Overview

Hypochondriasis (or hypochondria, sometimes referred to as health phobia) refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. Often, hypochondria persists even after a physician has evaluated a person and reassured him/her that his/her concerns about symptoms do not have an underlying medical basis or, if there is a medical illness, the concerns are far in excess of what is appropriate for the level of disease. Many people suffering from this disorder focus on a particular symptom as the catalyst of their worrying, such as gastro-intestinal problems, palpitations, or muscle fatigue.

Hypochondria is often characterized by fears that minor bodily symptoms may indicate a serious illness, constant self-examination and self-diagnosis, and a preoccupation with one's body. Many individuals with hypochondriasis express doubt and disbelief in the doctors' diagnosis, and report that doctors’ reassurance about an absence of a serious medical condition is unconvincing, or un-lasting. Many hypochondriacs require constant reassurance, either from doctors, family, or friends, and the disorder can become a disabling torment for the individual with hypochondriasis, as well as his or her family and friends. Some hypochondriacal individuals are completely avoidant of any reminder of illness, whereas others are frequent visitors of doctors’ offices. Other hypochondriacs will never speak about their terror, convinced that their fear of having a serious illness will not be taken seriously by those in whom they confide.

How to Stop Being a Hypochondriac

You're about to learn how to finally overcome your Hypochondria and free yourself from all the pointless worry of convincing yourself that you're sick, ill or even dying.

I know the pain of this problem. I went through it myself for most of my life. Here I'll be showing you how to naturally and effectively overcome your Hypochondria and put this terrible worry to rest. Let's get to it!

Hypochondria tend to be somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to treating anxiety. After all, aren't we supposed to worry about our health? Isn't it good to stay on top of our bodies and be alert for any alarming "symptoms"?

If you suffer from Hypochondria, then you probably know otherwise. Personally, I used to TORTURE myself with thoughts of illness at even the slightest abnormality.

Every time my glands swelled up, I swore it was a tumor in my lymph nodes. Every time I had a sharp pain, I was convinced it was an early sign of stroke or aneurysm. Each gas pain obviously signaled the start of a heart attack. Any kind of experience with night sweats convinced me that I somehow contracted HIV.

All of this worry over my health and this was happening at the age of 27 no less! 27 - When the body is at its absolute peak performance and I was inventing magical ways to convince myself I suddenly had HIV.

I remember, any kind of sexual experience (of course it was protected) I had during the height of my hypochondria was followed by days if not weeks of worry about how I must have contracted a sexually transmitted disease in some freakish, accidental way.

I would lose sleep over the worry until I finally cracked and visited a doctor about my concerns.

Really, I'm not being honest enough here. I had my doctor on speed dial.

Every dry patch of skin was suspect. Each time my eyes would become red or irritated, I swore my eyes must be deteriorating. Any new freckle was inspected for days under magnified mirrors. Heaven forbid I had a cold that lasted longer than a few days - it had to be pneumonia...duh!

Does any of this sound familiar?

The definition of hypochondria is "an excessive preoccupation with one's health". That definition always strikes me as a little humorous. Really, it just doesn't depict the severity of this problem.

Hypochondria can really impair your day to day living because it completely immerses your brain with worry. You have no real scientific data backing your medical concerns but suddenly YOU know more than any doctor out there.

You MUST be dying right? I mean, you just FEEL IT right? You just know and you can't get rid of this feeling like SOMETHING has got to be wrong with you. Why can't you shake this worry away once and for all? Ughhhh!!!

Having Hypochondria is like carrying around your worry everywhere you go. It weighs you down and steals your attention. You can't focus because you're so consumed with whatever life-threatening disease is around the corner.

It becomes an obsession, a compulsion with avoiding sickness and death to the point where your lifestyle and relationships begin to suffer. It escalates from mild concern or worry to full-blown OCD.

Stop the cycle of panic right here. Take control. Put Your Worry Down!

The fact is, you're probably going to live for a VERY long time. More than likely you'll live to an average age of 80 and life will be fortunate to you every step of the way. The world is filled with billions of people and if you find any comfort in statistical data, know that the chance of you catching some obscure disease or health problem is minuscule so long as you're not putting yourself in the position in the first place.

Actually, people with high levels of anxiety are the MOST meticulous about taking care of themselves, seeing a doctor once a year and taking steps towards improving their health. Just you reading this article alone is enough to tell me that you care about your own well-being.

Here are some strategies for overcoming Hypochondria...

Just Ignore It

Over-thinking is one of the fastest ways to feed your hypochondriac anxieties. Always fall back to the principle that you ARE healthy. You take precautions, see a doctor once a year, try to eat healthy, exercise and that's ALL it takes to have the odds way in your favor. You know at this point you have hypochondria. Work to determine real symptoms from those which your mind creates.

Yes, if you focus on a pain in your side, your mind will invent that pain in your side. Think positively and rest assured that you're healthy. If rationalization doesn't work, toss aside all doubts and worry on the principle that they are negative thoughts. Counterbalance them with positive thoughts.

Don't Look Up Symptoms Online

I can't tell you how many hypochondriacs get themselves into trouble by trying to diagnose their own "problem". Symptoms are shared by so many colds, allergies, illnesses and diseases that you can easily sneeze and convince yourself that you have SARS after some surfing on WEBMD.

Do yourself a favor and leave the diagnosis up to a professional. If you must call a doctor because your worry is overwhelming then do so but do NOT go online searching for what you think you have. You'll always automatically target the worse case scenario.

Let me share a little personal info here. Hope it's not too much information for you.

One time I had a slight discharge from one of my nipples. I of course went right to WEBMD and self-induced a panic attack after determining I MUST have breast cancer. BTW - it turned out to just be dry, irritated skin. My point is, you know better. Avoid the websites that will lead you to only freak out worse.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT is the process of forcing exposure to your anxiety trigger and then learning how to react appropriately. It's basically like facing your fear head on.

So, if you have a constant fear of germs, for example, you'd make it a point to expose yourself to minor germy situations and consciously NOT freak out. With Hypochondria, you force yourself NOT to call your doctor everyday or engage in other actions which feed the anxiety.

As uncomfortable as it may be at first, over time you'll get used to the idea of NOT overreacting with every health related blip on the radar.



Autor: Jason Ellis

Overcoming General Anxiety

The true secret to defeating your hypochondria is understanding of ALL of your anxiety triggers and knowing how to tackle each one precisely.

You can do that right now by watching the FREE Anxiety Tactics video at:

http://www.Stop-Anxiety-Panic-Attack.com

It covers topics like how to prevent and stop panic attacks, overcoming social phobias, changing your negative thoughts into positive ones, how to handle and conquer your fears, building self-esteem, dealing with depression and so much more...

It's totally FREE and gives you everything you'll need to start feeling improvement everyday.

Take positive action right now. Your Hypochondria won't go away until you deal with the root cause of the problem...general anxiety. The fact is, you're upset and you don't have to feel that way. So why spend another day feeling the drain of hypochondria?

Check out the video here -----> http://www.Stop-Anxiety-Panic-Attack.com

Start feeling better in minutes.


Added: July 24, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Home Veterinarians Are Born and Bred on Satellite TV

A lot of the goings on of the animal and human body people chalk up to mysteries that are to be solved by a doctor or veterinarian. While seeking professional help is a great idea, it is good to have some knowledge of what is going on in order to help distinguish between what might be serious and what might not be. Satellite television offers a huge range of shows that can help answer some of the questions that plague our minds and high school biology did not quite cover. Getting a little insight into how bodies work and what might harm them provides a little bit of comfort to the otherwise worried and confused mind.

Shows like "Medical Mysteries" are fascinating as they explore the peculiar behavior of the human body in high definition and some confounding ailments that befall it. While shows like this might breed a little bit of hypochondria in some people, the information about the different biological systems that are affected and how their functions are changed or damaged is highly interesting and educational. Fictional shows like "House" also delve into the world of peculiar diseases and cures. While it is fictional, the diseases that serve as the basis for each episode have some truths to them, as do the procedures employed by the doctors.

Watching "House" might also inspire a bout of hypochondria, getting somewhat of an understanding of the interrelation of our body's systems and how doctor's go about the healing process can bring some peace of mind. Satellite television also features a great selection of animal based shows that can help ease the worried hearts of many pet owners. Seeing animals be brought back from the brink of death after being rescued from the street can instill hope and a little bit of perspective in many pet owners. Seeing a veterinarian give a little bit of Gatorade to a dog that is throwing up or is severely dehydrated provides people with a little bit of knowledge of how they can help their own pet feel better without the whole production of going to the vet's office.

Watching shows on Animal Planet about people working in refuges for orangutans or bears can also be a good source of information for people. Seeing people nurse a baby cub back to health after the death of its mother can help people who are trying to raise a weak puppy or kitten. Taking note of how the people try to simulate maternal actions in HD can be very useful skills to have when trying to take the place of a young animals' mother.

Animal Planet shows can also be helpful in teaching people to identify animals and know which ones it is best to maintain a good distance from. A lot of times at the end of wildlife programs they let the audience know what numbers to call and who to contact if they ever come into contact with a wild animal, especially if the animal is injured. From learning about our own bodies to understanding a little better how to help the bodies of our furry little companions, satellite television opens up a world of information for us to absorb and take with us.



Autor: John R. Harrison

If you want the greatest variety and quality in entertainment, look into Direct TV packages. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the latest Direct TV deals.


Added: July 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Cure For Hypochondria - How to Overcome Hypochondria

The notion of a cure for hypochondria can seem like a paradoxical one. After all, doesn't "hypochondria" just mean a constant sense of being afflicted by imaginary maladies? Does it not follow that hypochondria is, itself, an imaginary malady? The fact is the hypochondriac can't help his anxiety. A hypochondriac can visit the doctor again and again and be assured that nothing is wrong, without becoming convinced. Common-sense advice is no remedy for those who suffer from what can be a debilitating psychological condition. For the hypochondriac, even expert medical advice does not offer a way of releasing fear
.
A Mental Affliction

A hypochondriac is someone who is convinced that he or she is suffering from some physical malady, despite showing no objectively measurable symptoms of any physical illness. Sometimes the hypochondriac can become convinced that he or she is suffering from a particular illness, such as cancer or AIDS (often, immediately after he or she has read at length about that illness--something that hypochondriacs often show an inordinate interest in doing). At other times, the hypochondriac complains of such vague ailments as "weak nerves," or "a worn-out gall bladder." The hypochondriac will not cease to complain, no matter how often the doctors tell the sufferer that they can find nothing wrong with his or her nervous system or gall bladder.

Psychosomatic Symptoms

Unfortunately, although hypochondriacs' illnesses are often entirely imaginary, the impact of those imaginary "illnesses" on their lives can be all too real. When hypochondria sufferers of this mental debility complain of "slow blood," they will genuinely feel weak and tired, as though their blood were actually slowing down. Countless experiments have shown what a powerful influence the mind holds over the body. If the mind of a hypochondriac decides that the body is weak--or, even, near death--all too often, the body will follow suit. Imaginary illnesses reduce their sufferers' quality of life, and can lead to very real conditions, such as depression, weight gain, anemia, or a weakened immune system.

When You Need A Cure For Hypochondria

It's obvious, then, that hypochondriacs can't simply be told, "there's nothing wrong with you." Ethically, we cannot be dismiss them with that simple phrase, and then allow them to suffer from ailments of their own making. Hypochondriacs did not "choose" to become morbidly obsessed with the idea of becoming ill, any more than agoraphobics "chose" to be afraid of open spaces and crowds. Fortunately, there are powerful techniques that can help.

Stop Hypochondria With Hypnotherapy And NLP

Hypochondria is no different from other mental disturbances, in which a patient is plagued by a recurring, destructive, self-perpetuating, obsessive thought (in this case, becoming ill). NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, is a method of ultra-effective communication that a skilled therapist can use (often, in combination with hypnosis) to "talk" you out of your obsessive thought patterns. With the help of the NLP therapist, you'll learn to isolate destructive thought patterns in yourself (e.g. "I'm going to get sick") and re-condition your mind to replace those destructive patterns with more constructive ones (e.g. "I'm not in any real pain, therefore I'm not sick").

In this way, you should look to a therapist, and not a medical doctor, to find a cure for hypochondria.



Autor: J J Seymour

J J Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. Hypnotherapy and NLP can be very useful Cure For Hypochondria - one good source of experienced hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners is Just Be Well. This organization has experienced professionals throughout the UK in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, East Anglia, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Surrey, Sussex and Scotland. You will also find links to related practitioners for hypochondria treatment in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, for Dublin, Ireland, and for Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia. If you are unable to visit a practitioner in person you may well benefit from a good and guaranteed self hypnosis recording such as Releasing Fear, by experienced hypnotherapist Kathy Welter Nichols.


Added: July 21, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

FEAR! - Is This 4-Letter Word Keeping You From Soaring in Your MLM Business?

What is holding you back from reaching your dreams and goals, soaring to higher heights in your life, succeeding in your MLM business? Living with fear means one can never concentrate fully and give one's best to anything. What is fear? False Expectations/Evidences Appearing Real?

Fear is created by the unconscious mind as a protective mechanism. Napoleon Hill in "Think and Grow Rich" defined the six basic fears of life. What are they? Let's explore them and why they have such a devastating, paralyzing hold on people.

  1. Fear of Poverty - This fear hinders the faculty of reason, destroys imagination, undermines enthusiasm, leads to uncertainty of purpose, encourages procrastination, and diverts effort. Lack of abundance--not having enough of the basics in life. The fear of poverty is so devastating, yet so many persons are living in poverty. To eliminate this fear, be at peace with whatever wealth one can accumulate and without worry.This does not mean that one doesn't work hard, but that one is no longer grasping, hoarding and clinging on senselessly to money.
  2. Fear of Old Age - Looks changing, body mechanisms changing, declining health, and slowing down. Lack of financial preparation and lack of proper diets and exercise make old age less desirable. This causes the habit of killing off one's initiative, imagination and self reliance or making one want to dress younger to feel younger. Refuse to treat old age as a handicap. Instead, leverage one's wisdom, experience and insight for success. Life is about being born, growing older and wiser, fulfilling a mission or purpose, and dying. What one accomplishes in life should be of great importance--pass on a legacy of oneself. Getting older is a given. Just know that it is a natural process of life. Concentrate this fear in the direction of one's success. Produce something that can be passed down to one's children and children's children.
  3. Fear of Criticism - Criticism is one of the basic tendencies of human nature. To beat down an opponent, to stand in the competition, to justify ones behavior, one feels the need to criticize the others around him. The fear of criticism grips a person as a result of one's tendency to be a part of the crowd. One tends to do as the masses do to stay away from criticism. The fear of criticism is one of the basic fears and one of the most commonly observed ones. The fear of criticism is manifested in terms of shyness, fear of conversation, shifting of eyes, lack of poise/poster and an inferiority complex.One way to eliminate the fear of criticism is to accept it in the right spirit. One should learn to take criticism positively and use it to improve the personality trait. Consider criticism as the means of betterment, a means to end the ill trait. Taking this approach can be a sure way to help one overcome of the fear of criticism.
  4. Fear of Loss Love - When jealous feelings about ones loved one start; when one starts finding faults in the loved one or tends to suspect the loved one of having done something ill, it may result in the person falling prey to the fear of the loss of love. Lack of trust between one and one's loved one is the basic reason for the fear of losing one's love. An intense feeling of insecurity about one's love leads one to fear its loss. The habits of cheating, perpetual lying and disbelief are the important factors causing a fear of the loss of love. An overly possessive feeling is another sure way to lead one to a fear of lost love.Building a trusting relationship will eliminate this fear. One should strictly avoid infidelity, lying, and manipulation, thus eliminating suspicion and suspicious behaviors on both sides. Relationships require mutual respect and admiration of each other's identities and positive qualities. One of the best ways of eliminating the fear of loss of love is to prevent the thoughts of the loss from entering one's mind. Stop thinking about solitude and bear only positive feelings and thoughts about one's loved one.Be comfortable even if one is without a partner. Be at peace even if one doesn't have love. One might be alone but one doesn't have to be lonely. Fill one's days productively.
  5. Fear of Ill Health - Also known as Hypochondria (imaginary illness). Fear of disease can produce physical symptoms of the disease feared. Concentrate the mind on being well. Do not be reckless about one's health either; follow up with actions. A not so simple fix can be exercise regularly, stop looking for sympathy, and fill one's mind with positive self-suggestion - Say, "I am healthy"! Eliminate the cause of the illness--avoid watching the world news!
  6. Fear of Death - Also known as Thantophobia and is a natural phenomenon. There are theories that address life after death, there are religious beliefs about what happens after a person dies, but there is no conclusive evidence of what will happen to one when one dies. Death remains the ultimate reality and continues to fear most people. However, we should understand that fearing death is harmful for our health. Fearing death prevents us from enjoying life. Dreading the future always deprives us of the joy of the present! Changing our thought patterns and behaviors helps one eliminate the fear of death. One true way to eliminate this fear is to face the reality that it will happen. Think of it as merely transitioning from one form to another-it is only the body that dies not the spirit. Changing one's thought patterns and behaviors helps one eliminate the fear of death. Enjoying life and making adequate preparation for death are essential to that process. The preparation is not difficult. It begins with study, analysis, and understanding that there are three enemies that have to be cleared out. INDECISION, DOUBT and FEAR.

Check to see whether from one's own life experiences if one has harbored some of the fears. In the process, one might just be reminded of the several times that one has been held hostage by insecurities, paralyzing one from taking a wiser course of action and preventing one from becoming more generous in spirit. At this point, it is clear to see why abundance has not been flowing through one's life. Fear undermines enthusiasm, discourages initiative, leads to uncertainty of purpose, encourages procrastination, wipes out enthusiasm and makes self-control impossibility.

It takes the charm from ones personality, destroys the possibility of accurate thinking, diverts concentration of effort, it masters persistence, turns will-power into nothingness, destroys ambition, clouds the memory and invites failure in every conceivable form; it kills love and assassinates the finer emotions of the heart, discourages friendship and invites disaster in a hundred forms, leads to sleeplessness, misery and unhappiness--and all this despite the obvious truth that we live in a world of over-abundance of everything the heart could desire, with nothing standing between us and our desires, except lack of a definite purpose. Personal growth and self analysis are necessary in facing up to fears. Facing up to fears requires one to make a conscious choice, a decision. Sure it can be painful initially, but the reward in the end is so worth it. Success in one's quest to help others resulting in Success in one's MLM business!



Autor: Jacquelyn Burns Jacquelyn Burns
Level: Basic
RN turned MLMer. Married-lives in Atlanta, GA with husband. Full-time Expert Internet Marketer. Dedicates her time helping her business partners gain new Internetwork marketing skills ... ...

Are high gas prices and a failing economy of concern to you? The best tax savings and advantages come with owning a home based business. Leverage your time and income simply by sharing fun and sun. Don't wait check it out today! http://EZwaymlm.biz and http://MLMtheEZway.blogspot.com


Added: July 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Hypochondria - Breaking the Habit Naturally

Hypochondriasis is not a derogatory term. It is a somatic disorder that proves to be real and difficult for many individuals. The person may experience symptoms of a physical ailment and yet anxiety is the culprit. An overactive mind and body is the result of constant worry.

Symptoms of hypochondria usually follow a prolonged period of worry, usually concerning an undiagnosed symptom.

Signs of Hypochondria:
Symptoms often "jump" from one area to another, Examples: stomach (digestion, IBS),

headache, skin, dizziness, flushing, lethargy, death and health fears in general.

- Doctor Shopping:
Seeking out doctor after doctor until locating one which will tell them what they wish to hear.

- Appetite Loss: Worry induced

- Adrenal Fatigue:

The Result of Constant Worry: Exhaustion, weakness, fearfulness, lack of appetite, insomnia, tension, irritability, achiness.

- Insomnia: Overactive mind, racing thoughts.
- Feelings of Depersonalization/Derealization: a mind exhausted from worry and elevated cortisol levels.
- Memory Loss/Confusion: Tired mind.
- Lack of Concentration: Exhaustion
- Related Recollections: Recollection of someone close or acquaintance who recently fell ill, with specific disease, specific symptoms.

PRESCRIPTION FOR CURE

- Acknowledgement of this condition and triggers (there are always triggers).

- Boosting Serontonin levels. Specific behavioral changing, neutralizing diet, and specific exercise work as well as most medications for relief.

- Reprogramming the mind, retraining the brain to view intrusive ailments in a less reactive manner...as perspective changes from negative to realistic.

- Learning to put down resistance after experiencing the peace of mind and true control one may exert over every aspect of their lives.

- Nutrition: Using the foods you eat to work for you rather than against you. A good diet will hold these impulses in check and allow you to view your health realistically.

- Behavioral Changes: Learning to take your thoughts and under-react to them...instead of shifting into instant worse case scenario.

Taking life as it comes and enjoying the moment. Remaining in the present instead of looking backward into the past or forward into the future. This is the key to peace of mind.



Autor: Ronnie Freedman, PhD Ronnie Freedman, PhD
Level: Platinum
Dr. Ronnie Freedman is founder of Anxiety Busters, Inc, author of Anxiety Busters Programs, Anxiety Therapist and Nutritional Counselor. Her Anxiety Busters website and forum ... ...

Dr. Ronnie Freedman

Anxiety Busters, Inc.

http://www.anxietybusters.com

Your Natural Prescription for Anxiety Relief


Added: July 18, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

English Language Teachers - Seven Common Tropical Diseases You Need to Know

One Experience You Can Well Do Without

Have you relocated to a tropical foreign country to teach English as a foreign language? What ever may be your reason for foreign travel, you are bound to meet new friends, try new foods, use a foreign language and have new experiences. One experience you can well do without however, is the loss of your health by contracting one of these seven common tropical diseases. Some are inconvenient and uncomfortable. Some are serious, but treatable and others can be fatal.

Here Are Seven Tropical Diseases You Should Know About

Malaria

Despite advances in vaccinations and treatment of this centuries-old malady, Malaria still continues to take the lives of thousands each year in Africa, Asia and South America.

Yellow Fever

A mosquito or other blood-sucking insect transmitted disease, Yellow Fever should be treated as soon as possible. It can be fatal in a fairly short period of time if left untreated.

Cholera

Primarily transmitted by means of polluted or contaminated drinking water, there are, in fact, a few other ways of contracting this potentially fatal disease.

Giardiasis

Although far from being fatal, this parasitic infection is uncomfortable and inconvenient as you'll spend much of your day and night in the toilet or a foreign hospital emergency room.

Leptospirosis

Most commonly transmitted by flea, and sometimes rat or other rodent bites, Leptospirosis is not often heard of in many "developed" countries. Nonetheless there are occasional outbreaks in a number of countries.

Leishmaniasis

If you hike in the rain forests of Asia or South America, you can be exposed to this ameba-based infection which is very difficult to treat and even more so to cure.

Rabies (Hypochondria)

Rabies, also known as hypochondria, is most commonly transmitted through a bite from an infected rodent, mammal or other animal. Dogs, cats, bats, raccoons and other small animals are all known to have transmitted this potentially fatal disease.

An Ounce of Prevention

Any time you travel, "an ounce of prevention can be worth far more than a pound of cure", as the old saying goes. Use exceptional personal hygiene. Have up-to-date vaccinations as required. Avoid wearing dark colors which attract mosquitoes and heat-seeking insects. Don't sleep scantily-clothed outdoors, especially at night. Use insect repellent when advisable. Drink only treated or commercially bottled water. And be scrupulous in what you eat or consume. Although this still won't guarantee that you'll escape health problems, it will aid in greatly reducing your risk of contracting these and many other communicable diseases.



Autor: Larry M. Lynch Larry M. Lynch
Level: Platinum
Larry M. Lynch is an Intellectual Development Specialist, ELT Teacher Trainer, expert author, photographer and experienced world traveler who teaches language at a university in ... ...

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, expert author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 120 countries. Get your FREE E-books, English language teaching and learning information at: http://bettereflteacher.blogspot.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Contact the author at the above blog address for more information.


Added: July 16, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Overcoming Agoraphobia - How a Fresh Look at Its Causes Can Be the Key to Success

If you've had trouble overcoming agoraphobia, and you feel like you've tried everything and exhausted all your options, it's possible that a simple change of perspective could be the answer.

By redefining the way you see your agoraphobia, you can change the way it affects and controls you. But before you can successfully change your perspective, you'll need to first remind yourself of how you see your agoraphobia right now, and for most people this will be a very stereotypical point of view.

And that stereotypical point of view is this: Agoraphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of public places or open areas, especially those from which escape could be difficult or help not immediately accessible.

That's what you'll find as the definition of agoraphobia if you look it up somewhere online, and that's how you would probably define it yourself. But for many people with agoraphobia this definition is nothing more than a memorized sentence from a dictionary - it actually means nothing to them.

And because so many agoraphobia sufferers have lost touch with what their agoraphobia actually is, and what it actually means to them on a day-to-day basis, successfully overcoming it can be next to impossible.

The key to beating this problem is to redefine your agoraphobia, because only then will you see it for what it really is, and only then will you have those eureka moments when solutions suddenly begin to suggest themselves.

First of all - what agoraphobia is not (despite many experts who will tell you otherwise). Agoraphobia is not actually a fear of public places or open areas. And it's not even a fear of having a panic attack when you're outside your comfort zone; those are all symptoms of agoraphobia, but they are not agoraphobia themselves.

Agoraphobia is a defense mechanism.

It's a defense mechanism against any unknown thing you fear.

This definition goes against a lot of common and established beliefs, but if you actually take a long, hard, fresh look at what your agoraphobia means to you, I think you'll find that you agree with the "defense mechanism" idea.

To understand why agoraphobia is actually a defense mechanism, it's vital to fully understand it's true cause. And for the vast majority of people, that cause is a different, underlying panic disorder.

Many people, many experts, believe that you can experience agoraphobia completely on its own, with no other anxiety disorders or symptoms. But these people, and these experts, have usually never suffered with agoraphobia and anxiety and panic disorders themselves. And so they're not in a strong position to make such claims.

As an example, someone with generalized anxiety disorder could become increasingly more withdrawn - their constant, unjustified worrying may cause them to go deep into their "defensive shell." This person will begin to limit their movement away from their comfort zone, simply because any new experiences and interactions could potentially become new worries.

This person will begin to go to increasingly greater lengths to avoid new situations, in order to protect themselves from new situations that could become uncontrollable worries and fears.

And that's why agoraphobia is a defense mechanism.

There are many other forms of panic and anxiety disorder beside generalized anxiety disorder, and each of them has the potential to cause agoraphobia. Health anxiety (or hypochondria), social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even phobias.

They all have the potential to cause agoraphobia. In cases where there are apparently no other panic disorders as the underlying cause, there's often one that's gone completely unnoticed - because the agoraphobia spirals out of control and becomes all that you can focus on, the smaller things, which are often the things which cause and control the agoraphobia, are impossible to see.

That's why anyone affected by agoraphobia should look at identifying any underlying panic disorder causes, and addressing those, instead of addressing the agoraphobia directly.

This has to be a better approach - it allows sufferers to address the cause, and not the symptom. Addressing the symptom will never achieve anything, except masking the problem temporarily.

So the key to discovering a way out of your agoraphobia are these: take a fresh look at it, and don't just see the dictionary definition of it; get a fresh perspective; go hunting for the true underlying cause, which will almost certainly be some other form of anxiety disorder; treat the underlying cause, and not the superficial one.

Following a simple plan like this can work wonders.



Autor: Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor is a freelance writer/researcher from England. Having overcome a lifelong battle with anxiety and panic disorder in 2007, Alex now devotes his time to helping others recover. He achieves this via his highly-acclaimed online course, "Beat Panic Today." You can access "Beat Panic Today" free of charge by visiting Alex's website: http://www.PreventYourPanic.com


Added: July 15, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Choose Happiness!

In order to be happy, you just need to choose happiness. It really is that simple!
Depending on your personal situation, outlook and beliefs, choosing happiness might seem effortless, extremely hard or anything in between.

Regardless, choosing happiness - or any other emotion - is always possible. Our thoughts create our emotions, and we can always choose our thoughts. Therefore...

We always choose our feelings!

In fact, consciously or unconsciously, you always choose every emotion you feel. So by choosing your thoughts consciously, you take charge of your emotions!

Many of us still live with the perception that our emotions just "happen" in response to to what goes on around us. Although this is a misperception, created and enforced by ego, we create our life experience according to our perceptions. Therefore, if we're unaware of the misperception then we just reinforce our separation from each other and the world around us. And enforcing separation is what ego is all about.

External influences have an effect as well: news and media, movies, television... even music lyrics. So much of it is based on the idea that we have much less influence over ourselves than we actually do.

"I can't help how I feel!"

"She made me feel that way!"

"You made me so sad when you left."

"He made me do it."

"We were forced to take these actions."

How often have you heard someone say something like that? How often have you said something like it yourself?

Well, statements like that simply cannot be true. They are all based on the belief that things outside ourselves have ultimate control over our thoughts, emotions and actions.

Yes, there are many cases where things can influence us to feel or act a certain way... but the final choice is always ours.

For every self-aware, mentally competent person on this planet, the idea that we do not choose what we think, feel and do is a false belief, nothing more. But many still cling to that belief because it's all we know. We don't believe that we can choose happiness; we believe that it all depends on what's happening around us.

It's what we were taught by others because they believed the same thing, and it's what many of us still believe. Much of our world - society, governments, world events; even entertainment and culture - reflects this.

It can also be a way to avoid taking responsibility for our actions... no matter how harmful those actions may be. For example, one of the most common traits of criminal behavior is the tendency to blame outside sources for negative actions. As mentioned above, it's certainly possible for outside sources to influence us. But ultimately it all comes from within.

The idea that nothing "makes" you happy, or unhappy, or anything else, can be hard to accept. The idea that we, and we alone, are responsible for our emotions is often hard to believe. The idea that we choose the emotions we feel at all times sounds even more preposterous. But we do choose - often unconsciously. We choose happiness, or sadness/unhappiness, or anger, or any other emotion or emotional state. No one chooses it for us.

Our thoughts - and therefore our emotional state and actions - become conditioned responses to our environment, based on our beliefs. But even conditioned responses are chosen, unconsciously. If something occurs to "make" us happy, then we unconsciously choose happiness. If not, we unconsciously choose whatever our conditioning selects as the appropriate response.

Start living consciously!

The change comes when we move out of conditioned emotional response and start choosing our emotions consciously. Then, regardless of the situation, we can consciously choose our thoughts - and therefore our emotional state - and act from it.

We begin to live consciously, as opposed to treading more or less mindlessly through life, unconsciously thinking, feeling and acting in response to our environment.

Consider the advantages of conscious living.

Let me give you a simple example: someone cuts you off on the freeway as you're driving to work. For many of us, the conditioned response would be to take it personally and get upset - even fly into a rage - for whatever reason.

"S/he endangered my life! S/he has no idea what courtesy is! S/he shouldn't have a license! What's his/her hurry anyway?"

Does this response make any logical sense? All it does is upset you, raise your stress and anxiety, and bring your energy down. You'll become a big magnet for more negative energy, and you might end up having "one of those days."

What's more, if you continue to allow negative emotions - triggered by your ego - to get the better of you, you'll probably start to drag others down with you.

You might start a "complaining session" at the water cooler or on coffee break, where everyone vents about something that's annoying them. Do you notice how often this happens? It may not seem like much, but the truth is that it's toxic.

It perpetuates negative energy and, believe it or not, it provides fuel for more and more negative events to take place in the future. (See below.)

Choose a positive response - choose happiness!

If you choose to respond to the erratic freeway driver with a positive attitude and a level head, you invite further positive energy into your life. You can look at things objectively.

Of course, if the driver appears to be impaired in any way you can alert the proper authorities. But if he or she is just driving irresponsibly, it's probably just the antics of ego. It might be some emergency that you don't know about. Again, if the driver appears to be impaired or in some kind of distress, then by all means contact authorities.

If not, choose happiness. Choose to respond with compassion. Give the driver lots of space and let him or her go. If you feel annoyance, that's okay - don't repress it. Allow it to flow through you, and take some deep breaths. You'll feel much better. As you begin to relax, send positive energy and light to the other driver and you'll feel your annoyance dissolve as it's replaced by happiness.

We can always choose happiness... but we have to want it!

Often, we have been living unconsciously for so long that choosing happiness seems like an impossible task. In some cases, our egos try to keep us unhappy because we receive some perceived benefit from it. Have you ever met a "self-described hard-luck case"? This is someone who always seems to have something to complain about; some disaster, ailment or other dramatic situation, big or small, to tell everyone about.

Sometimes a person will behave like this because of the attention and sympathy s/he gets from it. The attention is a perceived benefit... so, unconsciously his/her mind will continue to create "hard luck" situations in order to gain further attention and sympathy. This can even go beyond external events and affect the person physically as well. Ailments, illness, disease, hypochondria and other physical issues can be traced back to a psychological source in many cases.

In other words, a person will sometimes subconsciously create poor health because, at some level, s/he gains some benefit from it. The suggestion that s/he can choose happiness may be rejected. On the surface his or her response might be something like, "I could never be happy. Look at my situation. How could I be happy?"

But underneath, his or her conditioned mind/ego says, "I get a lot of attention and sympathy from this behavior. It might be killing me, but the attention and sympathy still makes me feel loved."

Negative behavior like this is toxic. It can affect others, and it does. It feeds on itself, and it grows. And it certainly affects the person who creates it within themselves! But we all choose happiness, and everything else, ourselves. No one can choose it for us. Ultimately, a person must want to change before s/he can or will change.

Learning to choose happiness can seem like "work"... but it's more than worth it!

At first, moving your energy to higher levels can take concentration. Simply be aware of your thoughts, and go easy on yourself. Don't get upset or beat yourself up if you find yourself slipping back into old ways of thinking. Notice and acknowledge it, and then gently return yourself to positive thoughts. You'll find that the more you do this, the easier it gets. Eventually, happiness becomes a habit.

Although we ultimately choose happiness ourselves, there are still many things that can enhance our happiness. To help yourself along, do things that "make you happy". Imagine yourself in happy places and situations. Relax, enjoy life, and "be here now". Do what you love and enjoy as much as you can, and also find ways to enjoy things that might be a little less pleasant. The more you focus on happiness, the more you will find that negative things - even people - change, fall away and leave your life for good.

Regardless of what goes on around you, know that you - and you alone - are always in charge of your thoughts, feelings and actions. Let go of the past: it no longer exists. Never mind the future: it hasn't happened yet. All that exists is this moment. So be here now - and choose happiness. You'll find that miraculous things will happen in your life!



Autor: Robin Bhattacharyya

Robin Bhattacharyya is an entrepreneur, writer, webmaster, self-improvement and empowerment facilitator and all-around "student and teacher of life" based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. His website, Creating-Life-Abundance.com, is a "must" for anyone looking to improve their lives and the lives of others.

Check out Robin's new e-book, "Your Passion Point", available here!

Click here to learn how your thoughts and emotions create your life experience.


Added: July 14, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Problems Effecting Mental Health

Hypochondria

The popular image of the hypochondriac is a Woody Allen-type character who goes from doctor to doctor, anxiously takes his temperature every hour and imagines any headache to be a brain tumor.

Most of us suffer mild episodes of hypochondriasis (commonly known as hypochondria) from time to time. But when hypochondria becomes chronic and severe, it's no laughing matter.
Hypochondria is a psychological condition that doctors categorize as a somatoform disorder the presence of physical symptoms suggest illness, but no illness can be diagnosed. If you suffer from hypochondria, you are constantly preoccupied with sickness. You believe you have a serious illness, based on your own interpretation of certain symptoms and sensations, and go from doctor to doctor in search of a diagnosis and a cure. These fears and beliefs persist, even when no illness has been diagnosed and despite many reassurances from numerous doctors. People with hypochondria know their own medical histories in great detail, and often say that previous physicians who found nothing wrong with them were insensitive or incompetent.

It's tempting to label anyone who does this a hypochondriac unfortunately, many people with real illnesses have been dismissed as hypochondriacs until their diseases were finally recognized. However,hypochondria clearly exists as a mental disorder, and the preoccupation with imagined illness can become so severe that it impairs relationships and interferes with the person's ability to function normally. The incidence of true hypochondria in the general population isn't known, but doctors estimate that between 4 and 9 percent of people they see in general practice suffer from some degree of hypochondria. The problem usually begins after age 30 and tends to persist in to older age.

Many people who suffer from clinical depression or anxiety become abnormally vigilant about their bodies, focusing on every little change, and it's not uncommon for them to develop hypochondria. The good news is that when these disorders are successfully treated, the hypochondria tends to disappear.

Abnormal Grief

When you experience the death of a loved one, it's normal to feel grief. This may include feelings of sadness and loss, as well as physical symptoms of stress such as insomnia and fatigue. While these feelings vary widely from person to person, they tend to follow a normal course. But sometimes grieving is intense and long-lasting enough to be considered abnormal or even pathological. Such grieving can take a tremendous toll on your emotional and physical health and should be recognized when it occurs so you can get help.



Autor: Pattrick Jhonson

Learn about other mental problems like anxiety and insomnia and their cure with natural herbal supplements, as they have been found to be quite effective.


Added: July 13, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Coping with Fibromyalgia

Coping with Fibromyalgia is one of those things that is definitely much easier said than done. Fibromyalgia comes with a lot of symptoms, none of them pleasant. And because this is not really a disease, the person having it doesn't appear to have any reason to be in pain or acting strange to those around them. Those with Fibromyalgia may constantly deal with social issues ranging from skepticism to accusations of hypochondria because they complain of pain, and are sometimes even disabled by pain, without any apparent physical ailments. It is very important for those who have received a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia to take steps to begin coping with this condition.

Getting help for Fibromyalgia requires that you at least accept that you have it and it is real. Some people don't even believe the pain they feel themselves because they can't see an obvious cause for the pain. If you do not accept your situation, you may continue to do things that will increase your Fibromyalgia symptoms. In coping with this condition, it is particularly important that you not think that just because you're having a good day on any particular day, the mysterious pain is behind you forever. You need to understand that it can come back and you should be pacing yourself on the good days as well as the bad ones. Over a long period of time you will begin to learn just how far you can push yourself. This is an important part of the process of coping with Fibromyalgia.

Do not get yourself tied in to too many commitments, particularly work deadlines. Some days you may just not feel up to doing as much as other days. You need to have flexibility in your life. In managing Fibromyalgia, you need to learn how to take on these projects and let people know that if something flares up you may be a couple days late, or you may not be able to attend a meeting, but you will get your projects done when you are again able. If you're a hard worker, this will actually tend to be harder to get family members to understand than employers.

In order to get people around you to understand that you have a real problem, and that you are a reliable person with an unreliable problem, you need to educate those around you. This is an important part of coping with it. It will begin to seem redundant after you have to give the whole speech about Fibromyalgia again for the umpteenth time, but you have to do what you have to do to begin getting help for Fibromyalgia. It may help those around you if you can refer them to an informational website or medical brochure regarding this condition. Don't take offense at the questions those around you will naturally have. The more people ask you questions about your condition, the better they will be able to understand it and work with you to help you as you manage with Fibromyalgia.



Autor: Jen Miller

Are you suffering from Fibromyalgia ?

To Find out more about choosing the right Fibromyalgia Treatment for you, CLICK HERE

Jen Miller is a health and fitness enthusiast. She runs a website providing fibromyalgia information remedies at http://www.helpforfibromyalgia.net


Added: July 11, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rainforest Plants - Catuaba

Family: Erythroxylaceae

Genus: Erythroxylum

Species: catuaba

Common Names: Catuaba, catagu�, chuchuhuasha, tatuaba, pau de reposta, caramuru, piratan�ara, angelim-rosa, catigu�

General Description: Catuaba is a medium-sized tree found in the Amazon rainforest in the northern part of Brazil. It is small and vigorous, with yellow and orange trumpet-shaped flowers and small yellow oval-shaped inedible fruit. Catuaba is sometimes misspelled as catauba or catawba.

Uses: Catuaba is most commonly available as a tincture. Catuaba is usually consumed as a tea made from the bark of this small shrub. It is believed to calm overactive neurotransmitters. Catuaba is said to relieve insomnia, particularly when related to nervous debility, and it also thought to alleviate depression, emotional stress and hypochondria. Some have touted Catuaba as a primary treatment for AIDS; it is actually not recommended as a primary treatment for AIDS, but rather as a defense against opportunistic infection.

Catuaba is probably the best known aphrodisiac in tribal medicine. Although used historically by both men and women, it is primarily useful in the treatment of impotence and Prostatitis. Catuaba is meant to have a cumulative long term effect first signaled by erotic dreams, and followed by increased sexual desire. Catuaba is extremely effective for the male sexual organs because it increases circulation and libido. This herb is considered an "innocent" aphrodisiac, meaning no adverse side-effects have been reported in its use.

Catuaba (pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable) is one of the most famous of Brazilian herbs, known to the indigenous Tupi Indians as the 'tree of love' or the 'tree of togetherness'. The Catuaba herb has been traditionally used by natives in the Amazon in combination with muira puama. Catuaba and muirapuama, two common trees growing widely across the Amazon river basin, enjoy centuries of safe, effective use as aphrodisiacs.

Catuaba is gentle and immensely calming, a relaxing herbal tea to drink at the end of a non-stop day.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.



Autor: Tony Mandarich

Tony Mandarich


Added: July 9, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Alternative Treatment For Emotional and Mental Health Disorders

There are very few conditions or illnesses that are entirely psychological or physical, and mental or emotional illnesses do become inextricably entangled with physical symptoms, which even the best therapist or doctor would find difficult to separate. Most mental problems are either pathological (caused by disease) or they are caused by problems in childhood and growing up, or stressful events of life. Stresses and problems affect every individual differently, and each person will adapt - or fail to do so - according to his or her physical and psychological makeup. Depressions are very common after illness because resistance is low emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Illness is common after depression for much the same reason.

Very few people suffer from problems that require hospitalization, and conditions can differ in severity from person to person. Common emotional or mental problems include addictions, agoraphobia, amnesia, anger, anxiety, bereavement, confusion, delirium, depression, eating disorders, fears, fright, grief, hallucinations, hypochondria, hysteria, insecurity, manic depression, memory loss, obsessions, panic attacks, paranoia, schizophrenia, sexual problems, sleep problems, stress, and unusual behavior.

Mental health problems are very common. Most of us experience depression or stress at some point in our lives, and literally millions of people in the Western world are diagnosed as mentally ill each year. Often fear of being out of control or of experiencing painful emotions means that we neglect our mental health, ignoring the warning signs of stress.

Alternative therapies and medicines can be helpful in preventing mental health problems by reducing stress, aiding relaxation, and reminding us that physical and mental health go together. For people who have already had mental health problems, alternative medicine can help reduce the chances of a relapse. It can also counteract the side effects of prescribed drugs.

Drugs can control symptoms and give short-term relief, but they do not get to the root of the problem. Alternative medicine's holistic approach - which looks at the underlying causes of symptoms in the context of the person's life and emotions - makes it ideally suitable for the treatment of many mental health problems.

An alternative practitioner should treat you as an individual, giving you attention and time to discuss your problems.

The so-called talking treatments of psychotherapy and counseling may seem the obvious treatment choice for people in mental distress, but there are many other alternative therapy options. For example, aromatherapy or acupuncture can aid relaxation, and ease pain, anxiety, and depression. Buying herbs remedies, or oils for your own use is an option, but for a full assessment and individually tailored treatment, a professional should be consulted.

It is vital that you feel comfortable with your chosen practitioner. A good one will tell you if they do nol think they can help you, and suggest another form of treatment, or another practitioner. They may also advise you to see a physician if they feel it is appropriate.



Autor: Robin Brain Robin Brain
Level: Basic PLUS
I managed 100s of websites....

Read out for Strength ball training. Check out arthritis and diagnostic tests


Added: July 8, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

It's a Mad, Mad World! Mental Health - An Ayurvedic Perspective

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems. However, determining that someone has a mental illness, and which one it could be, is one of the greatest challenges psychiatrists and psychologists face today. To date, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the psychiatrists bible), lists over 400 disorders.

It's quite normal to sometimes feel happy or sad, anxious or fearful, forgetful or confused. These are the hills and valleys of emotion in our daily lives. But when a person's emotions, thoughts or behavior frequently trouble them, or disrupt their lives and those around them, they may be suffering from mental illness. Even though as many as one in five people are thought to suffer from a form of mental illness, it still carries with it stigma and discrimination. Because of this people are reluctant to admit they have a problem and seek help and treatment. Unfortunately, when mental illness goes untreated the result can be suicide, which claims 873,000 lives a year. The economic costs of these conditions are also enormous and growing. According to the WHO, depression is expected to account for more lost years of healthy life than any other disease by 2030, except for HIV/AIDS.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Western scientists can tell us what happens as a result of certain mental health issues, but they cannot give us the underlying cause. For instance, brain scans have directly linked depression with changes in levels of neurotransmitters - chemicals that convey messages across neurons - people suffering from depression often display lowered levels of neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin's main effects include improving mood and giving you that "satisfied" feeling from food. It's also thought to help promote sleep and relaxation. Alzheimer's disease, a major source of dementia and memory loss in the elderly, is a result of an accumulation of protein plaques, which choke neurons in the brain. Untreated HIV infection, syphilis, Lyme disease and malaria are also thought capable of triggering a variety of mental illnesses. Modern medicine does not recognize a link between the body, mind and emotions. They look at the body as a machine, working independently of the mind.

The 5,000-year-old holistic science of Ayurvedic medicine, on the other hand, views the human being as body, mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It incorporates longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies utilizing herbs, diet, yoga; breathing and physical exercises and meditation, massage, aromas and mantras. Ayurveda uses the concept of three biological humors; vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth) that if become unbalanced can affect us mentally, with disturbed emotions and thoughts, this will usually be reflected on a physical level also and visa versa. Through recent scientific research Dr. Candace Pert has come to a similar conclusion in her book Molecules of Emotion. Pert refers to the mind-body connection or a network of emotions linking the mind to the body. She demonstrates that cells throughout the body secrete 'emotional' hormones; these are then picked up by nerve impulses to produce the corresponding changes in mood and behavior. The immune system is linked with the brain (pituitary gland) and the endocrine system. Endorphins are the body's natural 'opiates' or pleasure hormones and are known to be increased by pranayama (yogic breathing) and yoga asana. Stress affects the body by releasing hormones, adrenaline and corticosterone from the brain and the immune system. Once in a stressed state the body itself can continue the stress cycle by the continuous activation of corticosterone. Depressed and traumatized people have high levels of corticosterone and often have a decreased level of immunity. This physiological state can be deactivated when the trauma and stress are released. In Ayurveda this means transforming the negative emotions, like fear, pain, anger and grief into positive ones.

The Function of the Astral Body

In Ayurveda and many other natural healing methods a subtle astral or emotional body is recognized to exist simultaneously with the physical body. It is linked to the physical body by energy centers or chakras. Subtle channels known as nadis transport prana or the essence of life energy and thought to corresponding glands around the body. Disruption in the flow of these energies causes psychological disease. As mentioned yogic breathing can keep these energies circulating, as can certain herbs such as calamus, basil, turmeric, guggul, myrrh, frankincense and cedar.

There is a shield between the astral and physical bodies, which protect us from negative thoughts or energies that are within the astral atmosphere. For instance, there is so much accumulated fear within the world projected from wars, the slaughter of billions of animals, pain and suffering of women and children that exists in the astral plane that if the link becomes weak we can no longer discriminate the physical from the astral. The fear, pain and anger "out there", affects our thoughts, fantasies and emotions, and we lose control. A physical trauma such as a severe blow to the head, sexual or physical abuse, excessive alcohol and mind-altering drugs such as LSD, ecstasy, cannabis and heroine can weaken this shield. Persons who are channelers open themselves up the astral plane also. One striking example of this is schizophrenia. This is a distorted view of reality, which may include hallucinations, hearing voices, delusions, and paranoia. Ayurveda recognizes this to be a symptom of a destructive astral force or entity entering the physical body commonly known as possession. Many Hindu priests, as well as Catholic priests, are taught a certain practice through prayer and sanctified water to rid the sufferer of the negative energy. Calamus, Holy basil and Gotu kola are then administered with perhaps some time being spent in a 'sattvic' or loving monastic environment.

Allopathic Psychiatric Treatments

Psychiatric treatment for mental illness can take many forms. The patient is encouraged to recognize their problems, understand what may trigger undesirable behavior, and develop coping strategies. Mood-stabilizing aim to moderate manic episodes of bipolar disorder and may also reduce recurrences of depression. Recently, however, some experts think there has been a rush to medicate and have questioned the effectiveness of many drugs. There is also controversy about using these drugs - such as Ritalin or amphetamines to treat children.

Various Mental Disorders and Ayurvedic Treatments

Depression

Among the most common mental illnesses is clinical depression. It is described as a prolonged, debilitating sadness, and feelings of hopelessness that is often accompanied by no highs or lows, just a bland existence which will ultimately lead to thoughts of suicide. The numbers of adolescents suffering from clinical depression have risen alarmingly in the last 10 years. Statistics show that suicide is the third leading cause of death in youths between 10 and 19 years old.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is an affective disorder that causes periodic mood swings in which they cycle from depression to mania. Depression may be characterized by having a lack of motivation, difficulty doing tasks, short attention span, decreased appetite, crying spells, difficulty in getting to sleep or sleeping too much, and in the more severe cases thoughts of self harm. Mania is separated into two types: Full mania and hypomania. Mania may be characterized by a decreased need for sleep, decreased self-control, overspending, increased sexual activity, irritability, rage, risk-taking behaviors, and in the more severe cases psychotic states. Hypomania is described as having the same behaviors, to a less extreme level.

Ayurvedic Treatment

A need to arouse the sufferer's interest and enthusiasm in life is introduced to the sense of taste. Spices like ginger, cardamon and basil are used to open the heart and mind. Calamus teas are given with a little ginger and honey. Mints and sages of all types are useful. Triphala is given to alleviate constipation. Color therapy is used with warm tones of yellow and gold. Long walks are encourages in nature at her best; sunshine, river, lakes and forests. All these places are filled with pranic energy.

Cutting or Self-Injury

Self-injury involves self-inflicted bodily harm that is severe enough to either cause tissue damage or to leave marks that last several hours. Cutting is the most common form of SI, but burning, head banging and scratching are also common. Other forms include biting, skin-picking, hair pulling, hitting the body with objects or hitting objects with the body. Although suicidal feelings may accompany SI, it does not necessarily indicate a suicide attempt. Most often it is simply a mechanism for coping with emotional distress. People who select this emotional outlet may use it to express feelings, to deal with feelings of unreality or numbness, to stop flashbacks, to punish themselves, or to relieve tension. Although SI is recognized as a common problem among the teenage population, it is not limited to adolescents. People of all sexes, nationalities, socioeconomic groups and ages can be self-injurers.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Often, the sufferer feels the need to stimulate themselves by pain. Ayurveda uses nervine herbs like Trikatu, cayenne, cardamom, cloves and calamus. Warming and nourishing these feed the emotional heart. Pippali is good also, 1/4 teaspoon with honey every few hours. Avoid sleeping during the day.

Anxiety Disorders

These include post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anger disorders, hypochondria, and phobias such as agoraphobia (open spaces), claustrophobia (small places), acrophobia (heights), arachnophobia (spiders) and social phobia (being around people). These are all characterized by powerful feelings of panic and physical signs of fear, sweating, and a racing heart - due to some cue in the environment, or for no obvious reason at all. Many sufferers believe they are either going insane or going to die.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Anxiety is mainly a Vata disorder and Ashwaganda is generally given am and pm in warm milk. Aromatherapy, using rose and jasmine is used. Warm massage and gentle, slow yogic techniques. Maha Mantra and Shrim mantra should be spoken.

Eating Disorders

There are three common eating disorders; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Each disorder has different affects on the human body. A disease that used to be associated with young women is now appearing in young men. Anorexia is characterized by a significant weight loss, which is usually resulting from excessive dieting. Sufferers see themselves to be overweight, or fat, no matter what their actual weight may be. Anorexics may also use compulsive exercise to control their weight. Anorexics commonly strive for perfection in all the things they do. They set extremely high standards for themselves, and feel that they always have to prove themselves. They may also feel that the only thing they have control over in their lives is their weight. People with bulimia engage in cycles of gorging or binging themselves on large quantities of food and then purging through vomiting or use of laxatives. This can have a disastrous effect as with repeated purging the sufferer will lose their teeth from stomach acid and the use of laxatives will eventually render the bowel muscles useless.

Ayurvedic Treatment

To begin with the patients should fast on orange juice and water for first three to five days. After the juice diet the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for a further five days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, pineapple, peaches at five hourly intervals. Thereafter they may adopt a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits, and buttermilk for about ten days. During the first three to five days of the juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed with a warm water enema each day. Teas of cardamom, fennel, and fresh ginger to help regulate digestion and stop vomiting; valerian, nutmeg, herb ashwagandha. Massage with sesame oil, and sandalwood.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

ADHD, sometimes known as ADD, is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why. Children with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They can't sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Recent research links smoking during pregnancy to later ADHD in a child. Some studies have even suggested a link between excessive early television watching and future attention problems. It has been advised that children under 2 years old should not have any "screen time" (TV, DVDs or videotapes, computers, or video games) and that kids 2 years and older should be limited to 1 to 2 hours per day, or less, of quality television programming.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Child's diet should consist of fruit, grains and vegetables full of natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Eliminate caffeine, sugar and other sweets, processed food, MSG, aspartame (NutraSweet) and other sugar substitutes, and any foods that contain preservatives, food dyes or other chemicals and eating at fast food chains. Drink water, fresh homemade vegetable and fruit juices. Eliminate sodas and caffeinated beverages. No white bread. No processed peanut butter: It contains aflatoxin, a fungus that causes cancer. Instead use almond butter from your health food store. Children need a lot of rest and should go to bed early. Proper exercise daily- outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Play with your children!

Note: Ritalin closely resembles an amphetamine. It is a cocaine-like drug that induces zombie-like behavior in children. The public school system's idea of ADHD treatments is prescribing Ritalin which, like all toxins, come with a long list of side effects including nervousness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, joint pains, headaches, increased blood pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, and psychosis.

Knowledge is Empowering

Many people take medication to help control or manage the symptoms of their mental illness. A clear knowledge and understanding of medication and possible side effects combined with knowledge and understanding of both oneself and one's illness is often important in achieving a sense of personal control over the symptoms of the illness. Knowledge enhances your ability to self manage your medication to get the maximum benefits from it while reducing the potential for side effects and the risk of relapse. Acquiring knowledge also enhances your ability to negotiate effectively with the treating doctor about dose, frequency and the types of medication choices. Keeping up with current advances in medication research and the new drugs as they become available also increases your medication and treatment options. Remember it is your body and mind, and your decision what treatment you are going to choose.



Autor: Jennifer Beckman

Jennifer (Yogamaya) is a director of the Vedic Cultural Fellowship and Pecos Valley Yoga and Ayurveda Center. Born in North Africa, and raised in the UK, as child she was introduced to yoga asana and pranayama by her aunt. During the 1990's she studied homeopathy, massage, reflexology, nutrition and became a certified instructor by the British Wheel of Yoga. Naturally she was drawn to the sister science of Ayurveda and has studied under Doctors Vasant Lad and David Frawley. In 1998, she returned to the US with her husband Howard Beckman, to establish the Vedic Cultural Fellowship and in 1999 they founded New Rishikesh, in Pecos, New Mexico. In 2003, she was certified as a Planetary Gem Advisor, by the Planetary Gemologist Association in Bangkok Thailand due to her advanced working knowledge of using gemstones in accordance with Vedic astrological principles. Today she and her husband, together with Dr. David Frawley, are developing the VCF's New Rishikesh as a major teaching and retreat center.


Added: July 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Munchausen Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms, Information with Treatment

Munchausen Syndrome is distinct from hypochondria in that the patient is aware that he is exaggerating, while sufferers of hypochondria actually believe they have a disease. Munchausen Syndrome is currently a topic of intense interest. People with this syndrome deliberately produce or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They might lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests (such as contaminating a urine sample). Signs of Munchausen syndrome include is dramatic but inconsistent medical history.

Presence of symptoms only when the patient is alone or not being observed and willingness or eagerness to have medical tests. The most cause of Munchausen syndrome is biological, psychological factors and personality disorders. Munchausen syndrome afflicts the patient who presents with the complaint. Munchausen syndrome by proxy involves inflicting injury on a child or other dependent person in order to simulate symptoms. Treatment of Munchausen syndrome is often difficult, and there are no standard treatments for the condition. Treatment generally includes psychotherapy and behavior counseling.

Causes of Munchausen Syndrome

Common causes and Risk factors of Munchausen Syndrome

Biological factors.

Psychological factors.

A history of abuse or neglect as a child.

Personality disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome

Common Sign and Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome

Vague.

Sleep apnea.

Fever.

Vomiting.

Poorly formed identity and severe problems with self-esteem.

Dramatic stories about numerous medical problems.

Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome

Common Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome

Nonconfrontational intervention may help people with Munchausen.

Treatment generally includes psychotherapy and behavior counseling. If possible, family therapy also may be suggested.

Monitor ongoing medical care usage by involving people or institutions outside the medical practice to alert the physician gatekeeper about health care issues.

Medications may be used to treat other mental disorders that are also present, such as depression or anxiety.



Autor: Juliet Cohen

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and skin disorders. She also writes articles on herbal home remedies.


Added: July 5, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Post Partum Depression - The Uninvited Guest

Post partum depression is the uninvited guest that creeps its way into our lives at our most vulnerable moments. Not only are we tired from having a new baby, but we are very emotional and stressed. Understanding what post partum depression is can be an actual life saver for those who are pregnant and expecting. If I would have understood the symptoms of post partum depression before it crept into my life, I wouldn"t have almost wasted two years of my life and came close to wanting to just end it.

The reason I described post partum depression as the uninvited guest is because of course it messes with not only our mental health, our physical health, as well as people on the outside, such as our kids and husbands. There are many forms of post partum depression, ranging from mild to severe, from hearing voices to having panic attacks and fearing impending death.

After I had my third son, I started feeling like I was going to die. I literally felt the heart thumping, so I thought I was having a heart attack and then other times I would get weak on one side, so then I thought I was having a stroke. Even after many trips to the ER and my doctor"s office, I still didn"t believe that all that was happening to me was post partum anxiety/hypochondria. I finally realized after months of fighting this that I could overcome it by just understanding what my symptoms were and why. After I had my fourth child, I knew for a fact that I would have it happen again, and sure enough it has. My daughter is now 14 months old and I still have panic attacks and hypochondria.

I suggest to anyone that if you are pregnant and having a baby, then you should read up on post partum depression so that you can prepare yourself in case it may occur. Get to the doctor if symptoms occur and try to fight it!

I am a survivor of postpartum depression. I am also the mother of four. I have lots of advice on information pertaining to babies and toddlers. If you would like to see more, feel free to visit my website at http://www.diaperyears.blogspot.com



Autor: C.Taylor

Christy Taylor, whom has experienced many ups and downs of post partum is also the happy mother of four children. For more information on babies and toddlers, feel free to visit her website at http://www.diaperyears.blogspot.com


Added: July 4, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Cruelty of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

It is a striking characteristic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FM) that people have such incredible difficultly in accepting that someone with CFS/FM is really ill. While being assailed by hideous assaults on body, mind and an individual"s very being, sufferers face yet more staggering obstacles created by the lack of true understanding from other people. This is a very real situation that has to be faced by many sufferers, and can be a crushing impediment to improvement.

Sufferers face a huge struggle in trying to convey the despair and helplessness felt when in the grip of CFS/FM, while being confronted with disbelief, allegations of malingering or pathetic weakness, blame for bringing illness on themselves, insinuations that the illness is purely psychological or just imagined, claims of attention-seeking, or any number of harsh judgments rising from ignorance or lack of compassion.

Many people can only relate to their own experiences, so are incapable of understanding. Others are unable to see beyond the superficial veneer of "you look well". Some insensitive, some only self-interested, some just bored or impatient when you are not "over it" quickly, some just incredibly thoughtless, cruel...

"Are you better, yet?" is a question that is often asked of a CFS/FM sufferer and, despite its frequency, can be a very difficult question to handle. It is a hurtful reminder of an incredibly unpleasant, intrusive illness without an effective end in sight. How does one point out that it is an illness without a cure, politely? How does one explain that they may look fine but feel as if they are crumbling away inside, without sounding pathetic? And how does a sufferer convey the despair of waking each and every morning knowing they are not yet "better"?

More often sufferers cannot articulate any explanation at the time, and sometimes not even some time afterwards! Sensitivities may be especially tender or general outlook significantly depressed; there may be some guilt about imposition on others despite it being beyond the sufferer"s control. The affects of this illness can cause abnormal reactions. However, would the same people ask this question of someone they knew had an incurable disease, or of someone who could no longer walk?

Because sufferers often "look well" or are able to participate in some activity, it is common for assumptions to be made that "they must be well". As symptoms fluctuate and energy levels vary, each and every day is a separate challenge. People generally do not see the days spent carefully conserving energy so a day out may be possible - they are unlikely to witness the depressing disappointment when a special day arrives and either symptoms flare or energy is simply insufficient.

Most people that make hurtful comments or pass unfair judgement mean no calculated harm, however even simple thoughtlessness can have quite massive ramifications on someone that is actually ill. Then again, it can be astounding the number of people that question professional opinion or insist that they know the reason a sufferer has CFS/FM.

Poor understanding and lack of sensitivity is not confined to uninformed or unqualified people. Many sufferers cite cases of extreme coldness, rude disrespect or offensive dismissal from medical practitioners, medical personnel, therapists or other "professionals". "It"s all in your mind" or "just get over it", accusations of hypochondria, delusion, laziness and self-absorption have been thrown at sufferers of CFS/FM.

As a syndrome with mystifying causes, bewildering symptoms and no proven cure it seems easy to dismiss CFS/FM as "not a real illness". The reaction is, understandably, for the sufferer to hide away from unkindness. While in the worst phases of CFS/FM, little else possible. Isolation and feelings of helpless hopelessness can be significantly extended due to the perception that no one other than a fellow sufferer can possibly understand the daunting experience of CFS/FM.

CFS/FM is not a fatal illness. Sufferers" are generally thankful that this illness is not as threatening or possibly as painful as progressive or terminal conditions. With no intention of taking anything away from others" suffering, whatever that may entail, CFS/FM sufferers simply seek acceptance and some understanding.

For people to do some simple, easy research about CFS/FM before offering opinions would go a long way to providing a little positive support to sufferers and their carers who already have sufficient burdens.

Bullfight critics ranked in rows

Crowd the enormous plaza full

But only one is there who knows

And he"s the one who fights the bull

- Robert Graves, poet

[http://www.cfs-fm.com - please include this address if article is reproduced so sufferers or their carers can access some practical help.]



Autor: Anne Mills Anne Mills
Level: Basic
Anne is the author of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Management series of books. Through practical, quality knowledge these books provide a whole range ... ...

Anne is the author of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Management series of books. Through practical, quality knowledge these books provide a whole range of strategies for a sufferer to 'get back their life' by taking control away from their illness.

Create Energy! delivers nutritional secrets, while another five books deal with symptoms management. Anne is a qualified nutritionist as well as having suffered from CFS and Fibromyalgia. Information and books available at http://www.cfs-fm.com


Added: July 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Our Guide To Psychotic Depression Treatments

Depression symptoms in general include anxiety, sadness, and agitation. These symptoms exist also in Psychotic Depression although on a more intense level. Hypochondria, physical immobility, and constipation are also symptoms. Intellectual impairment and psychosis (loss of contact with reality including hallucinations and Schizophrenia) may exist as well.

Treatments typically include much longer hospital stays than with milder forms of Depression. There is much more intense follow up care with mental health professionals in Psychotic Depression. Combinations of antidepressants and anti-psychotic medications are the most effective course of treatment available.

Another Psychotic Depression treatment is Electroconvulsive Therapy. This is a procedure where the person is given a general anesthetic as well as a muscle relaxer.
Electrodes are put in precise spots on the patient's head and periodic controlled pulses
are shot through the electrodes. If the procedure was done properly, seizure activity in the brain will have been initiated. The patient's muscles are relaxed so typically only slight movement of the hands and feet may be noted.

When the treatment is completed, the patient is often confused. They will have no memory of the treatment or events surrounding it. This procedure can be prescribed from once a month to once every three months.

The outlook of recovery for those with Psychotic Depression can occur within a year of treatment. It is absolutely imperative for follow-up care with mental health professionals. These patients are at higher risk of suicide. Please note that getting a proper diagnosis, proper treatment, and follow up care are essential tools for recovery.

Other Psychotic Depression Treatments exist in the forms of medications, most often a combination of anti-depressant and anti-psychotic medications. Herbal treatments are also available for Depression treatments but it is not well known how effective they may be on more severe cases of Depression.

Herbs are a remedy that have been around for centuries but are becoming popular again. The reason for this is that prescriptions are very expensive and many want to avoid the serious side effects of prescribed medications. Herbal supplements have far fewer side effects if they have any at all.

Depression whether it is mild or moderate will likely benefit from herbal supplementation. As we said, not enough is known of the effectiveness of herbal treatments in very severe cases. It is important that you consult with your doctor as herbs can reduce the effects of other prescriptive medications. Depression can be treated and there is help out there.



Autor: John Gibb

We have found a pure natural depression supplement that can also help with anxiety and overall general well being.

To learn more about the product we use with excellent health results, especially when it comes to improving anxiety and depression, be sure to check out - http://www.depression-product-selection.com

John Gibb is the manager and owner of various health websites. His latest addition is Natural Depression Alleviation


Added: June 30, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Anorexic Eating Disorders

Eating disorders, foremost among them Anorexia Nervosa, afflict upwards of 8 out of every 100,000 people each year; 40% of this statistic is composed of adolescent females between the ages of 15 and 19.

An eating disorder is defined as "a complex compulsion to eat in a way which disturbs physical, mental and psychological health". This compulsion can have a multitude of different effects depending upon the particular person who feels it. The victim may be compelled to eat more than is healthy, or far less; the victim may eat vast quantities of food and then, through forced vomiting or overuse of laxatives, cause the food to evacuate the body without being digested. This is partly what makes eating disorders so hard to diagnose and treat - there is no specific set of symptoms and, due to this, the practitioner in question may need a large amount of time to formulate a proper mode of treatment.

Eating disorders are also the topic of a latter-day societal taboo in modern life - due to images of modern body image perpetrated by the media, there is scant difference between "a perfect body" and a "dangerously underweight body"; and, assuming that the body in question was deliberately being maintained, automatically assuming that there is an eating disorder in effect may be perceived as offensive. For this reason, the topic of eating disorders, as well as attempts by the friends and family of a victim to seek help for that victim, is seen as an issue where it is easier to avoid a minor inconvenience while risking the victim's health than to risk embarrassment if there is a problem.

In the public consciousness, one eating disorder is foremost: Anorexia. To aid discussion of eating disorders, a brief discussion of this particular eating disorder shall be entered into

Anorexia or, as it is more properly known in medical circles, Anorexia Nervosa ("Nervous Anorexia"), affects between 8 and 13 per 100,000 people depending on the demographics of the population being examined. Anorexia is the most commonly known eating disorder to the general public, due to media exposure. Indeed, this exposure causes many people to heap all eating disorders, or under-eating disorders, into a single category under the name anorexia. This is both a symptom and cause of more ignorance and misunderstanding faced by people trying to deal with eating disorders - someone with an unrelated eating disorder may be told (by friends and family) to seek treatment designed for anorexia sufferers which will provide no help to them; similarly, someone suffering from Anorexia Nervosa may be told to seek a treatment method which was observed being administered to someone with an unrelated eating disorder.

Anorexia is characterized by a fierce mental compulsion not to consume food at all, lest this cause the victim to become overweight and a gross distortion of body image, which causes the victim to believe he/she is overweight no matter what weight they really are. Someone who is perceived by other people as a mere bag of flesh and bones may she him/herself as grossly, morbidly obese and will seek to fix this perceived problem by eating yet less. It is not uncommon for chronic untreated cases of anorexia to cause death by starvation to the sufferer.

Due to specific societal conditions, understanding of eating disorders is limited. Many are ignored out of convenience and fear of embarrassment, while some people prone to hypochondria even wish to be seen as afflicted by this terrible disease. Eating disorders are terrible in this way because they are of the type Nervosa - caused by nervous system reactions and not transmitted as most diseases are by bacteria and viruses. Eating disorders are truly a disease borne of the modern age. Only through education of friends and family, as well as abolition of the senseless taboos associated with them, will eating disorders be conquered.



Autor: Michael Russell Michael Russell
Level: Platinum
Michael Russell has been involved in online business since early 2001, and whilst spending countless hours each month running his business still finds time for ... ...

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Eating Disorders


Added: June 29, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Low Self Esteem and Its Impact on a Child's Psyche

Low self esteem can begin to develop early in childhood, long before the concept is even understood by the child. Most of the traits underlying our personality are developed in early childhood. This means that a child with feelings of low self esteem is likely to carry them into adulthood without realizing it.

A child with low self esteem needs help to realize that not everything is his or her fault. He or she needs to understand that no person can succeed all the time, that perfection is an ideal and not a goal. However, that does not mean that such a child cannot attain spectacular success in life provided he/she is given the right guidance and motivation.

Low self esteem affects a child in many negative ways:-

1) Becoming an Over-Achiever - Some parents may find this prospect as something to cheer about but be assured that prodding your child to get high grades all the time does not equal good parenting. Children with low self esteem often becomes over achievers because they feel inadequate and think that they will receive love and respect only as long as they keep maintaining their high levels of performance.

2) Addiction - Drug addiction, smoking and alcoholism are the most common signs of a child with low self esteem. Such children often turn to drugs and alcohol in order to cover up what they feel are their inadequacies. Children with low self esteem often build a fantasy world in order to feel better about themselves.

3) Vulnerable to Peer pressure - A child with low self esteem is often susceptible to peer pressure. In their search for acceptance and attention and to avoid becoming victims of bullying, they tend to cave in to pressures from the "in" groups in order to belong to a clique that is viewed as being "cool", even if it means indulging in unacceptable behavior.

4) Depression - Feelings of being unloved, worthlessness and alienation are a constant in children of low self esteem. They are often depressed and unable to express their feelings due to embarrassment or shame. Depression in children can manifest itself chiefly through Eating Disorders, Suicide or Hypochondria.

a) Eating Disorders - By now the terms- bulimia and anorexia - have become part of daily conversation. However, despite the awareness of these conditions by the public at large, very few realize the extent of self loathing that must exist in a person for him/her to embark on an act so contrary to the human impulse of protecting self from harm.

b) Suicide - Suicide rates among young people have been increasing steadily over the years and the constant pressure by parents, schools, peer groups and society in general to strive for and achieve higher and higher goals is difficult enough for a well adjusted child. For one with low self esteem, this can be intolerable.

c) Hypochondria - A craving for attention is a characteristic trait of those suffering from low self esteem and what better way to achieve this than by claiming to be suffering from a myriad of diseases. The fact that no one believes them after a time merely confirms their idea of themselves as being worthless and so they either look for other gullible audience or increase the symptoms of their imagined illnesses. In extreme cases, they have even been known to inflict bodily harm on themselves in order to get the attention they so desperately seek.

Why is it so urgent that people help a child with low self esteem? A problem like this is much easier to overcome right at the beginning. For one thing, convincing an adult that he or she has low self esteem could be very hard. Moreover, childhood is the training ground where the adult is molded and shaped. Surely it is our duty as adults to make sure that we do all we can to ensure that the generation following us is equipped, not just on a physical and intellectual level but emotionally and psychologically as well, to face the challenges of their times.



Autor: Naresh Belliyappa

Naresh Belliyappa is a software engineer and website developer. He can be contacted at narbell@hotmail.co.uk For more articles,please visit http://www.ebookmall4U.co.uk


Added: June 28, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/