DEPRESSION AND STIS AND ALCOHOLISM, ALSO OTHER THINGS THAT AREN’T BAD!

Men’s Health

Topics Covered

Physical health

Mental health

Sexual health

Alcohol abuse

Physical Health

Eat Japan + Healthy reputation = deceiving Lots of temptations Breakfast is key!

Helps regulate appetiteSleep

Consistency is important Poor sleep may increase appetite

Exercise (an investment in yourself) Consistency is key Reserve time to take care of yourself

Excercise

Burns off excess energy and encourages good rest(?) Value to rest debatable

Relaxes you naturally (endorphins)

Future proofing Injury and disease prevention

Mental Health

Culture Shock!

Depression

Anxiety disorders

What is Culture Shock?

“Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown cultural or social environment after leaving everything familiar behind and they have to find their way in a new culture that has a different way of life and a different mindset such as in a foreign country.”

- Wikipedia.com

5 Stages of Culture Shock

Stage 1: Excitement and eagerness (before you go).

Stage 2: Everything in the new culture is great (once you’re there).

Stage 5: Everything is fine (cultural assimilation).Stage 4: Adjustment (finding your

place). Stage 3: Everything in the new culture is

terrible (after a couple months).

What is Depression?

Simply, depression is a prolonged, continuous depressed mood (the whole day for two weeks).

Warning Signs of Depression

Prolonged, continuous depressed mood.Loss of interest and enjoyment.Difficulty concentrating.Feeling fatiguedSleep disturbance (difficulty falling/staying

asleep; waking early).Sharp loss/spike in appetite.IrritabilityExcessive self-blame.Suicidal thoughts/attempts.

What is Anxiety?

Simply, anxiety is the persistant feeling of anxiousness.

Usually manifests (where is becomes a problem) in a panic attack.

Panic Attack

Intense anxiety for a short duration (less than 10 minutes.)

Difficulty breathingDizzinessPalpitationsTremorsSweating

NauseaNumbnessHot or Cold flashesChest painIntense fear of dying

or going crazy may appear during the attack.

Prevention

Establish a routine.

Eat well.

Exercise.

Sleep well.

Routine

Minimizes “surprises” your body has to cope with.

Include personal time.

SLEEP!!!

Why it’s needed:

Restoration

Boosts immune system.

Allows for memory sorting/storage (short term converted into long term memory).

Work sucks without it

Sexually Transmitted Infections

WHO claims low HIV rates in Japan But poor STD awareness

Most common in Japan (not ranked in order):

HIV/AIDS = HIV / エイズ (eizu) Syphilis = 梅毒 (baidoku) Chlamydia = クラミジア (kuramijia) Gonorrhea = 淋病　 (rinbyo) Hepatitis B/C = 肝炎　ビ／シ　 (kanen bi / shi

Prevention

Condoms ( ゴム ) western sizes can be ordered: www.comdomania.com

and www.fbcsa.com

Female-condoms (sold under the name “My Femy” at most pharmacies).

Abstinence

Testing / Treatment Options

There are 5 clinics in Kumamoto that do STD (including HIV) testing.

Central clinic is called the Kumamoto-shi Hokenjo ( 熊本市保健所 ).

Directions and maps available on the Pawiki: http://kumamotopa.pbworks.com/

Testing Center

熊本市保健所 (Kumamoto Hokenjo)5-1-1 OoeKumamoto, Kumamoto096-364-3189

Mon- fri 13-152/4th Tuesday 17:30-19:302nd Sunday 13-15Mon-fri 9:00-11:00

Number to call and cancel is:096 211 4653Same day HIV results

Alcohol: Are you drinking at-risk?

At-risk drinking levels:

For men: more than 4 drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week.

For women: more than 3 drinks a day or more than 7 drinks a week.

Well, what constitutes a drink?

Beer or chuhai:12 oz/350mlMalt liquor: 8-9oz/235-265ml.Table wine: 5oz.=150mlFortified wine (e.g. sherry/port):

3-4oz/90-120mlCordial, liqueur, or aperitif:

2-3oz/60-90mlBrandy (a single shot/jigger):1.5oz/45mlSpirits (80 proof):1.5oz/45ml

Please note:

Most containers hold multiple servingsDrinks high in sugar or caffeine mask true

level of intoxication and allow one to drink beyond what’s safe

Blood alcohol levels and affects(all based on a man of 160lb-72kg.)

0.02 - Slight mood changes (1 drink).0.06 - Lowered inhibition, impaired

judgement, decreased rational decision-making abilities (2-3 drinks).

0.08 - Legally drunk, deterioration of reaction time and control (3-4 drinks).

0.15 - Impaired balance, movement, and coordination. Difficulty standing, walking, talking (6-7 drinks).

Blood alcohol levels and affects(all based on a man of 160lb-72kg.)

0.20 - Decreased pain and sensation. Erratic emotions (8-9 drinks).

0.30 - Diminished reflexes. Semi-consciousness (13-14 drinks).

0.40 - Loss of conciousness. Very limited reflexes. Anesthetic effects (18-19 drinks).

0.50 - Death (23-24 drinks).NOTE: Death has been documented to

occur at levels as low as 0.35. Remember, each person is different.

Other effects of alcohol

The diuretic effect (i.e. dehydration)Poor sleep.

Glutamine (amino acid, acts as a stimulant).

Counseling and treatment are available.

English-speaking counselors are available in Japan.

Please contact the PAs for assistance. It’s completely confidential.

Q&A

Thanks for listening

JET Support Network

YouFamily and FriendsPSG (050-5534-5566 8pm-7am, everyday).

CLAIR JETLINE (03-5213-1729 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday).

T.E.L.L. (Tokyo English Life Line 03-5774-0992, 9am-11pm, everyday)

PAs (anytime)