CHILD ABUSE

“Child abuse is the intentional, non-accidental use of physical force, or intentional, non-accidental acts of omission on the part of a parent or other caretaker interacting with a child in his care aimed at hurting, injuring or destroying that child” (Gill, 1973).

Child sexual abuse is the biggest kept secret in India due to societal denial, ignorance, and silence owing to the discomfort generated out of acknowledgement. Abuse of girls is usually not reported due to family honour and “purity” related issues, while, abuse of boys is often ignored as it may be considered impossible.

Child abuse may take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect.

PHYSICAL ABUSE OF CHILD- is when a child younger than age 18 years has experienced injury or risk of injury as a result of having been hit with a hand or other object or having been kicked, shaken, thrown, burned, stabbed, or choked by a parent or parent-substitute.

SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD- is when an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for sexual purposes.

NEGLECT OF CHILD- refers to harm as a result of inadequate nutrition, clothing, hygiene and supervision.

Child abuse can have a wide range of adverse consequences as some of the commonly reported psychological disorders in adults are seen as a result of child abuse like alcohol and substance abuse disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, dissociative disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, eating disorders, etc.

Numerous researches have substantiated the link between childhood abuse and adult psychopathology highlighting the need for immediate intervention post reporting of abuse so that the victims do not develop maladaptive coping strategies.

IT IS NOT THE PERSON’S FAULT THAT THE ABUSE HAPPENED TO HIM/HER. UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABUSE IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS POSITIVE HEALTH.

COMPILED BY:

BANDNA REKHI

CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

STRESS- UNDERSTANDING & MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION-
Stress is the way you react physically, mentally and emotionally to various conditions, changes and demands in your life. It may originate from a multitude of sources and cause a wide variety of responses, both positive and negative. Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event or change. The threat, event or change are commonly called stressors. Stressors can be internal or external. They can range from everyday hassles such as traffic jams to divorce, death of a close family member, injury or illness, marriage, loss of job, retirement etc.
EFFECTS OF STRESS-
Undesired Effects of stress- Stress reactions may disturb the adaptation to the environment in a very serious way, both at a personal and an organisational level. As such, these reactions have all kinds of undesirable and also very expensive consequences.

Individual Effects of Stress- Stress tends to lead to diminished creativity and stagnation of personal development. As such, it negatively affects work motivation, pleasure and well-being. Moreover, it diminishes the quality of social relations, resulting in conflicts and isolation. As a result, overall individual effectiveness can be greatly diminished. Ultimately, stress can lead to all kinds of psychological and physical complaints and illnesses, which may contribute to a premature death.

Behavioural responses- Overeating, undereating, anger outbursts, drug or alcohol abuse, increased smoking, social withdrawal, crying spells, relationship conflicts.

Psychological responses- decreased attention and concentration, feelings of anxiety, anger, apathy, depression, and aggression, restlessness, worrying, irritability, sadness, anger, feeling insecure, lack of focus, burnout, forgetfulness.

Physiological responses- headaches, nervous stomach, change in appetite, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, irritability, anxiety, heart disease, back pain, gastrointestinal disturbances and alcohol and drug dependency, “fight or flight” response, decreased immunity, stomach upset, sleep problems. Recovery (from illnesses and accidents) will be relatively slow due to impaired physiological processes. Complete exhaustion may take place leading to sudden death.

Effects of Stress for Organisations- At the level of organisations, stress can lead to a number of effects that each can jeopardise the position and survival of any organisation (low production quality and quantity, production errors and disturbances, overlooking possible solutions and missing crucial business opportunities and chances).

CAUSES- Anxiety, Unexpected negative changes in life, Disorganization, Physical Constraints, Time constraints, Demands, Control, Lack of Support, Role ambiguity, conflict, Perception of threat or challenge, Negative thoughts and images…

WARNING SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
Cognitive Symptoms Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems Moodiness
Inattention Irritability/short temper
Poor judgment Agitation/restlessness
Negative thinking Feeling overwhelmed
Anxious thoughts Sense of loneliness and isolation
Constant worrying Depression

Physical Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms
Aches and pains Eating more/less
Diarrhoea/constipation Sleeping too much/too little
Nausea, dizziness Isolating yourself from others
Chest pain/palpitations Procrastinating/neglecting responsibilities
Loss of sex drive Use of alcohol/cigarettes/drugs
Frequent colds Nervous habits
STRESS MANAGEMENT:
Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE BEING BURDENED, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
TAKE CHARGE AND CONTACT YOUR PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH THE SAME!!

COMPILED BY:

BANDNA REKHI
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

I JUST CAN’T HELP IT, ONCE I AM ANGRY, THERE IS NO STOPPING ME I LOSE CONTROL

WHAT IS ANGER? NORMAL VS ABNORMAL
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. It may vary in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.
Anger may be caused by both external and internal events like uncontrollable situations, negative thinking, fatigue, helplessness, deprivation, competition, etc.
WHY SHOULD IT BE CONTROLLED?
The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats; it inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival.
On the other hand, we can't express our anger at every person or object that irritates or annoys us. Unexpressed anger can create problems as it can lead to passive-aggressive behaviour, self harm, psychological problems, unsuccessful interpersonal relationships, etc.
Like all emotions, anger also is short-lived; it gradually goes to a peak and settles down slowly provided you are able to distract yourself. This is a fact that usually we are not very well aware of, which makes it uncontrollable. So the next time you get angry don’t think about how you can’t control your anger, rather try out different techniques which help you resolve your anger.

HOW CAN IT CONTROLLED?
Relaxation- deep breathing or counting your breath, with full focus on breathing, imagining light pleasant scenes can help calm down anger with immediate effect.
Timeplan- Make a timetable with all your daily activities so that you are well prepared to handle emergencies. It will help in making a serious attempt to face it than lose patience, think negative, and feel irritable and finally angry.
Better Communication- Angry people tend to jump to conclusions. Leave the situation and get back to discuss once you are calm. Avoid heated discussions when angry.
Time a discussion appropriately- when you discuss things, avoid doing it when you or the other person are tired, distracted, or irritable, as it may flare up problems. An appropriate time should be sought for discussion.
Therapy/ counselling- If you feel that your anger is really out of control, if it is having an impact on your relationships and on important parts of your life, you might consider counselling to learn more technical ways of dealing with negative emotions. Psychotherapy involves the use of thinking, feelings and behaviours, which in case if maladaptive, may be modified. A certified psychologist may be contacted for the same.

By:
BANDNA REKHI
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

PORTRAIT OF ADD / ADHD CHIL/ Myths about Attention Deficit Disorder

Myth #1: All kids with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive.
Some children with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive, but many others with attention problems are not. Children with ADD/ADHD who are inattentive, but not overly active, may appear to be spacey and unmotivated.
Myth #2: Kids with ADD/ADHD can never pay attention.
Children with ADD/ADHD are often able to concentrate on activities they enjoy. But no matter how hard they try, they have trouble maintaining focus when the task at hand is boring or repetitive.
Myth #3: Kids with ADD/ADHD choose to be difficult and could behave better if they wanted to.
Children with ADD/ADHD may do their best to be good, but still be unable to sit still, stay quiet, or pay attention. They may appear disobedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re acting out on purpose.
Myth #4: Kids will eventually grow out of ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD often continues into adulthood, so don’t wait for your child to outgrow the problem. Treatment can help your child learn to manage and minimize the symptoms.
Myth #5: Medication is the best treatment option for ADD/ADHD.
Medication is often prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder, but it might not be the best option for your child. Effective treatment for ADD/ADHD also includes education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition


MYTHS AND REALITY
Myths about Attention Deficit Disorder

Myth #1: All kids with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive.
Some children with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive, but many others with attention problems are not. Children with ADD/ADHD who are inattentive, but not overly active, may appear to be spacey and unmotivated.
Myth #2: Kids with ADD/ADHD can never pay attention.
Children with ADD/ADHD are often able to concentrate on activities they enjoy. But no matter how hard they try, they have trouble maintaining focus when the task at hand is boring or repetitive.
Myth #3: Kids with ADD/ADHD choose to be difficult and could behave better if they wanted to.
Children with ADD/ADHD may do their best to be good, but still be unable to sit still, stay quiet, or pay attention. They may appear disobedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re acting out on purpose.
Myth #4: Kids will eventually grow out of ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD often continues into adulthood, so don’t wait for your child to outgrow the problem. Treatment can help your child learn to manage and minimize the symptoms.
Myth #5: Medication is the best treatment option for ADD/ADHD.
Medication is often prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder, but it might not be the best option for your child. Effective treatment for ADD/ADHD also includes education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition.
POSITIVE TRAITS OF CHILDREN WITH ADD/ADHD
In addition to the challenges, there are also positive traits associated with people who have attention deficit disorder:
• Creativity – Children who have ADD/ADHD can be marvelously creative and imaginative. The child who daydreams and has ten different thoughts at once can become a master problem-solver, a fountain of ideas, or an inventive artist. Children with ADD may be easily distracted, but sometimes they notice what others don’t see.
• Flexibility – Because children with ADD/ADHD consider a lot of options at once, they don’t become set on one alternative early on and are more open to different ideas.
• Enthusiasm and spontaneity – Children with ADD/ADHD are rarely boring! They’re interested in a lot of different things and have lively personalities. In short, if they’re not exasperating you (and sometimes even when they are), they’re a lot of fun to be with.
• Energy and drive – When kids with ADD/ADHD are motivated, they work or play hard and strive to succeed. It actually may be difficult to distract them from a task that interests them, especially if the activity is interactive or hands-on.
Keep in mind, too, thatTHERE IS NO RELATION BETWEEN ADD/ADHD AND CHILD’S INTELLIGENCE OR TALENT . Many children with ADD/ADHD are intellectually or artistically gifted.

Sourse ; www.helpguid.org

By: NEELAM UPADHYAYA

CRISIS OF COMPETITION

Competition is a form of measurement and comparing one person or team against another. Moderate competition is good, but extreme competition can devastate anyone. Parents, teachers, coaches, youth directors and other adults play an integral role in directing the activities of youth. Adults can help to channel the energies of youth so that they encounter a wide variety of experiences. Adults can play an important role in helping youth balance competition and cooperation. Temperament, culture, talent and the age of the child affect how a child handles competition. Children are not born with a competitive urge. They learn it.
Competition in itself is not a bad thing. Competition will be experienced at many points in life. As adults, we can choose to structure events and contests so that competition is a learning experience. Competition becomes negative when winning becomes the overriding goal. Competition is everywhere in the world. While it may be almost a natural part of society today, some of the negative effects on children are overlooked.
In most competitive events there are more of those that do not win than those who do. Winning can have a positive effect on a child but it has been shown that losing enhances negative thoughts and feelings more than winning increases positive thoughts. Children who fail to win in competitive situations show more feelings of unworthiness, more harmful thoughts about themselves, and decreased self-esteem. Children who do not win may feel that they have failed and have negative feelings about themselves. They may feel worthless, helpless and hopeless.
Adults can help guide youth to focus on the means (learning, obtaining goals, social contact or simply being happy with being involved) instead of the end (winning). Striving to achieve a goal is a constructive form of competition where success is measured in terms of self growth and not by a ribbon or trophy.

Children are extremely sensitive to adult attitudes about winning and losing. When positive responses follow only winning, and negative reactions following losing, youth may learn to fear failure. Their desire and motivation may be dampened in a way that limits their creativity and their desire to take chances and experience new things. Enthusiasm for learning and enjoyment in the activity may be discouraged.

Competition can be good for children. It can help children develop healthy attitudes about winning and losing. Children become competitive as they refine and practice skills and develop coordination and cognitive abilities. Competition can encourage growth and push a child to excel.

BY:
BANDNA REKHI
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Good Stress and Bad Stress

Everyone experiences stress, which is the body's general response to any event, real or imagined, that requires an adaptation or extra effort. In most cases, an event or situation is not stressful by itself. Rather, it is how people view the event and what they believe about their own ability to respond to it that create stress. About 10 percent of modern stress can be linked to actual physical threats to life or safety, such as being threatened with a weapon or needing to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The other 90 percent of stress seems to result from our perceptions of life events, such as fights with friends or family, worries about school or work, or problems we do not know how to solve. The majority of doctor visits are believed to be stress-related.
Stressors
Stressors are the triggers for the body's stress response. These triggers are unique to each person. An event that one person finds relaxing may create tension in another. Stressors fall into several different categories:
• Physical stressors affect a person's body. These biological stressors may include exercise, illness, or disabilities.
• Environmental stressors include noise, overcrowding, poverty, natural disasters, or even technology that causes too much change in too short a period of time.
• Life situations create both good and bad stressors. These may include moving to a new home, changing schools or jobs, or experiencing changes in the family structure, such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a new sibling, or the death of a friend or family member.
• Behaviors also can be stressors. These may include smoking cigarettes, taking drugs, not sleeping enough, eating too little or too much, or exercising too little or too much.
• Certain patterns of thinking (cognitive actions) can be stressors, too. These may include fearing change or challenge, remembering hard times that have passed, interpreting minor losses as catastrophes, or having too little self-esteem.
Stress and anxiety (distress)
Most often, stress is associated with negative events or thoughts, which are difficult experiences that most people find unpleasant, frightening, or anxiety-producing. Stress may result from teasing by peers, being bullied, anxiety about homework or tests, disappointment about not achieving a goal, encountering unfamiliar people or places, or efforts to cram too many activities into too little time. Job stress and caregiver stress often fall into this category. So does being a pessimist and "worrywart" who believes that whenever something can go wrong, it will go wrong. Stress is the body's natural response to the difficult demands it encounters everyday.
Stress and excitement
Take a deep breath when faced with stress, and sometimes anxiety turns into excitement. That is because some stressors are positive. An audition, a stage performance or applause (instead of stage fright), an A grade or a game point (instead of anxiety), or a date to the prom with someone brand-new are positive stressors. Stress also is the body's natural response to the exciting new challenges it encounters everyday.
Trauma and stress
Some events are so stressful that they overwhelm us, and no amount of deep breathing or positive thinking can help. Accidents, injuries, abuse, violence, war, serious threats to physical safety, or the sudden death of a loved one are examples of traumas that cause a stress response within the body.
What Is the Stress Response?
Stressors good and bad set off a series of events within the body's neuroendocrine system. Often called the "fight or flight" response, these events are triggered by the brain, which alerts the body's autonomic nervous system to prepare all systems to react to an emergency. The autonomic nervous system sends a message in a split second through nerve fibers, which signal all the other body systems.
During this alarm period, many different hormones are activated with many dramatic effects on other body systems. The heart beats faster, blood pressure is raised, and blood vessels dilate (open wider) to increase blood flow to the muscles. The pupils dilate to aid vision. The digestive system slows down so that the body's resources and energy can be used wherever else they are needed, and the production of saliva decreases. The bronchi dilate to aid breathing. The skin sweats to cool the body, and the liver releases its stores of glucose, the major fuel of the body, to increase the person's energy level. The body stays in overdrive until the brain tells it that the emergency has ended.
Events that trigger the stress response usually are emergencies that do not last for very long. This allows the body to relax and recover after the emergency has ended so that it can respond correctly the next time its emergency response system is needed.
Coping with Stress
Tips for coping with stress:
• Be realistic.
• Don't try to be perfect.
• Don't expect others to be perfect.
• Take one thing at a time.
• Be flexible.
• Share feelings.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Meditate.
• Ask for help when necessary.
Tips for helping others cope with stress:
• Pay attention.
• Take them seriously.
• Be patient.
• Offer help when necessary.
Long-term stress (chronic stress), frequently recurring stress, or extreme stress from trauma or a life-threatening event can keep the body's

The body's stress hormone response: When the brain perceives stress, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing factor (1), which triggers the release of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) (2) from the pituitary gland. ACTH (2) travels through the bloodstream and (along with signals from the brain sent through the autonomic nervous system) stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol and epinephrine into the bloodstream (3). Cortisol and epinephrine (3) help provide energy, oxygen, and stimulation to the heart, the brain, and other muscles and organs (4) to support the body's response to stress. When the brain perceives that the stress has ended, it allows hormone levels to return to their baseline values.
stress response system activated at too high a level or for too long a period of time. This may interfere with the body's ability to recover from the stress response. Chronic stress or post-trauma stress also may lead to physical, emotional, or behavioral problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even the development of stress-related illnesses.
What Happens with Too Much Stress?
Researchers have found that chronic stress and post-trauma stress can suppress the immune system, interfering with the body's natural ability to defend itself against infection. Chronic stress also may contribute to many other problems of mind and body, including:
• headaches or stomachaches
• allergic responses, such as skin rashes or asthma
• irritability, aggression, or conduct disorders
• bruxism (grinding the teeth)
• sleep disorders
• eating disorders
• alcoholism or substance abuse
• anxiety
• phobias
• depression

Chronic stress is believed to be a factor in many cases of abuse, violence, and suicide. Over the long term, chronic stress also may contribute to the development of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. People who experience chronic stress can benefit from working with a doctor or therapist to learn stress management techniques.
What Is the Antidote for Too Much Stress?
The antidote for stress is relaxation, creating a state of ease, rest, and repose within the body. Taking a deep breath almost always is the first step toward relaxation, allowing us to figure out that the emergency that triggered the body's stress response has ended.
HANS SELYE AND STRESS RESEARCH
Dr. Hans Selye (1907-1982) is considered the founder of modern stress research. He authored 39 books, wrote more than 1,700 scholarly papers, and was cited as a source in more than 362,000 scientific papers, not to mention countless articles in magazines and newspapers around the world. He also established the International Institute on Stress at the University of Montreal. The body's "general adaptation syndrome" often is called "Selye syndrome."
Dr. Selye defined stress as "the nonspecific response of the body to any demand," which means the body's reaction to any change in its environment. Dr. Selye linked physical illnesses not just to bacterial and viral infections, but also to hormones within the body that become activated whenever the body responds to external stressors, such as temperature extremes, pain, and threats to safety. Dr. Selye determined that, many of the body's hormonal responses to stress were helpful and "adaptive," but others were "maladaptive" and placed physical demands on the body that could result in disease.
Still, Dr. Selye described stress as the spice of life, which might make one person sick while invigorating another. In one of his best-selling books, The Stress of Life, Dr. Selye offered this rhymed advice: "Fight for your highest attainable aim/But never put up resistance in vain." By choosing wisely where we invest effort and emotional energy, we can reduce the damaging side effects of stress, keep distress to a minimum, and increase our enjoyment of life.
Relaxation response
At the end of a stress response cycle, the body begins a relaxation response: Our breathing slows down, our hearts stop racing, our muscles stretch out, our minds become quieter, and levels of stress hormones in our bodies return to their baseline values. Techniques for achieving a relaxation response are many and varied. Some people listen to music or sing, go for a long walk or a run in the park, or practice meditation. Other techniques that promote a relaxation response include yoga, abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, guided imagery or visualization, hypnosis, prayer, support groups, or spending time with pets or loved ones. Because stress is an inevitable part of living, the long-term antidote for stress is to learn coping strategies that allow us to live with it successfully.
Resilience
Resilient people who experience high levels of stress but recover quickly and show low levels of illness often are referred to as "stress-resistant personalities." According to researchers, such resilient people seem to have several common characteristics:
• They view change as a challenging and normal part of life, rather than as a threat.
• They have a sense of control over their lives, they believe that setbacks are temporary, and they believe that they will succeed if they work toward their goals.
• They have commitments to work, family, friends, support networks, and regular activities that promote relaxation, including hobbies, vacations, sports, yoga, and meditation.
Some people seem to be born with resilient personalities and good stress management skills. They know instinctively how to "get by with a little help from their friends." However, at times when a little help is not enough and only extra-strength help will do, or when a person needs some coaching to improve coping skills, it is always a good idea to turn to a doctor, counselor, or therapist.
The Relaxation Response
Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard coined the term "relaxation response" for the body's antidote to its stress response. Triggered by a 20-minute period of meditation, the relaxation response leads to decreases in heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, metabolic rate, oxygen consumption, lactic acid production, and anxious thoughts.
To achieve the relaxation response, Dr. Benson recommended a quiet environment, a comfortable position, a focal point (a repeated word or sound, such as "Om"), and a passive attitude toward distracting thoughts that enter the mind.

By
ketan parmar

Senile dementia: Aging problem

•Aging is the process of growing old or maturing. Humans achieve their peak in growth and development when they are in their middle 20s.Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some proportions of ageing grow and develop over time, though others decline. It is genetically determined Ageing is an important part of all human societies reflecting the biological changes that occur, but also reflecting cultural and societal conventions. For example, physical activities, physical strength or reaction time may slow with age, while understanding, awareness of world events and intelligence may expand.
• Senile dementia
Dementia has come out from Latin word originally meaning madness. It is a serious cognitive problem of aging. It is actually a group of several diseases. The common ones are vascular diseases, Parkinson diseases, lewy body diseases and Alzheimer diseases. Dementia is a non-specific illness syndrome (set of signs and symptoms) in which exaggerated areas of cognition may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving. It is normally essential to be present for at least 6 months to be diagnosed cognitive dysfunction that has been seen only over shorter times, in exacting less than weeks, must be termed delirium. Senile dementia is a syndrome caused by deterioration of the brain cells. It's different from normal senility in the elderly. The patient's brain function will increasingly deteriorate resulting in progressive loss of memory and mental abilities, and visible personality changes. Progressive manslaughter of brain cells or loss of brain functions due to hardening of arteries (arteriosclerosis); onset is slow, over years rather than months. Short-term memory is affected first - person infrequently forgets what happened hours or minutes ago, and has difficulty subsequent conversations and trains of thought, or making sense of what he or she sees or reads. In near the beginning stages, person is well aware of what is happening; even in later stages, confusion may big sense of what he or she sees or reads .Dementia is progressive and unbearable if it occurs in the prior years the mental deterioration advances more speedily and is harsher than if it starts in later years.
Causes of senile dementia
• Hardening of arteries
• Parkinson diseases
• Brain tumor
• High dosage steroid abuse
• Person’s metabolism or hormones may also be responsible for dementia. Such as
• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• Deficiency of vitamin B12 or B3
• Sign or symptoms of dementia
• Impaired judgment
• Losing cognitive ability
• Emotional instability
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Losing weight gradually
• Passivity or losing initiative
• Forgetting recent events
• Changes in personality
• Prevention

Dementia is commonly caused by malnutrition, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression and thyroid dysfunction. So people should try to avoid them and having proper and nutritious diet. They should have regular exercise and routine health check-ups. Other family member should also be supportive or cooperative. Consult the doctor to confirm diagnosis. Patient should have his/her contact number, house number so that it will help to find them in case she/he gets lost.

By
kalpana Sharma

Phobia : - An intense feeling of fear

When a fear severely impairs a person’s ability to function properly, they would be diagnosed as having a phobia.
Phobia is an irrational, intense and persistent feeling of fear of a specific
Object, situation, animal or people, that is strongly out of proportion on the
Reality of the danger.Phobia is the most common mental disorder.
Generally it is a disrupting behaviour or we can say
it is a common form of anxiety disorder.the main symptom of this disorder
Phobia is the excessive and unreasonable desire to avoid the feared stimulus or object.
The term phobia emerged from Greek word "phobos".phobos is the name of Greek
God who was afraid from his rivals.That's why phobia is meant as fear.

Common signs of phobia
• conciseness of breath
• Accelerated heart rate
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Feelings of choking
• sickness or stomach distress


There are various theories about how phobias develop .social learning theorist suggest that because an object has been associated within situation that is in itself frightening people may become conditioned to fear the object as much as they feared the original situation.
Psychoanalytic theorist on the other hand argue that phobias are overt manifestation of repressed conflicts. The particular object or situation that phobic individuals fear is only a symbolic representation of an unconscious danger by restricting their activity,phobic individuals avoid bringing the actual conflict into the foreground and thereby escape a potentially threatening situation.

Types of phobia

These are the main types of phobia-

A) Specific phobia –

Acrophobia- fear of heights
Algophobia- fear of pain
Astraphobia- fear of thunder,lightening
Claustrophobia- fear of spaces
Gynophobia – fear of female
Hydrophobia- fear of water
Nyctophobia –fear of darkness’
Ocholophobia –fear of crowd
Pathophobia – fear of disease
Pyrophobia – fear of fire
Zoophobia – fear of animals
Phasmophobia- fear of ghost
Cynophobia – fear of dog
Monophobia – fear of loneliness
Thanatophobia –fear of death
Anthophobia – fear of flowers
Atychiphobia- fear of failure
Cibophobia and Sitophobia – fear of food (anorexia nervosa)
Decidophobia- fear of making decision
Glossophobia- fear of speaking in public

B) Agoraphobia-

It is a fear of open spaces.Agoraphobia refers not only fear of open spaces but also to fear of being in crowd,fear of traveling and in extreme cases fear of being away from home at all.

C) Socialphobia –

Fears of being among other people are also fairly common. The person feels that the other person will evaluate him , that’s why he wants to go away from the social places.He looks depressed and conscious.It is also called social anxiety disorder .Mostly it begins in adolescence stage.Bcoz in real sense a person starts interaction with other people in this stage.

Prevention

People who suffers from any kind of phobia should try to face the situation instead of avoiding it. This is the easiest way to deal with phobia disorder.But in case of severe case of phobia one should definitely go to counselor or a clinical psychologist and try to attain positivity of thoughts.

By
Kalpana Sharma

Are u depressed?

Mental states characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest, experienced by most individuals. They are deemed clinical (that is a mental illness) if they are persistent, severe, and out of proportion to any identifiable precipitant. The general term depression is often used to denote the disorder; but as it can also be used in reference to other types of psychological depression, A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better they also need treatment.. Major depression is a disabling condition which adversely affects a person's family, work or school life, daily lifestyle, and general health. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away.Depression disturbs a person physically as well as emotionally.
Common signs & symptoms of depression
• Lack of energy
• Different changes in eating habits
• Poor concentration
• Increased unhappiness or touchiness
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Weight loss
• Low self esteem
• Feelings of guilt
• Withdrawal from responsibilities
• Presence of death and suicidal thoughts
• running away from reality
• Having prolong head, muscle, and stomach aches
• Dislike to spend time with family and friends
• Social detachment
• Disturbed communication skills
• repetitive mood swings
• loss of interest in daily activities
• feelings of hopelessness and loneliness
• irritability or restlessness
Types of depression
Major Depressive Disorder (also known as Major Depression, Clinical Depression) – A major depressive episode occurs with symptoms that last for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks. These symptoms are
• significant weight loss / weight gain
• decreased sleeping or increased sleeping
• excessive movement or slowing down associated with mental tension (observed by others)
• fatigue or loss of energy
• feeling worthless or excessive guilt
• difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
Dysthymic disorder
A condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives. It refers to a mild to moderate, chronic state of depression.
Postpartum Depression: A rare form of depression taking place in women within around one week to six months after giving birth to a child. After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may generate symptoms of depression. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may arise during pregnancy and after pregnancy.
Psychotic depression In this type person having various Hallucinations .like visual hallucination, auditory hallucinations.
Bipolar Disorder
Also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive depression. People having both sadness and happiness feelings together.
prevention
If someone suffers from depression then he/she should try to cope up it by themselves.they can go outside ,communicate with friends, try to make busy themselves.they can write down their feelings .but when they feel difficult to cope up this situation they should immediately contact the family doctor.

By
Kalpana Sharma

HELP ME!!!

Symptoms of psychological problems can take many forms. Some are very obvious but others are difficult to recognize and identify. We are so busy in our routine that it gets very difficult to find time to think about who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are and what comprises our personalities. More so, many of us are NOT used to introspection or thinking about ourselves by indulging in self-reflection.
Also, when we are presented with feedback, we may take it as criticism and oppose it and not take it constructively. Thus, we are not always open to it and never accept the brewing up problems. Consequently, many of us have a low self-awareness level. Since self-awareness is the first step toward knowing self best leading to identification of problems and better adaptive strategies; low level of self-awareness would mean being blind to the changes that take place. Self-awareness can improve our judgment and help us identify opportunities for personal development and growth.
Many people have some variation in the nature of their psychological functioning like sometimes socially very active, sometimes completely withdrawn in their own worlds, sometimes too flexible and submissive, sometimes very rigid and demanding, sometimes easily crying or irritable with anger outbursts etc. These periods of our life should never be ignored as many symptoms are extreme expressions of feelings or thoughts that people usually experience in situations of stress, rejection, loss, competition etc.
When in trouble all seek help in one form or the other, one may get fully immersed in work, other may take a break, some may engage in spiritual or religious practices, others may talk it out with others etc. The FACT remains that when we realize that we can’t handle the situation we all seek help. So why is the stigma or fear of visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist so strong? It is, in my view, just related to the misperceptions and myths in this field but the truth is that your psychologist or psychiatrist is technically equipped to help you deal with your problems MORE EFFECTIVELY and gradually become more self sufficient.
REMEMBER- The first step to help yourself is to IDENTIFY that you cannot deal with your problems on your own and seek help...

By:
BANDNA REKHI

OU MAY BE IN A STATE OF DEPRESSION

YOU MAY BE IN A STATE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACK, FEAR, PHOBIA, MOOD SWING OR STRESS
. THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF DISEASES WHICH AFFECTS THE MIND AND BODY IS NEGATIVE thoughts AND STRESS
GOOD NEUROTRANSMITER ARE ELEVATER FOR SUCCESS REGAINS THE HIGHEST THOUGHT WHICH IS FULL OF JOY?”
Stress depletes "feel good" neurotransmitters!
BEING DEPRESSED IS NOT ONLY AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE BUT A RESPONSE TO CERTAIN FUNCTIONS IN YOUR MIND BODY. AND ENVIORMENT IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED
Powerurmind Brain Sync program restore good neurotransmitters endorphin serotonin and dopamine
Lack of confidence can also be the outcome of a negative memory bank Negative emotions affect us on a daily basis.. The key is replacing this negativity with positive thoughts

Often common behavioral negativities (anger frustration, inferiority complex, mental instability, communication apprehension, poor will power, low grasping, absentmindedness etc.) nourish on disagreements and misunderstandings develop negative imagination. A negative imagination means imagining all kinds of unpleasant things, torturing our-self, imagining the entire negative thinking pattern
ELIMINATE “Negative Emotions" in psyche (i.e. frustration, grief, shock, uncontrolled anger, bitterness, excessive shame, guilt, arrogance, fear, suspicious, inferiority complex, mental instability Alcoholism, obesity,
Stop Obsessing!. Stop’ anxiety disorder, panic attack; obsession. Compulsion. Love addiction
Gain concentration memory and, positive thought
GET RID OF (AINT) Automatic induction of negative thought Negative thoughts do not produce positive results
What is it we are seeking in Life?
• Success
• Love
• Deeply Satisfying Relationships
• Better Performance at Work
• Better Performance at Work
• The Power to Overcome Bad Habits
• Peace full life
ARE YOU NOTICING THAT?
IS YOUR ENERGY LEVEL DROPPING? IS LIFE IS BECOMING EXCEEDINGLY STRESSFUL?
• Constant feelings of sadness, irritability or tension

• Is there a mood swing?
• There is panic attack.
• Sadness, irritability
• Are you gaining weight?
 Sleeping too much or less
• Lack of decisions or concentration
 Hopelessness or guilt
• Palpitation and sweating.
 Restlessness.
 neglecting responsibilities and personal appearance
• Life is getting you down and becoming more difficult for you?
• Your energy level is dropping and happy spark you once had is fading fast?
• Life in your workplace and home environment is becoming exceedingly stressful.
• Diminished interest in enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities – sex, sports, hobbies, going out with friends, etc.
• Loss of energy or feeling tired
• Change in appetite with weight loss or weight gain
• Change in sleeping patterns such as difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much
• Feeling of restlessness, hopelessness or guilt
• Neglecting responsibilities and personal appearance

By
Usha Dhawal

PSYCHOTHERAPY

“Psychological treatment of emotional problems in which a trained person deliberately establishes a professional relationship with the patient in order to: (a) remove or modify or retard existing symptoms; (b) mediate disturbed patterns of behaviour; (c) promote positive personality growth and development.” (Wolberg, 1995)
MYTHS AND MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY:
“Only weak minded people need therapy. Anyone who goes to a psychologist is weak and can’t handle problems.”
Fact- Therapy is meant for all, starting form children to parents to elderly. It is for all those who realize that they are not able to cope with the present situation all by themselves.

"Therapy takes forever. For every decision to be taken, the client becomes dependent on the therapist and rushes for help.”
Fact- Depending on the aims of therapy, motivation of the client and the extent of distress, the number of sessions are tentatively arrived at. Since psychotherapy aims at self-efficiency, the client is guided by the therapist in becoming more responsible for his/her life.

“The therapist will see things in me that other people can't see and may not like me.”
Fact- Therapists are not mind readers. They understand behaviour by noticing non-verbal cues, history reports by patients as well as informants, but they do not know what is going on in one’s mind until one tells them. Therapists are trained not to blame, ridicule, or pass judgment on clients but to accept them unconditionally.

“Therapy will completely change my personality.”
Fact- Personality is formed over the years as a result of genes, interaction with environment, exposure, etc. Changing it completely or having an overall reversal is never aimed at. Rather therapy emphasizes accepting oneself and being more at ease with the way one is as it helps one accept the losses more gracefully, evaluate the possibilities more openly, and participate more actively in life.

“All that I tell my therapist will be told to family or he/she may laugh over coffee discussing my case with colleagues.”
Fact- Therapists are legally bound to hold everything that a client says in complete confidence with some exceptions like ongoing sexual abuse, intent to harm self, etc.


Compiled by:

Bandna Rekhi

Stress Management

In this competitive world, stress and stress management has become a vital factor of peaceful living- this is the routine opinion we come across.

In reality,if we plan ourselves,we can challenge the stress by facing it and coping up with it successfully. The process of taking up the stress

management may be with thorough planning and proper preparation. The power of stress can be of positive and negative by the way of one's perception.

It may result positive,when it is taken as the perception of challenge with resistance........

- PLEASE FIND THAT STRESS IS VERY USEFUL FACTOR OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD AND THE SPECIES OR THE LIVING ORGANISMS HAVE SUFFERED

SO MUCH OF STRESS TO SUSTAIN IN THIS SURVIVAL FIGHT AMONG THEMSELVES.

- WE CAN WIN THE BATTLE OF STRESS VERY EASILY BY UTILIZING THE POSITIVE RESISTANCE OF IT, BUT IT SOME NEEDS PATIENCE TO OVERCOME.

- IT IS THE REALITY OF THE WORLD THAT STRESS IS A COMMON SITUATION IN EVERY BODY'S LIFE, WHICH CAN BE MANAGED AND OVERCOME.

- IT IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND EXPERT, WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO WIN OVER THE STRESS.

- STRESS IS A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA OF LIFE, IF WE UTILIZE THE POSITIVE SIDE OF IT(YOU CAN TAKE HELP WHEN ITS BEYOND YOUR CAPACITY).

The action steps are as follows, when it is NOT manageable on your own...........

-understand stress how it comes to you eg: by an issue or person or situation or place etc.

-identify the stress factor, why and when it comes to you- at what situation you feel or foresee the stress.

-locate the real problem behind stress factor-it varies from person to person -honestly verify and accept the fact.

-once the root cause of the stress is found it is easy for anybody to find the solution of the stress.

-find out the probable solution of the stress either individually or by the help of expert (or matured family member).

Finally contact the nearest subject EXPERT or counselor or psychologist as there are a lot of ways and tips to manage or coping with it.

Hence, stress can be managed by physical and mental or psychological activities along with the EXPERT'S guidance and counseling.

So,BE HAPPY...DO NOT WORRY....THE SCIENCE,ALONG WITH YOUR COMMITMENT & BELIEF WILL SAVE OUR WORLD FROM S T R E S S.........

By
P.N.V.RAMANA,

Street children and substance abuse

Today children living and working on the streets are vulnerable to violence, exploitation and substance (inhalants) abuse. These children are coming under the influence of the substances like whitener which is named solution in the streets. Poverty, unemployment, family breakdown, child abuse and neglect are the main factors that cause minors to roam the streets. To cope with their above mentioned problems, some street children resort to substance abuse. Studies carried out indicate that inhalants top the list of drugs consumed. Children chew, swallow or sniff inhalants (whitener and other substances) to deal with the hunger, pain and violence they are exposed to on the streets. Inhalants (whitener) are preferred because they are cheap, their effect is long-lasting and its withdrawal symptoms are mild. Whitener is usually consumed in groups. Many youngsters also consume tobacco, cannabis and over-the-counter drugs. They are generally unaware of or indifferent to the numerous risks connected to substance abuse.

A substance in order to achieve alterations in psychological functioning has been termed as substance use. WHO estimates that globally, 25% to 90% of street children indulge in substance use? According to UNICEF, there are more than 5, 00,000 street children in India who live and work in inhuman conditions and are at high risk of substance use.

Using a substance can have many different consequences. Some of the consequences are insignificant and some are extremely serious. These substances have effects on the body of the user as well as consequences on the life of the user and the whole community. The consequences can be physical like accidents convulsions and coma, malnutrition damage to body parts eg. liver, lungs, nerves etc .cancer Death Psychological restriction of interests and lifestyle depression memory and concentration problems delirium (confusion and hallucinations) Psychosis (fixed false ideas; hallucinations; grossly abnormal behavior Social rejection by peers, family, employers exploitation and violence (including murder) by drug syndicate Inability to work and loss of income legal problems due to: Behavior under the influence of substances Crimes committed to obtain substances.

Abusing substances among the children had emerged as a big problem all over the world; this problem needs to be looked into, so that children can be stay away from this problem.

By
Reema Pandey

PERCEPTION AND PERSONALITY

“We are, what we think we are”, this famous quote is solely based on figurative perception, which extends to our outlook to external world as well. Every person has a unique assessment of self and direct environment. Usually, perception of one is also limited by age groups such as perception of children is mostly based on fantasy and imagination which later develops the base of reality. When we talk about perception of old age group, their perception is based on their life experiences and learning. Some of the perceptions are universal, others are based on age factor and REST are unique in their own way.

Perception plays an important role in formation of personality which is derived from a Greek word means “Mask”. The perception toward the external world formulate our outer personality which can be observed by others, on the other hand perception towards self leads to understanding of our true self, which may or may not be alike our external personality. But, when we enter into any working sector, we are expected to present a certain type of personality. Portraying a ‘different’ personality as expected by certain type job position and title often makes us act differently. Most of the times, these actions become a part of our life and we start taking them for granted. Hence these forced actions eventually chalk out our perception of how a self and others should behave. But, we forget that we only have control of self and not our direct environment, and these unharmonious actions slowly start developing stress. Additionally, peer-competition also creeps in and we further act stretching beyond our limits. These unsought actions harden our impressions, and often we try to direct our actions through our perceived distorted picture.

Distortion in perception leads to many psychological problems. For example if a person perceives oneself as inferior (internal perception) and perceives own life’s situation unsatisfactory (external perception) leading to depression and adjustment problems. For healthy mental health Positive Perception towards self as well as external world is essential for understanding of our potential to achieve growth and development. Hence, correct perception is essential in being able to directing positive energy of self and being able to utilize its full potential, knowing what is our limit as well.

Generally positive perception is described on basis when we say that glass is half full of water instead of half empty, but even when we are saying that the glass is half full, we are still neglecting the half part! There should be acceptance and fullness in the perception, which means we should perceive positive as well as negative aspect so that we can modify it into a positive one. In order to create balance in our life we have to perceive every paradigm of a situation, analyze it thoroughly, develop learning out of it, and act accordingly. There are no rules, but just knowing the self…and that is true personality.

By
Lohit Balani

Telephone therapy is ‘as good as face-to-face consultations

Telephone consultation can be as effective as face-to-face discussion in the treatment of clinical depression, a new study suggests. Experts from Brigham Young University conducted a trial run, which included 30 people newly diagnosed with major depression. Instead of eight scheduled visits to the clinic, the participants covered the same material during a series of phone calls with the therapist. The length of calls ranged from 21 to 52 minutes. Also, the patients did not receive any antidepressant medication.
After six months, it was noted that 42 per cent of participants had recovered from depression. In comparison, similar therapy conducted in person has a 50 per cent recovery rate.
Diane Spangler, a BYU psychology professor and a co-author on the study, said, “Offering a phone or webcam option for psychotherapy does appear warranted from an efficacy point of view. It’s more user-friendly, does not require the patient to commute, offers more flexibility of place and time and also, it has no side effects.”
However, one-third of participants declined the option for telephone consultations, choosing to directly interact with the psychotherapist.
Researchers suggest that for people who are comfortable with phone calls, therapy could soon be cheaper. The researchers cited a previous antidepressant drug trial that happened to include a telephone counselling component.
In that trial, the added benefit from phone counselling matched the results attained by the new BYU study.

Disruptive Behavior Disorder

Disruptive behavior disorder is also termed as, behavior disorder. Behavior disorder includes conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder:

ADHD is characterized by inattention or hyperactivity, persisting for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and immature.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder:

In oppositional defiant disorder, the child breaks the rules of those in the family and the school. It may occur in children of any age and in adolescents. Sometimes ODD leads to conduct disorder.

Conduct Disorder Behaviors:

In conduct disorder, the rules broken include the regulations and laws made by society. Conduct disorder usually occurs in older children and adolescents. Between one and four percent of young persons seven to seventeen have conduct disorder.

Causes:

Research has identified both biological and environmental causes for disruptive behavior disorders. Youngsters most at risk for oppositional defiant and conduct disorder are those who have low birth weight, neurological damage or ADHD.

Youngsters may also be at risk if they were rejected by their mothers as babies, separated from their parents and not given good foster care, physically or sexually abused, raised in homes with mothers who were abused, or living in poverty.

Manasvi

EATING DISORDER

Eating disorder is the disorder characterized by the insufficient or excessive eating to the detriment of an individual’s physical and emotional health, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa etc. Primarily, thought of as affecting females only but now it has been seen that it affects males as well.

The cause behind eating disorder are complex and not yet understood properly, though it is clear that they are often associated with other conditions and social situations. For example, one study found that girls with ADHD are many times more likely to develop certain eating disorders, and another found that women raised in foster care are many times more likely to develop bulimia nervosa. It is generally thought that peer pressure and idealized body types seen in the media are also a significant factor. It can be due to a combination of biological, psychological or environmental causes.

Signs of the learning disability

Diagnosis at the early stage about the child's learning disability and timely intervention by parents, teachers or doctors can significantly improve his or her self-esteem, academic achievement, and ability to form and maintain relationships. Adults should know about the warning signs of learning disabilities. The following checklist provides a range of characteristics that could indicate the presence of learning disabilities in a child. Most people will be able to answer "yes" to one or more of them, but this does not necessarily indicate the presence of learning disabilities. However, if a child exhibits several of the following characteristics, it is often a good indication that he or she may have one more learning disabilities.

Reading

Confuse similar letters or numbers, reverse them, or confuse their order
Have poor reading ability or poor comprehension
Often misread information
Have problems with syntax or grammar
Have difficulty reading addresses, small print and/or columns

Writing

Read well but not write well (or vice versa)
Have difficulty writing ideas and/or organizing thoughts on paper
Reverse or omit letters, words or phrases when writing
Have problems with sentence structure, writing mechanics and organization
Frequently spell the same word differently in a single document

Math

Have difficulty with arithmetic, math language, and math concepts
Reverse numbers
Have difficulty with time sequencing, and problem solving

Language

Can explain things orally, but not in writing
Have difficulty telling or understanding jokes or stories
Misinterpret language or have poor comprehension of what is said
Respond in an inappropriate manner, unrelated to what is said, or only respond partially to what is said

Auditory

May not respond to sounds of spoken language, or may consistently misunderstand what is being said
May be bothered by different frequencies of sound (i.e., music, vacuums, loud noises) or may be overly sensitive to sound
May have difficulty in differentiating sounds that occur simultaneously

Cognitive

May acquire new skills slowly
May have difficulty following directions, especially multiple directions
May experience visual spatial confusion (i.e., confuse right and left, up and down, under and over, behind and between)
May get lost in large buildings
May seem unaware of time or sequence of events

Motor

May perform similar tasks differently from day to day
May have trouble dialing phone numbers or holding a pen/pencil
May have poor coordination, be clumsy, unaware of physical surroundings, or have a tendency to hurt his/her self

Memory

May be able to learn information presented in one way, but not in another
May find it difficult to memorize information (i.e., phone numbers, days of the week, or months of the year)
May be unable to repeat what has just been said

Organization

May have difficulty following a schedule or being on time
May have trouble learning about time
May have difficulty organizing belongs

Social

May have difficulty with social skills
May misinterpret non-verbal social cues
May experience social isolation
May not use appropriate eye contact

Attention

May have short attention span or be impulsive
May have difficulty conforming to routines
May be easily distracted
May experience stress on extended mental effort
The above was compiled by LDW from information provided by the American Council on Education, the National Adults Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Drug abuse and addiction

Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. What Your browser may not support display of this image. people often underestimate is the complexity of drug addiction—that it is a disease that impacts the brain and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower. Through scientific advances we now know much more about how exactly drugs work in the brain, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and resume their productive lives.

Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual that is addicted and to those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.

It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse.

Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And, as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal failure—rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated, adjusted, or that alternate treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

Stress Management Tips

Stress is a factor in all of our lives. Stress is simply the way we react physically, mentally, and emotionally to various conditions, changes, and demands in our lives. A certain amount of stress in one's life is good. Stress keeps us engaged, focus, and moving forward. However, too much stress can be very bad. Too much stress will detract from productivity and happiness.

Here are nine tips to help you manage your stress.

The Nine Stress Management Tips:-

1. Know what stresses you most. Not your co-worker, friend, husband, or wife. YOU!! Get your feelings out. Write them out and describe each situation. Share all bad feelings with a friend or in a journal. Before you can conquer your stresses you must know what is stressing you.
2. Say no. Focus on you own goals, not your spouse's or parents'. You must know yourself, your dreams, and your passions. If asked to chair another group or take on another responsibility, look at your mission statement or goals for the day. If it is does not fit it there say thank you but I just cannot. Saying no is one of the hardest things in life, but will help make you a success in your chosen field.
3. Learn to relax. Work hard but know when to take time off to be with the family, go to the beach, or read a book. Work all day if you must but when you get home play in the snow, watch cartoons, or tell your child a story. This allows stress tension to go away and helps you calm the heart's pace and digest food normally, and protect your immune system. Learn to meditate and take deep breaths to calm down.
4. Eat healthy. Eat less junk food and more fruit and vegetables for an amazing overall lowering of stress levels. We can actually lower the amount of the bad stress hormone, Cortisol, by taking vitamins. Take those vitamin pills daily.
5. Keep laughing. Keep a sense of humour. Studies show a good attitude helps lower cancer rates, makes surgery more effective, and keeps a relationship together through hard times.
6. Ask yourself WHY. Why are you doing this? Write down your wants, needs, goals, hopes, and dreams. Does what you are doing now help you get fulfill any of these things? What is your motivation? The more you understand why you doing what you are doing the less stress you will have. If you cannot come up with a good reason, then stop doing it.
7. Stay active. Exercise is a great way to relive tension and gives you a great break from exams. A healthy body makes a happy body. Even a three minute jog is helpful at taking your mind off your pressures. You'll come back with an acute focus and renewed energy.
8. Follow your bliss. Try to know which subjects and type of people you enjoy. Structure your life around activities that you love. Joseph Campbell, a wise philosopher, advises you to follow your bliss. The more you do in life that goes with your own flow, the more passion you'll have for what you do.
9. Organize and Prioritize. Do the worst and hardest tasks first. Keep a to-do list and calendar with you at all times. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Follow these nine steps and you'll be well on your way to getting rid of that stress bug, recapturing your peace and sanctity, and performing better as a business person, entrepreneur, or workers.

Street children and substance abuse

Today children living and working on the streets are vulnerable to violence, exploitation and substance (inhalants) abuse. These children are coming under the influence of the substances like whitener which is named solution in the streets. Poverty, unemployment, family breakdown, child abuse and neglect are the main factors that cause minors to roam the streets. To cope with their above mentioned problems, some street children resort to substance abuse. Studies carried out indicate that inhalants top the list of drugs consumed. Children chew, swallow or sniff inhalants (whitener and other substances) to deal with the hunger, pain and violence they are exposed to on the streets. Inhalants (whitener) are preferred because they are cheap, their effect is long-lasting and its withdrawal symptoms are mild. Whitener is usually consumed in groups. Many youngsters also consume tobacco, cannabis and over-the-counter drugs. They are generally unaware of or indifferent to the numerous risks connected to substance abuse.

A substance in order to achieve alterations in psychological functioning has been termed as substance use. WHO estimates that globally, 25% to 90% of street children indulge in substance use? According to UNICEF, there are more than 5, 00,000 street children in India who live and work in inhuman conditions and are at high risk of substance use.

Using a substance can have many different consequences. Some of the consequences are insignificant and some are extremely serious. These substances have effects on the body of the user as well as consequences on the life of the user and the whole community. The consequences can be physical like accidents convulsions and coma, malnutrition damage to body parts eg. liver, lungs, nerves etc .cancer Death Psychological restriction of interests and lifestyle depression memory and concentration problems delirium (confusion and hallucinations) Psychosis (fixed false ideas; hallucinations; grossly abnormal behavior Social rejection by peers, family, employers exploitation and violence (including murder) by drug syndicate Inability to work and loss of income legal problems due to: Behavior under the influence of substances Crimes committed to obtain substances.

Abusing substances among the children had emerged as a big problem all over the world; this problem needs to be looked into, so that children can be stay away from this problem.

Codependence and Addiction

Codependency – This is a relationship addiction in which a person living with or caring for a person with a substance abuse problem hinders their recovery by enabling or allowing that person to carry on with their addiction. People who are codependent often suffer from a low self-esteem and feel victimized. They are characterized as living through or for another person. Many substance abuse treatment centers also offer treatment for codependency. See Abuse & PTSD

Mood Disorders Predict Later Substance Abuse Problems

"Mania symptoms and bipolar disorder II more likely to lead to substance abuse than depression"

People with manic symptoms and bipolar disorder type II are at significant risk of later developing an alcohol abuse or dependence problem, a long-term study conducted in Switzerland confirms. The study was published in the January 2008 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Extensive research using retrospective reports has demonstrated a clear association between mood disorders and substance abuse. But few prospective long-term studies have been able to show evidence of this.

Kathleen Merikangas, Ph.D., of the NIMH Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, collaborated with colleagues to follow 591 people (292 men and 299 women) over two decades, beginning in 1978 when the participants were 19 or 20 years old. The participants were interviewed six times between 1979 and 1999.

By 1993, almost 10 percent met criteria for major depression. Although bipolar disorder type I was very rare, 4 percent met criteria for bipolar disorder II—a milder form of the disorder. In addition, 24 percent had symptoms of mania but did not meet specific criteria for bipolar disorder.

By 1999, when participants were about 40 years old, 18 percent met criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence problems, while 8 percent met criteria for cannabis (marijuana) abuse and 3 percent met criteria for benzodiazepine abuse.

Merikangas and colleagues found that people who showed symptoms of mania, but who did not meet criteria for bipolar disorder, were at significantly greater risk for later developing an alcohol abuse or dependence problem. Those with bipolar disorder II were even more at risk of developing an alcohol problem or benzodiazepine abuse problem. Major depression was associated only with developing a benzodiazepine abuse problem among this population.

“The findings confirm the link between mood disorders and substance abuse or dependence problems,” said Dr. Merikangas. “They also suggest that earlier detection of bipolar symptoms could help to prevent consequent substance abuse problems.”

The study was known as the Zurich Cohort Study.

Reference

Merikangas, KR, Herrell R, Swendsen J, Rossler W, Ajdacic-Gross V, Angst J. Specificity of bipolar spectrum conditions in the comorbidity of mood and substance abuse disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2008;65(1): 47-52.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/mood-disorders-predict-later-substance-abuse-problems.shtml

ALCOHOL & DRUG ADDICTION Psychotherapy and Counseling in the Treatment of Drug Abuse

What is remarkable is that some form of drug abuse counseling or psychotherapy is almost invariably a part of every type of comprehensive drug abuse treatment. Individual therapy orcounseling is available in about 99 percent of the drug-free, methadone maintenance, and multiple-modality drug abuse treatment units in this country (National Drug and Alcoholism Treatment Unit Survey 1982). It is also available in approximately 97 percent of the detoxification units.

Despite the fact that drug abuse counseling and psychotherapy are nearly universal in drug abuse treatment, surprisingly little is known about these forms of treatment. Much more research has focused on pharmacological treatments for drug abuse than on nonpharmacological, even though nonpharmacological interventions are almost always utilized and are sometimes the only form of treatment offered to the drug abuser.


Counseling and Addiction: How Therapy Can Help

Kicking the prescription drug abuse habit is a major accomplishment. But for most people with opioid addiction, detox is only the beginning of a long-term battle against craving and relapse.

Counseling is an essential part of drug abuse treatment for many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family counseling, and other therapy approaches can help people recovering from opioidaddiction stay clean. Psychotherapy can also treat the other mental health conditions that often contribute to prescription drug abuse.

Why Counseling Is Important

Opioid addiction is more than a physical dependence on drugs. Even after detox, when physical dependence is cured, addicts are at high risk for relapse. Psychological and social factors are often powerful stimuli for prescription drug abuse relapse:

* Stress, especially sudden life stresses
* Cues in the environment, like visiting a neighborhood
* Social networks, like spending time with friends who continue to use drugs

These factors can create ongoing, nearly irresistible urges to use drugs. Prescription drug abuse counseling helps addicts escape craving and learn to cope with life, without using drugs.

Several counseling therapies are available for prescription drug abuse, and no method is known to be the best. Likewise, no one approach is appropriate for everyone with opiate addiction. The right drug abuse treatment plan is tailored to a person's addiction and his or her individual needs.

Individual vs. Group Therapy

While any counseling therapy for drug abuse treatment is better than none, group therapy is generally preferred over individual therapy. In group therapy, a person is more likely to be both challenged and supported by peers who are also going through drug rehab.

Twelve-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous are the most well-known group therapy organizations.

Individual therapy can be helpful in the case of a dual diagnosis: coexisting depression, bipolar disorder, or other significant mental health condition that requires treatment in its own right, separate from the opioid addiction.

Outpatient vs. Residential Treatment

Residential therapy allows the addicted person to temporarily escape the environment that allowed him to use drugs. A person goes away to a specialized facility for a period of weeks to months. While highly effective in the short term, there is debate as to whether residential programs lead to longer abstinence from prescription drug abuse than outpatient programs. Residential drug abuse treatment programs are expensive, usually costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Outpatient treatment programs are the usual setting for ongoing prescription drug abuse treatment. The largest and most well-known outpatient therapy organization, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), is a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. More than 43,000 NA group meetings take place every week worldwide.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches a person how to recognize moods, thoughts, and situations that cause drug craving. A therapist helps the person avoid these triggers, and replace negative thoughts and feelings with ones that are healthier.

The skills learned in cognitive behavioral therapy can last a lifetime, making it a potentially powerful method of drug abuse treatment. However, not all therapists are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, which can be complex.

Contingency Management Therapy

In contingency management therapy, a person in drug abuse treatment receives positive incentives for staying clean. Vouchers for goods and services, or privileges in a more rigid treatment setting are common incentives. Contingency management therapy is effective in drug rehab studies. But skeptics point out its high costs, and that when incentives stop, its positive effects decline.

Motivational Interviewing

Traditional therapies for drug abuse treatment involved confrontation. Addicts are masters of denial, the thinking went, and therapy should break down walls to force them to accept the reality of their addiction.

While confrontation may still have a role, many therapists instead promote motivational interviewing, a newer counseling method. In motivational interviewing, a therapist seeks to understand and enhance an addicted person's natural motivation for change. For example, if the person reveals he is motivated by love of his family, or returning to work, these may become the focus of therapy.

Couples and Family Therapy

Prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction don't only affect the user's life; the whole family is transformed. Strong relationships with family and friends are essential for successful drug abuse treatment. Various counseling methods include the spouse and other family members of the addicted person.

There are several potential benefits of family or couples therapy:

* Family members can act as a powerful force for change in the addicted person's life.
* Including family members can increase the likelihood a person will stay in therapy.
* Each family member can begin to heal the damage their loved one's addiction has caused in their own life.

Studies show family therapy results in lower relapse rates, increased happiness in the family, and better functioning in children of addicted parents.

Maintenance Therapy

Most experts today consider opioid addiction to be a chronic, relapsing illness. Just like other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure, opioid addiction treatment in some form must be lifelong.

Many people with opioid addiction will continue to take maintenance therapy in the form of methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine/ naloxone), sometimes for decades. By the same token, experts say, they should also continue some form of counseling.

This idea runs counter to traditional views of drug rehab, in which a person was considered "cured" after a relatively short period in treatment. However, evidence is mounting that lifelong treatment with counseling, maintenance therapy, or often both, should be standard drug abuse treatment for most people with relapsing opioid addiction.

Rapid Detox in Drug and Alcohol Detoxification

There have been substantial advances when it comes to understanding the biochemical and genetic basis for substance abuse and addiction over the past ten years. In spite of this knowledge very little information is disseminated in regards to alternative forms of detox treatment. One form of alternative treatment is rapid detox and is a viable alternative for certain patients. Rapid detoxification and rapid opiate detox can be beneficial if you are suffering from an addiction to heroin, prescription painkillers, Oxycontin, Methadone, Suboxone, Vicodin, Darvocet, Percocet, Hydrocodone or any other opioid.

Traditional treatment entails a detoxification period that is often debilitating and has horrendous withdrawal symptoms that are both painful and often dangerous for the patient. Not only is there intense physical pain there is often psychological cravings for months beyond treatment. Statistics show that with regular detox methods within a year 85 to 90 percent of all patients have suffered a relapse and are using again.

The most visible and widely talked about rapid detox method is the Waismann Method. The Waismann Method also known as Neuro-Regulation is performed in a hospital intensive care unit. It involves cleansing the opiate receptors in the patient’s brain of the narcotics while the patient is under anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will experience no conscious withdrawal, and will be able to return home within days. Over 65 percent of the patients who are treated with the Waismann Method remain drug free after one year.

In April 2000, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) released a public policy statement on rapid and ultra rapid opioid detoxification. Based on their policy and further studies, ASAM updated April 2005, to include their policy recommendations which are listed below and should be considered when considering detox.

Policy Recommendations

1. Opioid detoxification alone is not a treatment of opioid addiction. ASAM does not support the initiation of acute opioid detoxification interventions unless they are part of an integrated continuum of services that promote ongoing recovery from addiction.

2. Ultra-Rapid Opioid Detoxification (UROD) is a procedure with uncertain risks and benefits, and its use in clinical settings is not supportable until a clearly positive risk-benefit relationship can be demonstrated. Further research on UROD should be conducted.

3. Although there is medical literature describing various techniques of Rapid Opioid Detoxification (ROD), further research into the physiology and consequences of ROD should be supported so that patients may be directed to the most effective treatment methods and practices.

4. Prior to participation in any particular modality of opioid detoxification, a patient should be provided with sufficient information by which to provide informed consent, including information about the risks of termination of a treatment plan of prescribed agonist medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, as well as the need to comply with medical monitoring of their clinical status for a defined period of time following the procedure to ensure a safe outcome. Patients should also be informed of the risks, benefits and costs of alternative methods of treatment available.

In rebuttal to ASAM’s policy Clifford Bernstein, M.D., medical director of AAMOD, the leading practitioners of the Waismann Method treatment for opiate dependency, stated that the study offered misleading results and failed to recognize those who have had success with rapid detox. He states that anesthesia-based detox is a humane and effective medical treatment that allows patients to avoid most of the unnecessary withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, he points out that the study misleads the reader into believing that anesthesia-based detox is not a successful method for opiate treatment by stating that 80% of participants dropped out of follow-up treatment. This statistic does not say anything about the success of the detox treatment or whether or not patients were able to stay off of the drugs. Since the opiates have been blocked from their brains and they no longer feel cravings following the anesthesia-based detox, many of these patients do not need an aftercare program. He stated that the study did not accurately represent the procedure, the merits of the doctors performing it nor the benefits of this treatment. He states that the procedure is safe, however one should use the same precautions as any other procedure under anesthesia as well as verify the qualifications of the doctor performing and to be sure to do it at an hospital with appropriate emergency resources if they are necessary.

Rapid detox is a relatively painless way for people suffering from addiction to opiates. While rapid detoxification can be effective, it is should be undertaken only after discussing the pro’s and con’s as well as follow- up treatment.

http://www.addictionsearch.com/treatment_articles/article/drug-and-alcohol-detoxification_9.html

TEENAGE SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The youth are natural risk-takers. They need to experiment and to examine limits –others' and their own. It's assumed that they can manage their own lives and take their own decisions. However, because of their limited experience, their judgement can at times be faulty.
Teenage drug use is a serious social issue and can directly impact academic achievement. Some symptoms include high-school dropout, early sexual initiation, and troubled interpersonal relationships, amongst other consequences.
Some factors leading to it are:-
• Absence of close family ties
• Family conflict and dysfunctional state
• Violent behaviour at school, college or in their community
• Peer pressure
• Learning problems and academic difficulties
• Poor social coping skills
• Having friends who smoke or associate with drug circuits
• Curiosity
• Weight loss too
• False hope
• Substitute to love
• Abuse ,neglect or other traumatic experiences in childhood

Myths about drug abuse:-
• Relieves stress, tension, or depression
• Enhance work, play performance
• Relieves pain or symptoms of illness
• Enhances social experiences
• A "magic bullet" for all problems

Prevention is the cure

Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse.

• Parental awareness
• Collaborating with media
• Providing scientific information about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
• Discuss risk behaviours associated with driving and sexual behaviours under the influence of drugs
• Confidential and non-judgemental –when and where and under what circumstances drugs are used
• Majority of students who do not indulge should be glorified
• Motivation not to use is an important prevention technique.


By:-
Devika Rana
Senior psychologist ( ksh-usa)

Autism

Autism is a disorder qualified by impaired social interaction and communicating, and by restricted and repetitious behavior. These signs all begin before a kid is three years old. Autism has a potent genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are composite and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by uncommon mutations, or by rare combinations of common genetic variants. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of autism is about 1–2 per 1,000 people; the prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000, with about four times as many males as females. The number of people diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.
Parents often signs in the first two years of life for their children. The signs often occur gradually, but some autistic children come first most often and then back. Although early intervention or cognitive behavior can help autistic children to gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some are successful. An autistic culture has developed, with some people in search of a cure for autism and other believers should be tolerated as the difference and not treated as a disorder.

By:-
Manasvi

Religion and mental illness

Religion is related with mental health of the people. People, who are fearful, are more religious. Extreme fear is the seed for devotion. Actually God is not related with rituals and religions. Concepts centered on God, religion and rituals are created by people. Those people who believe in all these things are prone to get mentally ill. So, if you want to be healthy, and then you should believe in yourself not in the superstitions.

You should focus on your strengths and should know about the weaknesses, try to remove weaknesses and improve the strengths. Never believe in superstitions. Always be positive about the events. Positive thinking improves your personality and confidence. Finally success will be yours.

Understand the rationality of the situation. There is not any rational thought behind the superstitions.
So there is no logic to believe in the same. So believe in yourself and your strengths only. Not in the rituals and superstitions.

What is COUNSELING?

Counseling is a very individualistic process even if it’s happening in a group , the understanding happens in individuals at their own levels and in their own ways. Counseling aims at making a person independent and to fully orient him towards the causes of his conflicts and to equip him with the ways of managing the same.
Counseling is effective ,if the client is seeking help and then the therapist and the client work towards reaching the desired rational goal.
In day today life, we come across very basic questions like are you a Psychiatrist? Do You give medicines ? Can you read my face or my hand? Please brainwash me….! And the most intriguing and funniest is I can also do counseling.
Well ! to answer all of these……..
Psychiatrists are people who have completed an MBBS and later specialized in Psychiatry (they provide medication wherever required ). Psychologists are people with an intensive study in human behavior specialized in Behavioral Techniques and in Psychometric Testing (IQ Testing , aptitude testing and many others…)
Mostly Psychologist and Psychiatrists work together i.e. if a case first comes to a Psychologist and the Psychologist feels that the client requires to be put on medication, then Psychiatrist is brought into the picture . Vice Versa, if a case first comes to a Psychiatrist and he feels that the client requires only counseling or counseling + medication ,then Psychologist comes into the picture. It completely depends upon the case and on the orientation of the Psychologist and Psychiatrist.
Expressions on the face play an important role in understanding an individual but not the shape of his eyes and nose are observed in counseling.
A lot many people feel that they can do counseling, it’s a myth what they offer to their friends is suggestions and advises and which prove to be beneficial for their own selves. Counselors are trained to help you deal rationally with the conflicts occurring in your life .They offer you what’s best for you only after understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a person, the counseling proceeds. The client is given a sense of comfort and trust which lets the person to open up.
A counselor surely provides helping hands, listening ears ,trust, comfort and uses an approach which is best suited for you with a complete unbiased and confidential support.
And of course it depends upon you when you offer your hands to us……