Medical News

Research is showing that it is not what we have to deal with, but how we deal with it that determines the severity of stress in our lives. Stressors are the pressures from the outside (either good such as winning a lottery; or bad such as a divorce), and stress is your response to stressors. Good stressors (such as planning a wedding) are called eustress; and bad stressors (such as a death of a loved one) are called distress. Eustress can become distress (for example wedding plans are upset). This article will concentrate on stressors known as distress.

Our reactions to distress go through three stages: alarm reaction followed by state of resistance, then state of exhaustion. Immediate physical effects of the alarm reaction include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased heart contraction (faster beats), reduced blood flow to kidneys and intestines, dilated pupils, dilated bronchial tubes, increased muscular strength, release of glucose from liver, and increased mental activity. If the distress continues, the person enters a state of resistance where the person appears to be coping well with the distress. But, energy is expended as the person copes with the continued presence of the distress, and as the body continues the physical affects of the alarm reaction. If the distress if not removed, the person enters the next stage of exhaustion and becomes physically and mentally spent.

The mental effects of ongoing distress include mental fatigue with a loss of spontaneity and creativity; confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty in making decisions; anxiety which may include night time panic attacks; depression; low self worth; and lower intellectual functioning.

The social effects of ongoing distress include procrastination; lack of concern for others and deteriorating relationships; reduced effectiveness in communications; emotional hypersensitivity with a tendency to overreact; lost of control of temper or aggressions; increased risk taking; and increased drug abuse.

The spiritual effects on ongoing distress include questioning values and faith; losing the meaning and purpose of life; blaming God for problems; abandoning faith; trying to find solutions apart from God and religion. To compound the problem, some have believed spiritual principles that are neither helpful nor biblical. One of these principles is the prosperity doctrine that teaches that if a person is good enough (or has enough faith), then he/she will have benefits such as financial prosperity and healing. The psalmist describes how he had believed the doctrine of prosperity and experienced distress as he went through difficulty while wicked people prospered. Then the psalmist reevaluated God’s character through deeper bible study and ended the Psalm on a note of praise.

Continuing distress affects the onset, treatment, or recovery from the following diseases and conditions: coronary artery disease and stroke; cancer; depression; angina pectoris; diabetes mellitus; tuberculosis; rheumatoid arthritis; hypertension; ulcers; AIDS; tension headaches, allergies, common colds, PMS, warts, skin rashes, loss of hair, graying of hair, dandruff, gout, and herpes.

Whenever an individual begins to consider therapy, they traditionally begin to envision themselves and a counselor sitting in a room discussing their problems. However, Christian therapy is fairly different from what many people consider therapy to be. This type of therapy is normally used as a way for married couples and individuals to improve both their emotional as well as their spiritual health.

This type of therapy can benefit the different ways that an individual views their relationships with Christ, themselves and other people. Emotional health along with spiritual health, are normally two factors that people have a hard problem trying to decipher.

With Christian therapy, you will be put into the loving hands of a spiritually bound counselor. Just like in traditional therapy sessions, you will be given the opportunity to voice your opinion about problems that you are facing in your own life.

However, be aware that this type of therapy is not for the faint at heart. A lot of people tend to be made aware of different issues and thoughts that they had no inclination of, through these structured therapy sessions. All therapists that engage in these sessions with you will be licensed, and skilled in their line of work.

Not only will you be taught how to walk with Christ and be guided down the right spiritual path, you will also be taught certain things about yourself and how shaping your spirituality can actually help you shape the person that you are as well.

There are a lot of people that try everything that they can to steer clear of Christian centered activities. However, even though this type of therapy may bear the name Christian in its name it is not always as bad as one views it to be.

An individual will be given the guidelines that they need to follow in order to help themselves cope with emotional problems and problems in their relationships. The counselors that you will speak with are skilled in their trade, and they will work with you to help you find your way in this world.

The counselors are not going to judge you for the things that you convey to them. However, if you are going to attend one of these therapy sessions it would behoove you to have an open mind and an open heart about what you are being taught.

The only way that an individual can change something about themselves is if they are willing to do so. Remember, that Christian therapy can help you uncover different things about yourself that you were unaware of. However, it is up to you to believe in the power of God, and change these adverse things about yourself in order to reap the benefits of these therapy sessions.

Several studies show that replenishing deficient minerals is a more effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than stimulant medication. One of the most common mineral deficiencies is zinc, an essential mineral that aids in a number of bodily and neurological functions. Because of zinc’s properties, zinc supplements are also recommended along with other natural remedies for ADHD. Below are just some of the benefits of zinc supplements to ADHD children.

Protects omega-3 essential fatty acids from oxidation

Omega-3 essential fatty acid supplements are one of the most effective natural remedies for ADHD. However, omega-3 supplements by themselves cannot stimulate neurotransmitter production and aid brain functioning. Essential fatty acids are very fragile and vulnerable to oxidation, which means that the fats could break down and disintegrate before they reach the bloodstream. Thus, essential fatty acids need to be taken with natural antioxidants. Nutritionists discovered that zinc supplements are a potent antioxidant that preserves omega-3 essential fatty acids until they are absorbed by the nervous system.

Metabolizes vitamin B6

In its active form, vitamin B6 is a potent natural remedy for ADHD. Zinc helps convert the inactive vitamin B6 into its active form, pyridoxal-5-phosphate or P5P.

Regulates thyroid functions and melatonin production

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for emotional response, movement control, and the sensations of pain and pleasure. A deficiency in dopamine is known to cause ADHD. The role of zinc in this picture is that it stimulates the production of melatonin. At the same time, it also suppresses melatonin production when melatonin reaches high levels, thus protecting the thyroid from the negative side effects of too much melatonin.

Stimulates serotonin production

Depression and anxiety are two common co-morbid conditions of ADHD, and these are partially caused by a deficiency in serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood control, and is created from an amino acid called tryptophan. But tryptophan can only be synthesized into serotonin with the help of vitamin B6. As mentioned earlier, zinc is required to convert vitamin B6 into its active form, PSP. Though its role is indirect, zinc is crucial in stimulating serotonin production and is an important natural remedy for neurological disorders like depression and ADHD.

Improves brain wave processes

Slow information processing is one of the common problems experienced by children with ADHD, and this may be related to a brain wave pattern called N2. Dysfunctions in N2 information processing are found to be related to zinc deficiencies, which can explain why children with ADHD have poor academic performance and are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

Lowers inflammation and immunity

Children with ADHD also suffer from recurring health problems like allergy, eczema, and asthma. Zinc supplements boost the immune system and help control inflammation.

Corrects a zinc deficiency

Boosting your child’s zinc stores means introducing more zinc-rich foods into your child’s meals. High-protein foods like beef, pork, lamb, and the dark meat of chicken are rich sources of zinc. You may also want to include nuts, legumes, and seafood like shellfish and oyster. To ensure that your child’s daily recommended allowance for zinc is met, zinc sulfate supplements will do the trick. The daily dosage for children should be between 10 and 20 mg, although some clinical trials have used dosages as high as 55 mg.

Do you feel a headache forming when you try to think about the whole picture of your life, messed by your panic attack? Now, listen very carefully and do this: give up.

If you are trying a lot of methods, piling one technique after another, it could be contributing in worsening your panic attack. Chances are, you are getting more desperate and is frantically searching for that ‘one more’ solution that can end this horrible panic attack.

Now, detach yourself and this exercise of ‘minus’ instead of ‘add’.Start to minus ‘loss’ and add ‘value’. Yes, that is what giving up is about in helping you to eliminate your panic attack.

Give up food that are indirectly contributing to your panic attack. If you are having one cup too many coffee, cut it down and if possible quit taking coffee. Don’t go too fast for yourself and cut coffee out completely because it will make you worse. Find a healthier substitute such as chamomile tea, peppermint tea and green tea. Try to increase your intake on the healthier option, while slowly cutting down on your coffee. Eventually, you will not need your coffee anymore.

Give up on bad relationships. Believe it or not, sometimes even our family members and closest friends will not be supportive. It is the best to give them up, at least for the moment.Relationships can affect us greatly and have an influence on who we are. f the environment is not supportive, it is better to choose one that does. Go to forums for panic attacks sufferers. There, you will meet people who understand your situation and share their experiences. Also, read and learn more about panic attack from the numerous of sources online and from books.

Give up on medication that are not helping you. There are many cases of people who were prescribed medication that are too general without finding one that suits their body. Everyone is different and reacts differently. If your medication is causing your to have symptoms like depression, stomach, lost of appetite, or somehow makes you feels unwell, then stop it immediately. Your health is not worth risking for and there are many more solutions you can try.

Overall, don’t be afraid of change. It is something that many people fear because they thought that if they let go of certain things, they will not find a solution or substitute to that. In actual fact, that is not true and there are many people who found better solutions by giving up what doesn’t work for them and be open for other solutions. Start today and try to eliminate what is bad for you as it could be making your panic attack worse.

Post traumatic stress disorder can affect many people. Most refer to this as being something that only happens to people that have gone to war, but it is much more than that. PTSD can affect many people such as people who have lived through stressful situations like a fire that burned their house down, an abusive spouse, or even a divorce. This can lead to many sleepless nights that can affect your day in day out work. You can become more irritable to friends and family. Sometimes it may seem as though you have no control over your emotions. This can lead to many things like random outburst physical abuse on yourself or others or even in some cases suicide.

Before you can begin to cope with post traumatic stress disorder you must come to the realization that you in fact have a problem and that you do need help for it. After being in the military for four years I have faced the evils of PTSD. It was very difficult for me to realize how out of control I was with my emotions. I had heard it from my friends and family that I had changed. Their concerns hit home for me but, it was not until I looked myself in the mirror one night and decided that this was not the kind of person I wanted to be.
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Once you are able to get through the realization period you are able to move on to looking for help. Making the first appointment with a psychologist is the hardest. But, do not worry once you get in their you are not obligated to just jump right into how you are feeling. For some of us we need a little bit more than just concealing and for those of us you might get subscribed some type of medication, if so do not fret this is usually something to help with your mood swings. If the thought of medications scare you than there are other methods to help control your anger. Most people try yoga, you would be surprised at how a couple of simple stretches can help put your mind at ease.

Another good way is to let yourself get a better night sleep, so if your bedding you have now isn’t doing it for you try getting a luxury down comforter. They are extremely soft and are sure to put your mind at ease. The only thing is that they can get pretty expensive so to make sure that you do not have to buy another try using duvet covers to protect your comforter. Duvet covers are simple enough for anyone to use and they come in elegant designs ranging from masculine stripe duvet cover sets to the more exotic floral duvet cover sets. Having the right bed set is important but the most important thing is to let go of those feelings you have bottled up inside and let people no how you feel. Remember if you are hurting inside than it is okay to let your family know just how you feel because surrounding yourself with people who care is the best way to cope with post traumatic stress disorder.

It is estimated that three out of every four people with ADHD have coexisting conditions. This overlap not only makes attention deficit disorder much more challenging to live with but also places serious roadblocks in the way of successful diagnosis and treatment. Whether ADHD itself causes the evolution of other conditions or vice versa is a much debated question among experts and researchers. In this article about ADHD and coexisting conditions we will name some of the more common conditions that often coexist along with ADHD along with some interesting statistics collected from adults and teens in the United States.

What do the statistics tell us about ADHD and coexisting conditions?

If you are just starting to learn about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder you may be surprised to know that almost half of adults and teens with ADHD also have mood disorders, including depression. That is three times greater than that of the general population. Additionally, 60 percent suffer from anxiety disorders which is 3.3 times greater than the general population; 35 percent had issues with alcohol abuse or dependency or drug abuse which was 2.8 times greater than the general population; and approximately seven out of every ten people with ADHD suffered from some type of impulse disorder, which is about 6 times greater than the general population.

It is also important to point out that research studies show that adults have a much higher incidence of coexisting conditions than do children with ADHD. This is likely caused by both changes in brain chemical messenger chemistry (norepinephrine and dopamine) as well as the damaging psychological impact of ADHD during childhood and the teenage years.

Among adults with the combined type of ADHD, which is defined as difficulty focusing in conjunction with difficulty sitting still or doing things without thinking them through, there was a 70 percent chance of substance abuse and dependence. Additionally, at some point in their lives 63 percent of adults with ADHD had been treated for depression, 35 percent for anxiety, and 30 percent for behavioral disorders. Studies show that 35 percent have struggled with authority issues at some point in their lives with 25 percent suffering from social phobias.

Theorizing as to why the numbers are so high?

Chances are pretty good if a person has untreated ADHD they will eventually have one or more coexisting conditions. In fact ADHD adults are six times more likely to have a coexisting condition than the general population. There are a few interesting theories floating around including those focusing on genetics. For example if a parent of an ADHD child has depression their children have a 50/50 chance of having ADHD and depression. Others believe the answers may lie in the idea that ADHD may not be one disorder but a combination of multiple disorder occurring in different areas of the brain.

What next? For those struggling with ADHD finding an effective treatment option is an important first step. The most common form of treatment currently are prescription stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant medications come with a number of serious label warnings. The risk of side effects, or perhaps lack of success with stimulants, has prompted many to investigate other options. A couple examples of this are behavior modification therapy and/or natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side effect free way to address such problematic symptoms as inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a standalone treatment or as a compliment to other nonprescription alternatives.

Do you want to maximize your mental concentration and productivity? Of course you do. The question then becomes: “How do I go about maximizing my mental capabilities?” This is where Neurocore can help you out.

Neurocore is an industry leader in neurofeedback and peak performance training. Neurofeedback can benefit elite athletes and everyday workplace performance. Since most people fit into the latter category, this discussion will concentrate on that aspect of neurofeedback training.

Neurofeedback in the workplace

In the corporate setting, Neurocore can assess each individual and help to determine their strengths and weaknesses; and how they best fit into the team at work. Going beyond conventional personality testing to specifically analyze individual strengths and weaknesses is one way Neurocore can benefit your workplace. Once the status of the individual is determined, then an individualized training program can be instituted to help each employee achieve their maximal performance. Through neurofeedback therapy each person can recognize what is causing them stress in the workplace, how their reaction to this stress is internalized, and to effectively deal with the stress. The goal of neurofeedback therapy in the office is to help promote a calmer workplace environment in general, and improve individual stress coping skills in particular.

This ability to control your emotional response to external stress is popularly called your ‘emotional quotient’ or EQ. Many businesses put more emphasis on EQ than IQ nowadays, and neurofeedback can help you to maximize your EQ. Your ability to handle stress in the workplace will improve your ability to relate to coworkers, clients, and vendors. Once you learn how to emotionally handle the stress in your workplace through neurofeedback therapy; you can concentrate your energy and creativity on your job performance. You will be a more productive employee, your boss will be happier, and so will you.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, as a part of neurofeedback, is a vital component of brain mapping and enhances the ability of a neurofeedback therapist to determine the brain activity of the client. Many people do not utilize their brain to its full potential and an EEG will assist the therapist to determine the brain activity of the client and then to assist the therapist in training the patient with their ability to focus their mental energy. Through coaching, the patient can learn what external stimuli triggers stress, or distractions, and once the client learns to recognize these stimuli, they can learn to control their reaction to it. Over time the person can learn to ignore these stimuli (or at least minimize their affects) so that they can focus better, and concentrate their mental energy to be more productive.

I believed I developed codependent behaviors to cope with my father’s drinking, which resulted in constant fighting between my father and mother for twenty years until they divorced. I never felt safe to express my thoughts and feelings so I retreated inward and became invisible, the lost child. I wore a stoic stone face as a mask as if I were okay. My heart also became as numb as a stone.

It has been said a codependent has a compulsive need to control an otherwise out of control life. This may be true as I experienced an out of control family life because of the unpredictability of my fathers drinking and anger outbursts. I took control by withdrawing and numbing all my feelings. I hid my thoughts even from my mother who assumed I was okay because I never expressed anything.

I always felt ashamed of my family and my fathers drinking. I felt so bad I didn’t even want to have the family name. I also identified with two other boys’ at school who also had alcoholic fathers.

As an adult, my relationships involved codependent behaviors, which I remained unaware of until my early 40′s. In these relationships, I avoided expressing any feelings for fear of rejection. The women in my life criticized me for lack of feeling. I felt like something was wrong with me. I questioned if I even had the capacity to love.

In addition, I tended to take care of my partners financial needs even though they were not my responsibility. I had poor boundaries as I had no idea where my personal boundaries ended and other persons began. Finally, I maintained silence when conflict arose for up to a week until one of my partners said, “We need to talk.”

I began my recovery in the late 80′s when my partner mentioned seeing a therapist for healing her inner child. I read John Bradshaw, “Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child” and Melody Beattie, “Codependent No More.”

I recognized my codependency and for the next twenty years became less and less codependent. Like other addictions you may be in recovery for the rest of your life. I, however, am no longer codependent.
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I can see codependency as an addiction because I relied on my female partners to feel for me rather than knowing and expressing my own feelings. Codependents crave and expect a temporary boost of their self-esteem when they care take some need for their partner. Like any addiction the outer boost only lasts for a short time and then the codependent looks for another fix.

I now love myself, I accept others as they are, I am in touch with and ex-press my feelings, I validate myself rather than searching out side myself for a relationship to feel okay, and I trust trustworthy people. Most important, I am in a relationship, which allows me to grow into all I am capable of being.

Myth: ADHD Is Caused By Poor Parenting

This is one of the largest myths about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

However, a study by Goodman and Stevenson (1989) involving twins found that genetic factors and not a shared family or parenting environment account for the greatest variance in ADHD symptoms – about 80 percent.

However, negative parenting behaviors such as being critical and domineering can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and increase the risk for other disorders such as oppositional defiance and conduct disorders (Barkley, 1998).

Myth: All Kids With ADHD Are Hyperactive

Hyperactivity is just one category of ADHD symptoms.

The other two are

1) inattention and

2) impulsivity.

Inattentive children may appear to be unmotivated, spacey daydreamers, and impulsive children tend to blurt our answers to questions and engage in risky behaviors.

Myth: Children And Adults With ADHD Are Stupid And Will Never Succeed False! Children and adults with ADHD are capable of thriving. In fact, some of the most famous and influential people in the world suffer from ADHD. See this list of famous people with ADHD.

Myth: Kids Act Out On Purpose

Children with ADHD cannot control their symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disorder.

Myth: Children Eventually Outgrow ADHD

ADHD is a chronic condition that often continues into adulthood, but it can be managed and controlled with proper treatment.

Myth: ADHD Is A “Made Up” Disorder

Another of the common myths about ADHD is that it is a made up disorder created by pharmaceutical companies in order to generate additional profit.

However, studies show that ADHD is a chronic disorder that has a negative impact on virtually every aspect of daily emotional, academic and work functioning (Barkley, 1998). Children and adults with ADHD have higher rates of other psychiatric disorders, higher frequency of hospitalizations, emergency room visits and total medical costs compared to individuals without ADHD (Liebson et al., 2001).

Myth: Medication Is The Best Treatment Option For ADHD

Medication is often prescribed for ADHD, but it might not be the best option for your child. In my personal and clinical experience, the Total Focus Program is the most effective treatment available for children (and stressed out parents) strugging with ADHD. For adults the Conquer ADD Program is a highly rated and recommended treatment option.

Other effective treatments often include some combination of exercise, ADHD diets, and natural remedies for ADHD.

Also, there are many other helpful techniques such as how to calm hyperactive children and how to create a calm home for children suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Nonprofit sectors are filled with committed, overworked social service professionals who help clients overcome various forms of trauma. One common occupational hazard of this profession is vicarious trauma, where the professional helper begins to show signs of the same wear and tear evident in their clientele. Their desire to care for and help their clients combined with feelings of empathy for their clients’ crisis or pain can create ideal conditions for vicarious trauma.

Types of nonprofit workers that experience vicarious trauma include:

• Victim advocates
• Mental health clinicians
• Substance abuse counselors
• Disability workers
• Crisis center workers
• 9-1-1 dispatchers and operators
• And more

Social service professions often have large staff turnover and worker shortages as well as extensive sick time because of vicarious trauma. It is imperative that social service nonprofit leadership learn more about vicarious trauma and educate their staff and board members to alleviate the negative effects of this condition.

Effects of Trauma on the Brain

The limbic system of the brain is responsible for the “fight, flight, freeze or faint” response which is triggered when the mind senses the body is in danger or experiencing trauma. Information is processed by the thalamus and if the brain sends the message that the body is in danger, the Amygdale starts the response process.

The right side of the brain takes over, which manages the visual, kinesthetic and creative skills, allowing for strength and strategy to help save the day. The left side of the brain, which manages language and coping skills, shuts down. This explains why victims are confused and have difficulty explaining what happened after a crime occurs.

Vicarious trauma can trigger the same brain reactions on a smaller scale. Because a social worker may hear up to 100 traumatic stories each month, the trauma experience can be as debilitating over time as a one-time traumatic experience.

Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma

Physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms can include:

• Compassion fatigue
• Headaches
• Sleeplessness
• Increased blood pressure
• Digestion problems
• Depression
• Irritability
• Anger
• Fear
• Guilt
• Helplessness
• Low motivation
• Oversensitive feelings
• Desensitized feelings (numbness)
• Flashbacks of past cases
• Memory or concentration loss
• Poor decision making
• Self medication (alcohol and over-the-counter medications)

Some of these symptoms have caused social worker licenses to be revoked. It is important that social workers manage their own needs without relying on the affirmation of their clients. Social workers must adhere to their integrity and code of ethics established by the National Association of Social Workers. These ethics include avoiding self disclosure, inappropriate physical contact or discussing cases with friends or family.

Contributing Factors

Many people in helping professions have experienced their own trauma in the past. They may not only experience flashbacks of past clients, but face flashbacks from their own medical or crime related trauma. Some choose the profession to understand their own trauma experience and help end the pain of others who were similarly traumatized.

Falling victim to the general consensus that healers should not need to be healed, social service professionals who experience symptoms of vicarious trauma may be ashamed about their condition and fear the repercussions from their employers, co-workers and clients.

Vicarious trauma is often ignited among counselors who are overwhelmed and overworked because of poor organizational structure surrounding case management. This exhaustion can lead to clinical errors, which can negatively affect an organization’s reputation and future funding.