Mark Myers expert answer to: Is it possible for Autism to go unrecognized?

Usually, a diagnosis of autism is made when someone is a child, around age three or four years of age. Symptoms of this diagnosis become more obvious as a child struggles to meet the demands of his or her world. Social, language, and behavioral problems or deficits begin to stand out.

Often times a child may be given a diagnosis other than Autism yet still be Autistic. If the symptoms the child is experiencing are intense, the diagnosis of Autism may be overlooked as attention is given to the more overt symptoms.

An example would be a child who has Asperger (one of the five diagnosis that fall under Autism) may be missing social cues that could be interpreted as defiant. This could lead to a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and therapy could go in a completely different direction.

Also, with Asperger, some of the challenges a child experiences may fall under the radar and not be quite as noticeable. Something may be going on in that person's life as a teenager that were not apparent earlier for him or her. This may make a diagnosis of Autism more clear. Autistic symptoms may stand out more, for example, if a child is put in a more challenging environment. As well, if a person has figured out ways to cope with some of the symptoms of Autism, it is possible they could go through life without being diagnosed.

Mark Myers expert answer to: How can I manage my anger?

When anger is mismanaged, the problems it can create could vary. Often physical problems such as ulcers, high blood pressure, and gastro problems could occur. Other problems such as social and relationship problems, occupational problems, and law problems could also present themselves.
When trying to figure out destructive anger, it is important to realize that anger could serve many functions for us. Examples include: getting our way through anger episodes, feeling superior to others, feeling powerful, expressing thoughts (especially hurt), discharging excessive energy, remaining a victim (not taking action but focusing on what is making you angry), and increasing production and motivation. In order to change the way you deal with your anger, you need to be willing or motivated to change. This would involve giving up the advantages you experience when angry.

Managing your anger involves rethinking the way you look at problems, creating more awareness to patterns to your anger, utilizing relaxation techniques, and making lifestyle changes.
We cannot escape from anger. This is a natural human emotion. However we are able to control anger. If you have continual problems in managing your anger, discuss this with a therapist.

How do you know if your teenager needs to see a therapist?

Teenagers are not always able to articulate what they are feeling. At this age they are going through many changes, which include hormonal, psychological, physical, and social. It is common that we may see a child struggle at some point during these years. Complicating matters, teenagers may not verbalize these feelings to peers for fear of being different or to adults because they may feel they will not understand. Therefore, adults may need to look for behaviors that stand out to indicate a youth may be struggling emotionally.

The following are indicators a child may need to see a therapist:
• Extreme or intense anger
• Slip in grades
• Isolating
• Change of friends
• Low opinion of self
• Lack of interest in activities
• Anxiousness
• Change in sleeping habits
• Poor concentration
• Behavior challenges in school
• Talking about death and dying
• Change of eating habits
• Avoiding family
• Change of appearance

These behaviors may not mean there is a problem, but nonetheless would be important to broach the subject with a child. Showing a child you care and want to listen to them go a long way with teenagers. If this discussion does not put you at ease, it would be advisable to introduce them to therapy. Even though a teenager may initially be reluctant to go to therapy, it still would be beneficial. If a teenager establishes a good connection with a therapist, they will understand therapy is a safe place for them to discuss their problems.

Mark Myers expert answer to: How is Bipolar different from Depression?

Bipolar disorder or manic depressive disorder is a disorder that causes a shift in moods.  These shifts in moods are more significant than the average person may feel on a day to day basis.   The mood shifts for someone who is bi polar are more significant and intense and most of the times create problems in a person’s life. 

The symptoms usually appear in the late teens or early adulthood, although it is not unusual for a child or older adult to be diagnosed with this disorder.  Approximately half of the cases are diagnosed prior to age 25.

The symptoms would include mood shifts of mania and depression.  The manic symptoms would include: irritability; extreme energy; behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable high-risk behaviors, such as, spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investment; racing thoughts, lack of sleep, agitation, and in some cases psychotic features such as delusions or hallucinations.  The depressive side include: sadness; guilt; anger; isolation; or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; loss of interest in sexual activity; lack of motivation; and suicidal ideation.

The key difference is someone with a diagnosis of depression will not experience the mood swings or manic phase. Sometimes the manic phase may not be easily diagnosed or seen.  A person with a bipolar disorder may under report these symptoms or they may not be clearly identified. Furthermore, a person suffering from a bi polar disorder may not quickly want to address these symptoms.  There are some symptoms in the manic phase that they find enjoyable or even productive.  They may not see a concern about addressing them as significant others may.  Lastly, if the wrong medication is prescribed this could exacerbate the symptoms which could lead to a psychotic episode.

The recommended course of treatment would be seeing a psychiatrist for medication management as well as a therapist for talk therapy.  Family involvement is also helpful.  Educating family about signs and symptoms as well as offering support for them is an important part of the therapy.

Understanding Hair Testing for Drug Analysis

Drug testing is used by courts, concerned parents, and places of employment to determine if an individual has been using drugs.  The two Drug testing methods most widely used are Hair Analysis and Urine Analysis.  Each test, although taken by different methods, determine if there are certain substances or metabolites in a person’s system as a result of using certain drugs.

In testing for hair, a sample of hair as close to the scalp as possible is gathered.  It should be around two inches long, with approximately 120 strands of hair needed for an accurate analysis.  The sample of hair would be rejected if not long enough or if it is contaminated with lice. Hair collected from a hair brush cannot be used. The hair collected from body parts other than the hair has not been determined to be reliable because the growth rate and rates of incorporation of drugs into the hair from other locations has not been studied as extensively as that of head hair.

This first method of testing is called Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay or ELISA.  Samples that test positive in the initial screening process are retested using a more intensive testing method.  This method is called gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry or GC/MS/MS.  It is a more intensive testing method is used to ensure reliability of the test results.  It is more expensive method of testing and therefore is only used as means to confirm initial positive results.

The turnaround time (time results are known) is consistent with urinalysis.  Negative results should be known within twenty four hours of receipt and positive results are confirmed within forty eight-seventy two hours of receipt.  The drugs that are tested for include: Amphetamines (Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, MDMA and MDA), Opiates (Codeine and Morphine), Cocaine (and Cocaine metabolites), Marijuana metabolite (THC), and PCP.

Hair tests are able to detect drug use from four days to ninety days.  When you compare it to urinalysis, hair tests are limited in being able to detect more recent use.  Urinalysis is able to determine substances as soon as twenty four hours (depending on the substance), while hair analysis is unable to detect for up to four days back (depending on hair growth).  If someone tests positive for substances, urinalysis would be better suited to monitor future substance usage as opposed to hair analysis.

Mark Myers expert answer to: What are the signs of Depression?

A person may be depressed for a variety of different reasons including: a life event (death of loved one, divorce), substance abuse, a situation in life (being in an unhappy marriage), a feeling of depression without any noticeable starting point, a medical condition or any combination of the above.

The symptoms of depression include any of the following symptoms: feeling sad for most of day, decrease in pleasurable pursuits, weight gain/weight loss, fatigue, feeling guilty or worthless, isolating, sleep difficulties, difficulties concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death. Any single one of these symptoms could bring a person to see their doctor or.

Diagnosing depression may not seem as easy as one would think. A person may be depressed but not necessarily identify their symptoms as being the cause. Some one may see a doctor for sleep difficulties, but upon further questioning might have other symptoms of depression. A thorough exam should uncover other symptoms that would lead to a diagnosis of depression. If any of the aforementioned symptoms persist for a while or impact your life, you should seek out help. If you are seeking out help from your doctor, it is important for both patient and doctor to discuss other symptoms or events that are occurring in a person's life as opposed to just looking at the initial symptoms.