Mental Health, Social Stigma and the Well Mentally Ill

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Iris_Fanning]Iris Fanning
People with mental health issues are still stigmatized. The media portrays most people with mental illness as violent or flat out crazy. Yet, that is not an accurate portrait of a person with mental health concerns. First, if we were to remove all the mentally ill people from the population: violence would only decrease by 3% according to Dr. Phillip Resnick, M.D. psychiatrist (served as an expert on the Unabomber and other criminal cases).
Secondly our picture of mental illness is at the peak of symptoms. When most people think of mental illness they think of: 1) The person with anxiety who can't leave the house or attend social situations; 2) The person who is depressed who can't get out of bed, can't go to work or school and who is suicidal; 3) The person with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who is floridly psychotic, hallucinates, hears voices and has delusions; 4) The veteran with PTSD who can't function in public, has an extreme response to a car backfiring and who can't sleep for days; or 5) The person with any kind of mental illness who self-medicates with alcohol, street drugs and perhaps is homeless.
This portrait of mental illness would be like believing people who have cancer are all bald, weak, bedridden, vomiting, and ill. Yet people, who have had cancer treatment, hold jobs, are parents, are siblings, run races for the cure and get to celebrate another year of recovery.
The person with mental illness, who is in treatment generally looks and is very well! They too hold jobs, go to school, get married, parent, have goals and friendships. Frankly you run into people every day that are among the healthy, with mental illness. It could be your doctor, a salesperson, dentist, school teacher, banker, lawyer, engineer, carpenter, or banker, boss, coworker or friend. However, we rarely see the functioning mentally ill because of the stigma. They don't announce another year without psychosis, being afraid to leave their home, or not being bed ridden or suicidal. So, we have a skewed view of mental illness.
We do know that most mental illness, which really is a neurological brain function illness, is a combination of genetics and luck of the draw. Shake the family tree of someone with mental illness and you'll generally find a variety of family members with anxiety, depression, "strange behavior or eccentric behavior', hospitalizations, suicides, and addictions. Only a small percentage of mental illness is totally environmentally caused by extreme neglect, abuse or trauma. The rest of the folks with mental illness had a "normal" childhood.
What does good treatment look like to produce the highest level of functioning? Let's look at the top 4 supports to insure the best outcome:
� A loving, supportive family who is supported themselves. Family members must go to their own counselor or to a support group. This is to help them get through the grief of lost potential, fear and help them know how best to help and not enable.
� A great psychiatrist AND continuous individual counseling for the patient. Medical management is essential and hospitalization needs to be available in the acute phase. Counseling is essential too. It's in the counseling session that the patient learns skills, is supported, problem solves, develops a relationship and learns about their illness.
� Medication compliance. Again because of stigma most first time - fourth time patients resist medication. When the patient's life falls apart, sometimes several times, they finally accept that medication is necessary for treatment. I know of one psychiatrist who medically supervises her patients' titration down from medication. When the psychosis or depression or anxiety returns, it's in a safe environment and the patients then can admit they have an illness.
� The patient's desire and hero's journey to get well. Mental Illness is a chronic, relapsing, and sometimes debilitating condition where residual problems occur with each episode. It is not easy to be well and hopeful when you've lived through such a soul robbing experience. Others can assist by simple kindness and acknowledging the sheer strength, stamina and courage it takes to get well and stay well.
Iris Fanning, MA, LPC, NCC is an award winning counselor and Life Coach. She has counseled thousands of teens, children and their families. She has also coached hundreds of women who want to have greater life balance, change careers, find love or advance in their careers. Her latest book: Teen Girls Guide to Sex, Drugs & Self Esteem can be purchased at: http://lulu.com/coachiris Group & Individual Coaching is available as well as your FREE newsletter at: http://www.irisfanning.com
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Discover Some Wonderful Nutritional Ways to Stop Panic Attacks

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Fawaz_Morgan-Rowe]Fawaz Morgan-Rowe
There are many reasons why a person suffers from panic attacks. Some of them are traumatic incidents, environmental factors, a crisis in the family, problems at work, and even food. Luckily, there are several ways in which, you can get rid of these attacks too. There are prescription drugs, natural remedies, and finally, there are nutritional ways to stop panic attacks. Here, we are going to take a look at how nutrition can help you find relief.
It is a fact that if you choose the wrong foods, then it can cause negative effects on your body. But that's not all. There are other issues involved here as well. It is also important that you eat the right quantities at the right time. Everybody thought about the impact food has on our bodies, but nobody really gave any attention to what its impact was on the mind. But now, it is becoming clear that the choice of food can impact the mental health as well. There's hope in this as well. It means that, if you make the right food choices, then you may be able to get relief from your panic attacks. Let us investigate further.
Here are some important pointers

Coffee - Coffee is an extremely popular drink all over the world. However remember, just like alcohol, coffee is also a stimulant. It is often consumed to stay awake and remain alert. Of course, there are plenty of people who will drink coffee, just because they love it. When you have a panic attack, your adrenalin runs high. This is what makes you feel restless and uneasy. Coffee will go against you here. It will make you more active, and this is certainly not a good idea. So, reduce your intake of coffee if you are prone to these attacks. The best option is to leave it altogether.
Foods that are high in flavor - There are basically two types of foods. They are cold and hot food. Cold foods calm your nerves and help you relax. Hot foods on the other hand stimulate you and make you more active. Some examples of hot food would be those that are tasty and salty. So, stay away from these. Opt for cold foods to stay calm as much as you can. Your friends and colleagues might even refer to you as Mr. Cool.
Sugar - Sugar gives all of us an energy rush. It is a fact that children often would not sleep well if they had consumed sugar just before going to bed. It makes them too restless. This can happen to adults as well. If you are prone to panic attacks, it is really essential that you make a conscious effort to prevent any hyperactivity. Try to identify the triggers that can set up the attack. Sugar is also known to cause mood swings. High levels of sugar cause restlessness and stress. This can also cause panic attacks.

Here are some general guidelines regarding nutritional ways to stop panic attacks.

Do not eat too much at a time.
Eat more frequently, but less each time you do so.
Try to stay away from fast foods. They are rich and generally unhealthy.
Stay away from smoking and drinking. If you must, then drink alcohol just once or weekly.
Do not miss your breakfast, even if you have to rush to work.
Eat a regular meal for lunch. Never eat when you are 'on the go'.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-Some-Wonderful-Nutritional-Ways-to-Stop-Panic-Attacks&id=6633929] Discover Some Wonderful Nutritional Ways to Stop Panic Attacks

How to Make a Quick Weight Loss Plan Work in the Long Run

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M_Edward]M Edward
Many people resort to a quick weight loss plan that promises immediate results. This is because most people don't have the patience to embark on a full length journey that will eventually require them to change their lifestyle. Effective weight loss takes a lot of effort and patience, because weight loss doesn't happen overnight. The problem is that sometimes some programs take too long for the effects to show, and this can be discouraging for some. This is especially true if the program requires a lot of effort from the part of the dieter when it comes to restricting the food he or she is allowed to eat, as well as in requiring the dieter to go out of his or her way and to make ample time for exercising. When you're a dieter and you've done all of these efforts but despite all your efforts you see no immediate results, then you tend to lose hope in the entire weight loss program altogether.
The fact that weight loss takes a lot of time is one of the reasons why some people fail in their quest of losing weight. Seeing the weighing scale go lower day after day can be very encouraging for dieters and can fuel them to continue with the program. Hearing people compliment them that they've lost a lot of weight produces the same psychological effects. On the other hand, if you keep stepping on the scale and it just refuses to budge this can produce a negative effect. If you keep looking at the mirror and you see no visible results of all your efforts then this will make you lose hope. This search for an immediate effect is why many people resort to finding a quick weight loss plan.
A quick weight loss plan will require a lot more sacrifice and effort on the part of the dieter. For fast results in weight loss, dieters need to cut down on their food intake drastically. Some diets require them to cut down on a certain food group like carbohydrates, while some diets give a limit as to the number of calories a dieter is allowed to take in a day. Sometimes there are meal replacement drinks and shakes that people can take instead of a regular meal. Aside from these changes in the diet, there are also some radical steps that people can do to increase their physical activity.
While all of these measures will ensure that you lose the weight fast, if you want to keep this weight off you have to consider the long run and not just the short term. This means that you have to continue whatever measures you have done to limit your food intake. Even if you're not as severe in your diet restrictions you can't just fully go back to your old ways. You will have to be more conscious about the food that you take in and the calories that they contain. The same goes for physical activity. Even after your quick weight loss efforts you have to continue exercising regularly.
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Turn to Food to Boost Your Mood

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=J_D_Tucker]J D Tucker
A lot of us have been conditioned to believe that comfort foods are not good and are to be avoided. But if your comfort food is candy or junk food this holds true. Other times, however, comfort foods can be completely healthy and it's good for you to consume them. A number of foods really do raise your mood when you consume them. When you are feeling a little down and are needing an emotional boost, try a couple of these.
Eggs, you might be astonished to learn, are fantastic at fighting depression. Just make sure that you do not throw out the egg yolk. The egg yolk is the most important part of the egg when it comes to helping you cheer up. Eggs, the yolk especially, are stuffed full of B vitamins. The B vitamin family can be terrific for elevating your mood. This is because these vitamins help your neural transmitters--the parts of your brain that control your mood--work better. Try to eat an egg and feel a lot happier!
Put together some trail mix of nuts or seeds. Your mood can be improved by consuming peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. This is because these foods are rich in magnesium, which helps to boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical that tells your brain how you feel all the time. The higher your levels of serotonin, the more pleasant you are going to feel. Not just that, nuts, specifically, are a fantastic protein source.
If you wish to beat depression, try eating some cold water fish. Salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, trout, and so on, they're all loaded with omega-3 and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA are two things that raise the quality and the function of your brain's grey matter. It's true: eating a tuna fish sandwich can earnestly boost your mood.
Some grains are truly great for fighting off bad moods. Quinoa, millet, teff and barley are all really great for helping raise your happiness levels. These grains can help you feel full for longer as well, which is a mood improver. Feeling hungry can really make you feel awful! These grains can help your mood elevate because it's not at all difficult for your body to digest them. These foods are easier to digest than others which helps promote a rise in your blood sugar which in turn kicks up your mood to a happier place.
Green tea is fantastic for moods. You just knew it had to be included in this article, right? Green tea is found to be rich in an amino acid referred to as L-theanine. Studies show that this specific amino acid can essentially stimulate brain waves. This helps improve your mental focus while having a relaxing effect on the rest of your body. You already knew green tea could help you feel healthier. Now you know that applies to your mood as well!
Now you know that junk food isn't necessarily what you need to eat when you wish to help your moods get better. Try a couple of these hints instead.
Being a recoverer of mental health issues, J D Tucker has turned to writing to help others rid themselves of these problems. His depression caused him to put on a lot of weight which became a vicious cycle of depression and weight gain. He took the steps to bring himself out of this sad state by losing weight. He shares many of the natural methods he used to become the self he wanted. One of the first things he did were [http://awaytoloseweight.com/simple-exercises-to-lose-belly-fat/]simple exercises to lose belly fat which helped his self esteem greatly.
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Do Incidents That Would Be Minor Annoyances for Other People Send You Into a Rage?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Akina]David Akina
Just imagine what it would feel like if life's frustrations would just roll off your back.
If you get angry easily you may feel somewhat ashamed and guilty after every outburst but don't know what to do about it. Did you know that when you get angry, your heart pounds and pumps less efficiently? Over time, your heart and arteries can become damaged. Chronically angry people, especially men, are far more likely to have a heart attack or other form of cardiovascular disease.
It is important to have a healthy way to manage anger. When you get angry, your body goes into a trance-like state and the rage takes over. At that point, nothing is logical. If you can learn to put your body into a different kind of trance, you will find that you can remain calm more often in situations that would previously have caused you to lash out in anger and rage at those around you. By gaining control over these outbursts you will be able to step back and evaluate if the level of anger is appropriate for the situation. Most times it isn't. The control you will gain over your anger will help you avoid saying or doing something you may regret for the rest of your life.
Here are some things to do when you feel anger coming on:
Use breathing as a tool to stop the anger from escalating. Take a deep breath in, breathing in sanity and clarity and exhale blowing out of your mouth the anger, frustration, what ever it is you are feeling, make it long and drawn out with pursed lips. Do this 5 or 6 times until you begin to feel a little more in control.
Give yourself a break. It's easier to think when you're calm than when you're agitated. Leave the room, take a walk, sing a song, whatever. Then come back to the problem, examine it, and solve it.
Hypnosis can help to put your body into a healthy kind of trance instead of the kind of irrational state that occurs when anger takes over your mind. You can then be more objective and find a more effective way to resolve the issue without getting angry. A good hypnotherapist can teach you how.
� If you feel the need to vent, find a safe spot to act out your anger, whether it is certain breathing exercises, punching pillows, a punching bag or just screaming. Go to the basement or someplace safe where you feel you can let out the stress!
� Stop everything! Don't say anything don't do anything, instead just count to ten. Sounds simple, but counting to ten is an anger management tip that has worked for centuries! Counting to ten helps you to step back from the situation and gives you time to examine the problem and decide on an effective, rational way to express your anger. This gives you time to gauge whether the level of anger is appropriate for the situation.
Look at the positive. Learn to act and not react. Find more positive ways to express your emotions!
� Say to yourself some positive affirmations like:
I am able to express myself clearly without raising my voice.
I am aware that this feeling of anger will pass.
I am aware that anything I say while angry I may regret for years to come.
I am capable of controlling my anger and expressing it when and where it is appropriate.
I am able to breathe deeply.
"One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger"
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-Incidents-That-Would-Be-Minor-Annoyances-for-Other-People-Send-You-Into-a-Rage?&id=6650359] Do Incidents That Would Be Minor Annoyances for Other People Send You Into a Rage?

Old Bipolar Treatments Sometimes Better Than The Newer Ones

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julie_Frey]Julie Frey
The understanding of bipolar disorder has advanced greatly in the thousands of years of human history during which it was periodically misdiagnosed. Its label has also changed through the years. From manic depressive insanity to manic depressive psychosis to manic depressive disorder and, finally, to bipolar disorder, the disease has gone through many name changes. The name changes were not arbitrary, however. They usually came as the medical profession's understanding of the underlying illness increased.
Since the early nineties, bipolar illness has generally been classified as either Bipolar I or Bipolar II. More recent discoveries, however, have added new classifications of Bipolar III and IV to the mix.
Throughout its history, various forms of treatments have been employed on the unlucky sufferers of this disease. If you were lucky, you might only be forced to endure bed rest or restraints. If, however, you lived through the period of electro shock treatments, you may have been forced into having a lobotomy if the shock treatments proved ineffective.
The world of science has advanced greatly since those times. Each decade, our knowledge of genetics and the mind has increased exponentially. Those suffering from Bipolar II today, have a plethora of treatments from which to choose. And that's good considering that one out of every hundred people in the country suffer from the disease.
Today, the most popular pharmaceutical treatment for the disease is lithium. Popularized over a half century ago, it still remains the default medication of choice among doctors and health care professionals. This is true even though hundreds of other competitive drug formulations have come to the market. The newer mood stabilizers and anti psychotic medications have one of two problems when contrasted with lithium. Either they are not as effective in treating depression. Or, two, they are as effective but they produce possibly more harmful side effects. Lithium, on the other hand, has the least side effects of the competing drugs. And, if kept at the right levels in the bloodstream, is still one of the most effective treatment out there.
This is a gentle reminder that everything new is not necessarily better. And, while research on bipolar is rightfully continuing on, sometimes, the old discoveries work best of all.
And, even better, from a patient's standpoint, since lithium is not patented, if can be purchased for a fraction of what most of the newer medications will cost. And while this may not make the drug companies happy, it will make your pocketbook very happy.
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Mood Disorders - What Are They, And How Can They Be Treated?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Lex]Hilary Lex
We all experience shifts in our mood at times. Sometimes we may feel happy and excited, and as though everything in life is running smoothly, and going exactly to plan. At other times however, it can feel as though nothing is going to plan, making us feel sad, angry or frustrated. Experiencing these shifts in mood is usually just a normal part of day to day life. This is not the case however, for those suffering from Mood Disorders.
Mood Disorders, also known as Affective Disorders, include a number of mental health conditions that all have an underlying trait of the sufferer experiencing a mood that is usually not congruent with the situation. They include Depression (of which there are a number of different types), and Bipolar Disorder. For those suffering from Mood Disorders, their condition will continue to persist for an extended period of time, often causing significant disruptions in the sufferer's day to day life. They are commonly found to coexist with conditions such as Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Phobias.
How Common Are Mood Disorders?
Research suggests that 1 in 5 individuals will experience some type of depression at some time in their lives, and about 1-2 individuals out of 100 will experience Bipolar Disorder. Depression is more common in women; however the numbers are about the same for men and women experiencing Bipolar Disorder.
What Causes Mood Disorders?
There can be a number of factors that may contribute to their onset.

Stressful life events or circumstances, as well as significant life changes
Hormonal changes
Nutritional deficiencies and poor dietary patterns
Genetic factors
Some medications
Environmental pollution
Substance abuse
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Some medical conditions
Imbalance in brain chemistry (which may be the result of other contributing factors)

Treatment Options Available
There are many treatment options available for sufferers of this condition.

Prescription medication. This option is treating the symptom rather than the cause. Although medication may be beneficial in the short term, it is a good idea to also explore alternative treatment options. Never however, stop taking prescription medication without first seeking the advice of your doctor.
Therapy and counseling, eg. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy
Alternative therapies, eg. Homeopathy, Acupuncture, EFT, Emotion Code
Dietary changes
A good support network
Herbal supplements
Relaxation techniques
Exercise

Mood Disorders do not need to become debilitating, and the first step to getting back to leading a full and active life, is to seek the help of a health care professional that addresses more than just the symptoms of the condition, but rather, someone who takes a holistic treatment approach to you as an individual.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mood-Disorders---What-Are-They,-And-How-Can-They-Be-Treated?&id=6659886] Mood Disorders - What Are They, And How Can They Be Treated?