Summarize the following:
Most cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome produce symptoms that can easily be mistaken for the flu or some other illness.  Listen closely to your body to help ensure that you don’t miss such important signs of TSS. TSS can cause a fever (usually above 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius), major muscle aches and pains, headaches, vomiting or diarrhea, and other flu-like symptoms.  Weigh your risk for getting TSS (for instance, if you have an oozing surgical wound or are a menstruating young woman using tampons) versus your likelihood of having caught the flu.  If it is reasonably plausible that you may have TSS, keep a close eye out for other symptoms. If there is a “telltale” sign of TSS, it is a sunburn-like rash that appears on the palms and/or soles of the feet.  However, not every case of TSS includes the rash, and the rash can occur on any part of the body. People with TSS may also notice significant redness in or around the eyes, mouth, throat, and vagina.  If you have an open wound, look for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, tenderness, or discharge. Symptoms of TSS usually appear two to three days after infection, and often start off mild in nature.  They will, however, progress rapidly as the condition worsens rapidly, so be vigilant in watching for them if you have any inkling that you might have TSS. Watch for a rapid drop in blood pressure, usually accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; confusion, disorientation, or seizures; or signs of kidney or another organ failure (such as significant area pain or signs of improper functioning).

summary: Watch for flu-like symptoms. Watch for visible signs of TSS like rashes on the hands, feet, or elsewhere. Identify other serious symptoms.


Summarize the following:
The DP pulse can be used to check for some of the same complications as the popliteal pulse. If you cannot feel the popliteal pulse, look for a pulse in the blood vessels running down the center of the foot. Feel for a pulse as you would with any other vessel. Place your index and middle finger over the center of the patient's foot. Look at the patient’s legs and check for signs of complications such as ulcers, varicose veins, changes in color or pallor, and blackening or missing toes at the extremities. Also, feel for warmth or coolness in the foot. Feeling hot can indicate a problem like an infection, while feeling cold can indicate an occlusion. These signs could be an indicator of critical medical problems that need immediate attention. When taking the pulse, the popliteal artery may feel more firm than the area surrounding it, but it shouldn’t be hard. If the artery is hard or overly firm, let a doctor know immediately.

summary: Check the dorsalis pedis (DP) pulse. Look for signs of infection or disease. Feel the firmness of the artery.


Summarize the following:
Like other forms of depression, atypical depression can be caused by a mix of contributing factors such as genetics, environment, childhood trauma, and brain chemistry. The symptoms of atypical depression include:  A mood that can lift due to positive things happening in your life. This differs from MDD, in which the mood is usually depressed even in the face of positive events. Hypersomnia, which is sleeping longer than normal, either at night or during increased napping during the day. Sleep totals at least 10 hours or more a day. This is different than MDD, which may cause hypersomnia or insomnia (sleeplessness).  Heavy feeling in the arms or legs, or the feeling of being weighed down, that lasts more than an hour a day  A consistent pattern of sensitivity or personalization in relationships, where a person often thinks they are being rejected or rebuffed when they aren't  Increase in appetite that may cause weight gain. This is different than MDD, which may cause weight gain or weight loss.  Body image issues or a fear of weight gain  Unhealthy relationships with food, such as bulimia, extreme food restrictions, or bingeing To diagnose atypical depression, your doctor will check to see if you have at least five depressive symptoms. These symptoms must occur over a span of at least two weeks. If you have not seen a doctor or therapist for an official diagnosis, see a professional as soon as you can. Your doctor or therapist will assess your medical and family history, any symptoms you have, and your current life circumstances to get a correct diagnosis. Cognitive behavior therapy has proven to be extremely helpful in treating atypical depression. A therapist trained in CBT techniques can teach you behavioral strategies to break the cycle of depression and engage in activities that alleviate depression. It is important that you work with a therapist to ensure your CBT treatment is effective. It's also important to have a therapist in case difficult issues arise, such as dealing with past traumas, that you will need help to work through.  A major part of CBT involves identifying automatic negative or unhelpful thought patterns and challenging these thoughts. The depressed person may have thoughts like, "I will never get better" or "Nobody likes me." The therapist will ask you to notice these thoughts when they occur and will teach you to question whether or not there is really any truth to these thoughts.  For instance, if your negative thought is "Nobody likes me," your therapist may point to evidence the the contrary, such as the friends who reached out to spend time with you in the last week. You may have turned these people down because you were feeling depressed, but the evidence shows that people do like you. Depending on your circumstances or history, your sessions may include stress management skills, social skills training, assertiveness skills, or ways to help your deal with draining relationships.  If you have a history of trauma or abuse, your sessions will help you process your experiences to lessen their impact on your mood. Depression is not a condition that you can treat by yourself. It does not matter how strong you are or how rich your experience, you need at least some assistance if you want to beat depression. If you don't treat atypical depression, it may get worse. That is why depression treatment needs to always include psychotherapy and in most cases prescription medications as well. It is essential to always stick to your treatment plan, even when you are feeling better. Quitting medication or therapy on your own or skipping session will likely cause a relapse and you will have to start all over again.
summary: Recognize the symptoms. Diagnose atypical depression. Combat your depression with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Stick to your treatment.