Motion sickness (travel sickness): Causes, remedies, and symptoms

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Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear. It is caused by repeated motion from a vehicle or any other movements that disturb the inner ear.

Some people experience nausea and even vomiting when riding in an airplane, automobile, or amusement park ride. One study, published in PloS one in 2013, suggested that 3-D movies can also cause nausea.

This condition is generally called motion sickness. When riding on a boat or ship, it is commonly referred to as sea sickness – but it is the same disorder.

Fast facts on motion sickness:

• There is no difference between motion sickness and sea sickness.
• Individuals and animals without a functional vestibular (balance) system are immune to motion sickness.
• Without the motion-sensing organs of the inner ear, motion sickness does not occur, suggesting that the inner ear is important in motion sickness.
• The symptoms of motion sickness include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

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Share on PinterestMotion sickness is thought to be caused by conflicting signals in the inner ear, eyes, and sensory receptors.

Motion is sensed by the brain through different pathways of the nervous system including the inner ear, the eyes, and the tissues of the body surface.

When the body is moved intentionally, for example when walking, the input from all of the pathways are coordinated by our brain.

The symptoms of motion sickness appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the sensory systems: the inner ear, eyes, skin pressure receptors, and the muscle and joint sensory receptors.

As an example, if someone is sat on a boat or in a car (not looking out of a window), their inner ears sense movement up and down, left and right, but their eyes see a static view, as if they are not moving at all. It is hypothesized that the conflict among the inputs is responsible for motion sickness.

Serious symptoms include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• pallor
• sweating
• drooling
• short breath
• dizziness
• drowsiness

Other common signs are:

• sweating
• a general feeling of discomfort
• not feeling well (malaise)

Mild symptoms are categorized as:

• headache
• mild unease
• yawning

Most cases of motion sickness are mild and self-treatable.

Very severe cases, and those that become progressively worse, deserve the attention and care of a physician with special skill in diseases of the ear, balance (equilibrium), and nervous system.

To help diagnose motion sickness, a doctor will ask about symptoms and find out what usually causes the problem (such as riding in a boat, flying in a plane, or driving in a car). Laboratory tests are generally not necessary to diagnose motion sickness.

The distressing symptoms of motion sickness usually stop when the motion causing it ceases. But this is not always true. There are people who suffer symptoms for even a few days after the trip is over. Most people who have had motion sickness in the past ask their doctor how to prevent it next time. The following remedies may help:

Looking at the horizon

One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window of the moving vehicle and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.

Keeping eyes closed and napping

In the night, or in a ship without windows, it is helpful to simply close one’s eyes, or if possible, take a nap. This resolves the input conflict between the eyes and the inner ear.

Chewing

Share on PinterestChewing gum is a simple way of reducing motion sickness.

A simple method for relieving common and mild car sickness is chewing. Chewing gum has an uncanny effectiveness for reducing car sickness in those affected. A variety of chewing gum is available for purchase online.

Chewing gum, however, is not the only thing one may chew to relieve mild effects of car sickness, snacking on sweets, or just chewing in general seems to reduce adverse effects of the conflict between vision and balance.

Fresh air

Fresh, cool air can also relieve motion sickness slightly, although it is likely this is related to avoiding foul odors, which can worsen nausea.

Ginger

Ginger has been found to reduce motion sickness. This is available in tablet form, or a fresh stem of ginger can be chewed to relieve symptoms. There is some debate over whether it is the chewing or the ginger that helps. Ginger products for motion sickness are available for purchase online.

Acupressure

An acupressure practitioner works with the same points used in acupuncture, but stimulates these healing sites with finger pressure, rather than inserting fine needles. Some studies suggest that acupressure may help reduce symptoms of motion sickness in the same way as acupuncture, although the evidence is not clear.

Here are some important tips for preventing motion sickness:

• Always sit in a position so that the eyes can see the same motion that the body and inner ear feels.
• In a car, sit in the front seat and look at the distant scenery.
• On a boat, go up on the deck and watch the motion of the horizon.
• In an airplane, sit by the window and look outside. Also, in a plane, choose a seat over the wings where the motion is minimized.
• Do not read while traveling if experiencing motion sickness, and do not sit in a seat facing backward.
• Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness.
• Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods immediately before and during travel.

Medical research has not yet investigated the effectiveness of popular folk remedies such as “soda crackers and 7 Up,” “cola syrup over ice,” or ginger products.

Medications

While home remedies are effective, medications are also a good way to prevent motion sickness and are best taken before travelling.

• Scopolamine – the most commonly prescribed medication for motion sickness. It must be taken before symptoms start. It is available as a patch that is placed behind the ear 6-8 hours before travel.
• Promethazine – should be taken 2 hours before travel. The effects last 6-8 hours. Side effects may include drowsiness and dry mouth.
• Cyclizine – is most effective when taken at least 30 minutes before travel. It is not recommended for children younger than 6, and side effects are similar to scopolamine.
• Dimenhydrinate – taken every 4-8 hours. Side effects are similar to scopolamine.
• Dimenhydrinate chewing gum – a team of experts spoke at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting and Exposition in 2012 on a study that showed patients can absorb the medication through the cheek.
• Meclizine (Bonine) – is most effective when taken 1 hour before travel. It is not recommended for children under 12, and side effects may include drowsiness and dry mouth.

Why Do I Feel Nauseous?

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Dec 17, 2021

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Clinical Editor: Megan Dodson, PA-C

You’re sitting at your desk feeling just fine one minute, and then suddenly a wave of something washes over you. Your stomach feels uneasy, your head might spin, and you just have the general sense that vomiting may be in your (very near) future. Unfortunately, nausea is a sensation just about everyone has been intimately familiar with at some point in their lives. But if you’ve ruled out a likely cause like food poisoning or motion sickness, what else could be responsible for your nausea ?

It turns out there’s a long list of possible causes for nausea and while some may seem obvious, others may come as a bit of a surprise. If you’ve been feeling queasy, lost your appetite, found yourself super sweaty, or just generally feeling icky from your head to your stomach to your toes, here are five potential reasons you may be feeling nauseated:

1. You’ve been extra stressed.

Ever had a “nervous stomach” or “butterflies” in your stomach? Then you already know that there is a strong connection between the brain and gut. In fact, the gut is often referred to as your body’s “second brain”. This is because the gut is partially controlled by the central nervous system and also has its own nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system. The systems are in constant communication, so when stress triggers a fight-or-flight response in the central nervous system, it also affects the gastrointestinal systems. As a result, stress can cause a host of digestive issues ranging from indigestion and constipation to diarrhea, and yes, nausea.

2. You’re dehydrated.

Many of us could benefit from drinking more water, but most people are unaware that even mild dehydration can cause dizziness or nausea. Some research suggests that this could be related to the low blood pressure that often accompanies dehydration. Severe diarrhea, fever, overuse of diuretics, vomiting, and strenuous exercise can all lead to dehydration. Even mild cases (a loss of as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of your body weight) of dehydration can cause fatigue and other unpleasant symptoms.

3. You could be pregnant.

Thanks to the tropes of movies and TV shows, many people are well aware that sudden nausea may be a symptom of pregnancy. It’s true that pregnancy — particularly early pregnancy — can cause nausea. Although it’s often referred to as “morning sickness,” it can in fact happen at any time of day. There is no singular cause of nausea during pregnancy, but common causes include an increase in hormones, as well as reduced blood sugar. Symptoms usually start before nine weeks of pregnancy and for most women, nausea goes away by the 14th week. For some, however, nausea can last for several weeks or months and for a few, it can last throughout the entire pregnancy. In up to three percent of pregnancies, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum can occur. This is a severe form of nausea and vomiting that can cause dehydration and other complications, so it requires medical treatment. While mild nausea and occasional vomiting in early pregnancy aren’t necessarily dangerous, you should talk with your care team if the symptoms are causing you concern, causing difficulty with keeping fluids down, or negatively impacting your daily life. New onset nausea and vomiting in late pregnancy can be a sign of serious pregnancy complications, so be sure to contact your provider urgently if this occurs.

4. Your supplements or medications could be to blame.

Prescription medications often come with a long list of warnings and potential side effects, but over-the-counter medicines and supplements can also wreak havoc if taken incorrectly or combined with certain other meds. For some people, taking OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen or taking vitamins on an empty stomach can induce nausea, and in some cases, supplements like vitamin C and iron can also lead to an upset stomach.If you think you’re experiencing nausea as a side effect of your medications, talk to your healthcare provider before stopping any of your medications.

5. You could be having a heart attack.

This one certainly isn’t meant to cause a panic, but nausea is a heart attack symptom that many people may not be aware of, and it’s a symptom that occurs more frequently in women than men. In addition to chest discomfort and discomfort in other areas of the upper body like the back, neck, and jaw, heart attack symptoms can also include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and yes, nausea. If you’re experiencing nausea in conjunction with any of these other symptoms and are concerned you may be having a heart attack, don’t hesitate to call 911 immediately.

What to do if you’re experiencing nausea

Dealing with nausea is never pleasant. If you’re feeling nauseous, try one of these

home remedies for some quick relief:

• Drink clear or ice-cold liquids and eat room-temperature or cool foods since extra hot snacks and meals can upset your stomach.
• Stick to bland foods like crackers or bread and avoid greasy, fried, or sweet foods until you feel better.
• Chew your food and drink your beverages slowly.
• Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
• Avoid physical activity immediately after eating.
• If you believe your nausea is related to stress or anxiety, try some deep breathing exercises or find additional support for your psychological well being.

Everyone experiences an upset stomach once in a while, but if you’re regularly feeling nauseated and it’s impacting your life, it’s time to make an appointment with your primary care provider. Nausea can also be a sign of a more serious condition, so seek medical attention right away for any of the following symptoms:

..

• Severe nausea/vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea/vomiting with additional symptoms such as fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness or feeling faint

Severe symptoms will need to be evaluated urgently in person, but if you’re not sure what the next step is and you need some help deciding what to do, request a video chat from your One Medical app to speak with a provider.

Here to keep you healthy. And informed.

Get 24/7 care over video chat from the comfort of home or wherever you go. Join today and experience primary care designed for real life, in-office and in-app.

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Michelle Konstantinovsky

Michelle Konstantinovsky is an experienced writer, regularly producing content on a variety of wellness-oriented topics ranging from breaking health news to fitness and nutrition.
Michelle has a master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and has written extensively on health and body image for outlets like O: The Oprah Magazine, Slate, SPIN.com, xoJane.com, and The Huffington Post. To read more of her work, visit www.michellekmedia.com.

The One Medical blog is published by One Medical, a national, modern primary care practice pairing 24/7 virtual care services with inviting and convenient in-person care at over 100 locations across the U. S. One Medical is on a mission to transform health care for all through a human-centered, technology-powered approach to caring for people at every stage of life.

Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. 1Life Healthcare, Inc. and the One Medical entities make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered or provided within or through the blog, website, or app. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.

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the rest are empty words. The same thing as telling a person who accidentally drank an extra glass to pull himself together, stop whining, because he drank a good drink. And the person is already sick, and he can no longer endure. In a figurative sense. You can feel sick from your own life in any of its aspects: family, work, appearance, relationships, and so on. From our failures and not reaching the desired level.

This is normal, self-esteem suffers this way. And no matter what psychologists say, they say, you need to compare yourself not with others, but with yourself in the past, a person is a social animal. We have compared and will continue to compare ourselves with other people, even if not everyone admits this. Enlightened individuals don’t count, they meditate high in the mountains. And we, at the age of 30 or 40, think about what I have achieved/achieved in my life? And we start comparing. It’s good when there are points on which we compare favorably with classmates and friends. And if not? If a career didn’t work out, a business didn’t go, a loved one didn’t meet, there is no family, or the relationship is already falling apart, and the children do not give reason to be proud of them? If you don’t have your own home, car, there is no opportunity to travel, buy status things and your appearance is no longer the same as in 20 years? If undertakings remained projects, and talents covered with dust? It seems that this condition is called a midlife crisis and it is advised to appreciate at least what is already there. But the feeling of unfulfillment and annoyance from lost time makes it difficult to appreciate (although, if you are still healthy, your arms, legs, and head are in place – is this not the highest happiness?).

Pull yourself together, grit your teeth and continue to crawl towards your dream? I don’t believe in the slogans of personal growth training. Based on the laws of marketing, I had my own theory: when you feel bad, do selfish good.

If it is so necessary for our suffering self-esteem to feel better, we need to provide it with an advantageous comparison (low competitive market) so that we look more successful against the background of these people. Starving Africans and homeless people do not fit – too implausible. We need a new sphere where we can easily and quickly become much cooler than our real environment. And there is one, not yet very popular, so the competition is minimal – help and charity. Cynically? Let’s leave the study of motivation to psychologists, and the right to judge – to enlightened individuals. A person at the emotional bottom needs not words, but actions – simple and really working tools to raise self-esteem in the least competitive conditions.

So practice. You need to start looking into the world around you to notice the opportunities for doing acts of good. For example, hold the door or the elevator for a stranger, greet the cleaning lady at the entrance and the janitor for the first time, smile at a passerby, compliment the chief accountant, and so on. Trite? Yes, if you do it automatically. But if every time we fix inside ourselves: “I’m doing great, I help people – I pay attention to them and improve their mood”, then the value of simple actions increases, and our self-esteem receives the first portions of energy. At the same time, the response of people is not important, we do selfish good not for the sake of their gratitude, but for our own sake.

You can start feeding birds and leaving food for homeless animals. Of course, nature will take care of them without our Sunday babies. But try to feed and fix your feelings: “I’m done, I help animals, I’m kind / generous and so on.” You can even take a cat or a dog from a shelter for a couple of months while they are looking for permanent owners. Aerobatics – helping people. Someone will need our unnecessary clothes, someone needs help cleaning up the forest from garbage, someone can give a bag of potatoes from the dacha or just treat colleagues with pies. If there is no desire to help internally, do in absentia. Sites like Change.org publish petitions for the protection of people and animals, just one vote of yours will change someone’s fate for the better!

At the same time, it is useful not only to be proud of your deeds inside yourself, but also to tell your friends, take photos, post them on social networks. I used to consider it bragging when people advertise such things, but now I’m all for it. This not only heals self-esteem, but also promotes charity. You will begin to receive enthusiastic feedback: “Cool, well done!”. Now you have something to share with your friends while talking to someone how are you. While they were earning the next amount for the next unnecessary thing, in order to boast once again in their environment, you were making this world a better place.

The practice of selfish goodness begins for the sake of psychological strokes and a reason to be proud of oneself. Where does it lead? Ultimately, where dreams lead. When the heart opens, pride goes into the shadows. Just imagine for a moment a world full of selfish kind people who do not miss the opportunity to do something useful for others, not for the sake of gratitude, but for the sake of their good mood. A whole world of selfish people who do good and throw it into the water.

Previous author entries:

• The future has come while you were sleeping

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Marina Petunina. Works in the field of marketing and fashion. She considers herself a downshifter, as she moved from Moscow to Tyumen and changed her reliable office to freelance. Interested in quantum physics, astrophysics, biology, psychology. He writes poetry and fairy tales.

Marina Petunina
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Why a child
sick of school | Chalk

What to do if the child does not succeed in any of the subjects and wants nothing but to lie down and look at the ceiling? Most parents are trying their best to turn this situation around and get their children to come to their senses. Or they give up and once and for all record such children as hopeless lazybones. But it is possible that the reasons for the rejection of the school are much deeper. Tatyana Sokhareva read a book by child psychiatrist Olivier Revol “It’s okay: academic failure is curable!” and highlighted the author’s main thoughts about the “school illness” and how to deal with it.

In his book “It’s okay: academic failure is curable!” Revol turns on its head the system of concepts that we use when we talk about withdrawn, absent-minded or hyperactive children. Those who are crooked at the mere thought of doing homework. Arguments like “You’re just not trying!”, in his opinion, will not work. Parents and teachers need to understand that “school sickness” (aversion to school or chronic underachievement) is not an invention or a whim.

The book, in fact, forms a new language for talking about children with whom “something is wrong” happens, acts as a kind of guide to mental disorders. Starting with dyslexia and ending with depression. Identifying this “something” in time is already half the battle, Revol believes. “This is our goal: to understand the complexities of students without delving into the content or quality of the curriculum,” he writes.

Photo: iStockphoto / dolgachov

You can’t just turn a blind eye to a child’s limited vocabulary, increased anxiety, or monstrous handwriting. There are objective reasons for “installing a block” on the school, from which children can be completely freed so that they can joyfully study, play and grow up. To do this, first of all, we need to stop dramatizing “problems of growth”. After all, behind every bad assessment there is something that can be identified and overcome.

“The mark as an incentive works worse and worse.” Teachers and psychologists – about the knowledge assessment system at school

“Such a ‘medical’ view of academic failure has appeared relatively recently. It is based on the principle that any difficulties can be explained and therefore cured. For this, it is necessary to consider the child as a whole, from all sides – social, mental and physical, ”writes Revol.

Photo: iStockphoto / DGLimages

For Revol himself, who sobbed throughout the elementary school on his teacher’s lap, this book becomes a kind of psychotherapy. His approach is both scientific and very human. The book is based not only on impressive research (long years of daily thoughtful conversations with parents, teachers and psychologists of “difficult children”, for whom school time has become a continuous nightmare), but also a rather painful personal experience.

“I am short, fussy and have no idea about mathematics. The first failures, the first disappointments, the remarks of teachers, designed to help, are disastrous in this situation. “We should show more attention and perseverance.” Where can one get them? “Write more carefully!” It doesn’t work … “Not conscious and mature enough.” Alas… In general, I am constantly blamed for my shortcomings. It’s embarrassing and unfair.”

What are the reasons for the rejection of the school

Photo: iStockphoto / Antonio_Diaz

The school, whatever one may say, is a socializing institution. She teaches life in a team and shows the way to independence, on the basis of which the personality is built. “To delete a child from this scheme is to delete him from society,” writes Revol. “And the expulsion of one of the members of this system is painful both for themselves and for everyone else.” It is not at all necessary to make excellent students out of all. The main thing is to return the child the ability and desire to learn, so that he receives a compulsory education.

“The fact is that we don’t believe in uncontrollable laziness, which completely dominates the kid and turns him away from school. It is impossible to imagine a child consciously refusing to learn to read! There can be no bad intention in this. It is enough to see with what enthusiasm the children go to the first grade! For them, this is an adventure into which they rush recklessly, headlong.

How Parental Phobias Affect Academic Performance

Photo: iStockphoto / Choreograph

It is often the horror stories that parents lavishly regale their children with, painting apocalyptic pictures of a ruined future in front of them, that cause most of the frustration.

“The lessons are over. By the look of the guys, in a crowd heading for the exit, it is not at all noticeable what troubles and misfortunes happened to them. They merrily run out of the doors, play around on the go, fly out into the street with screams, as if the devils were chasing them. Maybe they’re trying to get away from their bad grades, leave them at school. If only they could just turn the page! Leave all comments and assessments, let them sleep among notebooks on their desks, forget them until the day after tomorrow! Alas, these are just dreams … Some classmate in the yard will definitely remind you of zero for yesterday’s essay. And when the diary gets home, everyone knows the continuation. Dinner without dessert, “shame on the family” left without a computer for the weekend, parents bickering “you can’t handle it!”. “The child-who-does-not-work” sent to think in the room.

Medical causes of “school sickness”

Photo: iStockphoto / Jovanmandic

Revol suggests starting the examination with monitoring the child’s basic abilities: you need to check the functioning of the senses and cognitive abilities. “We have often been able to identify hearing loss in children who speak poorly or are overly excitable. They always tried to answer at random in school, and their potential hearing loss was not taken into account. Their life at school was a complete nightmare,” he says.

Psychologist Katerina Demina — about how to correctly assess the ceiling of your child

Next comes a neurological examination, an obligatory item of which is an encephalogram. It is not uncommon for children who are described as “scattered” and “thrown in the clouds” to suffer from a form of epilepsy accompanied by “absences” – lapses in which attention is distracted, according to Revol.

If the child is dyslexic

Photo: iStockphoto / p_ponomareva

According to statistics, 10% of children have problems with reading, and half of them are quite serious. Dyslexia can be a source of real suffering. After all, a child who suffers from it is not a sloth or an idler. He can’t read because the written words don’t make sense to him. He seems to be deciphering a language unfamiliar to him. But these problems are not explained by mental retardation, psychological reasons, or unwillingness to learn.

“Unfortunately, the child prefers to fall asleep in front of the screen or rest his nose on the keyboard. But the fault is not only his addiction to ready-made visual images and virtual feats. Many children do not want to read for a completely different reason. Read, you say? Yes, they just can’t do it! For them, the word “book” is synonymous with the word “torment”. A difficult path, threatening with incredible difficulties, without which it would be better to do. An enemy that they look at from afar, fearing that he will suddenly begin to torment them. Better not to touch!”.

Why hyperactivity is dangerous

Photo: iStockphoto / VYCHEGZHANINA

Restlessness is another common reason for falling behind in school. Its causes are neurobiological. “You need to understand well that the child moves so much and randomly because he cannot concentrate. And not vice versa!” says Revol. A “real” hyperactive child cannot sit still under any circumstances. Such children instantly go from laughter to tears. They are touchy and cannot stand it when they are told: “For him, what a lesson, what a break, everything is one. ”

“Hyperactivity can go away by itself when the child grows up. This happens in about a third of all cases. But when this disorder does not go away, when it is not treated, when others do not pay due attention to it, some hyperactive people can end badly. Become an alcoholic or drug addict.

As adults, it is very difficult for them to find their place in society, they interfere in everything and tire those around them. They do not stay long at any job. As for a quiet, comfortable family life, this is not a question for them! By the age of fifty, they begin to whine about the “lost life” and sink into depression. A person who cannot sit still wastes himself and is constantly in a hurry – in order to quickly come to a date with death.

Pros and cons of early development

Photo: iStockphoto / foto-z

Precocious children are not like everyone else: “They talk like adults, they want to be paleontologists or speakers of parliament.” However, they need help and support more than anyone else, because they are too sensitive, too different from others.

“They are depressed and irritable, they do not find contact with their peers and, oddly enough, do poorly in school. In most cases, premature development has more disadvantages than advantages. The presented apple turns out to be poisoned – the intellect receives a bonus, but the whole personality as a whole does not. In essence, intellectual efficiency consists of a chain of various elements that, when interacting, can distort the nature of relationships with family and school. At the same time, it is accompanied by increased sensitivity and a specific manner of evaluating information. This is “a position beyond the years of a developed child.”

Every twentieth child in France, according to Revol, suffers from precocious development. There are about 500 thousand of them in total, that is, one or two in each class. Moreover, there are twice as many boys as girls. An excellent memory makes you discard all routine information. An independent mind resists any pressure, and a variety of interests makes them jump from topic to topic without delving into one. Only in high school or college do they calm down: “Now they ask him for his own opinion! The transition to a more responsible education system provides a long-awaited chance to fit into the system.”

Can children suffer from depression? A bad mood can last more than two weeks, but even in this case it is too early to sound the alarm.

“Depression does not start all of a sudden, out of the blue. She picks prey for sure. Anticipates sensitive, vulnerable children, their environment is usually unstable and unable to take care of them properly: parents who are themselves depressed or unable to provide a normal life, due to unemployment or health problems. She attacks the most empathetic, from families in which something similar has already happened: either an uncle who committed suicide, or a grandmother who is tired of life. To these “local” factors, another one is added: a sense of loss.”

Even infants get depressed, causing them to sleep poorly, eat little, not grow, and lie motionless in their crib staring up at the ceiling.