How a Mental Health Counselor Can Change Your Life

You do not have to suffer mental stress and depression alone. Instead, you should seek professional help and learn how a mental health counselor can change your life. Mental health statistics show that twenty-eight percent of Americans can actually benefit from counseling, although only a third of them will actually look for one.

A mental health counselor can effectively improve your mental health by working through your past and present issues. Using writing techniques, reading aloud what you wrote, and by talking, you can identify the source of your anxiety and learn how to overcome them effectively. Counseling gives you valuable tools to handle daily problems and long-term relationships. A good counselor can be a real lifesaver.

Whatever you do for a living, everyone today experiences different levels of stress at work and at home. Some people deal with stressful situations by over eating, or abusing drugs and alcohol. However, counseling sessions can provide way healthier solutions to everyday troubles that cause you to feel depressed and anxious. A benefit of mental health counseling is that you are approaching your problems naturally through therapy, instead of using prescribed medications.

Sometimes, you need an outsider to listen and provide objective opinions on your issues. A mental health counselor is one such person who is trained to give you such valuable advice. It is their job to help you deal with the problems that are causing an upset in your life. Your counselor can also recommend other medical professionals to address all the physical problems that you may be experiencing. This is important as your physical well being significantly affects your mental health.

How a mental health counselor can change your life is by giving you the motivation and energy you need to lead your life in a more optimistic manner. No one can really understand how you feel unless you are willing to open up and share thoughts and feelings. Counseling therefore effectively helps reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders such as irrational fear, heart palpitations, and difficulty in concentrating, speaking, and sleeping. Signs of depression include fatigue, hopelessness, constant crying, and loss of interest in normal activities, headaches, and thoughts of suicide.

Through counseling, one can gain new perspectives on managing issues that occur in our daily lives, as well as pick up social skills to better handle them mentally and emotionally.

A mental health counselor can help you understand your personal habits and behaviors, and find real contentment by analyzing if what you are doing it is best for you. Mental health counselors strive to stay up to date on the latest developments in mental health care. Their education and practice has exposed them to many theories and procedures on developing good mental health. So, their professional experience will definitely be useful in helping you recover from all your mental problems.

Suffering from mental disorders can be very stressful and tiring. It takes a strong person to admit his or her problems and actively seek treatment for them. Seeking out a counselor does not mean that you are less capable than others as you are simply getting help when you need some. As such, learning how a mental health counselor can change your life will enable you to better utilize their expertise to solve your problems efficiently.

Current Addictions and Mental Health Resources

Anyone can have a mental illness, regardless of age, gender, race, or income. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or AIDS. It is believed that one in five adults and children has a diagnosable mental disorder, one in every 10 young people age 9 or older has a serious emotional disturbance that severely disrupts daily life.and one in four families will have a member with mental illness. Children who develop depression often have a family history of the illness, many times a parent who had depression at an early age. Untreated mental health problems can lead to suicide, which is the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year olds. An estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.It is important to remember that mental illness occurs at any age, but most often appears for the first time between the ages of 25 and 44. With proper treatment, most people suffering from a mental illness can return to normal, productive lives, and almost everyone receives some benefit from treatment.

The causes of mental illness are complicated. Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused mostly by biology and environment. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body caused by genetics, lack of sleep or poor nutrition, or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury, lack of oxygen in child birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders. Examples including exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead; exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other disasters; stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and the loss of important people through death,divorce, or broken relationships.

The following six preventive services are recommended and can be carried out in a clinic, church, library or local community center:

1. Prenatal and infancy home visits or support groups.

2. Targeted cessation education and counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant.

3. Targeted short-term mental health therapy.

4. Self-care education for adults (money management, relationship skills, stress management).

5. Mentoring and adult supervised after-school and weekend programs

6. Brief counseling and advice to reduce alcohol use.

Over the years I have found that finding good information is kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The following links will take you to addictions and mental health sites that have the most current and useful information for addictions counselors, rehabilitation counselors, mental health clinicians, nurses and (of course) program administrators. All of the resources are FREE so you can order copies for your colleagues and/or staff!

Health Maintenance Through Positive Thinking

Health Maintenance Through Positive Thinking

Paper presented in National Seminar on Positive Perspectives of Health and Behaviour, Department of Psychology, M.D. University, Rohtak, February, 1&2, 2008.

M. FAIM A. ANSARI (RESEARCH SCHOLAR)

ASIYA AIJAZ (READER)

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

THE ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

ALIGARH

Health:

Psychological resources such as hope, optimism, personal control, sense of meaning, and subjective well-being are known to exercise a protective influence on health. The Greek physician Hippocrates anticipated that positive emotions and health outcomes may be linked through multiple pathways. In the developed and developing countries, health is seen as the most valuable asset for a good quality of life, particularly in later years of life. Good health of the citizen is key facilitator to contribute to society. Smith (1990) said, "In the past, good health meant the absence of disease." Today the definition of health is high level wellness that goes beyond the absence of disease toward one’s maximum potential which includes mind, body and sprit. High level wellness is the integration of health component, i.e. emotional, physical, social, spiritual and mental.

The common origin of the word health from "hoelth", an English word meaning safe or sound and whole of body (Dolfman, 1973). There is no one contemporary meaning for the term. A nursing oriented definition of health consistent with the theme that the health is a subjective phenomenon that is operationalizable has been proposed by the Lynn. Lynn, 1990 defined health as a subjective representation of a person’s composite evaluation of somatic sense of self (how one is feeling) and functional ability (how one is doing).As such, health is manifested in the subjective judgment that one is experiencing wellness or illness. These subjective experiences are dynamic and are an outgrowth of person and environment interactions. As long as a person is capable of evaluating how he/she is feeling and doing at some level, the person has health.

The World Health Organization (WHO, 1948) defines health as a "state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has very clearly indicated that the absence of disease is not enough for health. This, definition emphasizes on positive and negative dimensions of health. Negative health or ill health has a subjective component expressed in the concept of illness and discomforts and an objective component express in concept of disease, injury, handicap or deformity. Positive health has two components: wellbeing and fitness. This state entails an appropriate balance of the physical, mental, social ingredients. Fitness can be considered as the objective physical components, where as, wellbeing can indicate the psychosocial component of positive health.

Lau (1995) found that when young healthy adults were asked to describe in their own words "what being healthy means to you?" their beliefs about health could be understood within the following dimensions:-

Ø Physiological/Physical- good condition, having energy.

Ø Pathological-happy, energetic, feels good psychologically.

Ø Behavioural-eat and sleep properly.

Ø Future consequence-live longer.

Ø The absence of, e.g., sickness, disease & symptoms.

Kasl and Cobb (1966) states that health behaviour is any activity undertaken by a person believing himself to be healthy for the purpose of preventing disease or detecting it at an asymptomatic stage. Therefore, positive health can be defined as activities that may prevent disease, detect disease and disability at an early stage, promote and enhance health, or protect from risk of injury. Thus, "positive health can be defined as any activity undertaken by individual with a frequency or intensity that increases health or reduces disease"

As, we all know that the good health is a gift of God, but having good health is not sufficient but to maintain it also equally important. For this reason one should also focus on healthy lifestyle and positive thinking.

ADOPT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.


• Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.


• Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.


• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.


• Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

The positive aspect of health is reflected in the Arabian proverb, "A man, who is healthy, has an optimistic view and who has an optimistic view, has everything" (Husain, 2005).

POSITIVE THINKING FOR GOOD HEALTH:

Happy people are always focusing on good events and worthy quality of life; they have optimistic view of life. Positive thinking can help people to gain peace of mind, obtain better health and attain an unceasing stream of energy. Positive thinking can have a beneficial effect on people’s health by increasing a person’s intellectual, physical, psychological, and social resources. Positive thinking leads to opportunity, Positive thinking is healthy. By practicing positive thinking one can enhance positive emotions, feeling and positive mental attitude which improve the quality of peoples lives and heal their bodies from illness and stresses.

According to Frederickson (2001) Positive emotions increase people’s physical, cognitive and social resources, which in turn help them cope more effectively with stressful experiences and live healthier.

According to Nudel and Nudel, positive thinking is an effective way to achieve mastery of bio-energy healing. Maintenance of a positive energy level in a healer's own bio-energy field reduces stress and emotional tension in the healer and in others positive emotions and feelings and a positive mental attitude can improve the quality of people's lives and heal their bodies of illnesses and stresses.

On the other hand, negative emotions and feelings bring poisonous toxins to the organism. Strong negative emotions such as anger, spite, envy, jealousy, and fear make the endocrine system accumulate poisons in the blood. Anxiety, depression, and doubt can also cause poisoning of the blood. Passive and lengthy negative emotions are even more dangerous for health than for active, sudden and momentary negative emotions. Negative emotions shorten the span of life. Treatment of physical symptoms with positive thoughts and statements was popularized in France a century ago, and it still has the power to overcome unwanted states (stress, tension, and unhappiness). Thoughts and feelings make up reality and add color to it. So, unhappiness brings a gray world and reality. To change a gray world and to overcome the feeling of unhappiness, anxiety, or tension, one needs to refocus the mind on positive, healing thoughts. When people predict that something wrong is going to happen to them, it is more likely to happen because negative thoughts will be reflected in their unconscious. Moreover, the person may develop psychosomatic illnesses (about 70% of all illnesses are psychosomatic, or caused by mental stress). Psychosomatic illnesses worsen when given special attention. Instead of paying direct attention to pain or illness, every time a negative thought occurs, say something like, "It will be better than I think." When a wish of any desired condition is established in the mind, somehow the unconscious mind leads the wish to realization-not magically, but through mental programming. Besides healing illnesses, positive attitudes help one to withstand troubles and problems, make correct decisions, and overcome obstacles. Do not focus on negative events; try to discover a positive perspective. For example, individuals should understand that they need to read more or think more of others in order to find the ways of perfect communications. Because the thoughts of individuals are either positive or negative, they are reflected in their social or asocial behaviors. People should observe and conceive the world around them, as well as their inner worlds, with positive perceptions. Healers should have "a positive mind state" before they begin practicing bio-energy healing. Healers communicate with other people giving them energy. "Negative" energy cannot bring healing; only damage and it is destructive for both a healer and a healee. Healing energy is "a positive energy" sent by "a positive mind." Your thoughts are in your control, and they can be very powerful.

Positive thoughts can motivate healthy behaviors, such as eating healthy food and being active. It's simple really. If you believe you can take 10,000 steps a day, you will be more likely to take an extra walk to meet your goal. If you know you can avoid holiday weight gain, you'll feel great when you pass the tempting dessert buffet, and fit comfortably in your winter clothes. If you set your mind to do something, you can do it. Positive thinking can also help you achieve and maintain healthy behaviors, such as becoming more physically active or limiting your sugar intake.

Peale (1996) has measured the success of positive-thinkers and found that those who think positively they can lose weight, or increase their physical activity, these people are more successful than people with less faith in themselves. The confidence you have in performing a certain behavior is called self-efficacy; and self-efficacy is a key in successful behavior change.

A "can-do" attitude may be just what it takes to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. Best of all, your attitude is something you can control. You have the choice to have a positive outlook. Chances are when you choose to think positively, you'll feel better about yourself and be able to perform better in whatever you do.

HOW TO STAY POSITIVE:

Positive thinkers admit when they feel frustrated or depressed. They don't ignore it. But they also don't blame themselves. Instead, they try to understand the negative thoughts and feelings and counter them with more positive ones. So how do you stay positive, maintain momentum and sustain healthy behaviors? Here are few tips given by Peale (1996):-

Ø Look for a good role model. There is always someone who seems to be doing just what you want to be doing. Maybe they've scheduled exercise into their workday and switched from coffee to herbal tea. Learn from a successful friend, family member or colleague. Ask them how they keep healthy and follow in their footsteps.

Ø Try some positive self-talk and avoid negative-talk. Take a minute to give yourself an ego boost. Repeat some motivational words out loud or to yourself. Negative talk, "I can't do it," "I'm fat," is dangerous for your well-being and healthy goals. Try to avoid the negative self-talk before it harms you. Remind yourself that you deserve happiness and can make positive changes.

Ø Get support. Tell your friends and family about your healthy habits. It helps to have an encouraging network.

Ø Reward yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for your healthy efforts. Take a nice bath, get a massage, and enjoy a new DVD or CD.

Ø Have a plan. Making a plan to exercise or eat healthy lunches with a friend can mean the difference of sticking with your goals or falling off track. If you've planned for an activity, you'll likely stick with it. You may even find that writing down your goals and steps to achieve them can help you stay on track. Take it day by day or week by week. The process of writing down your personal action plan is a good way to keep you honest and watch your progress or pitfalls.

Positive thinking is mental attitude that enters into the mind through words and images that are conducive to growth, expansion and success. It is mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action, whatever the mind expects, it finds.

The power of positive thinking can change and improve your life. Maintaining positive thinking and attitude will drive you to success, healthy life and happiness. Positive thinking is a habit that is right practice. Positive thinking is something you have to do everyday as often as possible and whenever you can. By practicing positive thinking everyday, you create a state of mind where you are constantly positive- it becomes a state of being positive. By doing this at last you will find an amount of positive energy that will create a positive situation for you everyday. Positive emotions and feelings and a positive mental attitude can improve the quality of people’s lives and heal their bodies of illnesses and help to regain health.

One approach to positive thinking given by Martin (1991) is called the three C's: Commitment, Control and Challenge.

Commitment: Make a positive commitment to yourself, to learning, work, family, friends, nature, and other worthwhile causes. Praise yourself and others, Always dream of success, Be enthusiastic.

Control: Keep your mind focused on important things. Set goals and priorities for what you think and do. Visualize practicing your actions. Develop a strategy for dealing with problems. Learn to relax. Enjoy successes. Be honest with yourself.

Challenge: Be courageous. Change and improve each day. Do your best and don't look back. See learning and change as opportunities. Try new things. Consider several options. Meet new people. Ask lots of questions. Keep track of your mental and physical health. Be optimistic.

Martin (1991) has shown that people with these characteristics are winners in good times and survivors in hard times. "……People who begin consciously to modify their inner conversations and assumptions report an almost immediate improvement in their performance. Their energy increases and things seem to go better…"

Commitment, control and challenge help build self-esteem, reduce stress, live healthier and promote positive thinking.

Mental and emotional expectations can influence medical outcomes. The effectiveness of any medical treatment depends in part on how useful you expect it to be. As we know that our feeling of ineffectiveness of recourses lead us to stressful situation, we can overcome this situation by maximizing our efforts and our positive thoughts like "I can do it, even with limited resources" "So what, if I am running short of recourses, I can manage this." This thinking can only be developed through positive thinking.

Positive affirmations are created through positive thinking to counter negative thoughts. These affirmations neutralize negative thoughts and build your self confidence. Positive affirmations give ways to the opportunities that are always present to some degree in a difficult situation.

Positive thinking help one to withstand troubles and problems, make correct decisions and overcome obstacles, stresses, and remains healthy. People should observe and conceive the world around them, as well as their inner worlds, with positive perceptions.

Spiritual strength promotes positive thinking, positive ideas, positive habits, positive attitudes, and positive efforts. There are qualities that promote wisdom, physical and mental well-being. Positive emotions stimulate the nervous system that protects the heart and reduces blood pressure. A realistic assessment of one’s limitations, the development of autonomy, and an ability to cope effectively with stress enable individuals to boost their positive thinking. The ability to recognize, accept and manage our feelings plays an integral role in our emotional development.

Meaning in life is very important for developing positive thinking. Those who are having meaning in their life are more likely to develop positive thinking. It has been observed that people who have meaning in their lives are keener to reduce stress for healthy life.

To develop positive thinking the person should be open to new ideas, activities and doing new things and new innovations, so that they can be more positive in their thinking.

The positive thinking can be developed by positive self talk, healthy attitudes, following effective fitness programmes (healthy diet), financially sound, hopefulness, new ideas, sense of responsibility etc. we can also develop positive thinking by acquiring new knowledge through stimulating mental activities that allows us to create environment in which useful and productive lives can be enjoyed.

Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're able to handle everyday stress in a constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking. Positive thinking decreased negative stress. As it is very much clear that the people who think positively are more optimistic than the people who don’t.

CONCLUSION:

It is very much clear from the above discussion that the people who think positively enjoy better and healthy life. Positive thoughts can motivate healthy behaviors, such as eating healthy food and being active. Positive thinking is the process of creating thoughts, that creates and focus energy into reality, to bring into creation a positive outcome, which you see as a benefit to yourself or others. This is a powerful gift that we all have but a lot of people are not aware of it.

Thus, we can say positive events are even sweeter when you see them as evidence of more to come, and see yourself as the master of your own fate. Therefore, we can say those who habitually practice positive thinking tend to experience more success, which can add up to a less stressful and healthier life. The power of positive thinking can change and improve your life. Maintaining positive thinking and attitude will drive you to success, healthy life and happiness.

REFERENCES:

1. Dolfman, M.L. (1973). The concept of health: A historic and Analytic examination. Journal of School Health, 43 (8), 491-497.

2. Frederickson, B.L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56, 218-226.

3. Husain, A. (2005). Islamic life styles: The right path for the maintenance of health. In R. Singh, A. Yadava and N.R. Sharma (Eds.) Health Psychology (pp. 329-339). New Delhi: Global Vision.

4. Kasl, S. V. & Cobb, S. (1966). Health behaviour, illness behaviour and sick role behaviour I: Health & illness behaviour. Archives of Environmental Health, 12, 246-266.

5. Lau, R.R. (1995). Cognitive representation of health and illness. In D. Gockman (Ed.), Handbook of Health Behaviour Research, Vol.I

6. Lynn, B. (1990). Getting back on Track: Nursing’s autonomous Scope of Practice. In N. Chaska (Ed.), the nursing profession: Turning points (267-274). St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby.

7. Martin, D (1991). How to be a Successful Student.

8. Nudel, M. & Nudel, E. Positive Thinking for Your Health.

9. Peale, N.V. (1996). The Power of Positive Thinking. {Books available online at Barnes & Noble.com}, Random House Publications.

10. Smith, S. (1990). Personal Health Choices. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

11. World Health Organization (1948). World Health Organization Constitution. In Basic documents, Geneva: Author.

Guidelines for Health Risk Appraisals

Health Risk Appraisals are tools that identify and quantify an individual's risk of morbidity or mortality using demographic, medical and lifestyle information. "Health Risk Appraisals and Medicare", an evaluation report completed by RAND for CMS, reached the following conclusions.

• Effective Health Risk Assessment (HRA) programs have demonstrated beneficial effects on behavior, physiological variables and general health status
• Interventions that combine Health Risk Assessment (HRA) feedback with the provision of Wellness Plans are most likely to show beneficial effects
• To be effective, Health Risk Assessment (HRA) questionnaires ought to be accompanied by follow-up interventions (e.g., information, support and referrals)

High quality Health Risk Appraisals offer, a computation for individual risk from the following most common diseases and health risk factors.

• Chronic Asthma
• COPD
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Ischemic heart disease
• Major depression
• Stroke
• Overweight and obesity
• Use of Tobaccos Products
• Mental health
• Immunizations

The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) collects and analyzes data to predict a individual's likelihood of experiencing the most common diseases.

Health Risk Appraisals: Demographic characteristics

An individual's age, sex and ethnicity are indicators of increased risk for certain diseases or conditions. At minimum, the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) ought to collect information, to the extent allowed by law, information on the individual's age, sex and ethnicity.

The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) ought to include questions addressing the individual's personal and family history of diseases or risk factors for common diseases or conditions. The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) must include questions to assess health risks related to the personal health characteristics and behaviors listed below.

• Weight
• Diet and Nutrition
• Use of Tobaccos Products
• High Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol
• Physical Fitness
• Alcohol Use
• Traveling by motor vehicle
• Stress Management
• Mental health

Perceived Health Status

The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) ought to include questions that assess An individual's self-perceived health status. The questions ought to allow an individual to rate their own health status on a relative scale.

Disclosure of use of Health Risk Assessment (HRA) information

The business ought to disclose how the information obtained from the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) will be used and to whom it'll be disclosed. The business may offer the disclosure and use information within the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) tool or reports or through written communications.

Ability to save/print Health Risk Assessment (HRA) results

Internet-based Health Risk Assessment (HRA) ought to give the individual the ability to save/print his/her Health Risk Assessment (HRA) results. For paper-based Health Risk Appraisals, the business ought to have a mechanism in place for the individual to receive a written copy of the results.

Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Results

Companies ought to offer a printed/printer-friendly web-based report for each individual participant. The report may emphasis on either individual risks for specified diseases or on Wellness.

Health Risk Assessment (HRA) computations may emphasis on either individual risks based on personal risk factors or on overall risk or health. The report ought to offer an explanatory information to assist them understand the outcome. Reports ought to clearly identify specific behaviors that can lower risk for each risk factor, and recommend targets for improvement. Reports ought to include resources (e.g., community programs, web-based resources and materials) that can assist individuals change to a healthier lifestyle. At minimum, the business ought to offer computation for individual risk from the following most common diseases and health risk factors.

• Chronic Asthma
• COPD
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Ischemic heart disease
• Major depression
• Stroke
• Overweight and obesity
• Use of Tobaccos Products
• Mental health
• Immunizations

Health Risk Assessment (HRA) report

The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) ought to offer web-based print-friendly results and the ability for the user to print the results. The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) report ought to include a profile of individual risk level for personal diseases or conditions according to age, sex, ethnicity and health risk factors that were identified in the questionnaire. The report ought to clearly identify specific behaviors that can lower the risk for each risk factor and recommend targets for improvements.

Natural Stress Cures

Anxiety is one of those things that is so common yet can cause a lot of disruption to your life. In this article, I focus on some of the natural approaches you can take to help cure your anxiety and lead a stress-free, happy life.

Probably the king of natural herbal remedies is St. John’s Wort. It is a safe herbal remedy which can be bought in shops in many countries. It comes from the Hypericum Perforatum plant -- a yellow-flowering herb which grows wildly in many meadows throughout the world.

St. John’s Wort is a very popular herb, and is known as the “happiness herb”. Many people find that it greatly improves their mood, relaxes them, and even improves their sleep and dreams. It also has hardly any side effects, and many people even report having no side-effects at all.

Another herb worth considering is Valerian. Its plant name is Valeriana officinalis, which has pink sweet-smelling flowers and grows in the northern hemisphere from June until September. It is often referred to as nature’s valium, because it acts in a similar way but without the same side-effects.

Another natural thing you can do is Yoga. Yoga gently stretches, exercises and tones your body whilst simultaneously relaxing the mind. Whilst doing yoga poses, you move into them smoothly, in time with your breathing, and hold them for a specific number breaths. A lot of people find this to be the most calming form of exercise available. Consider joining a local yoga class, or purchasing one of the many instructional DVD’s or books available.

Walking is also fanastic because it is a natural anxiety reliever. It relaxes the mind, integrates the left and right sides of the brain, and also reduces your blood pressure. Try to walk whenever you get the opportunity. At work, use the stairs rather than the elevator. If you need to go shopping to buy something, consider walking instead of driving your car. Use every opportunity you can to walk.

Another great technique to de-stress is to simply become aware of your breathing. You do not need to control your breathing, just gently be aware of it. You can either, stop what you are doing and sit quietly to be aware of your breathing, or you can become aware of your breathing whilst you are doing something else. This will not distract you from what you are doing; it will just calm your thoughts but make you more alert at the same time.

Also, if you are feeling anxious about things either in the past or in the future, try writing about them. Writing has been shown to be fantastic for calming the mind. When you write, you put your thoughts into words and this helps you get some perspective on them. Writing about what's worrying you can be as beneficial as talking to someone. It feels like a weight has been removed from your shoulders.

Color Therapy

Hypothalamus in the human body controls the pituitary gland and as the former is influenced by light. Hypothalamus acts on the pituitary gland which in turn controls all the other glands like pineal gland, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenalin, pancreas and ovaries.

The pineal gland is of particular importance because it responds to light and produces melatonin which is involved in maintaining the metabolic rhythm. Mystics also believe that the pineal gland I directly in connection with the Sahasrara chakra which is the top most chakra in the body.

Taking hold of the importance played by light in the functioning of bodily activities, color therapy makes use of the sensitiveness of people to different colors in treating various conditions. According to color therapists, every organ has its own vibration energy and diseases occur when these energies run short. By applying a color which has the same vibration energy to it, the disease can then be overcome. In this process of overcoming diseases, yellow, blue and red are identified as the most effective colors.

Furthermore, the latter notion is supported by modern physics which states that every color has a certain frequency wavelength and energy associated with it. Thereby, whatever color we absorb in the body would then affect our body which in turn would have impacts on the nervous system as well as the endocrine system. This so called ‘affect’ will then act upon release of hormones and other organic substances within the body. So when one falls sick, theirs is a substantial amount of healing energy that can be derived from color therapy, if applied in the right frequency and color.

Interestingly enough, therapy can be administered in various ways;

In ancient times, gems were used as the most popular means of color therapy.

However, at present breathing exercises conducted when the eyes are focused on a specific color are believed to help the body absorb specific color vibrations.

Another form of therapy associates itself with the use of crystals of various colors which gives off a specific color when sunlight passes through them.

Even color garments are known to be an effective way of administering therapy while, ‘solarised water’ also known as color water, which is kept under the sunlight for a while is known to bring about the same healing effects.

The most recent method of color therapy is to expose a patient in to an area with specific colored lighting. For e.g. allowing exposure to red light for cancer patients.

Anxiety Relief

Whats causing your anxiety? Whats making you stressed out? Whats making you feel tense? Identify the cause or causes of your anxiety. Target the problem. Family problem, work related stress, health issue? Do you feel lonesome and isolated in your home? Once you've discovered what is responsible for your anxiety you can start to deal with it logically. Break the problem down into little steps and take practical steps to avoid it or deal with it. That is, address it directly, be logical, not fearful, try and be balanced, honest and objective. Easier said than done however. Don't dwell and fret about the unknown or "what ifs"; its easy to exaggerate these thoughts and become fearful about them. It won't benefit you to dwell on them, it will only make it harder to see the problem objectively. 96% of the time worries and fears are imagined, they never happen.

Let it out first, everything. It is not the worry over which your anxious that is the problem, the problem is that over the course of time you have trained your brain to worry! Now its getting stuck on that setting. The solution is to break your worry habit once and for all. Start by getting your worries out of your system. And even begin to let them go. Its most likely they would have been over-exaggerated by now anyway.

This process could make you depressed if you are only listing negative stuff down; so after you get all the negative stuff out of your system begin to think positively and write down all the good things that are happening in your life now, anything that you can think of. Be positive! Also, think about or write down everything positive you can think of about the situation causing your anxiety and stress, in your diary or anxiety journal. Also, make a list of any good opportunities or good ideas, or fun things that you can do, or anything worthwhile you'd like to do, anything that you can think of. If you don't do this self-help stuff now I'm afraid, anxiety can become a major problem, and it can ruin your quality of life, making life almost unbearable and hard to live. This can even lead to depression and other problems. Don't let it get that far, take these simple steps now to cure yourself of panic and anxiety today.

Cure Anxiety

Homeopathy

Some of the most well-known homeopathic remedies for anxiety are Aconitum, Arsenicum, Gelsemium, Lycopodium and Phosphorus.

Also, PureCalm.

Aconitum: often used as a remedy for panic attacks that come on suddenly with intense fear (even fear of death) may justify this remedy. A state of intense anxiety can be accompanied by strong palpitations, shortness of breath, and a flushed face.

Arsenicum: Recommended for persons who are extremely anxious about their health, and deeply concerned with security and maintaining order.

Gelsemium: This remedy is useful when you feel weak, tired, you're trembling, and feel mentally feeble. A perfect example would be someone paralysed with fear. It is also useful for when a person is anxious about an upcoming event like a public performance or interview, or other stressful events: Diarrhea, chills, perspiration, and headaches will often develop in these people with anxiety.

Lycopodium: those suffering an inner sense of inadequacy, putting up fronts, pretending to be something they are not. They feel anxious from constant mental stress and have a lack of confidence. They may be extremely self-conscious and may be easily intimidated by other people they think are powerful. They may be deeply anxious and have a grave fear of failure. They usually do really well at a task once they have begun it.

Phosphorus: When the victim is imaginative, openhearted, excitable, jumpy, easily startled, and full of vivid and intense fears. Strong anxiety can be caused in such individuals by virtually anything. Such sufferers are nervous and highly sensitive to others. They can be overly sympathetic towards other people to the point of exhausting them self, becoming "spaced out" or even sick. They crave company and reassurance. Conversation or a hug makes them feel better; easily red and flushed in the face, thirst, heart palpitations and intense desire for cold are also indicative of Phosphorus.

The Signs of Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that most people do not understand or know about. Bipolar disorder by itself is a condition in which its sufferers cycle between two poles of mental instability; mania and depression. Rapid cycling bipolar occurs when the sufferer shifts quickly between the two states with little to no warning. Because it is one of the most serious forms of bipolar disorder the prognosis for anyone afflicted with rapid cycling bipolar disorder is not always good. The mental health and brain function of people with this condition is highly compromised because of the rate at which they go from mania to depression and back again. Treating this condition is also difficult because the medications used for mania and depression are different and can actually make the symptoms worse. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis for rapid cycling bipolar disorder is to have a full mental health evaluation done by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. A licensed mental health professional can do the necessary tests and see if the symptoms presented are indeed bipolar disorder. In order to make a rapid cycling diagnosis the patient will have to meet the standards set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV-TR which states that the patient must have at least four episodes of depression and mania/hypomania in a one year period. Some people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder are asymptomatic, meaning they have periods when they exhibit neither of the cycles associated with this disorder. This does not diminish their need to effectively deal with their condition because when the mania and depression do hit it can be severe enough to be life threatening. The more troubling side of this disorder is those who have little to no time between normalcy and a depressive or manic episode. Without proper mental health help people who suffer from this extreme can be a danger to themselves and others. It is also likely that those who suffer from rapid cycling bipolar disorder will also partake in risky behavior. There sense of right and wrong is sometimes not as it should be and they are willing to take chances with their health and well being. Drug and alcohol abuse is not out of the question particularly for those who like to self medicate. This can actually make the symptoms much worse and cause the cycling between the two extremes to happen at an even faster pace. You can find out more about rapid cycling bipolar disorder on the internet or at your local library. There is a wealth of information out there to help those who suffer from this disease but it is important that if you or someone you know may have this disorder that the first and best place to get help is from licensed mental health professional. That is the only way to get the treatment that will effectively deal with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and allow its sufferers to live a more normal life.

Ideas For ADHD Teens Problems

The conventional recommended treatment for ADHD includes medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvanse all of which are stimulant drugs to increase the brain dopamine activity. All the side effects of these drugs may not be known yet. These drugs can be very addicting. Another non stimulant drug which increases the amount of brain chemical norepinephrine is Strattera. Non stimulant drugs are generally considered to be less effective than stimulant drugs. However, both medications can have unwanted side effects. Stimulant drugs can cause sleeplessness and Strattera can cause nausea, abdominal pain and drowsiness, dizziness, mood swings, fatigue, and decreased growth in children and teens. The manufacturers of all the above drugs have added a warning stating that the drug can increase suicidal thinking in teens. Most of these drugs have been banned in Canada, and it may soon happen here too.

A doctor may try more than one medicine before finding the one that works. Doctors will work closely with the ADHD to figure out which medicine will best treat his or her symptoms taking under consideration other health problems or circumstances.

Another action-step that can help ADHD teens is the use of natural herbal supplements and homeopathics which include ingredients that have been used for years to aid these symptoms. The homeopathy origin and theory dates back to the 5th century B. C. The Greek physician Hippocrates known as the "father of medicine" believed in the principle of treating an illness by a substance capable of producing similar symptoms of the illness. If a substance that causes diseases are given in very small doses a disease can be cured by the body's own natural ability to heal itself.

In the late 1700's Samuel Hahnemann developed the homeopathy theory. His theorem is simple: If you take an effective drug like penicillin and dilute it with water until it becomes less concentrated, it will become more effective.

Herbal medicine is becoming more mainstream as advances in clinical research show their value in the treatment and prevention of disease. Nearly one-third of Americans use herbs. Herbal medicines may create unwanted or unexpected results when combined with conventional drugs. These treatments should be taken in concert with standard medical practices and procedures. Natural treatments are a viable option when consulting your pharmacist and doctor before trying them. So go ahead and find out how to Treat-ADHD-Naturally.

Parents no-holds-barred participation with problems of ADHD teens can be one of the responsive factors in helping the teen learn how to handle the problems. Behavioral therapy uses rewards or punishments to reduce or eliminate problematic behavior. Teens with ADHD benefit from frequently hearing nice things said about their actions and appearances. Help them build self-esteem. Show them you truly believe in their ability to succeed. Help the ADHD teenager find something in which they excel and help them pursue and succeed at these pursuits; interest, hobbies, art, sports, etc.

Resources for Bipolar Support

One of the hardest mental health disorders to deal with in the psychological world is bipolar disorder. What makes this disease even more difficult is that there are many different types of bipolar disorder that each has their own signs and symptoms. Making the initial diagnosis of bipolar is often a difficult process, but narrowing it down to what form can be even harder. As bad as that sounds there are a multitude of services available to help not only those who suffer from this disorder but also their friends and family. Of all the ways to get support for bipolar disorder the first and best step is to seek out help from a mental health professional. This is true for those who believe they have this disease or for the friends and family of those who are close to someone they feel may need help. A mental health expert can guide those who have this condition to the treatment that will work best for them. Before this can happen the person with the possible bipolar disorder must be examined and tested in order to get an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder. There are many treatment options available for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. Because every one single instance of this disease is unique it sometimes takes a combination of treatments to help those who suffer from it. The wide range of treatments includes prescription medications, individual counseling and therapy, and support groups for those with bipolar disorder and their families. The first step of any bipolar therapy is to control the symptoms. This is normally done with medications. Counseling is the next step which helps people who have bipolar disorder learn how to cope with their illness. This involves recognizing the symptoms and strategies to deal with them. Bipolar support groups make dealing with this frightening condition much easier for its sufferers. There are a whole variety of resources available for those who are seeking bipolar support. Doing a simple search of the internet will reveal a multitude of websites and other resources that can help people learn how to take effective action against this condition. Family and friends of those who have bipolar disorder can also use the internet to help them understand what their loved one is going through and how best they can help. If therapy is currently being used ask your therapist for a list of bipolar support groups in your area. They should have this information available and can give you valuable information about which support group may work best for you.

No is Killing your Baby

Would you feed your baby something that would damage thier cells? Would you put your child in an environment that you know was harmful to them?

Have you ever said no to an infant?

Why you should not say NO to your Baby!

No is a decision - Stop is an action! Let me explain.

Now let me first start of by saying I am a father of a 5 year old boy. So I am qualified to have a conversation on this, you may disagree, that's okay, I hope you give me the chance to explain.

I am a motivational/inspirational speaker, I have been blessed to have this talent and even more blessed to be able to use this talent around the world. As I have traveled across the United States, Canada, Mexico and all across Europe, I have heard babies and infants being told NO in many, many languages.

It is a habit that causes such stress it's hard to explain, I will do my best here.

How do you feel when you are told "No"? Do you like to tell others "No"? This little word reeks havoc on our lives and we don't even realize it.

There are many scientific studies that prove that we are a result of our thoughts and that thoughts can control how healthy we are, how we act in a certain situation and even how long we live. So what does that have to do with telling a child no?

Think about the word no for just a moment. When you are compelled to say the word no, think about what is happening at that particular moment. The word no is in response to an "action" someone is either doing, or asking you to do. Does that make sense?

Okay, so let's look at that for just a moment. Someone asked you to do something, or you asked someone else to do something, and it was decided, let me repeat, it was decided NOT to do it. See the word No is in response to a decision not so much an action.

When I tell my son Mason "No" now, I do it in response to a decision he either wants' to make, is making or has made. "Daddy can I have a soda"? "No Mason not right now".

When he was younger and was not aware of the decisions he was making I used the word STOP. See here is where, in my opinion, a huge change can happen for parents. When a baby is walking towards a set of steps, or near the oven, or about to tip over a glass of juice onto the carpet, it would be better if you said 'stop', and not no.

By saying stop you are teaching them to halt an action they are making and not conditioning them to cease from making decisions! I hope I am able to explain this in a way that makes sense.

I'm not a psychologist, I'm just a Dad who wants to bring value to other parents, and share my life experiences.

If you are telling your child, who may not be fully aware of the decisions they are making, but fully aware of the actions they are taking, if you are telling them 'No', it's an opinion that they begin to doubt their decisions as they grow older.

Try it, next time your youngster begins to do something they should Stop doing, say that and don't say No. You want them to take chances, to make choices, to do new things. Do what you really want to do by protecting them and have them stop what they are doing, and watch what happens.

CBT OCD - Vital Information About CBT

When I tell you about CBT OCD you probably already have an idea that comes to mind about what it is. Don't worry, this isn't the boring CBT OCD that you are used to. Your therapist may mean well, but they don't give you the whole picture. There can be two reasons for this, they either don't tell you the whole picture because they want you to come back so that they can make more money off of you. The second reason is that they simply don't know what the other vital parts are to getting rid of OCD. CBT OCD is a method that is used in a slightly misguided way, but don't worry, I will show you what I'm talking about below. Once you start to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, you'll start to actually be able to get some results, and let me tell you, the results are fantastic!

CBT OCD methods will be a thing of the past after the public realizes that therapists actually in reality don't know what they are doing. If they did, they would get results. Most of these professionals actually hide behind their fancy words, but at the end of the day, they just cannot help you. I cannot tell you how many of my clients told me that their therapist told them flat out, "I cannot help you!" That statement right there proves my point! Obviously you cannot help someone with your CBT OCD tactics because if you could, you would know that saying something like that to someone with OCD can be devastating to them. How would you feel if you had a medical condition and your doctor said to you, "I cannot help you!" Especially when it's something that is cureable!

I have heard from numerous people about how their therapist told them to face their fears by doing that which they are afraid to do. CBT OCD methods are not just one stop shop cures for OCD. Here is an example: You cannot just not give into a ritual. Your brain has a reason why it wants to give into the ritual. What the person that you are working with should do is to help you change the way that your brain thinks about the ritual so that you actually don't want to do the ritual anymore. That in fact, you'd rather do anything else but the ritual. My program actually makes it easier for you to not give into your rituals than it is to give in to them! Remember though, that realistically, it takes one to three months to actually get great and lasting results. Oh yea, and it's not based on CBT OCD methods. How's that for a breath of fresh air?

Obsessive-compulsive Personality

Now that I think about it, I don't want you to get the wrong impression that I think all therapists are bad, etc. There are some well meaning ones but if you don't get the results you want, what's the point honestly? You need to make sure that the person that you are working with has a proven track record of curing the peole that they help. Don't work with someone because of the plaque on their wall or because of their diploma. No, instead, work with someone who actually has proven that they can help you get the results that you seek because they have helped others do the same. Remember that Obsessive-compulsive Personality is not something to mess around with, you should work with someone who had it and beat it and who knows how to teach you what they did, period!

I want you to understand that just because something looks really hard, it doesn't mean that it is actually that hard. Have you ever heard someone say, "Now, that wasn't so hard was it!" The reason is because sometimes we expect things to be a certain way and we want them to happen in a certain fashion that we sabotage our own success if they don't happen exactly the way we planned or visioned it. No, instead, what I would tell you when it comes to Obsessive-compulsive Personality issues is that you need to find someone who had it and beat it and who can show you why it's not as hard as you think it is and plus, why try to reinvent a cure, when someone else has already figured it out?

Obsessive-compulsive Personality is something that every person could potentially develop. you see, just like everyone could pick up smoking or everyone could start picking their nose. However there is no age group where it is mandatory that these habits will form, they can be formed at any time. Obsessive-compulsive Personality is the same way in that it can happen at any time. If you are smart you will be able to realize when this is happening and do something about it like you are doing right now by reading this article. I have to applaud you because a lot of people just sit and suffer with it and don't even try to get help!

Bronchitis Natural Treatment Options

An attack of bronchitis is usually so crippling that most people will feel actually depressed because of the shortage of oxygen, the additional effort to respire, and fatigue. It is very important for folk with bronchitis to be told how to sit down and look after themselves.

Conventional physicians will normally tell you that there is no remedy and the one thing you can do is live with it for the seven to 10 days which is the classic period for a case of acute bronchitis. They could recommend some over-the-counter medications to hide your symptoms and make you a bit more snug.

But alternative practitioners don't concur with this perspective.

Bronchitis Natural Treatment Lifestyle and Dietary Recommendations

Here are some crucial things to consider:

" Avoid milk or other dairy products asit produces extra mucus. You must have heard about the 8 x 8-ounce glasses or more a day. " Consume lots of fluids including weak vegetable and fruit juices such as carrot, beetroot, silverbeet, garlic, onions, and apple and also vegetable soups and herbal tea preparations. " Avoid all processed carbohydrates, sugar, dairy products and egg whites - this will help to reduce the body's capability to produce mucus. You can replace with soy or rice milk, soy cheeses, stevia (a natural sweetener) and egg substitute. " Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee.

OCD Relationship

My OCD relationship was horrible in the fact that I would always try to get my girlfriend to do rituals with me or for me and that put a huge strain on her and I. I really look back and shake my head for even letting myself give into it. The feeling at the time however was overwhelming before I learned how to stop it altogether. When you consider your OCD relationship, think about not asking your significant other to do rituals for you. If you are the person that does not have OCD, tell ther person that you are with that you care but that you cannot enable them by doing rituals for them, this is one of the best things that you could do!

Sometimes in your OCD relationship, the sufferer of OCD and the person who does not have it will hold the relationship hostage. If the person who has OCD in the OCD relationship says that they'll leave you if you don't do their rituals, let them do so. Do not let them hold the relationship over your head to make you do things. Trust me, there are other fish in the sea. Now more than ever, you need to think about whether you want to be trapped by someone that has OCD and who exploits your love for them to make them do things? Walk away. At the same time, if the person who does not have OCD in your OCD relationship tries to threaten to leave you if you keep having OCD, you should let this be a motivation to help you get rid of it. At the same time, make sure that you don't let them control you and hold the relationship hostage. Don't give into this mess either. Tell them that if they love you, that they will at least fight for you, but remember, they cannot and should not do rituals for you, so don't ask them too. And make sure to not talk about it with them more than once a week!

When we take a closer look at an OCD relationship, we see that in order for it to survive, the two people have to act as a team. If both people in the OCD relationship have OCD, then you both need to follow these rules. Don't give into eachother's whims and don't talk about it with eachother more than once a week. At the time that you plan to talk to eachother about it, you can share your goals with one another and challenge one another to complete those goals and you can even compete with one another to see who gave in to their OCD the least! This is a pretty picture isn't it? Of team work and of people who have a common goal who come together are willing to help one another reach eachother's goals. I know that was a mouthful, but I'm sure that you see what I'm talking about!

Acupuncture for Migraine

During a visit to China in 1978, cardiologist Doctor Isadore Rosenfeld witnessed open-heart surgery on a patient, anaesthetised only with acupuncture. A major operation and the patient was awake! Nothing like it had ever been seen before in the west.But acupuncture is over 5000 years old. There is evidence that it was practiced by the ancient Egyptians. South African tribesmen scratched their bodies to cure disease and the Eskimos used a simple form of acupuncture.

Acupuncture provides miraculous healing of those awful body pains that antibiotics and medicines otherwise fail to reduce. Whether you are suffering from back pain, arthritis, joint pains, or severe migraine/headache, acupuncture has a whole new world of remedies for your intense suffering. Acupuncture means inserting needles into the skin at precise points to let pent-up energy start flowing within your body. The theory originated in China and specifies about an essential life energy “qi” [pronounced as chi] that flows through the body along invisible channels called meridians.

Migraine Treatment

The starting symptoms of migraine headaches are generally the spots, sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds, feeling dizzy or nauseated etc. At that time most of you want to stick up in your bed in a dark room with no light and sound to disturb you. You feel dizziness to the extent that you are unable to perform at work, school and even at home. Many people are familiar with the physical act of acupuncture, the act of inserting needles into the skin for the purpose of relaxation and natural healing. Acupuncture goes much further than needles in the skin. The Chinese used acupuncture to re-align one’s Chi, which is an energy of universal life that is believed to flow through all people.

If you decide to try acupuncture for migraines between your migraine attacks, and have an acupuncturist who distinguishes between prevention and treatment, you may receive SES acupuncture for migraines.

Use Acupuncture for Headaches

Acupuncture is an ancient migraine and tension headache treatment used in Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine holds that life energy Qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through the body along pathways or channels called meridians. When the flow of Qi becomes unbalanced and disrupted it causes health problems. The duration and frequency of acupuncture treatment depends on multiple factors such as what type of headache do you get (migraine, tension and sinus headaches), severity and frequency of your headaches, location of your headaches, specific time of day or night when you get them and so on.

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In a Nutshell, What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is built on the pragmatic notion that what people think can and does affect how they feel and how they behave. It is a powerful, simple and self-evidently sensible idea. CBT is an evidence based wholistic model in the truest sense - it is about encouraging positive change across the whole self.

The origins of the cognitive-behavioural model of applied psychology can be traced back to the early operant conditioning work of Watson and Raynor (1920), and it was certainly informed if not hastened by the innovative Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) work of Dr Albert Ellis in the mid-1950's, but it was not until Dr Aaron Beck developed his approach called Cognitive Therapy in the 1960's that modern Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as it is understood today, started to take a more identifiable shape.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy works by encouraging individuals to intentionally challenge the perceived ferocity, integrity and legitimacy of disempowering belief constructs; individuals are encouraged to look at negative beliefs and actively deconstruct them. Negative belief structures, for example, are rearranged, probed, prodded and dissected in the pursuit of ownership - thoughts are deemed to be "just thoughts" ultimately.

In a nutshell, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy seeks to help instil an empowering mindset over and above the self-limiting, helpless mindset and provide a set of coping skills to support cognitive-behavioural realignment where applicable. CBT is a science-based, short-term psychological model of change management that continues to evolve and grow in the light of the empirical evidence base that both informs and supports it. Change is a choice too, CBT reminds us.

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New Moms

The first few weeks as a new mom are spent adjusting to a sweet new member of the family. Even if it isn?t the mom?s first baby, there are still adjustments to be made. A new baby changes the time available. There is of course the things that NEEDS to be done like the following: ? Feeding ? Diaper changing ? Laundry ? Bathing ? Well baby checks Then there is the list of things that a new mom WANTS to do like the things on this list: ? Watch the baby sleep ? Hold and cuddle the baby ? Visit family ? Visit friends ? Take the baby for walks ? Look into the baby?s eyes A new mom?s life changes and it can be hard to deal with the changes in her body after giving birth. With a new baby, expenses increase and free time decreases. Many moms aren?t able to get to the gym to work out. With Stepgym shoes, she can get in shape just doing what she does everyday?walking. Walking alone is an easy way to loose pounds, increase fitness, and tone up muscles. Walking doesn?t cause stress on the body like running and other exercises do. It is fairly easy on the joints. This is important for new moms whose bodies are recuperating from carrying extra weight during the pregnancy and fitness levels dropping due to the restrictions on some activities a pregnant mom was not able to participate in like before she became pregnant. With Stepgym shoes, each step tones and exercises the body. It maximizes the positive affects of walking. The special sole makes the entire body work harder that walking in traditional shoes. Results from walking will be noticeable sooner with the Stepgym shoe because walking will work out all the same muscles that are worked out when walking with traditional shoes, but they have to work harder. Busy moms have to be efficient with their time. This shoe lets new moms work out while walking around doing every day tasks. Time, finances, and childcare may be factors that keep a new mom from getting in shape quickly after she gives birth. There is the one time cost to purchase Stepgym shoes. It will quickly pay for itself with what it saves in childcare, fitness club memberships, trainer costs, etc. Purchase Stepgym shoes today for yourself or a new mom that you know.

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Methods For Treating Depression

It is a fact that some of the pharmaceutical medications used for treating depression are highly effective. But, just about everyone of them comes with some sort of mild to serious side effect that can sometimes show up in the form of a new symptom. This can make it difficult for the patient to tell the difference between an actual new symptom and a side effect.

Another form of depression treating is through one on one therapy. This technique can easily be sought through a referral by your family physician to a professional counselor. When you are in a therapy session, you will simply talk about your emotions, thoughts, and depression symptoms while your therapist helps you get to the root of the problem.

Your therapist may suggest you keep a daily journal of your thoughts and feelings to see what triggers certain emotions. For some people, one on onegroup therapy sessions can take as little as a couple of sessions to start showing results. For others, therapy can take years. However, this is also a very effective method for treating depression.

As we are learning more and more about the effects of chemicals and the influence they have upon the human body, people are beginning to steer more toward natural ways of depression treating. Prescription drugs contain unnatural chemicals which can promote a buildup of toxins inside the body. This usually leads to the body not performing as well as it should and the beginning of disease formation. Common diseases influenced and triggered by chemicals are heart disease and cancer.

One form of treating depression by the use of a natural remedy is to take St. John's Wort. A lot of people are finding this type of herbal remedy increasingly effective in comparison to prescription medications due to the lack of side effects and the natural uplift in mood it provides.

St. John's Wort helps the brain to produce more serotonin and dopamine. Most other prescription drugs aim to do the same thing, but create too many side effects for most people to tolerate with ease. There are plenty of other natural remedies which can help to treat depression symptoms as well.

Not every single one treatment works for everyone. Like any other type of treatment, everyone has their pick. Taking natural remedies for depression can be done so with peace of mind by knowing there is no harm being done to the body.

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Elgin Mental Healthcare Center

How the hospital was developed can be broken down into five phases. The first phase ended in 1893. A stable leadership was responsible for the gradual growth during this period. After this phase, the hospital immensely grew to more than twice its size. This second phase, which ended by 1920, was characterized by a lot of politicking, leadership changes and power struggles in the system. For the third period, growth was more rapid. Hospital population, which reached its peak by the 1950s, increased for both geriatric and veterans. This is because the period was post World War I and World War II. By the time the third phase ended, hospital population declined. During this phase, psychotropic medications were introduced. Other milestones for this period include the development of community health facilities, deinstitutionalization, until the decentralization of decision-making and authority. This fourth phase ended until the 1980s.

The last phase is what some call the "rebirth." It began in 1983, when hospital census was at its lowest. Because of this, the hospital was on the verge of closure. However, the state decided to close Manteno Mental Health Center instead. During this time, the hospital was practically rebuilt. While the old buildings used a congregate model called the Kirkbride plan, new physical facilities were added such as cottages in order to adhere to a segregate plan. There are two divisions, civil and forensic. Each division has an acute treatment center, office and conference rooms which faculty and trainees can use. Forensic programs were further developed, and new affiliations with medical schools were also made. Affiliations include that with The Chicago Medical School, among others. An increase in educational activities showed that EMHC is also concerned with the education of future doctors and medical graduates. Hospital system operations were also modified. Activities of community mental health centers are integrated in the system operations. Community mental health centers refer their patients to EMHC. These community mental facilities include DuPage County Health Department, Lake County Mental Health Center, Ecker Center for Mental Health, and Kenneth Young Center.

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An Avoidable Tragedy

Unfortunately, people with serious mental illness also suffer from a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors, in particular obesity and tobacco use. Compounding this problem, people with serious mental illness have poorer access to established monitoring and treatment guidelines for physical health conditions.

Our nation?s healthcare system tends to be fragmented, with increased reliance on specialists who address very focused aspects of the health/illness continuum.

Fragmentation is most notable in the separation between the treatment for mental and physical illnesses. This separation is an artifact of how services have been funded historically, with the preponderance of funding for mental illness treatment coming from states and directed toward state psychiatric facilities that were often -- literally and figuratively -- far away from the mainstream of medical delivery.

What Can Be Done to Address this Tragedy?

There are solutions to this epidemic of premature death and morbidity among persons with mental illness. Policy makers can provide the policies, resources, and leadership to close this gap. We will have accomplished this goal when we can say that:

- Adequate funding is available to allow every provider of public mental health services to assess the physical health status as well as mental status of clients served in the public mental health system.

- States are learning from and following the examples of states such as Missouri and Louisiana, which are implementing primary care medical home initiatives with explicit mechanisms and financing integrated treatment between the mental health and primary care providers for coordination of services.

- State legislatures can create the policy infrastructure through statute or regulation to ensure that there is a strong working partnership between community mental health and community health provider organizations. These policies can define roles for these organizations, establish referral protocols, or allow for the cross-placement and reimbursement of clinical staff.

Disease Management: Another Promising Approach

Usual medical care often fails to meet the needs of chronically ill patients, even in managed, integrated delivery systems. The medical literature suggests strategies to improve outcomes in these patients. Effective interventions tend to fall into one of five areas: the use of evidence-based, planned care; reorganization of practice systems and provider roles; improved patient self-management support; increased access to expertise; and greater availability of clinical information. The challenge is to organize these components into an integrated system of chronic illness care. One approach to meeting these goals is through the creation of disease management programs.

Disease management (DM) is an approach to care coordination for individuals with chronic or persistent medical conditions for two important reasons: improved quality of care and decreased cost. Quality is improved because treatment is coordinated across the spectrum of care for individuals with these conditions using evidence-based practice guidelines and education on illness self-management. States have also been able to reduce costs through this approach.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued a letter to state Medicaid directors encouraging the adoption of DM. Currently, DM is now widely used in states for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and other persistent medical conditions, and increasingly for enrollees with serious mental illnesses.

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Mental Disorders & Multi-Axial Assessment

Diagnosis involves accumulation, interpretation & categorization of data. The main aim of this is to enable the clinician to use the most effective treatments available for that condition and to allow them to make accurate assessment of prognosis.

The Importance of diagnosis:

Allows inter-professional communication

Allows us to select appropriate treatments for patients

Allows assessment of prognosis

Allows scientific research to be preformed

However psychiatric diagnoses have been criticized because:

They provide little information about aetiology

They can carry pejorative connotation (negative labeling)

Patients don't always fall into neat categories. Some may have some but not all of the characteristic features of one or more different diagnostic categories (hence the terms schizoaffective & borderline personality)

The uniqueness of an individual patient is lost when labels are applied; one cannot fully convey a patient's predicament with a single label

Historically psychiatric diagnosis has low reliability & Validity (in general psychotic conditions have high reliability and neurotic conditions low reliability)

Both current diagnosis in psychiatry are categorical and can be monothetic (i.e. all criteria must be present e.g. Hypochodriasis) or Polythetic (some must be present e.g. Borderline personality disorders).

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) 1992

Mental disorders are described within chapter V (F) of the ICD 10. There are 10 categories within this chapter & each is further subdivided into further 10.

Categories are denoted by the letter F (for mental disorders chapter), followed by a number for the main group (e.g. F3 for Mood Disorders), followed by a further number for the category within the group (e.g. F32 for depressive episode). A fourth character (or third no) is used if it is necessary to subdivide further (e.g. F32.2 for severe depressive episode without psychotic symptoms)

In Schizophrenia, a fifth character is used to specify the course of the disorder (e.g. F20.01 for paranoid schizophrenia, episodic with progressive deficit).

Different versions of the ICD 10 are available & it is therefore flexible and acceptable to a variety of users for a variety of purposes:

1. Clinical descriptions & diagnostic guidelines: for general clinical, educational & service use.

2. Diagnostic criteria for research

3. Primary care version.

4. Multiaxial version.

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