Parenting can be tough business, but when your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) the task can often be overwhelming.

Over time, that stress can give rise to a certain amount of friction between the parent and child, one expert notes.

Negative impact for parents

Dara Babinski, a child psychologist with Penn State Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has spent considerable time delving into the issue.

The first thing to know, she said, is that ADHD can manifest in many different ways. In some cases the disorder – which is usually diagnosed during childhood – can centre around a child with difficulty focusing or completing tasks.

For others, the main issues may have more to do with impulsive behaviour, such as incessantly moving around or talking excessively. Some children suffer from both concerns.

But “there often seems to be a negative impact for many parents no matter what types of symptoms the child displays,” Babinski said in a medical centre news release.

And that’s a problem, she added, because “parental involvement is really critical” when it comes to caring for a child with ADHD. “[So] when the parent-child relationship is strained, that is a risk factor for long-term difficulties for the child.”

Why? For one, managing the behaviour of a child with ADHD can require a lot of energy, Babinski noted. It can also translate into learning and disciplinary problems at school. And parents typically end up trapped in a merry-go-round of visits to paediatricians, psychiatrists and behavioural therapists, which can often mean missing work.

Depression and other mental health concerns

All these factors can end up consuming a parent’s time and drive up parental stress, she said.

But despite the stress, Babinski emphasised how critical it is that parents remain attentive to their child’s needs, even as he or she ages out of adolescence into young adulthood.

So what can parents do to stay involved while keeping a lid on stress? Babinski advises parents to work in concert with teachers, so that together they can come up with an organised plan to help the child overcome whatever hurdles ADHD throws in his or her path.

She also points out that it’s not uncommon for parents of children with ADHD to struggle with depression or other mental health concerns. Roughly a quarter to half of such parents have such issues, she said.

And if that’s the case, parents should make sure to get the treatment they need, Babinski said.

“That can also help the child’s behaviour if the parent is feeling better and has more time and energy to focus on handling the child’s behaviours,” she explained.

^{Image credit: iStock}

HealthDay

People should know the signs that breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, a charity says.

Thousands of patients wait more than four hours, as doctors warn of a difficult winter ahead.

Has the plan found favour with commuters across the country, or left a bad taste in the mouth?

A New Jersey family who was told their son wouldn't survive past birth are now celebrating their seven-month-old miracle baby.

During her 10-week ultrasound, Maria Santa Maria's unborn son, Lucas, was diagnosed with a rare defect that would cause him to be born with his brain outside of his skull—a condition known as exencephaly. He's believed to be the first infant born with the condition to survive. 

Local news station ABC 7 New York reports that Santa Maria's doctor told her even if Lucas made it to birth, he wouldn't survive more than a few hours. That's because exencephaly, a rare malformation where the skull doesn't fully form, leaving a "large, unorganized mass of brain tissue," according to a letter to the editor written by doctors in Siddhartha Medical College in India that was published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences.

Santa Maria was told she should get an abortion. "That's not what I wanted to do," she said. She knew she wanted to carry Lucas to term, and she later delivered him at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Doctors were stunned that he survived through birth. But still, Santa Maria prepared herself and her family for what the doctors had warned: that he ultimately wouldn't survive.

Santa Maria told Good Morning America that she made funeral arrangements and also had a child life specialist prepare her daughters Sophia, 8, Nia, 7, and Giana, 3, in case Lucas didn't make it.

RELATED: Stunning Photos Capture the Rare Birth of a Baby Still Inside the Amniotic Sac

ABC 7 New York

But when doctors saw Lucas was otherwise healthy, they performed a life-saving surgery four days after he was born. Dr. Tim Vogel, chief of pediatric neurosurgery at the North Jersey Brain and Spine Center, told GMA that Lucas' surgery involved removing abnormal brain tissue to prevent it from damaging the functioning area of his brain. 

Dr. Vogel told Fox News that since the surgery, bone has started to form a protective layer around Lucas' brain, and that the scalp has started to grow over it, complete with hair. He added that future operations will involve taking the bone that's currently growing and shaping it around other areas that are lacking. They'll later start thinking about cosmetic goals, focusing on the top of his skull. 

As far as Lucas' neurodevelopment, Dr. Vogel said he's on the same path that a child his age normally would be. Lucas can lift his head and has already started to crawl, something babies typically learn between six and 10 months of age.

Santa Maria told GMA that Lucas is making great progress and that their family feels extremely fortunate to have him in their lives. "I don't see myself without Lucas," she said. "Sometimes there are miracles. We wanted to meet our baby boy…to us it's a blessing every day."

Dr. Vogel said to Fox News that he hope other families facing a tough diagnosis can find inspiration in Lucas' story. "It’s such a night and day difference from what they told the family was going to happen—it’s just fantastic to see, it really is," he said.

RELATED: A Newborn Crawled Out of the Womb in This Viral Video of a "Gentle C-Section"

Miley Cyrus has been through a lot lately. First, she split with her husband, Liam Hemsworth, after less than a year, then she had another breakup with her (now ex–) girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter. Now, Cyrus has apparently been hospitalized with a nasty bout of tonsillitis 

Cyrus revealed her hospitalization in her Instagram Stories Tuesday, sharing multiple shots from her hospital room. In one hospital photo, Cyrus said she's trying to “heal [as] quick as possible to make it to Gorillapalooza” this weekend. “Send gooooood vibes my way! Hoping the Rock star G*DS send me a boost of bad ass and help me kick this s—t to the curb where it belongs! We got gorillas to save!" she wrote.

In another post, she shared a photo of herself in a hospital gown with her mom, Tish Cyrus, brushing her hair. She also posed for a photo after "redesigning" her hospital gown, and, in a now-deleted Instagram Story, Cyrus also had a few choice words for her tonsillitis (she called it a "f—king f—k"). 

Luckily, Cyrus seems to be on the mend—but you might still be wondering what tonsillitis is exactly, and why she'd need to be hospitalized for it. Here's what you need to know. 

RELATED: 14 Ways to Soothe a Sore Throat

Okay, what is tonsilitis? 

Tonsillitis is, essentially, inflammation of the throat that affects your tonsils, the visible lumps of tissue on the left and right sides of the back of your throat, according to the US National Library of Medicine (USNLM). Just FYI: Your tonsils are part of your lymphatic system, which clears away infections and keeps bodily fluids in balance. Your tonsils (along with your adenoids, which are a patch of tissue high up in your throat behind your nose) actually work by trapping germs that come in through the mouth and nose. 

Tonsillitis is typically caused by a viral infection, but sometimes bacterial infections (like strep throat) can also be to blame. 

Children and teens are more likely to develop tonsillitis, but, while it's not common in adults, technically anyone can develop it, per the USNLM. And while tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, the bacteria and viruses that cause it are—which is why frequent hand washing and other precautions are important to prevent catching or spreading the infections.

RELATED: 8 Foods to Eat When You Have a Sore Throat

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Symptoms can vary, but the USNLM says these are pretty typical signs that you have tonsillitis:

• Sore throat
• Swollen and very red tonsils with a yellowish coating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Fatigue or lethargy

RELATED: 7 Signs You Could Have Strep Throat

How is tonsillitis diagnosed—and how is it treated?

Doctors typically begin a tonsillitis diagnosis with a medical history and current symptoms. Then, the provider will do a visual check of your throat and neck for redness or white spots on the tonsils (which can signal strep throat) and swollen lymph nodes. You may also need a rapid strep test or throat culture to check for strep throat. 

Once it's determined that you have tonsillitis, it’s treated with medication to relieve the pain and fever, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, along with antibiotics (if the tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection), per the USNLM. Using throat lozenges, gargling with salt water, and drinking tea may also help with symptoms.

In some cases, if you've had tonsillitis regularly, if bacterial tonsillitis doesn't get better with antibiotics, or your tonsils are so inflamed that you're having trouble breathing and swallowing, your doctor might recommend having a tonsillectomy, or a surgery to remove your tonsils. Luckily, that's often a same-day surgery and can take just 1–2 weeks to fully heal.

As for Cyrus, she hasn’t revealed why she was hospitalized for her tonsillitis or if she’s having surgery; but it seems like whatever happens, she'll be documenting it on Instagram. 

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October is springtime – the time of new beginnings – and now for the first time in South Africa October is officially Mental Health Awareness Month. 

This prompts us to say “Hope springs eternal”, as it hopefully heralds a new approach to public mental health care by Government. A lot needs to be done to normalise and humanise mental health in this country, but let’s hope that this is the first signs of a new approach.

Reducing stigma and discrimination

World Mental Health Awareness Day on 10 October, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been in existence for almost three decades.

The theme for 2019 is critically important: suicide prevention. The objective is not only educating the public about mental health, but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are subjected to – which far too often leads to depression and eventual suicide.

A recent US study found that between 2009 and 2017 the rate of depression among teenagers increased by more than 60%. Ideation, plans and attempts at suicide have also increased significantly in this age group.

Strategic Action Plan

Organisations such as the Ithemba Foundation – ithemba means hope in isiXhosa – and the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH), together with the WHO, have traditionally raised awareness of the importance of mental health on 10 October. 

The SAFMH is advocating that the so-called Strategic Action Plan form part of South Africa’s Mental Health Policy Framework, because without awareness all well-intended policies and action plans will have no effect.

In addition, the Department of Social Development has declared December National Disability Rights Awareness Month, which includes mental health. 

At the end of 2018, Government officially announced that from 2019 the entire October will be Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa. There are no clear answers, but it is believed that this decision is a result of the ombud report on the Life Esidimeni tragedy in which 143 people died in 2016.

According to SAFHM National Executive Director, Ms Bharti Patel, there is “definitely a lot of pressure” on the Department of Health to prioritise mental health.

Too few people seek treatment

In a Government declaration in December last year it was stated that mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and job stress are common in South Africa, affecting both individuals and the broader community. These problems also have a direct impact on workplaces through absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased costs.

A crucial fact is that although mental disorders can be treated, like any other disease, very few South Africans seek treatment. We are, however, not alone in this, as an estimated 400 million people worldwide suffer from mental disorders.

In May this year, during the US Mental Health Awareness Month, mental health activist and former First Lady, Rosalyn Carter, said, “We are at the beginning of a global mental health revolution.” Access to mental health services has never been more critical, she added. In the US mental disorders among children and adolescents have reached a crisis level, with the country experiencing its highest suicide rate in 50 years.

A new study in the United Kingdom also found that happiness among young people is at its lowest level in a decade. 

A disabled society

It’s clear: We need to end the silence and put pressure on governments and the private sector to prioritise mental health care.

With mental health disorders increasing globally, and with depression the leading cause of disability, according to the WHO, one in four of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our lives, also affecting those we love. It’s often easier to ignore the symptoms, but it is essential that we start speaking up about mental health.

If we don’t start paying more attention to mental health, we, as a society, will become more disabled, as we simply cannot function if people are sick. The time has come to let our voices be heard – first by empowering ourselves with knowledge about mental health and then by becoming activists, each and everyone of us. Without good mental health, we cannot be a successfully functioning nation. 

^Sources: 

^{https://www.gov.za/speeches/mental-health-awareness-month-2019}

^{https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/30/opinions/global-mental-health-revolution-rosalynn-carter-jallah/index.html}

^{https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders}

^{http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/viewFile/7938/5796https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/28/childhood-happiness-lowest-level-in-decade-says-report}

^{https://time.com/5550803/depression-suicide-rates-youth/?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20190901}

^{Professor Lizette Rabe of Stellenbosch University is the founder of the Ithemba Foundation – ithemba means hope – to raise awareness and support research.} 

Lizette Rabe

Most people who think they have chronic Lyme disease are more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome, say experts.

When high profile and apparently successful people die by suicide we sit up and take notice.

We wonder how it is possible that someone as successful feels that life has no meaning. We ask how it is possible that she or he has lost the will to continue living.

Important cause of death

There are many reasons why people feel helpless and hopeless enough to take their lives.

This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, the global community comes together to focus on suicide prevention. Globally, a person dies by suicide every 40 seconds! According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 800 000 people die by suicide annually with 78% of completed suicides in low and middle income countries.

Among people aged 15 to 29 years, suicide is one of the most important causes of death.  In South Africa there are an estimated 11 suicides per 100 000 people or 8% of deaths from all causes. This translates to about two suicides and 20 or more attempts per hour.

Children, young people, men, women, people from rural and urban areas, and people with little or many years of education – death by suicide occurs in all of these groups. 

There are many factors associated with suicides. These include loss of hope and a desire to live due to social isolation, feelings of failure (at school, university or at work), economic stress (unemployment), high levels of work related stress, interpersonal factors such as divorce, illnesses such as HIV, and depression as well being in chronic pain. 

The first step in assisting someone

Society today can be very harsh and lonely place. Social media also creates a certain amount of distance between people. We all have less time to stop and listen or speak to friends, colleagues or family members.

This year’s World Mental Health Day’s theme is “40 seconds of action” All one is asked to do is to spend some time listening to someone who needs to talk about whatever is bothering them. Recognising the signs of someone in distress is the first step in assisting someone.

Some of the signs to be aware of include: sadness, withdrawing from family and friends, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, loneliness, guilt, the typical signs of depression (not eating, not sleeping or sleeping all the time, no energy, low libido, poor personal hygiene), abusing alcohol and other substances (more than usual), thoughts of suicide which are sometimes expressed.  

There are a number of examples of what works in preventing people’s stresses taking over their lives to the point that they can’t cope. South Africa has a range of resources in communities, in work places and the health sector to assist people who have lost the will to live. Besides speaking to a friend, trusted family member, a member of the clergy, a respected elder, a traditional healer, organisations like LifeLine and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) have toll free numbers of that people call to speak to a lay counsellor.

In addition, health professionals in both the public and private sectors are available when people are in distress. It is very important to be compassionate and care – people in distress should not be stigmatised or told that they are being manipulative. Theirs is a genuine cry for help.

Listening to people

A psychiatrist in Zimbabwe trained lay health workers in helping people in problem solving. A bench (called the Friendship Bench) is placed in a quiet area, and local community members meet lay workers to talk about their problems, and are taught simple problem solving techniques.

Critical to this is listening to people and helping them to develop a concrete plan to deal with their everyday concerns and stresses. We often say that it takes a village to raise a child. It is also true that it takes a village to protect a soul that is lost. Anyone can feel desperate enough or lonely enough to contemplate taking their lives.

What is needed is for society at large, communities, families and friends to care enough to lend an ear for just 40 seconds on 10 October and every day to listen and support a friend, colleague or even a stranger.

Let us work towards a more caring society for those that are most vulnerable and in need of our support. Every one of us can make a difference in the lives of others. Let`s improve awareness of the significance of suicide as a global public health problem. Join the conversation on #40seconds and #WorldMentalHealthDay.

Dr Yogan Pillay is DDG (Deputy Director-General) Dept of Health South Africa 

^{Image credit: iStock}

Dr Yogan Pillay