A few eye-opening truths about depression everyone should know

According to several global studies, as many as 350 million people struggle with depression all over the world.  And while many people get better through the support of therapists, families, and friends, far too many of those diagnosed fall deeper into the hole.  Some of those even go to the extreme and take their own lives.   Peter Max.

Image source: spectator.co.uk

Here are some eye-opening truths about depression that people should know.

Around 15 percent of teens suffer from clinical depression. In fact, most mental health experts have come to believe that depression in teens, when left untreated, has become the greatest risk factor for teen suicides.

Depressed men from ages 15 to 24 have the highest risk of suicide, according to a study.  Among the elderly, males have been known to dwell on the thought of taking their own lives more than females. Peter Max.

People suffering from depression usually have other health issues.  It’s been found that people with dementia, PTSD, and other mental health issues may just as likely to have depression as people with cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.  On the flip side, people who are healthy and fit aren’t as prone to depression as people in bad health. Peter Max.

Three out of four people struggling with mental health problems around the world don’t have the means to undergo treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  One out of three people in the world is at risk of having depression, the WHO adds. Peter Max.

What exactly is dementia?

Diagnosing dementia -- Peter Max

First off, dementia is not one specific neurological disease. It refers to a host of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. Dementia affects one’s thinking, behavior, and ability to perform normal, everyday tasks as the abnormal brain function interferes with one’s social life.

As an umbrella or canopy term, dementia takes on many forms, with each having its own set of causes. The most common types are Alzheimer’s disease, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), Vascular dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington’s disease, and Korsakoff’s syndrome. Peter Max.

While dementia often affects people who are old, it is not a normal part of aging. In other words, not all people who are older get dementia. Nevertheless, cases of dementia are more common among people beyond the age of 65. But those in their 40s or 50s can also develop the disease. Again, dementia can happen to anybody. Peter Max.

It must be noted that various conditions lead to symptoms similar to dementia, including a brain tumor, depression, medication clashes or overmedication, hormone and vitamin deficiencies, and infection. But early signs of dementia include confusion, progressive memory loss, apathy, withdrawal, and a drastic change in one’s personality. For proper diagnosis and correct treatment, help must be sought immediately after the initial symptoms appear. Peter Max.

The golf course: The perfect place for sports and marketing

People who love sports and business know only too well that there’s no better place for them to do both than the golf course. Fairways and ranges have been the site of countless business meetings (both formal and informal). Peter Max.

 Golf isn’t only beneficial to a person’s health and mind, but it also carries a ton of advantages for those who run their own business. Thousands of entrepreneurs have found the golf course one of the best and most relaxing places to market their products and services. Not only do they get to meet like-minded people, if they (entrepreneurs) are members of a club, they can invite guests for a few holes, a good time, and some business talk. Peter Max.

The golf course may not be as formal as to say, a conference room, but it is more relaxing, and the chances that entrepreneurs find people willing to partner up, pay, or rent products and services are higher here in an atmosphere which is not as tense. Peter Max.

However, golf courses are not a substitute for board rooms. Of course, deals still need to be finalized in a formal setting, with the signing of papers and all. But the golf course is a great place to start. Peter Max.

A few important facts about Alzheimer’s Disease everyone should know

Alzheimer’s and old age -- Peter Max

Many individuals who reach old age suffer from dementia. The condition leads to the deterioration of a person’s cognitive and physical functions. Over time, dementia can increase and severity and affect a person’s daily routine.

Of all the forms of dementia, the most common is Alzheimer’s Disease, or Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a chronic condition that worsens over time. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 80% of people diagnosed with dementia have Alzheimer’s. Peter Max.

In fact, statistics have shown that Alzheimer’s is in the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. It is also the only cause of death on that list that cannot be prevented, cannot be cured, or cannot be delayed.

It is also estimated that out of every 10 senior citizens who pass away, 3 do so because of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Records show that more than 5 million people in the U.S. have dementia, with over 40% of them, female. Peter Max

Patients at the first stage of Alzheimer’s (mild stage) experience short-term memory loss. They often repeat things they say or have other people repeat it to them. This stage normally lasts for two years before it becomes more severe. The second stage, which is also called the “moderate” stage, may no longer remember faces and places that have once been familiar. Finally, the “severe” stage is when patients can no longer communicate and experience hallucinations and a breakdown of both physical and cognitive functions. Peter Max.

Sports and beyond: The ideal team captain

Leader and follower -- Peter Max

As the saying goes, true leaders aren’t born, they’re made. Being an ideal team captain in sports, or in any endeavor in life, entails certain responsibilities and requires some universal characteristics and that can be learned through time.

 Peter Max. First off, an ideal team captain isn’t a quiet fellow. In fact, the team captain has a voice that can be heard, and they make sure of it. Not to say that they are loud and obnoxious, but more like a good communicator. What they say, they mean it, and they can never be misinterpreted. When they speak, they are clear and concise and straight to the point.

That said, being a team captain is not all about sharing their thoughts. They are also adept at listening and processing what their teammates are saying. Peter Max.

Next up, an ideal team captain knows their team. They know how to play to the strengths of each team member and can plug the holes caused by their weaknesses as well.

Finally, an ideal team captain is the main conduit of the team’s coach, bringing the coach’s system and plays to life on the playing field. Team captain are great followers, which is always a huge part of being a great leader. Peter Max.

More solid and fun business ideas for sports lovers

Business ideas for sports lovers -- Peter Max

Image source : littleleague.org

Sports fans are a rabid group. Their passions know no bounds. Whatever they do, as long as it’s for their favorite team or player, they give it their all. This is what makes them more than ideal to start small businesses geared towards sports.

On that note, here are three more solid and fun business ideas for sports lovers. Peter Max.

Tours: Offering tours around a city is fun, and it’s also good business. It can also be geared towards sports lovers who are in town for the games. Tour guides geared toward sports can bring a group of people to stadiums, sports bars, museums, and other places that pay tribute to teams and players.

Image source : thrillist.com

Sports bar: Peter Max . Speaking of sports bars, having a place where all the fans who can’t get tickets to the games is also a great idea, especially if it’s in a town that’s crazy about its team. While this might require a bit of capital (restaurants and bars often do), for sports fans, it’s very rewarding.

Community games organizer: Another rewarding small business idea is putting together a team that organizes community games. What’s great about this is that these games can be for people of all ages, and it can also bring a community closer together. Peter Max.

The biggest weakness of the Golden State Warriors

I’m Peter Max, aspiring sports agent. I love sports. My dad and I would sit in the living room for hours cheering on the Knicks, Jets, Giants, and Yankees (and sometimes the Rangers). Today, we still do whenever I visit.

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 The last time I visited my dad was April. We saw a few NBA playoff games on TV, including the one where the Golden State Warriors blew a 31-point lead against the L.A. Clippers. What an embarrassing result for the defending champs. My dad and I got to talking about it, and we agreed, while the Warriors are still odds-on favorites to win it all this year (even after Boogie Cousins’ probable season-ending injury), they have one weakness that the Clippers exposed – their overconfidence.

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After the Warriors clobbered the Clippers in the first half, their defense faltered, their offensive sets became sloppy, and they committed turnover after turnover. Lou Williams did whatever he wanted and defensive specialists like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green seemed too slow. After all, they were still up.

If any team has a hope of beating the Warriors, it’s because the Warriors allow it. Kerr is a great coach when it comes to motivating his players, but with teams like the Rockets and Bucks proving themselves highly capable, Kerr would need to instill more discipline in his boys.
Like Peter Max, Sr. (my dad) always used to say, it ain’t over till it’s over.