5 Diabetes and depression link explored Connection between the two conditions called “bi- directional” in nature By MURRAY B. HUNT pair of recent studies show a sig- [piiten link between depression and diabetes. A Washington University School of Medicine study published online in April 2015 says “clinically significant depression” affects a quarter of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and being diagnosed with diabetes can it- self increase the risk of depression or worsen an already existing case. The study shows the relationship also works in reverse, as people living with depression are more likely to de- velop Type 2 diabetes. This “bidirec- tional” relationship is the result of sev- eral interconnected factors, including weight gain, inflammation, and struc- tural and hormonal changes in the brain. The result is “the risk of major depression is doubled in people with Type 2 diabetes.” A second study, published online in October of this year by the American Diabetes Association, says children and adolescents with diabetes show in- creased depressive symptoms com- pared to those without. The study says youth with Type 2 diabetes are almost twice as likely as youths with Type 1 to show signs of depression. In both cas- es, less than 10 per cent of patients re- ceived treatment from a therapist. Dr. Greg Bondy, an endocrinologist at St. Paul’s Hospital, said there is a di- rect link between diabetes and other metabolic disorders and a_ variety mood disorders in young adults, in- cluding schizophrenia and psychosis. He said it’s unclear what brings these conditions on. “Schizophrenia and psychosis are rarely seen in young individuals but once they go through puberty [and be- gin] attending post secondary educa- tion, the signs of depression begin to appear in certain individuals,” Bondy said. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association’s website, “more than 10 million Canadians [are] living with dia- betes or prediabetes,” and over 20 peo- ple are diagnosed with diabetes every hour. The association recommends that everyone with diabetes should be regularly screened for depression and other psychiatric disorders. On the hunt for foraged fungi Mushroom enthusiasts find (semi)-buried treasure around Langara By KATE RICHARDSON DISCLAIMER - The Voice does not endorse or recommend its readers con- sume mushrooms or any other foraged goods. Anyone considering foraging for mushrooms should consult an expert. t’s hunting season around the Lan- gara College campus for Vancou- ver’s fungi fanatics. Mushrooms are popping up all over campus, and Langara’s grasses, gardens, trees and wetland make it a good spot to forage without hiking out of the city, according to Leanne Gallon, Vancouver Mycological Society (VMS) board member and longtime mush- room enthusiast. “Pines are a really good place to look because mushrooms in this area do like conifers,” she said. Gallon said enthusiasts often hike outside the city to find mushrooms, but that “they are there to find if you give it a good look.” Gallon added as the season wears on, the larger, showier mushrooms un- der trees reveal themselves. “There’s surprises to be had,” she said, “and sometimes you can eat them.” Not everyone is convinced. Christina Chan, a former Langara student study- ing biology at UBC, said she feels safer buying from the supermarket and leav- ing identification to the experts. “Tm not much of a hands-on go look for your own food kind of a person.” Chan said. Food culture has popularized com- mon edible mushrooms that can’t be cultivated, according to Mendel Skuls- ki, president of VMS. “You have to go and get them or pay someone to do that,” Skulski said, add- ing that for enthusiasts, finding and identifying specimens is big part of the appeal. “Tt’s a hunt without the cruelty fac- tor,” said Skulski. Gallon said people are interested in mushrooms for a variety of reasons, in- cluding as fabric dyes and medicines, not just to eat them. Skulski stressed preparation and ex- pertise is key to safe gathering and consumption, and anyone interested should seek the advice of experts and get a few good books. “If you are looking for something to eat make sure you have a second opin- ion.” Skulski said. “Mushrooms are variable, so when you have a descrip- tion to compare against make sure that [the specimen] lines up with all the characteristics.” Ship KATE RICHARDSON photos Many varieties of mushroom grow around the Langara College campus. Clockwise from top: sulphur tuft mushrooms (poisonous), coral mushrooms (edible, but unpalatable) and amanita muscaria (poisonous). ((3 An e Lack of diversity in Hal- sue with women who decide to wear a were a kid?” Goldberg asked hypothet- ag ° sexy Halloween costume, but ex- ically. “What is it now?” p loween attire f or women pressed concerned about the lack of Goldberg said dressing sexy for Hal- A einfor ces Stereotypes options available. loween can be empowering for some, “IT have trouble with them because but if it’s expected then women are By BEN BENGTSON they are the [only] choices presented,” “not free from that idea that [their] she said, arguing sexy costumes can women’s greatest asset is their sexual- ith Halloween just days away reinforce harmful stereotypes about ity.” We women struggle to find women. Ronan Matthews a consignment op- variety among the glut of ‘sexy’ Jill Goldberg, an English instructor erator at costume retailer Spirit Hal- costume options. and feminist lec- loween, said since taking over the fran- Eveanne Dasig, a first year student turer at Langara chise in 2009, he has “for the most part” at Langara College who plans to study College, said many moving away from sexy women’s cos- nursing, said companies tend to “sexu- women feel obli- tumes. ; alize” costumes for women. gated to dress sexy “We've had comments from custom- “Some women might not even want for Halloween. ers about that in the past,” Matthews to dress up like that. They might just Goldberg — said said. want to dress up like superheroes or as young girls ma- Matthews said part of the problem is something,” Dasig said. ture they reach a that a lot of costumes come “pre-pack- a “8 Dasig said costume companies point where sexy aged” with limited options for modifi- “probably think that women like to costumes become jn GOLDBERG cation. ; ; BEN BENGTSON photo = dress up that way,” and that’s why normative. “We've done a lot more create-your- This “Sheriff” costume based on the AMC TV show The stores continue to sell them. “What did you English instruc- own-costumes,” Matthews said, adding Walking Dead is an example of a ‘sexy’ costume found Patty Moore, coordinator of women’s want to be for Hal- tor at Langara customers can put the pieces together at costume retailer Spirit Halloween. studies at Langara, said she takes no is- loween when you College and create the costumes they want.