Source: National Institutes of Health, National Diabetes Education Program.

Source: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/.

August 2014

T he FDA is warning about powdered

pure caffeine being marketed to con-

sumers and recommends avoiding

this product, which has led to at least one

teenage death. Of particular concern is

the fact that bags of caffeine powder are

being sold on the Internet. A single tea-

spoon of pure caffeine equates to about 25 cups of coffee, and

even very small amounts of the powder can cause accidental

overdose or death. Parents should be aware that these prod-

ucts may be attractive to young people. Overdose is signified

by rapid, erratic heartbeat, seizures, and death.

O ver 29 million Ameri-

cans have diabetes, and

eight million don’t know

it. Just under half of these

Americans are over age 65.

And 80 million Americans

have pre-diabetes and are at risk of incurring diabetes. Dia-

betes leads to chronic, debilitating health problems. If you’re

at risk, learn more and start with a simple tip to help you lose

weight: Drink a glass of water before each meal. It could help

save your life by reducing your risk for diabetes, because it’s

been proven in many studies that drinking water before each

meal can help with weight loss.

Y ou have an impres-

sive résumé and tons

of experience—why

aren’t you being sought at

work for your expertise?

The answer is initiative.

Initiative takers are seen as

leaders, and your résumé

is secondary to how you

are perceived by your ac-

tions in the workplace. Initi-

ative takers naturally expand their own influence and value

by being willing to take on new things. When they do this ap-

propriately without elbowing or appearing overzealous, man-

agers and peers seek them for their opinions and solutions.

Speed your ascent to becoming the perceived “resident ex-

pert” by taking more initiative.

R olling papers, Visine

®, and

the smell of pot on clothes—

they’re signs of probable

marijuana use, but subtler signs

and symptoms also exist. These

include increased willingness to do errands in the evening (as a

reason to meet friends and smoke pot) and unqualified requests

for more money/allowance, sudden allegiance to friends you

don’t know, and discarded seeds in pants pockets or a trash

can. The following behavioral symptoms may also point to de-

pression, but also potential marijuana use: Sudden rejection of

family activities once valued and enjoyed, having low energy,

demonstrating apathy about poor grades in school, and experi-

encing loss of ambition, goals, or interests, accompanied by

isolation in the bedroom.

Information in EAP News is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the counsel or advice of a qualified health or legal professional. For further help, questions, or referral to community resources for specific problems or personal concerns, contact a qualified professional. Add “http://” to source links to follow. Links titles are case sensitive.

Subtler Signs of Teen Drug Use

Diabetes Tips for Life

A Newsletter for Employees and their Families

Caffeine Powder: FDA Says Stay Away!

Source: www.fda.gov [Search: caffeine powder].

Secrets to Gaining Influence at Work

Fall 2015

Immunization Schedule and information link:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/.

We all need

vaccina-

tions or

immunizations to help

protect us from serious

diseases. Immuniza-

tions are not just for

children. There are

many for adults and

special ones for adoles-

cents. Dozens of

changes have been

made in the last couple of decades in the recommended

vaccines that people should get, so it can all be a bit con-

fusing. Do you know what vaccines you need or which

ones you’re missing? The following link will lead you to

immunization schedules for children, teens, and adults.

Talk with your health professional if you have questions

to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots

they need.

If you are facing di-

vorce, you’ll experi-

ence a variety of

emotions and stresses, but

one of the most underestimated

feelings is loss. Even amicable

divorces can be affected by loss—

loss of a shared vision of the future, financial security,

experiences and routines, and possessions. Time with

children and identity as a couple are also subject to loss.

Loss is not just giving up something tangible like a

house; it also encompasses things that are part of you

and your daily experience. You may not give much atten-

tion to things like a routine, an expectation, or a pleasant

view out a window, but all are at risk of loss. With a di-

vorce, a lot of losses can hit you at once. With aware-

ness, you can master challenges in your life, but remem-

ber that big changes often require investing time and

attention to recovery, and divorce is one of these chang-

es. Get support or see a loss counselor, especially if you

experience anger, anxiety, and fear as a result of these

losses.

EAP News Fall 2015

M ost young people heading off

to college are eager to experience all that it offers, but some

will also experience clinical depression, a treatable mental

illness that affects over 10 million adults with about 9% being be-

tween the ages of 18 and 25. Spotting the disease early can make

for more successful treatment. If you’re a parent, be aware of any

family history of depression that increases the risk, but you should

also guard against misconceptions about depression, such as

symptoms of loneliness, stress, being disorganized, disappointment

with classes, or the breakup of a former high school romance. All

are stresses and cause sadness, but are not root contributors to

major depression, which is a disease. To intervene sooner, be

aware of any period of two weeks or longer during which there is

either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in school, and

undesirable changes in sleep patterns, eating, energy level, con-

centration, and self-image. Mental health counseling is available on

college campuses, and depression is a key complaint. Don’t allow

stigma to delay a referral to effective, professional help.

Depression in College: What Parents Should Know

A solution to a seemingly impossi-

ble problem at work may appear

by thinking “outside the box.” This

is a learned skill anyone can master, not

a mysterious attribute of brilliant minds

and cutting-edge companies. To be an

outside-the-box problem solver, master these three principles. Prin-

ciple #1: Free the Brain. This means stop thinking about the prob-

lem and get some breathing room by participating in a completely

unrelated activity—fishing, jogging, showering, or walking on the

beach. This detachment frees your brain from the stress being cre-

ated to find a solution. Principle #2: Eliminate Roadblocks. You

won’t find solutions with inhibitions, your ego, close-mindedness,

fears, and negativity getting in your way. Let loose, and give your-

self permission to “get sloppy” and “get messy”—allow discovery to

take place without restrictions and prohibitions. Principle #3: Be a

“Resource and Inputs” Hound. Reading books, studying solutions to

similar problems, thinking backward, drawing the problem on paper,

and brainstorming with others—all these tactics supply you with

informational “inputs” that can speed the way to your solution.

! ! How to Be an “Outside the Box” Problem Solver

Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov [search: “college depression”].

Do You Need to Be Immunized?

Coping with Loss in Divorce

D omestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Noticing and ac-knowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear

of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following warning signs and descriptions of abuse, reach out. There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The most telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner—constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs that you may be in an abusive relationship include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation. To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

Does your partner:

humiliate or yell at you?

criticize you and put you down?

treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?

ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?

blame you for their own abusive behavior?

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. And while physical injury may

be the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also

severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and

make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to

breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive.

Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate; it happens among heterosexual couples and in same-

sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while wom-

en are more commonly victimized, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although

sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether

it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and

safe.

If you suspect someone you know is in an abusive relationship, offer help without judging. Victims are often

embarrassed and fearful of disclosing the situation. You can refer them to the National Domestic Violence

Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

If you are abusive toward your partner, help is available for you as well. Once you acknowledge the reality

of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need.

Source: http://www.thehotline.org/ Or contact the EAP at 425-454-3003 or 1-800-648-5834 for help.

October is Domestic Violence

Awareness Month

Breaking the Habit

W hether you’re a teen smoker or a lifetime pack-a-day smoker, quitting can be very difficult. But the more you learn about your options and prepare for quitting, the easier the process

will be. Smoking tobacco is both a physical addiction and a psychological habit. The nicotine from cigarettes provides a temporary—and addictive—high. Eliminating that regular fix of nicotine will cause your body to experience physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Because of nicotine’s “feel good” effect on the brain, you may also have become accustomed to smoking as a way of coping with stress, depression, anxiety, or even boredom. At the same time, the act of smoking is ingrained as a daily ritual. It may be an automatic response for you to smoke a cigarette with your morning coffee, while taking a break from work or school, or during your commute home at the end of a long day. Perhaps friends, family members, and colleagues smoke, and it has become part of the way you relate with them. To successfully quit smoking, you’ll need to address both the addiction and the habits and routines that go along with it.

Begin your stop smoking plan with START

S = Set a quit date.

T = Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit

A = Anticipate and plan for the challenges you'll face while quitting.

R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work.

T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

Medication and therapy to help you quit smoking

There are many different methods that have successfully helped people to quit smoking, including:

Quitting smoking cold turkey.

Systematically decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke.

Reducing your intake of nicotine gradually over time.

Using nicotine replacement therapy or non-nicotine medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Utilizing nicotine support groups.

Trying hypnosis, acupuncture, or counseling using cognitive behavioral

techniques. You may have to try one or more methods or a combination of treatments to find the ones that work best for you. Relapse can happen but you can start back on your program right away. If you are struggling emotionally or physically with breaking the habit, contact the EAP for confidential assistance at 425-454-3003. Source: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/how-to-quit-smoking.htm

The EAP is a confidential service provided to employees and their families by your employer. For help with personal or work related problems, contact us at 425-454-3003 or 1-800-648-5834. We have a comprehensive website with many resources and self-assessment tools

at www.fee-eap.com. Call for user ID and password.