7 Reasons To Live From Text Crisis Counselor Who Once Wanted To Die

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Updated Mar 9, 2025 | 06:44 PM IST

Once Suicidal, Counselor Shares 8 Solid Reasons To Live—Number 3 Is My Favorite

SummarySuicide is not the solution to problems. If you are feeling depressed or lonely, you should know that there are people who care about you and that future holds possibilities of greater things.

Suicide kills over 7,20,000 people every year, and I would admit that I have been there, too. I was fascinated with the idea of a new life, wherein I no longer had to be myself, where things would have been different. The life that I am currently living feels like a struggle, and I feel extremely lonely. My career was plunging, and so were my relationships with others. It was then that I underwent therapy, and life has not been the same since then.

Here are a few things you should know, as per counsellor Sam Dylan Finch, who was once suicidal

You Are Not As Lonely As You Feel

Many individuals in crisis believe that no one cares about them, leading to feelings of shame or fear that prevent them from opening up. This often results in further withdrawal and isolation. While it may seem like everyone is preoccupied with their own lives, the reality is that people are often unaware of what is going on in someone else’s mind. If they knew, they would likely be willing to listen or help in any way possible.

Distress Can Cloud Solutions

During a crisis, distress can be overwhelming, making it seem like the only reality. The natural urge to escape pain can lead to thoughts of suicide as a seemingly immediate relief. However, this is often a case of tunnel vision—a perspective that distorts reality by presenting only one possible outcome. This perception is misleading.

Whether facing loneliness, abuse, job insecurity, or any other challenge, no situation is insurmountable. Solutions may exist, even if they are not immediately visible, which is why it is essential to allow yourself time.

Nothing Is Final Until It Is Over

In a crisis, feeling trapped is common. You may believe that you have lost all chances at the life you desired or that a meaningful relationship is permanently severed. However, suicidal thoughts often arise from desperation and helplessness—emotions that are not permanent. In this case, focusing on facts can give you clarity.

Emotions Are Temporary

No matter how overwhelming loneliness, hopelessness, or anger may feel now, these emotions will change over time. They are not permanent states. Circumstances evolve. Mistakes or missteps do not mean the end of opportunities. Continuing to move forward provides a chance to regain control and make positive changes.

Finding Meaning In Life

Chronic health conditions, emotional struggles, or a lack of fulfillment can make life seem pointless. When joy and significance appear absent, giving up might feel like the only option. Yet, life does hold meaning. The challenge is to recognize or create it. It may not always be grand or transformative, but it is there. Identifying personal strengths, past goals, and meaningful connections can help you rediscover purpose.

Mistakes Do Not Define You

Struggles can lead to actions or words that cause pain, intensifying feelings of guilt and self-doubt. It is common to believe that those who are hurt are better off without you, which can further reinforce negative thoughts. However, the fact that someone feels hurt often indicates that they care. This can serve as motivation to apologize, seek reconciliation, or repair relationships. Everyone makes mistakes. Acknowledging them and taking steps to improve allows for personal growth and the opportunity to rebuild relationships—including the one with yourself.

Time Can Help Ease Pain

Suicide is often described as a permanent solution to temporary struggles. While some problems may not be temporary, time allows for healing and change. Trauma and loss do not disappear, but they can be processed in a way that allows for a fulfilling future. The key is giving life the opportunity to unfold in unexpected and positive ways.

Future Remains Unwritten.

Living with uncertainty takes courage. The unknown can be intimidating, and fear of future hardships can prevent forward movement. However, the future is unpredictable. While difficulties may arise, so too can unexpected joys and opportunities. Preparing for potential challenges is wise, but it is equally important to remain open to positive possibilities.

So, no matter how bad the situation gets, there is always hope. If you or someone around you is feeling suicidal, you can call 911 (US), 111 (NHS UK). There are various other suicide prevention helpline numbers available in India and other countries. Remember, ending your life is never the solution.

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What Is Swimmer's Itch? How To Get Rid Of This Common Summertime Rash

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Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 08:01 PM IST

What Is Swimmer's Itch? How To Get Rid Of This Common Summertime Rash

SummaryYou can identify swimmer’s itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, from the little red dots that appear on your skin after you've been exposed to the parasites.

Swimmer's itch is a rash caused by an allergic reaction to the larvae of microscopic parasites that are found in both fresh and saltwater. These parasites commonly live in snails, which secrete larvae into the water, per the CDC.

Swimming in contaminated water for even a short period of time can cause swimmer’s itch, and after you come in contact with the larvae, “when the skin dries off, those parasites burrow under people's skin and cause an itchy rash,” says Dr. Christina Boull, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Read on to learn what symptoms to look out for and precautions you can take to prevent this uncomfortable summertime rash.

What Is Swimmer's Itch?

You can identify swimmer’s itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, from the little red dots that appear on your skin after you’ve been exposed to the parasites, Boull says. The rash will likely manifest on skin that was directly exposed to the water as opposed to skin protected by your bathing suit. For this reason, your arms and legs are particularly vulnerable to swimmer’s itch, she says.

These dots typically appear 12 hours after exposure, and over the next day or two, some people may experience a more severe reaction with welts and blisters. “One of the main risk factors of complications from this rash would be a secondary bacterial infection.” If you scratch the rash, there’s a possibility of staph bacteria getting under your skin, leaving your body vulnerable to developing staph infections such as impetigo or cellulitis, she says.

What Can Be Mistaken For Swimmer's Itch?

When it comes to swimming in the ocean, seabather’s eruption is a rash that presents similar symptoms to swimmer’s itch. In terms of identifying whether your rash is swimmer’s itch or sea bather’s eruption, the latter tends to develop under a swimsuit, Boull explains. Comparatively, swimmer’s itch is more likely to appear in areas that are not protected by a swimsuit, she reiterates. Additionally, because swimmer’s itch presents as small red bumps, it is also commonly mistaken as bites caused by small bugs, such as gnats or mosquitoes, Boull says.

How Do You Get Rid Of Swimmer's Itch?

"The good news is that it spontaneously resolves," Boull says. Because people are the preferred hosts of the mites, they don’t live in the skin very long. Typically, the rash and itch significantly improve over the course of a week, although it's possible for it to last as long as three weeks, she says.

To quell the itching of the rash, Boull suggests 1% hydrocortisone, an over the counter topical steroid cream. She also recommends taking an oral antihistamine. In cases of severe itch, prescription oral prednisone and oral cortisone medicines can help relieve itch and inflammation.

If your swimmer’s itch has developed into blistering, open sores, and you’re experiencing fever, it could be signs of a secondary bacterial infection. In this case, it’s essential you see a doctor who can prescribe you oral antibiotics, Boull says.

Does Showering Kill Shower's Itchh?

The parasites that cause swimmer’s itch can only burrow into your skin after you’ve dried off. “So, it's really important after getting out of a lake or areas where you're swimming that would have snails, that you take a towel and really wipe the water off your skin.” Showering after you’ve gotten out of the water can also help prevent the parasites from getting underneath your skin.

Does chlorine damage hair? Here’s how to protect your hair this swim season.

Snails tend to prefer warm, shallow water, so avoiding these areas can limit the possibility of exposure to the parasites. Finally, take note of no-swim zone signs that may indicate whether there are pathogens in the water.

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People With Schizophrenia Show Distinct Brain Activity Under Conflict

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Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 06:45 PM IST

People With Schizophrenia Show Distinct Brain Activity With Conflicting Information

SummaryNeural pathways of schizophrenics work differently as compared to those without the condition when faced with conflicts in decision making, scientists have found.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterised by significant disruptions in thought, perception, emotion and social interaction. Classic symptoms of this neurological condition include jumping to conclusions or difficulty adjusting to new information. According to scientists, the symptoms are a result of poor communication between the cerebral cortex and thalamus, which is known as the brain's central switchboard.

Recently, a team of researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine found that the neural pathways of schizophrenics work differently as compared to those without the condition when faced with conflicts in decision making. The discovery was made by measuring brain cell activity between the cerebral cortex and thalamus, as volunteers completed ambiguous tasks.

How Was The Research Performed?

For the research, scientists asked about 40 participants—a mixture of neurotypical individuals and patients with schizophrenia—to correctly choose a target's location based on a sequence of cues. However, the scientists made these cues more or less conflicting. For healthy people, performance was very good even when the conflict was high. But for schizophrenics, there were two different behaviours. They had comparable behaviour to controls when there was little conflict, however, they made many more errors with higher conflict levels, which were tolerated well by controls.

The study is important because over the course of evolution, the human brain has developed a system to make decisions in complicated situations. The prefrontal cortex, specifically the dorsolateral and orbitofrontal areas, is responsible for making decisions. His region integrates information from various brain areas, allows for reasoning and judgment, and ultimately guides decisions that align with our goals and desires.

How Is Brain Impacted During Schizophrenia?

In schizophrenia, the brain experiences structural and chemical changes that disrupt normal thinking, emotions, and behaviour. Research shows that people with schizophrenia often have reduced grey matter volume, particularly in areas involved in memory, emotion, and decision-making, like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Abnormalities in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and glutamate, also play a key role, leading to symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive difficulties. Connectivity between different brain regions may become impaired, affecting the brain's ability to process information smoothly. These changes typically emerge gradually, often beginning in late adolescence or early adulthood, and vary significantly from person to person.

How To Identify Schizophrenia?

Schizotypal Personality Disorder is part of Cluster A personality disorders. Other disorders in this cluster include paranoid personality disorder and schizoid personality disorder. Individuals with this condition struggle with social and interpersonal skills, especially when forming close relationships. This occurs alongside eccentric behaviour and perceptual or cognitive distortions.

According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), schizophrenia is diagnosed based on a set of specific symptoms. Here's the list of core symptoms:

  • Delusions – strong false beliefs not based in reality (e.g., believing you are being persecuted or have special powers).
  • Hallucinations – hearing, seeing, or sensing things that aren't actually there (most commonly auditory hallucinations).
  • Disorganised speech – frequent derailment, incoherence, or illogical conversation.
  • Grossly disorganised or catatonic behavior – unpredictable agitation, inappropriate behaviour, or lack of movement/responsiveness.
  • Negative symptoms – diminished emotional expression, reduced motivation (avolition), reduced speech (alogia), social withdrawal, or inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia).

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'Hot Girls Have IBS': Why Women Are More Likely To Suffer From IBS? Signs You Shouldn't ignore

Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 04:30 PM IST

'Hot Girls Have IBS': Why Women Are More Likely To Suffer From IBS? Signs You Shouldn't ignore

SummaryWomen are twice as likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome as men, with hormonal fluctuations, stress, and mental health issues playing major roles in gut health and symptom severity.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a complex, often misinterpreted and even misdiagnosed gastrointestinal condition that disproportionately affects women. With symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and cramping in the abdomen, IBS may cause life to be significantly altered. However, despite its familiarity, social stigma tends to deter women from seeking needed assistance. Familiarization with the symptoms, risks, and treatments is required for enhancing physical and mental health.

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, between 25 to 45 million Americans have IBS, two-thirds of them women—young adults and often. Though no one yet fully understands the underlying cause for the gender disparity, hormonal fluctuations clearly seem to play a strong factor. According to studies, GI symptoms usually get worse at some point during the menstrual cycle, and post-menopausal women with IBS experience worse symptoms, increased fatigue, anxiety, and diminished quality of life.

Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may also affect the gut, but this relationship is under research. Further, women suffering from gynecological diseases such as endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) typically experience increased pelvic and abdominal pain, which points to similar mechanisms for reproductive and gastrointestinal health.

Why IBS Feels More Than Just an Upset Stomach?

IBS is not limited to painful bowel habits- diarrhea and constipation can aggravate or lead to hemorrhoids, and diet restriction for symptom relief can result in nutritional deficiencies. Psychologically, the disease's impact tends to cause isolation, discouragement, and depression, severely impairing quality of life.

New research also points to the gut-brain axis—a communication network between the gut and the brain—that is crucial to IBS. Persistent stress, a widespread problem in women, may worsen symptoms by disrupting this important link. Not surprising, therefore, are anxiety and depression as both risk factors for, and consequences of, IBS.

IBS Symptoms To Watch For

While IBS in itself is not usually troublesome, long-term change in bowel habits may indicate a more serious disorder, like cancer of the colon or rectum. Specialists at Mayo Clinic recommend undergoing medical assessment if the symptoms involve bleeding in the rectum, unexplained loss of weight, or regular change in the bowel movement. Diagnosis usually takes a "diagnosis of exclusion" approach, excluding other gastrointestinal disorders before diagnosing IBS.

Perhaps the most infuriating part of IBS is how it's diagnosed. There's no test to give a firm answer; doctors make educated guesses based on symptom patterns and excluding other possibilities. In a nationwide study conducted at Cedars-Sinai in December 2023, researchers found that IBS is more prevalent than once thought, an observation that speaks volumes about a desperate need for more effective diagnostic testing and education of patients.

While IBS can impact anyone, it tends to be more prevalent among women. Studies show a higher prevalence rate of 12% in women compared to 8.6% in men. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly around the menstrual cycle, appear to play a significant role in how symptoms manifest and intensify.

In fact, many women with IBS report a noticeable worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms during their menstrual periods. This pattern highlights the connection between hormonal changes and gut health. Beyond typical digestive distress, women with IBS frequently encounter a broader set of complications that can affect their overall well-being.

Common Symptoms of IBS in Women:

  • Constipation and/or diarrhea, often alternating
  • Persistent bloating and abdominal discomfort
  • Fatigue and low energy levels
  • Exacerbation of menstrual symptoms, such as cramping and pain
  • Urinary symptoms, including urgency and frequency
  • Chronic pelvic pain that overlaps with gynecological conditions
  • Pelvic organ prolapse, especially in severe or long-standing cases
  • Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Increased incidence of migraines
  • Higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders

Are Your Hormones Making Your Digestive Symptoms Worse?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women does not seem to significantly relieve IBS symptoms, but it can change the gut microbiome—an ecosystem increasingly seen as vital to digestive well-being. Some early data also indicate that the immune systems of women might contribute to IBS development. Since women are more prone to autoimmune disorders, these results present yet another potential explanation for the gender disparity of IBS cases.

Stress isn't solely an issue of mental health—it appears physically, particularly in the stomach. Women, being more susceptible to anxiety and stress, are thus more susceptible to stress-related IBS attacks. The gut-brain axis makes this interaction possible, with distress signals going back and forth between the intestines and the brain. Tackling mental health is thus a necessary part of IBS management.

Why a One-Size-Fits-All Treatment Doesn't Work for IBS in Women?

IBS management is individualized because symptoms and exacerbating factors differ greatly. Gastroenterologists, functional medicine physicians, and nutritionists tend to work together to develop tailored treatment plans. Diet continues to be a fundamental aspect of IBS management, with the low FODMAP diet becoming the gold standard. This entails limiting consumption of certain fermentable carbohydrates that may worsen symptoms.

Alongside dietary treatments, the exploding gut health market provides new choices—from probiotics to fiber supplements—that are de-stigmatizing gut care. And with the global wellness market for gut supplements estimated to grow from $9 billion to $19 billion by 2033, it is unmistakable that both treatment opportunities and public knowledge are shifting.

What is The "Hot Girls Have IBS" Movement?

The catchphrase "Hot Girls Have IBS" came into vogue in 2019, illuminating the prevalence of the disease among young women. What was originally a joking meme has developed into a moving recognition that struggles with gut health are real, prevalent, and not something to be embarrassed about. As gut health becomes an important cornerstone of wellness culture, more women are speaking out, getting help, and initiating frank discussions about something previously considered shameful.

IBS is much more than an in-convenient digestive problem—it's a complex condition that affects physical well-being, emotional health, and overall quality of life. Particularly for women, disproportionately impacted, early recognition of the symptoms and personalized, holistic treatment can turn life with IBS from one of quiet agony to empowered control. As awareness increases and stigma decreases, the future promises well for millions living with this chronic but controllable condition.

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