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness. Appetite changes also may indicate depression, combined with a lack of concentration or forgetfulness. A primary indicator of depression is fatigue no matter how much rest is obtained, which can make you feel that you have less energy to pursue previous activities you once enjoyed.
Reference: Jolly, C.D. (1996) Points about stress. In C. Ouverson (Ed), Stress---taking charge series, PM 1660a Iowa State University Extension
|
|
|
|
What might lead to depression?
|
|
Being overstressed most definitely can lead to depression, but one thing to keep in mind is that recent studies suggests that a significant proportion of the general population experience both positive and negative features of psychosis, which generate feelings of depression at various stages in their lives. These experiences do not meet the criteria for clinical depression, but this effect only inferred that feelings of depression are common among the general population, and it is not something to be alarmed about. Therefore, feelings of being depressed are more common than abnormal and they are not permanent. People who experience these feelings find better ways to manage their stress and deal with the life issues that can send them into clinical depression.
Author: Iowa Concern Stress Counselor
|
|
|
Health
|
I had a cholesterol test but what do the results mean?
|
|
Guidelines as published by the National Institutes of Health. An easy to read ISU Extension publication:
Using Cholesterol Test Results
Reference: Using Cholesterol Test Results, ISU Extension pub N-3330
|
|
|
|
I do not have health insurance for my children. Are there some affordable options?
|
|
Yes there are some affordable options. For more information call the Iowa Healthy Families Line at 800-369-2229.
|
|
|
Parenting/Relationships
|
My ex-spouse has not been paying child support so I figure that I do not have to let him have his visits anymore, is that true?
|
|
No, visitation rights are not conditioned on the non-custodial spouse’s keeping with other provisions of the divorce decree. If they are not paying child support then tell your lawyer or the child support recovery unit but you still have to let him see the kids or you will be in violation of a court order just as much as the other spouse is.
Reference: Iowa Code §598 (2000)
Author: Iowa Concern Attorney
|
|
|
|
Is there a publication that could assist me in parenting a teenager?
|
Yes. ISU Extension has a publication Living With Your Teenager - The Changing Parent-Child Relationship. You can order a paper copy by contacting Extension Publications Distribution at pubdist@iastate.edu and request PM-944b or view it online (PDF file).
Reference: Living With Your Teenager, ISU Extension publication PM-944b
|
|
|
|
