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Show 14 HILL TOP TIMES Friday, April 13, 1984 n family focus ynecoloejisf lectures on Premenstrual Syndrome Dr. (Maj.)- - James Jones, chief, Dr.. Jones will discuss Obstetrics and Gynecology at USAF Hospital, Hill, will lecture on aspects of Premenstrual Syndrome at the Thornton Recreation Center, Bldg. 460, April 24 at 7 p.m. It is estimated that four out of every 10 women are afflicted, to some degree, by Premenstrual Syndrome. Common complaints are depression, irritability, agitation, headaches and compulsive eating. what causes these conditions, other symptoms, how they are diagnosed, what treatment is available and the success rate for treating this condition once it has been diagnosed. A question and answer period will also be held. Take, for example, a wife of an Air Force member assigned here with a baby. The airman and his wife voluntarily came to the Mental Health Clinic at the 22-year-o- ld six-month-o- ld of their concerned over the baby, who relies heavily on warmth base hospital complaining that for three or four days each month their lives were nearly unbearable. She would become extremely- - irritable, seemingly over nothing. Loud, raging arguments developed during these few days, then her husband would leave home for several hours. She was aware of her irrational behavior, but at a complete loss as to .why it happened or what could be done to control it. Both parents were well-bein- g and motherhood. . After a complete mental and physical work-up- , she was diagnosed as suffering from Premenstrual Syndrome. Since that time, she has been receiving treatment from the hospital and has learned to control her behavior days each during her few troubled ' month. , Military programs help families deal with alcoholism Military members and dependents with drug and alcohol problems can get help from the alcohol-recover- y departments at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, and the Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Patients at Bethesda attend an intensive morning through evening schedule that includes counseling, hangover, or cover for him in some other way." Instead of helping, this only gives the alcoholic another reason not to stop drinking, Captain Are you sure Geeslin said. Captain Geeslin recommends that families of alcoholics find help near a civilian them. He said to AA, is linked organization closely to devoted entirely helping family members. Help is also available through one Al-Ano- group therapy, communication classes, Alcoholics Anonymous your drinking 's not hurting someone? n, meetings and physical training. While patients are going through of 10 alcohol rehabilitation centers run the y recovery program, family by the Air Force. members are urged to complete an inThe centers assist families of active-dutfive-day tensive and retired Air Force members program of their own. "Alcoholism is a family disease," and their dependents going through said Army Capt. William D. Geeslin, treatment. They are located at Shep-par- d who oversees the hospital's family and Lackland AFBs, Texas; program. "And even if other members ! Scott AFB, 111.; Travis AFB, Calif.; of the family don't drink, they're an Andrews AFB, Md.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; integral part of alcoholism." AFB, Ohio; Weis-bade- n He said love and good feelings are AB, West Germany; Laken-heat- h AB, England; and Clark AB, usually missing in the alcoholic's home, and there's usually a break-- ' Philippines. down in communications. He exCoping with an alcoholic plained that the center tries to give It is hard to admit that a loved one families the tools to get their relationan alcoholic is and even harder to ship back together. that person want to get well. But "I tell family members they're here help are steps family members can there for themselves," he said. "They may g to take improve their own have had a skid:row concept of alcoand motivate the alcoholic to want to holism, but here they learn it's a S stop drinking. disease, and that they've been emoof Here are some the first things i tionally involved." should do: you Captain Geeslin said family memFace the truth. Don't try to "probers could be called tect" the family. Even very young because of their attachment to the children can see what is going on. drinker. "They become emotionally Understand your own emotions. sick as well," he said. and self-pitare Depression, anger "The drinker's behavior commonly common reactions and can slow includes threats, physical abuse and Facing them will make you accusations," he said. "Because of recovery.whatever happens. this, a family may feel fear, shame, happier, Learn the facts about alcoholism. guilt and resentment, and as a result, There is a lot of reading material behave like the alcoholic. And, on ocavailable. You might want to contact casion, they too may become physicallocal a group or organization. ly abusive," he added. Get Encourage the alcoholic to According to the captain, children attendhelp. treatment. Tell the drinker's may react to what is happening in the family by doing poorly in school or by parents, brothers and sisters about getting into trouble with the law. And - the problemof.so they won't be taken , advantage often, the alcoholic's, spouse takes Build a home' healthy atmosphere. blame for the drinking, he said. Pursue outside interests and friend"It's amazing how many people ships regardless of the alcoholic's think they can control their spouse's sickness. An isolated, unhappy famidrinking. If an alcoholic is going to, ly doesn't help anyone, f": , drink, he's going to drink, and the Be' patient and compassionate. family can't stop him by begging or Alcoholism develops slowly and can't pouring out the liquor,' he said. be overcome in a hurry. Let the alcoholic know you still love and Frequently, the alcoholic's spouse tries' to cover, according to Captain respect him or her, although you don't : GeeslinTBut this doesn't help, he said. ' approve of the . . drinking. "A wife might call her husband's ofBe prepared . to act. Threats and fice to report him sick when he has a arguments don't get results. Decide 42-da- y Wright-Patterso- n well-bein- . . . : 4 on a course of action with the family only reinforces the habit, and you yourself may become an alcoholic. Don't take over all the responsibilities. This would rob the alcoholic of his or her dignity and a sense of and trusted advisers. If the alcoholic refuses treatment, you may have to leave or ask him or her to leave. Some important "don'ts" in helping the alcoholic include: Don't punish, bribe or threaten. It will only increase guilt and and may make the alcoholic rely even more on drinking. Don't cover, up. Shielding the' - Don't demand or accept unrealistic promises. Forcing the alcoholic to make promises that can't be kept will lead to failure, lies and distrust. Remember, you are not alone. If alcoholism is a problem in your home, get help. Contact the family doctor, clergy, local hospital, or check in the yellow pages under "Alcoholism. "v (Adapted and used with permission of "Alcoholic in the Family." Portions of story contributed by Army News Service AFNS) - self-hatre-d, alcoholic from - belonging. the consequences of drinking weakens the desire to do something about it. Don't hide" or dump bottles. You can't cure the alcoholic by pretending to take control of his life. Don't drink with the alcoholic. This " y . : i ' Alcohol Myths ' ''People are friendlier when they're drunk." Maybe j But they're also more hostile, more dangerous, more and more' criminal, more homicidal, more accident-pron- e suicidal. - Hleiirfeirce Parents recruited 14 girls and seven boys into the Heirforce at USAF Hospital, Hill, during the past month. Those who sponsored the new members were: . :v fr -v - . ...... William arid Margaret Dickson . .v.,", . . . ... March 19 Joel and Donna Trimier . . . .'. . . ... . . ; . ; March 20 Steve and Wandee Alt . . .y... . i ... ... ...... ... .March 21 Warren and Carol Watkins . . . ; . . J; . ... . . ... . (March 21 Wallace jandTerri Reed .: .March 22 Shawn arid Barbara Duncan . . .'. . . . . . 7.".'. .March 25 Lori A. Young , March 25 Thomas and Annette Nyland. . . .'.March 26 r. . . Robert and Peggy Miller . .'. . .:.-- ... .March 27 Jeff and Nancy Shea, . . . . . J..-- , .:. . . .March 28 .... Ken and Geri McDougall March 30 .: Clifton and Pattana Johnson .. . . . .. . . April 1 Michael and Jill Hale ;. .. . . . . , . , . . ; .... . v . . , .". ... .April 2, . , . ?; Joseph and Teresa Evans r . . Avy.. April 3 ........... s ....... '. ........ ...... ." .A 1 boys v- ''..---.- . - John and Melissa Marriott Hakala . . ; Elaine Hemingway . r. . .' ?'. .... ;. John and Christina Saylor .;,.. .r VC Donald and Renae Dunn . Rick and Kalene Watkins. : . ; ... . . ......... .. Albert and Barbara Chappell Timothy and Marie Schrader . . . ; .. 'r . . . ". . . . . : .x '. . ; . March 16. : . . March 20 . .. . . March 28 . .v. . . .March 30 ... . ; . . .March 30 .April 3 . .April 3 . |