View Full Version : Purpose & Alzheimers
fidgiegirl
8-8-12, 10:07pm
I read a tidbit today in the lunchroom in a Prevention magazine. Who knows where they got it, but the important thing is it got me thinking. They said that people who feel a sense of purpose in life are less likely to get Alzheimers.
And I started to think of my purpose, and couldn't really nail it. I don't have kids, so it isn't that. My job is something I enjoy, but I don't feel it's a real mission. I love my dog, but there are lots of dogs that need help. Certainly my whole purpose in life doesn't revolve around Corky. He'll be gone looooooong before I am, God willing.
I was surprised that I couldn't identify my purpose. And I realize that I have a lot of philanthropic/service/community-building kinds of INTERESTS, but don't really take action on them. DH is a little more cautious than I am in how he invests his time, and I have let a lot of that rub off on me, to the point where I never act on my ideas anymore. But before, I was going the other way, and stressing out all the time over my commitments!
Hmmm. What do you think about "purpose" in life? Can you articulate your own purpose readily?
You know, I think it's great that you are trying to define your purpose in life, and i think it's a good thing for everyone to do periodically, but, articles like that really get my goat. Alzheimer's is a disease, and not just some 'funk' that you fall into. It is a real disease, one that affects a whole lot of people, and not just slackers. My father has it and you never met a more intelligent, curious, and thoughtful person in your life. He knew who he was and what his goals in life were, but was felled by this horrible disease. He is still him, on most days, but much diminished, and just a shadow of his former self, intellectually.
Articles like this put the burden of getting a disease on the victim, or rather the blame. He did not bring this on himself by being 'aimless' or without purpose.
I'm not attacking you, but just wanted to get this off my chest. Too often we see articles like this that tell us if only we do this or not do that we can avoid all these terrible things. Well, lifestyle can help you avoid many things, but there are no guarantees and not everything can be avoided, except maybe by dying early. This is also why I think Dr. Oz is a crock as he will have you swallow literally a handful of pills a day, eat every exotic fruit touted as 'the best' and still it's your fault if you get sick!
fidgiegirl
8-8-12, 10:37pm
peggy, understood. I am not a real fan of those magazines that dole out health advice in dribs and drabs and tidbits and I very much see what you're saying.
Sorry about your Dad :(
Fidgie, I have given up on finding a big, capital-P purpose for my life, because I think it's always evolving for me. I've moved into finding an overarching theme for all my purposes.... :)
One exercise someone gave me was to envision friends and family gathered for my funeral. Remembering me fondly, telling great stories. What do I want them to be saying about me? Not necessarily whether I was good or bad or whatever, but more concrete: What did I do with my time that people remember with joy? What did they admire? What is it about me that people were grateful for, glad I was in their lives (if anything!) ?
That, to me, transcends where you volunteer or what job you have.
I coached with this woman in the past, and she's got some definite ideas about purpose: http://www.newagearticles.com/Article/Forget-Your--Life-s-Purpose--And-Live-Your-Life-Purposefully/208
ApatheticNoMore
8-8-12, 11:41pm
I think the studies on Alzheimers and things correlated with it etc. are basically just saying that a healthy lifestyle lessens the risk of Alzheimers. It's also part genetic as there are very definite identified Alzheimers genes that have been known about for awhile that increase the odds of getting Alzheimers. So basically the healthy lifestyle correlations are things like diabetes doubles the risk of Alzheimers (so don't eat so badly you develop diabetes - although even diabetes has genetic suceptibility), metabolic syndrome is linked to Alzheimers, stress increases the risk of Alzheimers (by known mechanisms it seems - excess cortisol), etc.. And having a purpose could be seen as one of those "healthy lifestyle" factors (possibly by reducing stress?) that could maybe be generally categorized as health promoting.
And I realize that I have a lot of philanthropic/service/community-building kinds of INTERESTS, but don't really take action on them. DH is a little more cautious than I am in how he invests his time, and I have let a lot of that rub off on me, to the point where I never act on my ideas anymore. But before, I was going the other way, and stressing out all the time over my commitments!
Well if you are stressing out about purpose you clearly aren't doing your brain any good. In fact you are probably causing it Alzheimers right here as we speak. So long, was nice knowing you before you developed dementia. :laff: Just kidding, but the stress really isn't good for the brain or anything else. However if you *want* to do community-building and volunteering things that is what you should find time to do. I enjoy it.
One problem I have with the purpose thing is it gets channeled into jobs in this society. If your job provides purpose that's great, but clearly the current economy is not structured so everyone can have a purposeful job (the biggest growing sector is the service sector - everyone is going to find their purpose in life working retail?). And then people blame themselves for the lie that was told to them about the economy being filled with purposeful jobs, in effect they blame themselves for the nature of the economy. An economy that is better suited to human beings ... hey I'm there, but now things just are what they are, and if you like your job that's a good thing, and if you have a better idea go for it.
Some find purpose outside of jobs though. Me personally, I don't know that I really believe in any grand purpose. When you talked about how sad you were your program got cancelled, I thought, hmm from my perspective that doesn't really make the whole thing a waste. I mean ok it sucks, it's a legitimate reason to be upset, maybe I'd feel just as bad in your shoes. But I guess I see purpose as just kinda of to throw sparks out in the world, and you won't know if or when they will take off. Maybe in the future you get the chance to reimplement your program, maybe someone else in another district gets the idea to start something similar because of your example, maybe your students grow up and one of them becomes a teacher implements a similar program when they are an adult because of you. Maybe nothing comes of it and it was mostly a waste except for improving a few kids education. I mean ok I'm not a teacher and I clearly don't know what I'm talking about I guess, but I guess I just think the fact that something good was brought into existence is a victory. But maybe not the grand purpose of life. I dont' know.
ApatheticNoMore
8-8-12, 11:57pm
I realize I sound very "It's a Wonderful Life". Don't be upset about things, just go watch old Capra movies, yea that's the ticket :~). What cartoon was it that did a reverse it's a wonderful life that ended up everyone being better if they had never lived? Haha, probably some truth to that also, as people also do harm, but that's definitely not the purpose!
This will sound smart alecky but I've always known the purpose of my life and that is to enjoy it. That means that I have to identify the things that interest and entertain me and to pursue them. For instance we've been talking about dog and rescue: the purpose of my life isn't to rescue dogs. The purpose is to bring enjoyment to my life and these big fat funny, silly, sweet, bulldogs do that. If I didn't enjoy rescue I would not do it.
And that didn't save my mother from getting Alzheimer's since she was very active in arts and community and had plenty of interests.
My ex-husband had Alzheimers, and so did his mother. My younger brother also has it, with no genetics involved at all.
They both developed this cruel disease after they had retired and probably lost any sense of purpose in life.
My brother is lucky to have a good, solid marriage plus two granddaughters he loves. He will be well taken care of by his family, unlike my ex, who died alone in the hospital from leukemia he'd just been diagnosed with 3 days before.
ApatheticNoMore
8-9-12, 5:38am
I coached with this woman in the past, and she's got some definite ideas about purpose: http://www.newagearticles.com/Article/Forget-Your--Life-s-Purpose--And-Live-Your-Life-Purposefully/208
Interesting article, ooh boy was her previous therapist crazy though:
Fortunately I found a couples therapist who really loved his wife and wanted others to love their partners just as much. I told him that I was afraid that if I committed to the relationship, I’d miss out on something. He looked me in the eyes, grinned, and said the words that changed my life. “You’re missing out right now,” he said. “You’re with this guy over here, only you’re not experiencing everything this relationship has to give you. You haven’t sat down at the table to have a meal. You’ve just looked at the menu. No wonder you’re still hungry.
luckily her marriage worked out I guess, because that kind of concrete advice about that kind of decision that can only really be made by the person themselves, from Authority Figure (as opposed to say from random internet person giving advice), could backfire more ways than Russian roulette.
I think the reason that this correlation exists is that if you have a specific purpose, you are probably more likely to continue focusing and learning toward that, and these activities exercise the brain in various ways... much like learning a new language or musical instrument, or doing word or math puzzles, or learning to dance, or many other things -- activities such as these are also correlated with reduced Alzheimer's risk.
I'll be the odd one out and say I think Alzheimer's is entirely physiological in origin and its cause could be due to diet or environmental exposures. As far as purpose, I always like to remind myself that we are all just tiny specks in the universe. We make ourselves out to be important. I'm with Iris on this one; do what brings you and other joy; be kind. Enjoy the journey.
peggy, understood. I am not a real fan of those magazines that dole out health advice in dribs and drabs and tidbits and I very much see what you're saying.
Sorry about your Dad :(
Thanks fidgiegirl. I really wasn't trying to dump on you.
Life is so random. I don't believe in an afterlife or a sky god meddling in our affairs, so really see things through the filter of here and now and what science shows us, so far. My dad did live a very full, interesting life full of purpose, the main one being live a full and interesting life! it really is an insidious disease cause it doesn't happen with a bang, but rather it's a very very long goodbye watching them fade into the distance. And the saddest point is where they don't turn around to wave because they don't know you are watching them.
Take reasonable care of yourself, but don't obsess over every little pill, or magic berry, or super smoothie potion because in the end something is going to get you, and there is no fault other that time.
I understand wanting purpose for the here and now, to make life as interesting as it can be. I second the suggestion to search your interests and find something to learn/perfect/explore. then, if you want/need to, you can share it with others. Or us here! We always like new interesting things. Maybe even a new use for salad spinners!
I'm always skeptical of this kind of article. I remember some group of nuns were the subject of a longitudinal study that reported that those who had written the longest, most detailed autobiographies early in life (perhaps part of the order's application process?) were less likely to succumb to dementia in their later years. By that standard, I'm doomed. Latest work seems to indicate insulin resistance is a factor. Again, doom. Purpose? A trifecta.
In the end, I'm with Iris Lily--I think we're here to learn and enjoy. Or learn and suffer, whichever. My working philosophy is that this is just one stop on a journey.
I think sometimes the wrong assumptions are made in studies. Maybe the people who have a "purpose" (whatever the heck that is), tend to have more energy, or have the genetic make-up that tends to be healthier.....and that's why they can be more active and maybe ultimately have a better/healthier system?
Maybe its not like you can avoid dementia by getting a purpose.
On the other hand........I don't think you can deny the mind/body/spirit connection and things that make us happy and keep us interested surely must have a positive effect on our immune systems....??
Children, a lifelong mate, a beautiful home, fancy vehicles, money... those are all things that provide "purpose" for a lot of people, but for me, embracing life, being myself, enjoying good health and happiness, and living without stress, provides me with the greatest purpose of all!
Life, has a magnitude of endless things to offer, and being able to select a handful of those things that make one happy and content, is, IMO, how life should be... and what life should be.
Few days go by where I don't celebrate life, my good health, and all the things I have been graced with, without a victory dance. Each day I awake, I remind myself, "life is good"!
There, that's my purpose, and whatever is going to happen, will happen...
Iris Lily, I'm with you! My purpose in life is to enjoy every minute of it, and while that sounds self-serving, the things that give me joy include my family, singing at church, and making and selling art, so I DO interact with others and do some good while having fun. Alzheimers? I hope it never happens, but if it does I will have had a great ride until then.
I think there are certain personality types that need a purpose (or need to FEEL they have one) more than others. Something's lacking without it. I always envy those whose purpose is as simple as enjoying every minute of life. I'm stuck with needing to do that, AND needing to have this place be a little different - better - when I leave than when I got here, or else I am not fulfilled. Some of us are just wired that way, and it can be a royal pain :)
Dan Buettner (the Blue Zones guy) agrees that purpose helps with longevity at least (doesn't address alzheimers):
http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/power-9/
I almost don't believe anything I hear anymore about 'this causes that', 'oh wait, no it doesn't', 'oh yes it does again'. Seems like studies point us in the direction of doing what everyone else does, or buying something, etc.
My sentiment exactly, CathyA, only difference being (speaking for myself), I don't believe anything I read/hear anymore. I say do the best you can, try and live healthy, eat healthy, get exercise when you can, and don't smoke or drink, the rest is up in the air!
ApatheticNoMore
8-9-12, 1:07pm
AND needing to have this place be a little different - better - when I leave than when I got here, or else I am not fulfilled.
I find those things the most rewarding, that's what gives me the most enjoyment of life, but as for counting on some long run impact I believe it's unknowable.
I find those things the most rewarding, that's what gives me the most enjoyment of life, but as for counting on some long run impact I believe it's unknowable.
I agree with you 100%. We just don't know. All we can do is our "best," meaning (to me) something close to your vision of how things ought to be. I'm not holding out for an atta-girl or a nobel prize.
winterberry
8-10-12, 11:11am
I think Alzheimers robs people of their sense of purpose along with other mental faculties. My father had a strong sense of purpose throughout most of his life. He spoke five or six languages and was a prolific writer. But as the disease took over, he lost his ability to write coherently or concentrate long enough to read a book. He became apathetic. Loss of purpose was a symptom, not a cause of the illness.
I read yet another article that said Alzheimer's seems to crop up often in people who have used primarily one side of their brain - the analytical-thinking left-side. Personally, It seems like I rarely get to use the joyful, creative side of my brain anymore. Our current culture stresses information, analysis, etc in so many professions. Anyway...until we know specifically what its cause is...no sense fretting about it.
"Dr. Rae Lyn Burke was a long-time Alzheimer's researcher -- until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's herself"
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Going-from-Alzheimer-s-researcher-to-patient-2352780.php#ixzz23Gm2VwvR
Talk about irony. While I'll agree that the symptoms of alzheimers and dementia can be reduced by actively studying, learning or doing new things - both intellectually and physically active things - it is a purely physical disease and no amount of "life's passion" will help cure it. I agree with Winterberry that losing one's sense of purpose, drive and desires in life are a sypmtom of Alzheimers rather than a cause. Unfortunately I see this as a sypmtom of aging in general, and it seems that many older people without alzheimers or demenia often succumb to this. Why? And why do some and not others?
I don't have a single all-consuming life passion, but have many small, often changing ones at different points in time. I have a lot of interests but have never had a driving passion that shuts out everything else in my life. And for that I am grateful. Having only one thing I am passionate about in life would be like death to me. I want to experience and try and do as much as I can - and then some. While I admire people who do have that one burning passion and are driven to work so hard at that one thing, I don't envy them at all.
I think sometimes the wrong assumptions are made in studies. Maybe the people who have a "purpose" (whatever the heck that is), tend to have more energy, or have the genetic make-up that tends to be healthier.....and that's why they can be more active and maybe ultimately have a better/healthier system?
Maybe its not like you can avoid dementia by getting a purpose.
On the other hand........I don't think you can deny the mind/body/spirit connection and things that make us happy and keep us interested surely must have a positive effect on our immune systems....??
I also think that some people who are limited in other ways - say physically handicapped - often have greater, even more defined (singleminded?) passions and interests in life because of those limitations. I think physicist (and boy-genius) Stephen Hawings is a good example of this. Complete physical disability limits his "passions" to totally intellectual activities. So was he born a genius or made one by his handicap? If he were fit and healthy would he spend his days playing basketball down at the YMCA or would he still study physics to the same degree? I wonder...
I agree with Winterberry that losing one's sense of purpose, drive and desires in life are a sypmtom of Alzheimers rather than a cause. Unfortunately I see this as a sypmtom of aging in general, and it seems that many older people without alzheimers or demenia often succumb to this. Why? And why do some and not others?
...
I've read there's a connection between dementia and depression, but that could be confounded by the chicken/egg conundrum. I've also read that in the elderly, depression can mimic dementia. I lean toward the insulin theory, personally.
My aunt stopped driving and being involved in the community and going out and that point she started to withdraw a little bit. One day she fell and hurt her leg on the stone steps leading from her apartment to the street and after that shut herself in the house and isolated herself. That is when we noticed the dementia set in. The doctors at MGH in Boston said that depression can be a catalyst to it and that while she may have gotten Alzheimers not matter what, depression can exasserbate symptoms and result in an earlier onset.
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