1. How To Deal With Depression Associated With Eating Disorders.

    May 23, 2013

    Eating disorder and depression

    by Jared Friedman

    Millions of men and women struggle with eating disorders everyday. When a person’s relationship with food and his or her body has gotten out of control, and the individual can no longer maintain a healthy body weight, depression can be a very real part of the equation.

    Lisa Lilenfeld, PhD, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Argosy University in Arlington, Virginia who specializes in eating disorders, states that, “Being severely underweight and malnourished, which is common in anorexia, can cause physiological changes that are known to negatively affect mood states.”

    Eating Disorder Emotional Trauma 

    Ira M. Sacker, MD, an eating disorders specialist at Langone Medical Center at New York University and author of the book, Regaining Your Self: Understanding and Conquering the Eating Disorder Identity, adds that, “People who develop eating disorders feel as people that they’re not good enough. They become obsessed with perfectionism. That perfectionism begins to focus on what they eat. But underlying it is depression and anxiety. Often, these patients have suffered a lot of emotional trauma.”

    Many professionals in the mental health field believe that symptoms of depression can lead a person to eating disorder behaviors, and eating disorder behaviors can cause someone to experience symptoms of depression. These aspects of the two disorders makes the combination difficult to treat. However, there are ways to deal with depression associated with eating disorders

    Depression And Eating Disorders

    Depression in people with eating disorders typically has its own unique features, and therefore needs to be treated individually, case by case, especially when depression is a part of the person’s story. Dual diagnosis treatment is available. Various mental health rehab facilities specialize in the concurrent treatment of the symptoms of two diagnosed disorders. While you, or your loved one, is receiving guided asssistance for an eating disorder, the symptoms of depression are also being treated.

    With a persoanlized treatment plan for each client, these dual diagnosis programs focus on the unique set of needs presented when one person suffers from an eating disorder and depression.

    Identify The Disorders 

    The first step is to identify the two co-occurring disorders. The following symptoms can help guide you toward what eating disorder you, or someone you love, is dealing with, and whether or not depression is also present.

    The three main categories of eating disorders are:

    Anorexia nervosa:

    • Identified by weight loss generally due to an excessive need to diet and exercise.
    • Starvation, marked by an extremely unhealthy body weight, is a sure sign of anorexia.
    • The inability to ever feel thin enough, and the continuation of seeing oneself as overweight even when at an unhealthily low body weight, signals anorexia.

    Bulimia nervosa:

    • Signaled by a person’s repeated cycle of binging, or extreme overeating, followed by purging, or self-induced vomiting to ride the system of everything just eaten.
    • Behaviors, such as over-exercising, are used to compensate for overeating.
    • Feelings of guilt and loss of control over eating also signal bulimia

    Binge eating disorder:

    • Characterized by regular episodes of binge overeating and feelings of loss of control about eating.
    • An inability to not eat large amounts of food, even when the person does not want to eat that much.

    Once you have determined which category of eating disorder is most appropriate for your behaviors, is depression also a part of your pain? 

    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most common symptoms of depression are:

    • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
    • Fatigue and decreased energy
    • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
    • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
    • Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
    • Irritability, restlessness
    • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
    • Overeating or appetite loss
    • Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
    • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
    • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts


    If you feel that both diagnoses apply to you, contact a local treatment center for an assessment. You don’t have to live like this any longer. Help yourself, or a loved one, start on the road to recovery from an eating disorder and depression.

    Image Credit: Eidur Kappler

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  2. The Bright Side of Life

    April 28, 2013

    positive thinking

    by Jamie Arnold

    Whenever events and circumstances make us unhappy, we usually ask ourselves questions like

    –          What is the reality of the situation?

    –          What should my attitude to it be?

    –          What should I do about it?

    There is not much in the way of wise counsel, be it religious, philosophical or psychological, that does not in some way address these basic questions.

    The Monty Python film “Life of Brian” pokes fun at the whole matter by ending with a crucifixion scene in which the song “Always Look at the Bright Side of Life” is sung. Originally written for the film, this song is now a virtual folk anthem, glaring irony and all. It’s an ode to the extremes to which we humans will go to view life with a tall order of stiff upper lip topped off with Polyanna’s rose-colored glasses.

    Shadow and Light

    What’s the alternative to forced, seemingly unfounded, optimism in the face of unhappy emotions and experiences? Psychotherapy and psychiatry are readily available to help us with what ails us mentally and emotionally so that we can gain perspective, heal if necessary, and go on with life. Engaging in psychotherapy does not require a simplistic optimism that belies the darker realities of a situation; it encourages us to explore these shadows in more depth.  On the other hand, some branches of psychology have emerged in reaction to what they see as a singular emphasis on negative human conditions in their field. Humanistic psychology and positive psychology focus a little more on the bright side, so to speak. Rather than dismissing Polyanna, a psychologist studying positive psychology would be interested in her core attitudes and coping mechanisms to see if they have the potential to make the rest of us healthier and happier.

    Positive thinking is one of the central ideas of the so-called New Age movement in America and elsewhere. It also permeates Buddhist thought and, probably, the commonsense attitudes of many of our ancestors who somehow survived to pass on life to those who thrive today. Despite the need to understand and address what seems like negative realities, our mental health really does appear to benefit if we get into the habit of putting a positive spin on our lot and especially on the future.

    Give Yourself the Gift of Positive Thinking

    Neuroscience has entered an exciting era in which brain imaging is being used to identify what the brain looks when we feel joy, hope and other positive emotions. By scanning to identify which areas of the brain are more active when we feel upbeat and optimistic, neuroscientists can even devise ways to train and exercise those areas of the brain to become activated more readily. They can also identify areas most associated with depression and other psychiatric imbalances and likewise create more accurate ways to lessen the effect of those types of brain activity.

    This is exciting news for everyone alive today. Our generation is blessed with the knowledge and the proof that it’s possible to change our thoughts and attitudes for the better, and that, most of all, it’s beneficial for us in the long run to do so. The catchphrase for this phenomenon is brain plasticity, which refers to the fact that we can train and improve our brains just as we can our bodies. All it takes is the right set of methods and exercises.

    A Healthier, Happier You

    What are some of the benefits of cultivating positivity and optimism? According to experts at the world-renowned Mayo clinic, you’re more likely to live longer with a higher quality of life, experience less depression, enjoy a stronger immune system, experience less heart disease and better manage stressful situations. Whether optimism is a cause or effect of living a healthier lifestyle, there is a relationship. Positive people tend to be more physically active and eat healthier foods while engaging in fewer addictive behaviors.

    If you don’t feel that you have the positive mental attitude that would bring you these benefits, try some simple exercises and do them regularly just as you might start a physical exercise routine. Maintain your motivation by detaching from any expectations for a while. If you expect to feel better overnight and it doesn’t happen, don’t let yourself become discouraged; just keep going. Develop positive affirmations that you can apply to your life, or borrow some generic sayings from religious or self-help sources and repeat them until their simplicity begins to win you over. There is a piece of traditional folk wisdom that suggests, “If you’re not happy, fake it and it will eventually feel real.” This is absolutely true. The brain begins to remold itself to reflect a more positive outlook. Enduring happiness may not be as simple as that, but research suggests this approach is on the right path!

    Your positive inner coach should focus on simple phrases that deal with a better future, forgiveness, gratitude and other humble concerns. The capacity to believe that even bad situations and feelings will turn out for the best is a powerful antidote to life’s ills. Holding on to anger and disappointment have the capacity to poison us, so stop counting your wounds and affirm your forgiveness of others. Likewise, make simple statements of gratitude for the people, experiences, and opportunities that benefit your life.

    Are you ignoring negative realities by practicing positive thinking? Perhaps you are; or you may be avoiding putting a negative spin on a more benign reality. Each situation and each person is different, but adopting a positive attitude can absolutely help you feel happier in the long run. Just give it a try – it’ll work wonders in your life.

     Image Credit: Wagner Cesar Munhoz

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  3. 1 in 10 affected: Understanding Personality Disorders

    April 26, 2013

    personality disorders

    Image Credit: Alexis Tejeda

    It is estimated that 10% of the population have some form of personality disorder (PD) (source: BBC Health). Does this figure surprise you? Alarm you? If so, you are not alone. In fact, our shocking lack of general awareness has led mental health charity Mind to describe PD as ‘one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized diagnoses in mental health.

    These long-held misconceptions mean that, for people living with a diagnosis, the world can feel like a lonely place.

    Given the fact that PDs are so common, why do most of us know so little about them? And how can we begin to break down the walls that leave people with PD feeling isolated?

    This article explains what we mean by the term ‘personality disorder’ and offers practical advice about helping others and helping yourself, both at home and in the workplace.

    What are personality disorders?

    The term ‘personality disorder’ does not just refer to one condition. Mind explains that psychologists tend to categorize personality disorders under three general sub-headings:

    • Suspicious (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial)
    • Emotional and Impulsive (borderline, histrionic, narcissistic)
    • Anxious (avoidant, dependent, obsessive compulsive)

    People in the first category tend to be wary of others and unwilling to form close relationships. People in this category are often diagnosed with schizophrenia. People in the second category tend to be prone to mood swings and often display unpredictable behaviour. People in the third category tend to feel as though they need complete control over every aspect of their lives, which can lead to obsessive behaviour.

    Aren’t people with personality disorders dangerous?

    Frightening stories in the press have certainly not helped this myth. While it is true that Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) is common amongst people with a criminal conviction, clinical psychologists proved that most people with a PD are neither violent nor dangerous. Because PDs can lead to feelings of depression and low self-worth, often the individual is more likely to harm themselves than to harm others.

    Conditions such as ASPD are at the more serious end of the spectrum. Most people with a PD experience symptoms that are somewhere in between.

    What are the causes?

    There is some evidence to suggest that personality disorders are genetic. It is also thought that experiencing abuse or trauma, particularly at a young age, can be a triggering factor.

    Whatever the causes, treatment options such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offered by clinical psychologists or psychotherapist tend to focus on how to deal with the symptoms in the present, rather than looking into the past. CBT is one of many modern treatment options that some people find very effective.

    Helping others

    Some people misunderstand the symptoms of a personality disorder and assume that the sufferer is simply being melodramatic or exaggerating their problems. When family or friends offer advice, the person’s condition means that they only hear the negatives and may even feel as though others are turning against them. At the heart of their condition is the desire to be loved and accepted, but often, they do not know how to ask.

    To help a loved one who has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, do not judge or criticize them. Often this ‘tough love’ approach can make them feel hurt and ashamed. Instead, remind them of the things you love about their personality, as well as their strengths and abilities. Equip yourself with information about their condition and offer to go with them to see a mental health professional who will be able to explain the different treatment approaches. Encourage them to do activities that bring out their best qualities, for example joining a club or interest group, which will help to build their self-esteem. If unsure how to deal with certain situations, speak to their counselling psychologists or psychotherapist.

    Helping yourself

    The good news is that the government finally recognizes the need for improved treatment of PD, and today a wide range of treatment options are available. Whichever treatment is prescribed, it will usually involve group and individual psychotherapy, encouragement to continue with the programme, education and planning for crisis. Psychological treatments can be offered as an in- or out-patient at a hospital or day centre. Above all, the relationship of trust between you and your social worker, psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is the key to progress.

    Some people also find that their condition improves as they get older, as the experiences they gather help them to deal with life’s ups and downs.

    Personality Disorders in the Workplace

    Many people with a personality disorder have an ordinary career. In fact, in 2005, psychologists from the University of Surrey found that a large proportion of highly successful business executives studied had histrionic, narcissistic or obsessive personality disorders.

    Unfortunately, personality disorders can sometimes cause problems in the workplace. In these cases, the individual’s condition means that they are less effective at handling the pressures and social politics of the working environment.

    In this situation, the employer should deal sensitively and tactfully with specific problems and complaints without being accusatory or judgmental. The focus should be on reinforcing appropriate workplace conduct and goal-setting.

    If you feel that your personality disorder has led to discrimination in the workplace or any other situation, mental health solicitors can provide you with the legal support you need and deserve.

    The 10% ratio means that it is more than likely that someone you know – a friend, colleague or acquaintance – is affected by a personality disorder. Educating ourselves is the best way to understand and help individuals with one of these conditions and, eventually, defeat the stigma that surrounds them.

    For more information, visit mental health charity Mind.org.uk.

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  4. On Psychological Benefits of Meditation

    April 22, 2013

    benefits of meditation

    Image Credit: Lululemon Athletica

    In the world we live in we value goals and getting the best results. It therefore might look like a paradox that people turn to meditation. Sitting in silence is not very productive one might think. But is this true? Do benefits of meditation compensate the value of time you lost sitting? Absolutely! Your mental health and well-being are priceless. We live to be happy and meditation is the path to happiness. Let’s have a look at some known meditation benefits.

    Better control and concentration

    Concentration is important to make the most out of your day at work. It allows you to do more in less time and use your time more efficiently. The Power of focus increases when you meditate regularly. The new found focus can be used for meditation but also for all other activities that ask for concentration like sports, making music or a day at work. When you have negative thoughts often or think you cannot control your own thoughts, meditation can very well be beneficial to you. It teaches you to control negative thoughts that arise and even stop them entirely. An unruly mind can come under control through meditation, which will create more peace of mind and enable you to achieve your goals. When you get irritated easily by situations you cannot control the solution is not to avoid these situations but to take distance from it. Everybody needs to wait in line sometimes, nobody likes a train delay but you cannot help it that these occasions occur. The solution to these problems is to detach yourself from these situations in your mind. You need to try to see things in the right perspective. A great benefit of meditation is that you’ll be better able to detach from unfortunate circumstances and the negative thoughts they cause.

    Improve your health

    Many studies have proven that meditation has health benefits. For example, when you feel less stressed you are a lot less likely to develop heart disease. Meditation teaches you to switch off from negative thought patterns and worries. By spending 15 minutes a day you will calm your mind and feel more relaxed overall. Our society is getting more and more aware of the link between physical health and our state of mind. Inner turmoil is often the reason for physical ailments. Because meditation stills the mind it can be a great step to avoid stress related ailments.

    Happiness and creativity

    It is fair to say that everybody seeks happiness. Happiness can be found in your own mind but if there is no peace of mind you will constantly be under attack from negative thoughts, no matter how successful you are. The act of stillness and simply being will create a happier self. An unexpected source of happiness arises when you meditate. In other words, happiness does not only depend on outer circumstances but your inner attitude is much more important. Your thinking mind often worries about the future or the past and sometimes even both. This takes out a lot of energy that covers up your creativity and spontaneity. Maybe you think you have no spontaneity or creativity but you have more potential than you think. We need a quiet mind to access these sources of inspiration. Your creative potential can be unlocked by living in the present moment.

    Find your purpose in life

    If you want to know more about the point of your existence in life, meditation can help greatly. Most of us look for external events and people to learn about themselves. When you really want to know more about yourself however, a journey inwards is also needed. Meditation provides us with a better understanding of ourselves and thus a greater understanding of life itself. New and neutral perspectives on life will be unleashed without our egoistic perspective. The answer ‘who am I’ can be answered by doing meditation.

    The first few attempts of meditation will not get you there. Meditation takes consistency and perseverance as it takes time to tame the mind. Reading about meditation alone is not enough. You really need to experience it to get a deeper feel for it. Therefore: give meditation a try because the benefits are plenty!

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  5. 5 Tips To Improve Focus With ADHD

    April 20, 2013

    ADHD and focus

    by Kelli Cooper

    Inability to focus is a hallmark of ADHD; if you are one of the 50 percent of people diagnosed with this condition as a child, who continues to battle the symptoms into adulthood, you may find that this problem comes with much more serious consequences at this stage of life. It can lead to angry bosses and angry spouses; maintaining relationships can be a challenge since people may perceive your behavior as lack of interest. You certainly face a challenge in reigning in this behavior, but there are many coping strategies recommended by psychologists — when applied with consistency and diligence these strategies can help.

    Meditation

    Meditation is all about strengthening the mind and research on specifically looking at its effects on adults and adolescents with ADHD have produced encouraging results; many have reported a reduction in symptoms, such as inattentiveness, as well as less depression and anxiety—both of which may worsen symptoms of the condition. These benefits were achieved through sitting for just as little as 15 minutes a day, so lack of time is no excuse! Find a quiet spot and start reaping the benefits of this simple practice. This practice will help set the stage for a clearer mind that you can bring to all tasks requiring greater focus, whether it is a report for work or a one-on-one conversation.

    Background Noise

    If your inability to focus is rearing its ugly head while you are trying to read, study or complete some other task, some background noise can help reduce distractions. It can be as simple as a fan or some music at a very low volume. A white noise machine may also be a good investment. It is almost like a cocoon that helps bring you into the zone.

    Write it Down

    When everything we need to get done is swimming around in our heads, we may find it hard to focus on the task at hand; we worry we will forget the ten other things we need to get done. By trying to keep all this information in our current space of thought, it is impossible to give our full attention to the present. Never underestimate the simple task of writing things down. Make a list of all the things you want to get done; it is written down, you know now you will not forget and you can relax a bit.

    Have an Accountability Partner

    Most of us could use some outside support in juggling our lives, and this is especially important for people with attention issues; an accountability partner can help you stay on track with everything you need to do. Make a deal with a friend, family member or someone else you trust that you will send them a list of things you need to do each day, and as you finish each task, you will notify them through email or text message. When we make others aware of our intentions, it can motivate us to make good on them.

    Get Moving

    ADHD can cause a lot of fidgeting and urges to get up and move; if you are like many people with this condition, you may feel a need to fight this and stay put. But, research on school children has found that getting up and moving around may actually be beneficial to information processing in an ADHD-brain. So, while you may need to exercise some restraint in not getting up every two minutes, allow yourself to take some breaks and move around a bit. It will help expel some of that nervous energy and refresh your mind.

    Image Credit: Chapendra

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  6. Biploar, Depression, ADHD And Schizophrenia Share Common Genetic Issue

    April 18, 2013

    behavioral health treatment

    by Jared Friedman

     

    New study results are showing that bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia may all be linked to the same set of genes.

    The implications of this on the industry of mental health could be exceptionally helpful. Those suffering for one of these extreme disorders could benefit greatly from the better understanding of why each person has the symptoms or full-blown disorder that’s presenting in his or her life.

    Thousands Diagnosed

    33,332 individuals, who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, autism, or major depressive disorder, were compared with a control group of 27,888 individuals, who have not been diagnosed with any of these disorders. The volume of people examined makes this the largest study of its kind, on this subject matter, ever conducted.

    The study found that these five illnesses have common risk factors, mainly in flaws found on Chromosomes 2 and 10, and in two genes that are in charge of the flow of calcium in brain cells. While the genes and chromosomes themselves do not explain the occurrence of any of the listed disorders or the variation in symptoms that show up in different people as different disorders, the gene and chromosome identification serves as a piece of the puzzle that will help researchers and medical professionals better diagnose, treat, and develop new treatment options for those diagnosed with one of these illnesses.

    Genetic Study Research

    Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts and lead researcher is this genetic study, Dr. Jordan Smoller, states that: “This study, for the first time, shows that there are specific genetic variants that influence a range of childhood and adult-onset psychiatric disorders that we think of as clinically different. We also found that there was significant overlap in the genetic components of several disorders, especially schizophrenia with bipolar disorder and depression, and to a lesser extent autism with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”

    It may be important to know that other recent study findings indicate that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that is usually diagnosed in children, can go on to be a lifelong disorder carrying into adulthood. The understanding of ADHD can prevent a person from always being adversely affected by the disorder’s symptoms.

    The Next Step

    The next step, in Dr. Smoller’s opinion, is to determine how the genetic and chromosomal variations happen. Without direct clinical application now, the study results just take the knowledge about the physical component of each disorder to a place of further examination with a high need for subsequent research. Further research results can then be used to more appropriately classify each disorder, to better predict those who are most at risk for each disorder, and to develop better overall treatment, including medications, for each disorder.

    The tricky part in all of this though is that someone can have the variations on the genes or chromosomes linked to bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, autism, or major depressive disorder and never show symptoms of any of these disorders. What does this mean? That a genetic or chromosomal abnormality does not automatically mean that one of these disorders is present in the individual.

    Chromosomal Indicators

    Dr. Smoller explains it as, “They [the genes and chromosomes] are not enough to predict any individual’s risk. And you might carry all of these variants and never develop a psychiatric disorder.” As of right now, the genetic and chromosomal indicators are just that, indicators, and tools that can be used to better understand what symptoms a person has been experiencing, but not as the be-all-end-all of bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, autism, or major depressive disorder diagnosis.

    With this study as a great next step in the understanding of symptoms and the listed disorders, further research and investigation will ideally lead to better overall diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of suffering from bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, autism, or major depressive disorder.

     

    Author Bio: Jared Friedman is quality improvement manager for Sovereign Health Group a drug addiction center and mental health rehab center helping people with behavioral and addiction issues.

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  7. Anxiety Crushes your Potential

    March 27, 2013

    anxious women

    Image Credit: Phoney Nickle

    by Steven Hill

    According to mental health professionals, anxiety is the feeling of fear about doing something. In the context of work this may be related to a meeting, presentation or new and difficult task you have been assigned. Everyone has a certain level of anxiety at all times, with symptoms ranging from dry throat and sweating to panic attacks, shaking and fainting. The problem with this condition is that many people will simply assume you have shyness or perhaps you don’t have anything worthwhile to contribute. Often those with anxiety are very creative people with astute intelligence that could add more value if they were in a more comfortable environment. If you suffer from anxiety you have probably defaulted to the hide and ignore strategy, whereby you simply avoid any situations that cause your anxiety to flare up and hide when in large groups even if you have the answers or some value to add to the debate. This is unfortunately the worst thing you can do as it will only heighten your anxiety and cause it to worsen into other non-affected areas of your life. It will also harm how you are seen by your employer and often leads to poor feedback and lower chances of workplace bonuses and promotion. Anxiety is like an illness that if not activated can spread to widen the areas you are anxious about and can be so far removed from the original trigger you don’t even recall when you first felt nervous.

    How to beat Anxiety

    Psychologists recommend the best way to tackle anxiety is to slowly work towards beating it by exposing yourself to situations that challenges you to deal with your symptoms. Do not throw yourself in at the deep end and arrange a presentation to hundreds of colleagues as this will likely end badly and set you back in your recovery. Small meetings and adhoc conversations are a good place to start, build this up to larger and larger situations and set yourself a target each week of contributions in situations that would make you usually uncomfortable. The contributions don’t have to be long speeches and can take form of questions or simple suggestions but it all goes along the lines of cognitive behavioural therapy. You are effectively training your brain to respond differently to these situations. This does take a lot of time and conscious effort, well after all if you added up the time you have spent worrying and panicking, then consider you are unwinding a ball of wool, you can see the scale of the task. Do not give up whilst doing this, but if you do not manage one task then this is not something you should think about again, over analysis of things is a side effect of anxiety that can lead to you being defeatist and giving up too readily.

    Clear your Mind

    Clearing your mind of thoughts is a good place to start with your training and meditation can be excellent for this. Try sitting in a quiet room and clearing your mind, often this proves difficult for beginners so perhaps going to a beach and watching the ocean to give you something to focus on may help. Once you have meditation techniques you can use these to avoid worry and panic. Distraction techniques often help as well, giving yourself tasks to do that will take your mind away from worry will help to minimise the time your brain has to conjure up any negative scenarios that may occur. As an example if you were sitting in your front room watching TV you may suddenly begin to think of the meeting you have the next day at work and how this is likely to be a disaster, you may consider ways you can make excuses to not attend like phoning in sick or saying you have another meeting to attend. As you are thinking you hear a loud crash outside and you rush to the window, you see a car has crashed and people are injured, you rush outside and help until the authorities arrive. Once the accident is dealt with you return to your lounge and sit down, then suddenly your brain will return to thinking about the meeting. If you first realise that it is unnecessary and secondly that you are actually inflicting this condition on yourself then you will begin to identify when your brain starts to steer to negativity and either block this out using meditation or distract yourself with other activities.

    Why worry about the Past?

    There is an ancient Chinese proverb that may help. A Monk is walking alone in the woods, looking around at the beauty of the trees and wildlife when suddenly a tiger appears, he begins to run in fear and the tiger swiftly chases after him. He fails to notice a cliff in front and falls straight over the edge just managing to grasp a thorny bush to save him from the fall. He looks down and sees at the bottom there is another tiger waiting for him to fall. As his grip begins to fail and the cut on his hand begins to throb as the thorns dig deeper he notices a solitary berry on the bush. He picks the berry and eats it, to his amazement this is the best tasting fruit he has ever had. The meaning of this is that you cannot worry about the past, the tiger who chased you, or the future, the tiger lying in wait at the bottom, you have to live in the present which may occasionally cause you pain but also can bear the most glorious fruit.

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  8. Does Positive Attitude Assist Healing Process?

    March 1, 2013

    Positive attitude

    Image credit: The Doctr @ Flickr.com

    It’s a debate that has gone on for years, and continues to be discussed by physicians and psychologists. The issue of whether positive thinking affects the medical treatment of patients is one that is hard to resolve. Many patients have seen positive, traceable results when they focused on staying optimistic, but psychologist Richard Sloan, a professor of behavioral psychology at Columbia University Medical Center, says that for every patient who has seen results from positive thinking there may be others who thought the same thing and are no longer alive. That said, public figures such as Lance Armstrong, Gabrielle Giffords, and others attribute a large part of their recoveries from serious illnesses and injuries to their strong spirits.

    Although it’s hard to prove, there have been many cases where a positive outlook showed traceable medical improvement in a patient. This confirms the theory of the placebo effect. The placebo effect is defined as “the measurable, observable, or felt improvement in health not attributable to an actual treatment.” In other words, it is when patients are given sugar pills in place of regular medication, or are told that a medical procedure was done, when in reality it was not done, and a measurable improvement occurs. There have been numerous cases where the placebo effect showed marked improvement in patients’ medical conditions, even though no real medical intervention was being administered.

    In 2007 researchers from the University of British Columbia tested the placebo effect on patients with Parkinson’s disease. They gave one group of patients apomorphine, a drug which mimics dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is deficient in patients with Parkinson’s. They gave the second group a placebo, and they, too, released dopamine, in response to the expectation of receiving medication. This study clearly proved the validity of the placebo effect, and as such, that the mind has a large role in medical treatment of the body.

    While physicians and psychologists will continue to debate the issue, there can be no harm in focusing on a good outcome, and it may actually lead to improved results. Dr. Deepak Chopra is a big believer in the power of the mind when it comes to healing. He explains that one who is at peace with himself can reap the benefits of positive thinking, which can include a decline in high blood pressure, weight, stress levels, and other negative symptoms. In Dr. Chopra’s words in an article for the Huffington Post, “The everyday choices we make affect not only our physical health, but all dimensions of our collective health and well being. This is not to say that pharmaceutical and surgical interventions are not warranted… But looking at them to solve all of our illnesses has made us as a society overlook the powerful self-healing mechanisms within us.”

    The objective of practicing positive thinking is to make use of the healing systems that lie within our bodies to help assist in recovery from various illnesses.

    External factors can help patients maintain a positive attitude. Studies have shown that even the scrubs worn by nurses can help improve patients’ state of mind, which can then help them recover. In a study done on hospitalized children in Florence, a large percentage of the children were more confident in their nurses, and were uplifted when their nurses wore printed or colored Carhartt scrubs. While the donning of Carhartt uniforms is only a small factor in the grand scheme of treatment, everything that contributes to a positive state of mind can help facilitate patient recovery.

    A crucial aspect in keeping patients upbeat is adequate family support. Family and friends who visit often and show the patient that they care can have a marked improvement on treatment, as they will cause an uplift in spirits, which can only lead to good things. Doctors, also, will usually make the effort to visit patients and address their fears before a procedure so that the patient will be calm, and the procedure will go smoothly. A good bedside manner is very important in a doctor, and some patients will choose one doctor over another based on this, because the doctor’s bedside manner will also affect the patient’s attitude.

    The Mayo Clinic strongly recommends that patients should practice positive thinking techniques throughout the day, in order to train themselves to think optimistically. They provide tutorials and exercises for patients to become positive thinkers, in order to facilitate the medical treatment being administered.

    Patients have an array of options to choose from when looking to practice various exercises and techniques that will help them remain upbeat. These may include meditation, hypnosis, spirituality, progressive muscle relaxation, and other methods. The factor that all of these practices share is a focus on a calm, peaceful state of mind, which can go a long way toward helping patients’ medical conditions.

    Whether or not a positive state of mind has a serious affect on patient outcome will continue to be debated, but all the experts agree that when it comes to medicine, only good things can come from positive thinking.

    Bio:

    Josh Weiss is a freelance writer and a believer in the power of positive thinking.

    Category Motivational, Positive Psychology Blog | Tags: ,,,,,,,, | Comments Off on Does Positive Attitude Assist Healing Process?

  9. Positive Actions for Your Physical and Mental Health

    February 24, 2013

    Enjoy Longer Life

    There are all kinds of hacks out there, hacks to work well in the office, hacks to keep that computer running on maximum capacity, but what about hacks for the body and mind? The answers are out there to promote a longer, fuller life and your emotional and psychological well-being. You don’t need to be a physician or psychologist to understand these.  Most of these answers are common sense and it won’t take a lot of work, but positive lifestyle changes are key.

    Cut out inflammation!

    Inflammation is at the root of numerous health hazards that cause the human body to break down. Heart disease, extreme weight gain, and cancer result from a state of chronic inflammation. Unhealthy life styles that include too much insulin and too much stress mean bad news when it comes to longevity. Add a lack of relaxation, sleep, and activity for a nasty combination. People who lose the battle tend to forget to have fun. The motto should be, “Play hard, eat right, and rest up for another day.”

    Change is good!

    What can we do? Make a positive change for the better. Start eating right and getting exercise. The formula for a longer, healthier life hasn’t changed. Stop worrying, any psychologist will tell you that mental health is a foundation for your physical well-being  Get moving. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise, but physical activity should be a part of our daily regimen. A morning or evening walk is a simple fix. Not only does it promote physical health, it is positive for your emotional health results as well. People have to stress less and enjoy life more. You don’t need to go to psychologist for this, just learn to be in piece with reality. Cut out the smoking, get rid of the processed foods, and sleep well. Indulge in treats now and then, such as a glass of red wine or a piece of decadent, dark chocolate. The rest of the time, eat lean meats, fresh produce, and forget about the junk. Old habits may die hard, but a longer life is worth the effort. Learn the body hacks and live well!

    This health information was brought to you by BestHealthDegrees.com

    Category Fitness and Exercise, Health Tips, Motivational | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,, | Comments Off on Positive Actions for Your Physical and Mental Health

  10. Hospice Care- A Spiritual Journey

    February 15, 2013

    mental health for elderly

    Credit: Viewminder @Flickr.com

    by Daniel Gordon

    Hospice care is designed to provide a full range of support services for terminally ill patients and their families. By focusing on the whole person rather than the illness, caregivers provide a warm and loving environment during this difficult time. These dedicated individuals provide support for all aspects of patient care, including the following:

    • Physical aid that incorporates pain relief and treatment of symptoms
    • Emotional support for patients, family members, friends and loved ones
    • Spiritual guidance that can help the patient to come to terms with his or her situation and to bring comfort to the family

    Because these services are centered on supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of the individual, patients can sometimes enjoy greater clarity in their interactions with those around them. This can help terminally ill individuals to make real connections with friends and loved ones during the last stages of their illness. This type of care can provide added dignity and control for patients to allow them to depart with a measure of grace and serenity without fear of intrusive hospital environments and painful treatments that offer little hope of success. While medical treatments are still provided to patients, these treatments typically exclude the following:

    • Extraordinary measures, including respirators and other life support systems
    • Major surgical procedures not related to pain relief
    • Chemotherapy and other painful medical procedures

    Instead, patients receive pain relief medications and treatments designed to help them remain more comfortable and alert. Patients and family members can have significant input in determining the most desirable course of treatment and can be certain their concerns and wishes will be honored in the hospice environment.

    Unlike traditional hospital treatment plans, this type of assistance can often be provided in a relaxed setting close to other family members. This added degree of familiarity and comfort can allow the patient to spend his or her remaining time with loved ones and friends and to avoid the pain and stress of invasive medical treatments. Care plans usually incorporate the following elements:

    • Pain relief and management for terminally ill patients
    • Symptom mitigation to help patients feel more comfortable
    • Activities designed to promote the patient’s mental and emotional health
    • Reduced stress and worry for patients and their families
    • Spiritual and religious counseling and support

    Jewish hospice care centers, for instance, may provide rabbinical services and incorporate Jewish beliefs and traditions into the care of the terminally ill individual. Family and friends can participate in these traditions to provide added support. For many patients, these services offer a chance to reflect on a life well lived and to share these last days with loved ones. These arrangements can provide a holistic, natural approach to managing end-of-life circumstances and providing spiritual comfort for families and friends.

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