Obesity ignored

DEAR ANNIE » I am over 70 years old and in failing health. My stepbrother, “Tom,” is 58. Although he is still working, I am sure that he will soon have to stop because over the past few years, he has become steadily more obese, and the doctors seem unable to find a cause or remedy, nor do they really seem to care. He now weighs almost 700 pounds. I love my brother and am worried about what will happen to him when I am gone. I have always been reasonably slender, and my brother doesn’t seem to eat much more than I do, and he certainly doesn’t eat cake, pies or other junk food, nor does he eat large portions.

When I look around, it seems as if obesity is becoming more and more of a problem in the U.S. What happens when obese people are unable to work but are too young to receive their Social Security benefits? What happens when they become too old and infirm to care for their own basic needs? I can’t understand why the medical profession doesn’t assign a higher priority to the treatment of obesity in this country. Why can’t more people understand that it isn’t just a problem of overeating? Happy birthday: for Monday, July 3. This year you have the creativity, drive and energy to manifest more of what you want. You possess an innate charm that draws others to you, no matter where you are. Sometime after summer you could meet someone who feels right for you. Take your time getting to know this person before you commit. If you are attached, you and your sweetie enter a very romantic period once fall arrives, and you’ll act as if you are new lovers. The intensity between you will be noticeable to those around you. SCORPIO understands you very well. Aries (March 21-April 19): ★★★★ Take an in-depth look at a domestic issue or a realestate DEAR CONCERNED » Your letter is a testament to what a blessing siblings can be. It’s great you’re still looking out for your little brother. I’m not a doctor, but it sounds to me as if Tom could have hypothyroidism, which slows down the metabolism. The most important thing you can do for your brother is encourage him to seek the opinion of another doctor. Offer to take him to the appointment yourself if it would help. Finally, be sure to take care of yourself, too. I’m sure Tom is as worried about his elder brother as you are about him. DEAR ANNIE » I’m a psychiatrist. For several decades, I’ve treated patients for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. You recently ran a letter from “Missing My Space Cadet.” He was concerned about his wife, who, after being prescribed an “amphetamine medication” for ADHD, became laser-focused on work and was no longer fun-loving. She was also described as sleeping and eating lots more on days when she didn’t take it.

As you said, she may be abusing her medication, but another possibility (more likely, in my opinion) is that the prescribed dose is simply too high for her. Most patients — and more matter. Knowing how to invest your time and money requires more information. Touch base with an expert, especially if your intuition seems to be holding up a warning flag. Tonight: Visit with a close loved one. Taurus (April 20-May 20): ★★★★★ Others are likely to reveal more of themselves than they have in a while. Touch base with an artistic friend. Make plans to get together with this person as soon as possible, as the experience of being with him or her is always different and exciting. Tonight: Go along with a suggestion. Gemini (May 21-June 20): ★★★ Pace yourself. A boss can be inspirational and full of ideas, but you might not be receiving his or her message clearly. Perhaps than a few prescribers — do not realize that with ADHD medications, there is usually a fairly small difference between the dose that does nothing and the dose that has unwelcome side effects or that the correct dosage can vary quite widely from person to person. Thus, rather than simply prescribe a standard dosage, doctors must conduct a single-case experiment for every patient. This requires close communication between doctor and patient. But if both of them aren’t careful, the patient can continue to be prescribed the wrong dosage.

For this reason, I think your advice that the husband and wife should go together to the next appointment was very much on target. My guess is that the problem could be easily solved by lowering the dosage considerably. Unless the woman is taking more than the prescribed dosage, the word “abuse” is not applicable. DEAR PSYCHIATRIST » Input from medical professionals such as you is always helpful. You’ve raised a great point. I’ve passed this information along to “Missing My Space Cadet.” Thank you. you are on a different track and unable to hear this person’s words in the spirit in which they were intended. Tonight: Run some errands on the way home. Cancer (June 21-July 22): ★★★★ You could be going through a problem that, up until now, has not been easily resolvable. Open up a discussion, and listen to someone who wants to play devil’s advocate and brainstorm with you. This person will help you get past a self-imposed barrier. Tonight: Be creative. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): ★★★ Your instincts play a key role in your choices and actions. Honor your priorities, and also your values; both demand your attention. You can integrate them more easily than you realize. A discussion needs to be kept between the parties involved. Tonight: Happiest at home. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): ★★★★ Defer to someone who is very important to you, and go along with his or her wishes. You often question how grounded this person is, but today is different. At this moment in time, you are receptive to his or her ideas and positivity. Tonight: Hang out at a favorite place. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ★★★★ Reach out to someone who is better at handling money than you are. The issue might be that you tend to go overboard. Know when to say ‘’enough is enough.’’ Listening to others’ ideas does not mean that you have to agree with them. Tonight: Buy a favorite treat on the way home. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): ★★★★★ You remain actively involved in a creative project. Listen well, and try not to skip right over any comments. Take in the whole conversation. You are likely to remain more upbeat than anyone else. Others will respond to your positive energy. Tonight: Do what you want. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): ★★★★ You feel more creative and open with one specific person than you have in a while. Keep some of your thoughts and opinions to yourself for now. You are coming out of a period of being somewhat withdrawn, and you’ll need to take your time. Tonight: Keep a secret hush-hush. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): ★★★★★ Zero in on your priorities in a meeting. Others have heard your opinions, but have you really internalized their message? Recognize that you are not the only one with great ideas. Be more open, and acknowledge what others opt to share. Tonight: Don’t head directly home. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): ★★★★ You need to take charge and find out what is happening between you and someone else. Your sense of humor emerges when dealing with a situation involving a key person in your day-to-day life. Pressure remains high to perform well. Tonight: A must appearance. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): ★★★★★ You cannot deny the role of your intuition. Some of you might feel as if you are practically psychic. Honor your feelings, whether they pertain to a relationship, travel or your inlaws. You don’t need to let others know where you are coming from. Tonight: Out and about. Born today: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (1971), author Franz Kafka (1883), actress Olivia Munn (1980)