Researchers wanted to know whether service members become more susceptible to PTSD due to the emotional trauma of combat, or because a concussion physically alters the brain in a way that intensifies anxiety and fear. Potentially thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may have developed PTSD after sustaining a concussion from a bomb blast on the battlefield.

Researchers assessed more than 1,600 Iraq and Afghanistan troops both prior to deployment and three months after their return. Service members who sustained brain trauma while deployed were twice as likely to develop PTSD in comparison to uninjured veterans.

According to the findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, concussions and other brain injuries can change the way the brain reacts to a frightening situation. The injury disturbs the electrical activity in parts of the brain that normally regulate emotional reactions such as tempering responses to fear.

“The result is like a car with no brake,” said biomedical physicist Mingxiong Huang, of the University of California, San Diego. Researchers plan to continue investigating the brain circuitry involved in both TBI and PTSD in order to gain a better understanding of their connection.

60% of these young caregivers remarked that care giving had negative impacts on their performance and attendance at school.   In fact, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation study found that 22% of high school dropouts attribute caring for a family member to leaving school.

Many of the young caregivers mention feeling isolated from their friends because there was no time for after-school interaction.  Some cited lack of support from school personnel.  For these students, being labeled as a slacker because they fall asleep or are inattentive in class is common.

A youthful community the size of San Diego, care for grandparents, parents and other family members suffering from diseases including cancer, dementia, mental illness, diabetes, ALS, HIV and other chronic illnesses.  Instead of spending time with peers and school activities, they bathe, feed and keep confused loved ones from wandering.  70% say they are a caregiver for a parent or grandparent, some spending 50% of their time doing so.

Instead of recognizing their quiet generosity and the emotional and economic stress experienced by the young caregivers, society and funding focuses on the adult caregiver.

So what can the rest of us do to support the youth who care for their loved ones?

• Besides asking about the patient, ask them how they are doing.
• Rather than buying something for the family, visit them.  Personal interaction has more meaning, social benefit and is more rewarding for everyone.
• Learn more about the youth caregiver by going to http://www.aacy.org/.
• Teachers can help other students understand the challenges of the young caregivers so they don’t feel so isolated.
• Community and health organizations can start online support groups where caregivers interact with their peers who are experiencing similar issues.

This begs acknowledgment as a serious and growing public health issue.  Communities, insurance companies, social organizations and providers should direct more resources to improve it.

If you need help arranging care for the elderly, please contact us.

The post The Little Known Youth Caregiver Among Us appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.

60% of these young caregivers remarked that care giving had negative impacts on their performance and attendance at school.   In fact, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation study found that 22% of high school dropouts attribute caring for a family member to leaving school.

Many of the young caregivers mention feeling isolated from their friends because there was no time for after-school interaction.  Some cited lack of support from school personnel.  For these students, being labeled as a slacker because they fall asleep or are inattentive in class is common.

A youthful community the size of San Diego, care for grandparents, parents and other family members suffering from diseases including cancer, dementia, mental illness, diabetes, ALS, HIV and other chronic illnesses.  Instead of spending time with peers and school activities, they bathe, feed and keep confused loved ones from wandering.  70% say they are a caregiver for a parent or grandparent, some spending 50% of their time doing so.

Instead of recognizing their quiet generosity and the emotional and economic stress experienced by the young caregivers, society and funding focuses on the adult caregiver.

So what can the rest of us do to support the youth who care for their loved ones?

• Besides asking about the patient, ask them how they are doing.
• Rather than buying something for the family, visit them.  Personal interaction has more meaning, social benefit and is more rewarding for everyone.
• Learn more about the youth caregiver by going to http://www.aacy.org/.
• Teachers can help other students understand the challenges of the young caregivers so they don’t feel so isolated.
• Community and health organizations can start online support groups where caregivers interact with their peers who are experiencing similar issues.

This begs acknowledgment as a serious and growing public health issue.  Communities, insurance companies, social organizations and providers should direct more resources to improve it.

If you need help arranging care for the elderly, please contact us.

The post The Little Known Youth Caregiver Among Us appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.