#Sextortion and #Suicide

Sextortion is a serious crime described by the FBI as “threatening to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money.” They may “threaten to harm your friends or relatives” by using information from your computer or other electronic device.

Usually, the criminal is an adult who preys on young children, teens, or young adults. The adult pretends to be about the same age as the victim. If the victim is a boy, the adult may pretend to be a young girl who is interested in him. For example, “she” may ask him to send “her” sexually explicit pictures or videos. A number of teenage boys ages 14-17 have been targeted.

The adult criminal demands money or gift cards be sent to him, or he will publish the pictures or videos online. Victims are usually reached by going onto chat rooms or other online sites. They may also hack into a victims computer and access files or control the victims web camera and microphone without the victim realizing it.

Victims of sextortion are usually ashamed and frightened, especially if they are threatened. They may do what the criminal is demanding of them.

Sometimes the criminal pretends to already have sexually explicit material and blackmail victims. The Department of Justice reports that they are aware of more than 3,000 victims during this past year. Victims can be from any socioeconomic group.

Unfortunately, a number of victims have become so ashamed that they commit suicide. It is a tragic situation, and the FBI has agents working on these crimes. They have made arrests when the perpetrator is in the U.S.

The FBI recommends that young people take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. They recommend that you never send “compromising images to anyone.” Do not open a request when you are not certain who it is. Turn off your electronic devices and the web-camera when not using them.

If you have been victimized by sexstortion, let an adult know and call the FBI. Their number is 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Sextortion is a tragic cause of suicide. Parents and other caregivers should educate their children and let them know you will support them if they let you know they have been victimized.

Peter M. Hartmann, MD

Family Medicine & Psychiatry

#Flu and RSV Infections Growing

As noted in my November 20 blog, the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infections have come early this year and are infecting large numbers of people. RSV is affecting children the most.

As a result of the dramatic increase in infections pediatric hospital ICUs are nearing capacity. Waits in many ERs are averaging 8 hours.

Also, the demand for pediatric over-the-counter fever and pain medicines is exceeding the supply. Consequently, some pharmacies are limiting the number of medications that can be purchased at a time. These medicines are primarily ibuprofen ( e.g., Motrin) and acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol).

In addition to the flu and RSV there is an increase in COVID, parainfluenza, and rhinovirus infections. The CDC recommends wearing a mask if you attend an indoor gathering with lots of people.

Conclusions:

1. Get the flu shot, 2. Get a COVID booster if you have not had one, 3. Wear a mask as the CDC recommends.

Peter M. Hartmann, MD

Family Medicine & Psychiatry

#Long #COVID

Long COVID is defined as having ongoing symptoms of COVID for 2 months or longer after a positive test for COVID. A research study in JAMA Network Open on October 27, 2022 by Roy Perlis, MD and colleagues showed risk factors for getting it and evidence for a means of protection against it.

The researchers obtained information from over 16,000 adults in the U.S. Those who reported ongoing COVID symptoms 2months or more after a positive test were assessed for risk factors , mainly based on demographics.

The results showed that long COVID is more common in women (62.6 %) than men (37.4 %). It was also more common in adults over the age of 40 and increased by each decade after that.

People with college education fared better than those with a high school education. Living in an urban area was associated with a lower incidence than those from rural areas.

There was evidence that completion of a primary series of COVID vaccination reduced the risk of getting long COVID.

The bottom line is that long COVID is common, and is more common among women and older adults. Vaccination may reduce the risk.

Peter M. Hartmann, MD

Family Medicine & Psychiatry

#Medical News

1. Here are some interesting medical topics for you to read: The FLU started early this year, which has shown large numbers of people getting a flu-like illness. This has resulted in a record number of hospitalizations.

The U.S. experienced a spike in cases during Thanksgiving time. This is likely due to gatherings of people celebrating the holiday season.

The good news is that the flu vaccine this year is a good match for the strains causing infections. It is a great idea to get a flu shot. Also, the CDC is recommending that Americans wear masks during the upcoming holidays if they are indoors with a large group of people.

2. STRESS related to the COVID pandemic has aged teenagers brains about 3 years. It is unclear what the long term consequences will be.

3. METHAMPHETAMINE-associated heart failure has increased due to increasing use of this drug throughout the world. Meth use is found across all socioeconomic classes.

4. The FDA has sent a warning to Americans to AVOID using SKIN PRODUCTS that contain MERCURY. People who use these products can get mercury poisoning. This presents with tremors (shakiness of arms and legs), weakness, loss of sensation on parts of the body, seizures, trouble sleeping, poor vision (even blindness), memory loss, poor sleep, and trouble walking.

Skin products that contain mercury can come as a skin cream, soap, or lotion. They are advertised for skin lightening or as an anti-aging product. Look at the label for terms such as mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio, or mercury. These products are usually made overseas and are illegal in the U.S, but people have been able to purchase them.

Peter M. Hartmann, MD

Family Medicine & Psychiatry

#Explosive #Behavior in #Children

This blog is based on a presentation from the Psychopharmacology Institute by Carrie Vaudreuil, MD from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Children who have an outburst of angry behavior, which is out of proportion to what caused it, usually have changes in mood, sleep, appetite, energy, and functioning. During the outburst, the child may yell, slam doors, throw things, or even engage in violent behavior.

The most common trigger for the explosive outburst is limit setting. The child is told they cannot do something they like to do (e.g., play video games) or must do something they don’t like (e.g., get dressed for school).

There are many causes of explosive behavior. They include mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder), an anxiety disorder, PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, tics and Tourette syndrome, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, substance use disorder, learning disability, or intellectual disorder. With such a wide range of possible diagnoses, an evaluation by a mental health specialist with expertise in childhood disorders is needed.

If a child with outbursts of explosive behavior has a negative or abnormal emotional state that is present even when the child is not having an outburst, the symptoms they experience may suggest the diagnosis. For example, a chronic sad mood suggests a depressive disorder. Likewise, an elevated mood with excessive energy may suggest a bipolar disorder.

Other ongoing symptoms may also be present and suggest certain diagnoses. Changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, functioning, or having excessive worries are common examples.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders are characterized by emotional impulsivity (very rapid increase in emotional state) and deficient self-regulation (unable to calm themselves down).

Treatment depends on the underlying psychiatric illness. For example, ADHD may require medication and therapy, substance use disorder requires discontinuing the alcohol or drug used and therapy, bipolar disorder requires medication and therapy, etc.

Parents and guardians benefit from education about their child’s disorder and learning about approaches to manage the emotional outbursts. Sometimes the outbursts may appear to be manipulative but may not be. This needs to be explored.

If your child has explosive outbursts, take them to an appropriate mental health professional for an evaluation.

Peter M. Hartmann, MD

Family Medicine & Psychiatry