Vivekanantha Psychological Counseling Center, Chennai & Panruti

A poor boy loved a rich girl.

2011-12-01T05:46:00.000-08:00

A poor boy loved a rich girl.

One day the boy proposed her.

Then the girl said, "listen! your monthly salary is my daily hand expenses.

Should I be involved with you? How could you thought that?

I will never love you. So, forget me 'n get engaged with someone else of your

level."

But somehow the boy could not forget her so easily.

10 years later.

One day they became face to face in a shopping center.

The lady said, "Hey! you!

How are you? Now I'm married. Do you know how much is my husband's salary?

Rs. 2 lac per month! Can you imagine? 'n he is also very smart."

The guy's eyes got wet with tear by hearing those words.

After few minutes her husband came before the lady could say something to the

guy,

her husband started to say by seeing the guy.

"Sir! You here? Meet my wife." Then he said to her wife, "I'm going to assist a

project of sir, which is of Rs. 200 crore. 'n do u know a fact? Sir loved a girl but

he didn't get her. That's why still he is unmarried. How much lucky the girl was.

Isn't it? Now a days who can love like that way?"

Moral: Life is not so short. So, don't be so proud of yourself and damn others. Situations change with time. Every one should respect other's love. !

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Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

2011-07-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), founded by Albert Ellis is a "cognitive-behavioural" therapy. It was earlier known as Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). It is based on the concept that emotions and behaviours result from cognitive processes; and that it is possible for human beings to modify such processes to achieve different ways of feeling and behaving.

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) maintains that our emotional problems and counterproductive behaviour are largely the result of 'crooked' unhelpful thinking. The basic premise of this approach to counselling and psychotherapy is that it is not events that cause our problems, but the way we think about them.

REBT believes that human disturbance is essentially ideologically or philosophically based, and so it

strives for a thorough philosophic reorientation of a person's outlook to life. It uses the didactic approach i.e. teaching and re-educating the client in balanced and correct ways of thinking and behaving, and thus helping him acquire rational, realistic and appropriate beliefs of life.

Albert Ellis, founder of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) reasoned that therapy would progress faster if the focus was directly on the client's self-defeating ideas, verbalizations and 'beliefs'. He observed that client's tended to get better when they changed their ways of thinking about themselves, their problems, and the world.

Albert Ellis calls our unhelpful thoughts "irrational beliefs" and says that they are at the core of much emotional disturbance. Rational beliefs on the other hand, are flexible, helpful ways of thinking and enable us to be psychologically healthy. In REBT the counsellor helps the client understand the role of such irrational "beliefs" and self-defeating value systems, in causing and maintaining problems in his life.

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) workshops help counsellors to develop knowledge and skills in this very effective, efficient and empowering method of personal change.

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Necessity of Pre-Marriage counselling and check-ups

2011-07-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

Like Western countries, the divorce rate in our country is steadily on the rise. On going into details, invariably the cause is found to be either a physical incompatibility or emotional incongruity between the partners. In 90% cases the trauma of divorce can be avoided, if the couple undergoes a counselling session and certain medical investigations just before getting into matrimony.

As family physicians, very often doctors are expected to give guidance to those who are getting into matrimony. Parents find it difficult to explain everything to their sons or daughters about the new relationship they are entering into; either out of hesitation or lack of knowledge. Unlike more developed countries, sex education is still not widely advocated in schools or colleges in our country. At such occasions family doctors are invariably asked for help and are expected to oblige the parent community by doing the necessary briefing. In a busy practice, most of the doctors do not find adequate time to devote to Pre-Marriage Counselling, and are very often not too comfortable with counselling.

It is also very necessary to know about the physical well-being of both the partners before they marry, particularly about one's reproductive ability and diseases that could be transmitted sexually. Our centre has this unique facility (Pre-Marriage Counselling & Check-up), in which both the partners can have all the concerned investigations done under one roof, and also get a healthy & complete understanding of all the aspects of the male-female relationship. We have a full-fledged Radiology, Sonography & Automated Pathology Laboratory set-up to meet every need in these cases.

In India, match making is still done on the basis of Horoscopes and the religious & financial backgrounds of the two families. It is high time that we start ascertaining the compatibility of the couple on more practical & realistic grounds by undergoing such medical check-ups & pre-marriage counselling.

Having done this, the youngsters will definitely be able to tie the nuptial knot with more confidence & self-esteem and start their new relationship on a more sound footing.

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Does children require personal counselling?

2011-07-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

Children of dysfunctional families do require counselling. However the success of such counselling depends on family therapy i.e. the involvement of parents and other members of the family. The child of psychologically immature parents feels like an emotional orphan, and when he cannot find emotional fulfilment at home, he starts looking for it elsewhere. Juvenile delinquency is the direct result of a dysfunctional family, and teenage pregnancies, alcoholism, substance abuse, association with terrorist outfits and anti-social groups is nothing but a desperate and misguided attempt at creating a world, a family for themselves.

Everyday young children and teenagers are brought by their parents to counsellors for 'treating' "bad behaviour" such as temper tantrums, rebellion, anti-social behaviour, disinterest in academics etc., and the counsellors are faced with the daunting task of gently but firmly confronting the parents about the toxic emotional environment at home. It is most of the time a Herculean task to get the defensive parents into therapy as a family, and more so as a couple.

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Couple Therapy

2011-07-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

A couple is the smallest unit of community living, and how the couple functions as a unit sets the stage for the entire family. Thus, the beginning of the family whether functional or dysfunctional, starts with the couple. A family is known as dysfunctional when the desired goals of closeness, self-expression and meaning cannot be attained by the family members. When this happens, symptomatic behaviour takes place.

Thus, we understand how important it is for a couple to have a healthy and harmonious relationship with each other not only for themselves, but also for their child.

Since the emotional health of the couple directly affects the emotional health of the children and the family as a whole, it is high time that parents start focussing on their relationship as a couple and work towards strengthening it. The time and effort put into creating harmony with each other will reap rich dividends in the form of family health.
Happy couples create happy families, which in turn create happy communities, happy nations and a happy world.

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Build your confidence in any life situation

2011-07-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

We watch the star athlete calmly make the final shot, score the winning goal, or lead his team for a touchdown in the final minute of the game. We marvel at their talent and their determination, but what we value and admire most is the supreme confidence they display – they know they will succeed.

Confidence is an attribute that is alluring, attractive, valuable, desirable and contagious. Most everyone aspires to greater levels of it, even if they feel confident most of the time. It is a trait that will help us create greater results for ourselves and when leading others. Any trait with this much benefit is one worth developing. And yes, you can develop and strengthen your confidence.

Consider these five steps as the building blocks for greater confidence in any part of your life.

Remind yourself of past successes.

Confidence builds on past success. Since you have had success before, you can (and will) have it again. We strengthen our confidence in any activity when we review or remind ourselves of past successes. If you are trying to build confidence in a new area, past success can still help us strengthen our confidence. For example, if you have had success in doing something new in the past, review those experiences when trying something else new – even if it is in an entirely different part of your life.

Read and listen to positive materials.

Fill your mind with positive and affirming words, ideas and stories. Read things that enhances your skills or knowledge in the area in which you want to build your confidence. Read materials that are generally uplifting and affirming, and read biographies of successful people. You will find that many of them had troubles in life, came from tough situations and still succeeded. If you have ever thought, “Well, if they can do, I could too.” Then you realize that we can build our confidence by reading about others stories. Reading and listening to positive materials is about reinforcement, encouragement, and learning. All three of these components are needed for greater confidence.

See your future success.

Olympic athletes, corporate executives, and successful people in all sorts of endeavors visualize future success. Confidence will grow when we see ourselves succeeding. Think about it, if you know you will succeed, your confidence will soar, right? Visualizing future success does that very thing for us. Our minds cannot tell the difference between something real and something vividly imagined. So vividly visualize your success. What will it look like, smell like, and taste like to have succeeded? Who will be with you, what will you be hearing and where will you be? How will you be feeling at that moment? Putting this much detail into your vivid picture improves the likelihood of success, and supports greater confidence!

Reframe failure.

Thomas Edison spent a long time trying to create an incandescent light bulb – to create light from electricity. He is attributed with saying, “I have not failed, I have discovered twelve hundred materials that don’t work.” 1,200! Perhaps you feel you can reframe your failures as learning experiences – as a chance to find out what doesn’t work. But would you be able to do so 1,200 times? Know that failures will occur - and your confidence won’t be as shaken when they come. Use the failures as an opportunity to learn. Realize that every failure puts you that much closer to success. When we reframe our failure as a learning experience we reduce our fear and increase our confidence.

Take confident action.

You wanted confidence to help you try and succeed in new ways, right? So get out there and get at it! You have to put your confidence to the test. You have to practice. And, while you are taking action, make it confident action! Remember that if you act confident, you will be more confident. Review the other steps you have been taking to build your confidence. If you are driving towards your new action step, remind yourself of past successes, again. Visualize the successful outcome, again. Build your confidence at every step of the way, but remember it all must lead to action.

These steps are a regimen for strengthening and building your confidence in any life situation. Use these steps and I am confident, you will be more confident.

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Freaky phobias - Express Buzz - The New Indian Express

2011-07-27T04:17:00.000-07:00

Last Updated : 22 Jul 2011 08:05:52 AM IST

Shoba Pillai starts hyperventilating every time she hears the doorbell ring. The 27-year old, who works at a MNC in Chennai, would break into a sweat and suffer a panic attack for fear of opening the door. “While there is no scientific term for fear of doorbells or even mobile phones ringing, such phobias are exaggerated, irrational fears which can affect people,” says Puka Kanth Alfred, a counselling psychologist and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) therapist in the city. “Some people develop phobias after a traumatic experience—in this particular case, the person had an experience of being stalked, so she carries negative feelings associated with the event long after it passed,” Alfred points out.

However, Dr Senthil Kumar, a Chennai-based psychologist, argues that phobias usually have no cause. “It is an entirely illogical fear, where you are unable to trace the exact reason or time the phobia developed,” he says.

Kumar mentions that current lifestyles, where people indulge in junk food and unhealthy diets, have seen the rise of cardiophobia or fear of heart attacks. “These people imagine they have cardiac problems when the hear a ambulance pass or while crossing a hospital,” he explains.

How severely do these affect their quality of life? Alfred says, some such phobias seriously interfere with the everyday, where people react by avoiding the object of one’s fear, if possible. “One of my clients, had a fear of loss of control of facial muscles, which would severely affect their social interaction. They would be conscious of their smile, and worried whether it appears awkward to others,” she explains. “On the other hand, if one were to suffer from a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), for instance in a lift, then they would avoid taking the lift, which is how people sometimes deal with phobias” she adds.

Funnily enough, cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT aims to treat just this. It systematically exposes the sufferer to the object of fear, as Dr U Gauthamadas, a well-known neuro psychiatrist in the city will tell you. “For instance, if it’s a fear of cockroaches, we stick pictures of cockroaches around areas the patient inhabits, so that he overcomes the fear gradually,” offers Kumar.

Common treatments include the use of behaviour therapy, where patients undergo a combination of counselling and lifestyle modification. Dr Gauthamadas says he sees cases of astraphobia (fear of lightning and thunder) which is seen during the monsoon season, especially October and November. Kumar tells me EFT is an effective therapy which is commonly used today. “EFT is used to systematically treat phobias where experts have identified 14 energy points on the body, which are then sequentially tapped to channelise energy and remove emotional blockages,” he explains.

http://expressbuzz.com/lifestyle/freaky-phobias/296529.html#.Ti5eKjTFhsc.blogger

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Self Relaxation Tips

2011-07-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

Techniques to help u relax..Today's fast-paced lifestyles force us to push our minds and bodies to the limit, usually at the expense of our physical and mental well-being. When we become stressed, our bodies switch to a mode called the 'fight or flight response', which is characterized by increased heart rate, blood pressure, higher breathing rate, etc. Over time, these reactions increase cholesterol levels, disturb intestinal activities, depress the immune system, and leave us feeling 'stressed out.'

"Relaxation techniques are great tools for dealing with stress and promoting long-term health by slowing down the body and calming the mind,” Used daily, these techniques can lead to a healthier outlook towards stressful situations and a decline in stress-related disorders such as anxiety, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, insomnia, etc."

Here are some techniques you might want to consider:

1. Deep breathing

A simple but effective method of relaxation. "It works well in conjunction with other relaxation techniques such as Progressive Muscular Relaxation, imagery and meditation for reducing stress,"

Inhale. Close your mouth, loosen your shoulders, and inhale as slowly and deeply as you can.
Hold. Keep the air in your lungs as you slowly count to 6.
Exhale. Release the air through your mouth, again slowly counting to 6.
Repeat. Go over the inhale-hold-exhale cycle 5-10 times.

2. Progressive Muscular Relaxation (PMR)

This is good for relaxing your body, especially when your muscles are tense. It requires slowly tensing and then releasing every muscle group individually, from the toes all the way up to the face. "It is useful for calming nerves before an important presentation or performance, and for quieting down when you are highly stressed,"

3. Meditation

"The concept behind meditation is to consciously relax your body and focus your thought processes on one particular thing for a prolonged period. Your mind thus remains occupied and diverted from issues causing you stress,". Follow these steps:

Sit comfortable and quietly.
Close your eyes.
Relax your body muscles (you can use a technique like Progressive Muscular Relaxation for this).
Focus on your breathing.
Breathe in deeply, then exhale. Count your breaths (gives you something to do with your mind, helping avoid distraction).
Repeat this for 10 or 15 minutes.

4. Self-hypnosis

"This is when you hypnotize yourself. Affirmations are often used -- positive statements we repeat to ourselves to counter stress and unpleasant thoughts. An example of an affirmation is 'I feel vibrant and alive. I love how I feel'," Sit down at a quiet, comfortable place. Relax your body. Imagine waves of relaxation running down your body from your head downwards, washing away stress. Feel the muscles in your body relaxing as waves of relaxation wash over them.

Next, utilize suggestion to deepen the state of relaxation. You can do this by simply saying to yourself: 'I am tired and sleepy. I can feel my arms and legs getting heavier. I am becoming more and more tired?' Once you feel completely relaxed, add the affirmations you have prepared too.

5. Yoga

If you have tried it, you already know that it can help you achieve your goals with more focus and renewed spirit. "Yogic breathing reduces blood pressure and brings intense relaxation. Furthermore, it gives you improved appearance via better posture, muscle and skin-tone, if practiced regularly. Bones and muscles are strengthened and joints become more flexible. It is also amazing to see how much more positive a person's outlook on life becomes within just a few months of practice,"

6. Imagery

You may have noticed how particular environments can be very relaxing, while others can be extremely stressful. This is the idea behind the use of imagery in stress reduction. "You use your imagination to recreate a scene, place or event that you recall as being relaxing, safe, peaceful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image by, for instance, imagining sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, etc. Use the imagined place as a peaceful retreat from stress and pressure,"

7. Music

Another approach is listening to calming music or relaxation tapes. Soothing music has a lot of power to influence your thoughts and feelings. "It takes no effort from your side to listen to these. Moreover, they can be very welcome at the end of a long day,"

With continued practice in the techniques enumerated above, you may experience renewed energy, better concentration, better ability to deal with problems, more efficiency in daily activities, less indigestion, headaches, nausea, and less frequent emotional responses like anger, anxiety, crying, anxiety, apprehension and frustration.

Sounds good, doesn't it? What are you waiting for?

Obesity Homeopathy method of Treatment

2011-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Obesity in absolute terms is an increase of body fatty tissue mass. In a practical setting it is difficult to measure this directly, and obesity is typically measured by BMI (body mass index) and in terms of its distribution through waist circumference or waist-hip circumference ratio measurements. In addition, the presence of obesity needs to be evaluated in the context of other risk factors and co morbidities (other medical conditions that could influence risk of complications)

BMI

Body mass index or BMI is a simple and widely used method for estimating body fat mass. BMI was developed in the 19th century by the Belgian statistician and anthropometrist Adolphe Quetelet. BMI is an accurate reflection of body fat percentage in the majority of the adult population, but is less accurate in situations that affect body composition such as in body builders and pregnancy.

BMI is calculated by dividing the subject's weight by the square of his/her height, typically expressed either in metric or US "Customary" units:

Metric: BMI = kg / m2

Where kg is the subject's weight in kilograms and m is the subject's height in metres.

US/Customary and imperial: BMI = lb * 703 / in2

Where lb is the subject's weight in pounds and in is the subject's height in inches.

The most commonly used definitions, established by the WHO in 1997 and published in 2000, provide the following values

• A BMI less than 18.5 is underweight

• A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is normal weight

• A BMI of 25.0–29.9 is overweight

• A BMI of 30.0–34.9 is class I obesity

• A BMI of 35.0-39.9 is class II obesity

• A BMI of > 40.0 is class III obesity or severe / morbidly obese

• A BMI of 35.0 or higher in the presence of at least one other significant co morbidity is also classified by some bodies as morbid obesity

Waist circumference and waist hip ratio

BMI does not take into account differing ratios of adipose to lean tissue; nor does it distinguish between differing forms of adiposity, some of which may correlate more closely with cardiovascular risk. Increasing understanding of the biology of different forms of adipose tissue has shown that visceral fat or central obesity (male-type or apple-type obesity, also known as "belly fat") has a much stronger correlation, particularly with cardiovascular disease, than the BMI alone

The absolute waist circumference (>102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) or waist-hip ratio (>0.9 for men and >0.85 for women) are both used as measures of central obesity.

In a cohort of almost 15,000 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III study, waist circumference explained obesity-related health risk significantly better than BMI when metabolic syndrome was taken as an outcome measure.

Other body fat measurements

An alternative way to determine obesity is to assess percent body fat. Doctors and scientists generally agree that men with more than 25% body fat and women with more than 30% body fat are obese. However, it is difficult to measure body fat precisely.
The most accepted method has been to weigh a person underwater, but underwater weighing is a procedure limited to laboratories with special equipment.
Two simpler methods for measuring body fat are the skin fold test, in which a pinch of skin is precisely measured to determine the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer; or bioelectrical impedance analysis, usually only carried out at specialist clinics. Their routine use is discouraged.

Other measurements of body fat include computed tomography (CT/CAT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/NMR), and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Risk factors and co morbidities

The presence of risk factors and diseases associated with obesity are also used to establish a clinical diagnosis. Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnoea are possible life-threatening risk factors that would indicate clinical treatment of obesity. Smoking, hypertension, age and family history are other risk factors that may indicate treatment.

Effects on health

Mortality

Mortality risk varies with BMI.
The lowest risk is found at a BMI of 22-24 kg/m2 and increases with changes in either direction.
A BMI of over 32 is associated with a doubling of risk of death.

Morbidity

A large number of medical conditions have been associated with obesity. Health consequences are categorised as being the result of either increased fat mass (osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnoea, social stigma) or increased number of fat cells (diabetes, some forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). There are alterations in the body's response to insulin (insulin resistance), a pro inflammatory state and an increased tendency to thrombosis (prothrombotic state).
Disease associations may be dependent or independent of the distribution of adipose tissue. Central obesity (male-type or waist-predominant obesity, characterised by a high waist-hip ratio), is an important risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, the clustering of a number of diseases and risk factors that heavily predispose for cardiovascular disease. These are diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels (combined hyperlipidemia).

Apart from metabolic syndrome, obesity is related to a variety of other complications. Some are directly caused by obesity well others are more indirectly related, such as sharing a common cause like poor diet or sedentary lifestyle.

Cardiovascular: congestive heart failure, enlarged heart and its associated arrhythmias and dizziness, varicose veins, and pulmonary embolism
Endocrine: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menstrual disorders, and infertility.
Gastrointestinal: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fatty liver disease, cholelithiasis (gallstones), hernia, and colorectal cancer
Renal and genitourinary: erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, chronic renal failure, hypogonadism (male), breast cancer (female), uterine cancer (female), stillbirth
Integument (skin and appendages): stretch marks, acanthosis nigricans, lymphedema, cellulitis, carbuncles, intertrigo
Musculoskeletal: hyperuricemia (which predisposes to gout), immobility, osteoarthritis, low back pain
Neurologic: stroke, meralgia paresthetica, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, dementia, idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Respiratory: obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, asthma
Psychological: Depression, low self esteem, body dysmorphic disorder, social stigmatization

Causes

Most researchers agree that a combination of excessive calorie consumption and a sedentary lifestyle are the primary causes of obesity in the majority of the population. Other less well established or minor influences include genetic causes, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and microbiological causes.

A 2006 review identifies ten other possibly under investigated causes for recently increasing rates of obesity:

(1) Insufficient sleep,

(2) Endocrine disruptors - food substances that interfere with lipid metabolism,

(3) decreased variability in ambient temperature,

(4) decreased rates of smoking, which suppresses appetite,

(5) increased use of medication that leads to weight gain,

(6) Increased distribution of ethnic and age groups that tend to be heavier,

(7) Pregnancy at a later age,

(8) Intrauterine and intergenerational effects,

(9) Positive natural selection of people with a higher BMI,

(10) Assortative mating, heavier people tending to form relationships with each other.

Dietary

Sedentary lifestyle

An increasingly sedentary lifestyle plays a significant role in obesity.
There has been a trend toward decreased physical activity due in part to increasingly mechanized forms of work,
Changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization.
Studies in children and adults have found an association between the number of hours of television watched and the prevalence of obesity.
Driving one's children to school also decreases the amount of exercise that these children get and has led to calls for reduced car use around schools.
An association between leisure time activity and obesity has been found.

Genetics

Like many other medical conditions, obesity is the result of interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms in various genes controlling appetite, metabolism, and adipokine release may predispose to obesity when sufficient calories are present. Obesity is a major feature in a number of rare genetic conditions: Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, MOMO syndrome, leptin receptor mutations, melanocortin receptor mutations. In a people with early-onset severe obesity (defined by an onset before ten years of age and body mass index over three standard deviations above normal),

Medical illness

Certain physical and mental illnesses and the pharmaceutical substances used to treat them can increase one's risk of obesity. Medical illnesses that increase obesity risk include several rare genetic syndromes (listed above) as well as some congenital or acquired conditions:

(1) Hypothyroidism,

(2) Cushing's syndrome,

(3) Growth hormone deficiency,

(4) Eating disorders such bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating.

Certain medications may cause weight gain and or negative changes in body composition, such as steroids, atypical antipsychotics, some fertility medication, insulin and sulfonylureas.

Microbiological

The role of bacteria colonizing the digestive tract in the development of obesity has recently become the subject of investigation. Bacteria participate in digestion (especially of fatty acids and polysaccharides), and alterations in the proportion of particular strains of bacteria may explain why certain people are more prone to weight gain than others. Human digestive tract bacteria are generally either member of the phyla of bacteroidetes or of firmicutes. In obese people, there is a relative abundance of firmicutes (which cause relatively high energy absorption), which is restored by weight loss. From these results it cannot be concluded whether this imbalance is the cause or effect of obesity.

Social determinants

The correlation between social class and BMI is inconsistent. Comparing net worth with BMI found obese Americanians approximately half as wealthy as thin ones. When income differentials were factored out, the inequity persisted. A tendency to rely on fast food is seen as one of the reasons why this result occurred. Another study found women who married into a higher social class are thinner than women who married into a lower social class.
Men from lower middle income households were less likely to be obese than were those in the highest income households and women from middle income households had the highest rates of obesity.
Cessation of smoking verse continued smoking can leads to weight gain. A study found that those who quit smoking gained 4-5 kilograms over ten years. One sixth of the rise in obesity in North Americans can be attributed to falling rates of smoking.

Treatment for obesity

Eating less and exercising more.
Diet programs -Healthy diet
Anti-obesity drug

Homeopathy medicines works well for Obesity

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Homeopathy Treatment

2011-07-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

Worries, doubts and superstitious beliefs are part of everyday life. However, when they become so excessive - such as hours of hand washing, or make no sense at all - such as driving round and round the locality to check that an accident hasn't occurred, an illness called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the likely cause. In OCD, it is as though the brain gets stuck on a particular thought or urge, and just can't let go. People with OCD often say the symptoms feel like a case of mental hiccups that won't go away.

What are obsessions?
Obsessions are thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again, and are beyond the person’s control. The person finds these ideas disturbing and intrusive, and does not want to have these thoughts – he/she tries to resist them, push them out of his/her mind. They usually recognize that these ideas don't really make sense - that they are absurd, irrational. People with OCD may worry excessively about dirt and germs, and be obsessed with the idea that they are contaminated or may contaminate others. Or they may have obsessive fears of having inadvertently harmed someone else (perhaps while pulling the car out of the driveway), even though they usually know this is not realistic. Obsessions are accompanied by uncomfortable feelings, such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a sensation that things have to be done in a way that is "just so".

Some common Obsessions:

Fear of dirt/germs
Imagining having harmed self or others
Imagining losing control or aggressive urges
Intrusive sexual thoughts or urges
Excessive religious or moral doubt
Forbidden / blasphemous thoughts
A need to have things "just so"
A need to tell/ask/confess
A need for constant reassurance

What are Compulsions?
People with OCD typically try to make their obsessions go away by performing compulsions. Compulsions are acts the person performs over and over again, often according to certain "rules." People with an obsession about contamination may wash constantly - to the point that their hands become raw and inflamed. A person may repeatedly check that she has turned off the stove or iron, because of an obsessive fear of burning the house down. She may have to count certain objects over and over, because of an obsession about losing them. Unlike compulsive drinking or gambling, OCD compulsions do not give the person pleasure. Rather, the rituals are performed to obtain relief from the discomfort caused by the obsessions.

Though compulsions usually take the form of acts, they can also take the form of thoughts, when such “good” thoughts make the distressing obsessions (the “bad” thoughts) go away. Such cognitive compulsions, as they are referred to, are “mental” actions, as different from “physical” ones. They include mental counting and compulsive visualization or substitution of mental images or ideas with neutralizing alternatives. A practical example would be a patient who feels compelled to silently repeat a string of words over and over on experiencing a negative or violent thought. The patient who feels compelled to mentally substitute the word ‘hell’ that pops up, either as a thought or mental image, with the word ‘well’ is another example.

Some common Compulsions:

Cleaning and grooming, such as washing hands, showering or brushing teeth over and over again
Checking drawers, door locks and appliances to be sure they are shut, locked or turned off
Repeating, such as going in and out of a door, sitting down and getting up from a chair, or touching certain objects several times
Ordering and arranging items in certain ways
Counting over and over to a certain number
Saving newspapers, mail or containers when they are no longer needed

Obsessions CAUSE distress - Compulsions RELIEVE distress

Not all Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors represent an illness. Some rituals (eg. bedtime songs, religious practices) are a welcome part of daily life. Normal worries, such as contamination fears, may increase during times of stress, such as when someone in the family is sick. Only when symptoms persist, make no sense, cause much distress, or interfere with functioning do they need clinical attention.

What causes obsessive-compulsive disorder?

There is no single, proven cause of OCD. Research suggests that OCD involves problems in communication between the front part of the brain (the orbital cortex) and deeper structures (the basal ganglia). These brain structures use the chemical messenger serotonin. It is believed that insufficient levels of serotonin are involved in the causation of OCD.
Drugs that increase the brain concentration of serotonin often help relieve OCD symptoms. Pictures of the brain at work also show that the brain circuits involved in OCD return toward normal in those who improve after taking a serotonin-enhancing medication.
Although it seems clear that reduced levels of serotonin play a role in OCD, there is no laboratory test for OCD. Rather, the diagnosis is made based on an assessment of the person's symptoms.
OCD is not caused by family problems or attitudes learned in childhood, such as an inordinate emphasis on cleanliness, or a belief that certain thoughts are dangerous or unacceptable.

Treatment
Left untreated, obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals can take over a person's life. Both can be reduced with treatment; the sooner a patient seeks psychologist help, the better.

Patients may experience relief in a couple of weeks. Most people achieve meaningful and long-term symptom relief with adequate treatment.

Homeopathy medicines works well in OCD

For those who suffer from OCD…

2011-07-20T04:45:00.000-07:00

Just to reassure you that you are not alone: the eminent evolutionist Charles Darwin suffered from OCD, as did Florence Nightingale, the nineteenth century pioneer of nursing and reformer of hospital sanitation methods. Perhaps most famous of all was aviation pioneer and Hollywood film mogul Howard Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the Martin Scorsese film The Aviator). More recently, Academy Award-winning writer, actor and director, Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade, Armageddon, The Alamo), has candidly discussed his battle with the disorder.

Peer Pressure ??? How to Handle it ???...

2011-07-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Your child is affected by peer pressure from the first time he or she plays with siblings or other children. Peer pressure, in general, is a good thing; learning to handle peer pressure is part of the process of "growing up". However, you may wish to shield your child from certain influences. You can't make peer pressure go away, but you can teach your child how to deal with it. Here are some ways...

Develop a good relationship

Ø The stronger your relationship is with your children, the less likely they are to follow bad examples

Teach your children to think when others try to get them to do something

Ø Your children should ask themselves questions like: Is it wrong? Why do they want me to do it? Is it illegal? Why am I tempted to go along? Am I afraid that they will laugh at me?

Teach your children to decide for themselves whether something is right or wrong, helpful or harmful

Ø Bring up examples of situations they may be in; then explore what might happen if they respond a certain way. Let them think about the consequences of their actions. If they have an uneasy feeling, something is probably wrong.

Sometimes children just need help getting away from a bad situation. Provide them with some responses they can use to resist peer pressure

Ø Encourage them to avoid giving an immediate "Yes" or "No" answer when friends want them to do something questionable. They can buy time to make a good decision by saying, "Maybe later" or "I'll wait and see" Let them use you as an excuse: "My mom will ground forever if I try that"

Practice situations with your children, trying various responses that they are comfortable saying

Ø Let them play themselves and the peer when you practice. Ask your child what gives him or her trouble when faced with a tough decision, and incorporate that in the practice. Use it to help your children build confidence in their ability to say "No"

Have your child practice the following steps to resist peer pressure:

Look at the person.
Use a calm voice.
Say clearly that you do not want to engage in that activity.
Suggest another activity. Give a reason.
If the person tries to convince you, keep saying "No"
Leave or ask the person to leave.

Psychological & Psychotherapy Counselling

2011-07-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Psychotherapy is a method of talking with a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist or professional counsellor. Many forms of psychotherapy can help people having difficulty in life, those who wish to make some kind of change in their personal or professional life, or people suffering from depression, anxiety or other serious mental health problems.

The recovery success rate for those with depression who combine psychotherapy with medication to control symptoms is more than 80 percent, according to some studies.

Although best in person, therapy is also provided on the phone, via e-mail, and online. Therapy can be held in one-on-one sessions, family or couple sessions, or in a group led by a trained counsellor.

Family therapy or couples therapy

Ø Family therapy includes discussion and problem-solving sessions with every member of the family. Some sessions are done as a group, in couples, or one on one. Family or couples therapy is helpful when one of the family member's physical or mental health is directly affecting family dynamics or the well-being of significant relationships. In therapy, interpersonal relationships shared among family members are examined and communication is strengthened. If a family member suffers from depression, the roles played by various family members in reinforcing the depression often are examined.

Group therapy

Ø In group therapy, a small group of people meet regularly to discuss individual issues and help each other with problems with the guidance of a trained therapist.

Different approaches to psychotherapy

Ø Psychotherapy is not limited to a particular type or technique. Many therapists are trained in several different approaches. They then combine techniques from these various approaches that fit their own style and personality and the needs of the patient.

Ø Medication may be used with psychotherapy. For many people, this is the best approach to treatment. People with moderate-to-severe depression typically do best with a combination of antidepressants and some form of psychotherapy.

Caution:- Children, teens and adults being treated with antidepressants, particularly anyone being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behaviour. Close watching may be especially important early in treatment or when the dose is changed - either increased or decreased. Bring up your concerns immediately with a doctor.

The following are the common types of therapy available:

Behaviour therapy

Ø Behaviour therapy, also called behaviour modification or behaviourism, sets up rewards and punishments to change thinking patterns and shape behaviour. Behavioural therapy can involve relaxation training, stress management, biofeedback and desensitization of phobias. Behavioural therapist’s help patients learn how to get more satisfaction and rewards through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioural patterns that contribute to, or result from, their problems.

Cognitive therapy

Ø Cognitive therapy seeks to identify and correct thinking patterns that can lead to troublesome feelings and behaviours. Beliefs and expectations are explored to identify how they shape a person's experiences. If a thought or belief is too rigid and causes problems, the therapist helps the client to modify his or her belief so that it is less extreme.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Ø Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) helps a person to recognize his or her own negative thought patterns and behaviours and to replace them with positive ones. Used both with and without medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy is the most popular and commonly used therapy for the treatment of depression. A major aim of CBT is to reduce anxiety and depression by eliminating beliefs or behaviours that help to maintain problematic emotions.

Ø CBT generally lasts about 12 weeks and may be conducted individually or in a group. There is evidence that the beneficial effects of CBT last longer than those of medication for people with panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress syndrome and social phobia.

Gestalt

Ø Gestalt is based on two ideas. In contrast to psychotherapy approaches which look at the unknown and even unknowable, gestalt therapists look at the here and now of living. The other idea is that we are caught in a web of relationship with all things. It is only possible to truly know ourselves as we exist in relation to other things. Behind this idea is the conviction that studying, describing and observing what is in this moment lets us fully understand ourselves.

Interpersonal therapy

Ø Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term therapy often used to treat depression. This treatment approach focuses on an individual's social relationships and how to improve social support. IPT therapy seeks to improve a person's relationship skills, working on communication more effectively, expressing emotions appropriately and being properly assertive in social and work situations. In depression, IPT helps patients learn how to deal more effectively with others to reduce conflict and gain support from family and friends. It is usually conducted, like cognitive-behavioural therapy, on an individual basis but also can be used in a group therapy setting.

Movement/dance/art/music therapy

Ø These methods include the use of movement, art or music to express emotions. This type of therapy is effective for those who have difficulty expressing feelings.

Phototherapy (light therapy)

Ø People who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that is related to the change of the seasons within their geographic location, may benefit from bright light phototherapy. Phototherapy uses special light bulbs, which are much brighter than ordinary lights and made for this purpose. A physician or therapist instructs the patient in how to use these high-intensity lights to improve symptoms of seasonal depression.

Psychoanalysis

Ø Also called psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy, this type of treatment helps a person look inside himself or herself to discover and understand emotional conflicts that may be contributing to emotional problems. The therapist (psychoanalyst) helps the client "uncover" unconscious motivations, unresolved problems from childhood and early patterns to resolve issues and to become aware of how those motivations influence present actions and feelings. This is a lengthy process, typically taking several years.

Ø There are different types of psychoanalysis, each with a different focus. Freudian psychoanalysis has been criticized because of its tendency to create long-term dependent relationships between the therapist and the client. Other types of psychoanalytically oriented therapy have become popular, such as Jungian therapy. Jungian therapy sessions focus more on the immediate situation and life problems than on the root of the problem to help individuals develop greater self-realization.

Ø Millions of Americans have found help changing some aspect of their life through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counselling. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or counsellor.

Ø The professional helps people gain insight into their feelings, change behaviours, resolve problems or learn how to deal with feelings like stress, grief, loss, fear and sadness. Talk therapy is sometimes combined with homework assignments between sessions. Therapy can be held one-on-one, with couples, families or even in groups.

How can psychotherapy help you?

Ø From time to time, we all experience situations where we can benefit from a trained professional. Psychotherapy is helpful with significant life changes, decisions that need to be made and difficulties at home or work.

Ø Talk therapy is also helpful for serious problems that interfere with day-to-day life, such as physical or mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one-third of adults in the United States have an emotional or substance abuse problem for which they need help. Also, nearly 25 percent of the adult population suffers at some point from depression or anxiety. Therapy can help depression, anxiety disorders and other emotional difficulties, either alone or in combination with medication.

The National Mental Health Association suggests psychotherapy for people when:

They feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of sadness and helplessness, and they lack hope in their lives.
Their emotional difficulties make it hard for them to function from day to day. For example, they are unable to concentrate on assignments and their job performance suffers as a result.
Their actions are harmful to themselves or to others. For instance, they drink too much alcohol and become overly aggressive.
They are troubled by emotional difficulties facing family members or close friends.
They are having problems with interpersonal relationships. Talk therapy brings concrete results for many people. Research shows emotional and physical healths are closely linked and that therapy can improve a person's overall health.

Therapy can effectively decrease depression and anxiety, and related symptoms such as pain, fatigue and nausea. More than 80 percent of people with depressive disorders improve when they receive appropriate treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Psychotherapy has also been found to increase survival time for heart surgery and cancer patients, and it can have a positive effect on the body's immune system.

What happens on your first visit?

Ø On your first visit, the mental health professional wants to get to know you and find out why you are interested in counselling. The therapist asks about your life, what you do, where you live, with whom you live and what you think the problem is. It is also common to be asked about your family and friends. This information helps the professional assess your situation and develop a plan for treatment. Psychotherapy is an active collaboration between therapist and client. It isn't always easy. But people willing to work in close partnership with their therapist often find relief from their emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

Ø If you don't feel comfortable with your therapist, talk about your feelings at your next meeting. Don't be afraid to change to another therapist. Feeling comfortable with the professional you choose and the style of therapy is important to the success of your treatment.

Ø When you are feeling troubled or wish to make some kind of change in your personal or professional life, seek counselling from a trained mental health professional.

Ø Usually a therapist has an area, or areas, of specialty, such as substance abuse, depression, traumatic stress, women's issues or men's issues. The type or technique of counselling that a therapist provides also can vary.

Ø Most therapists are trained in several different approaches. They then combine techniques from these various approaches that fit their own style and personality. There are also various formats in which therapy may be held -- including individual, group and family psychotherapy.

How to find a therapist

Ø Finding a qualified professional who is the right one for you may require some research. Often it is a good idea to first describe the symptoms and/or problems to your family physician or clergy. He or she can suggest the type of mental health professional that you should call.

Ø Before making an appointment, find out about the therapist's experience with your particular problem. Make sure you feel comfortable with the therapist's qualifications and technique of therapy before you begin treatment.

Ø Selecting a therapist is a highly personal matter. A professional who works well with one individual may not be a good choice for another person.

Types of mental health professionals

Psychiatrist

Ø A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. Like other doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication.

Ø Child/adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioural problems in children.

Psychologist

Ø A psychologist is a counsellor with an advanced degree from an accredited graduate program in psychology, and two or more years of supervised work experience. Most states require a doctoral degree and a state license for psychologists. Psychologists are trained to make diagnoses, administer psychological testing, and provide individual and group therapy. Psychologist also consider as a Marital and family therapist. A therapist who provides marriage or family therapy with special education and training in marital and family therapy. These therapists are trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counselling specific to family and couples issues.

Some definitions

Adjustment disorders

Ø A type of condition with emotional or behavioural symptoms that occur in response to identifiable stress in a person's life.

Affective disorder (also called mood disorder)

Ø A category of mental health problems that includes a disturbance in mood, usually profound sadness or apathy, euphoria or irritability, such as the disorder depression.

Agoraphobia

Ø A Greek word that literally means "fear of the marketplace." This anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of open, public places or of being in crowds. Agoraphobics often experience panic attacks in a place or situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing.

Amnestic disorder (also called amnesia)

Ø A brain disorder marked by memory impairment.

Anger

Ø The experience of intense annoyance that inspires hostile and aggressive thoughts and actions.

Anorexia nervosa (also called anorexia)

Ø An eating disorder characterized by low body weight, a distorted body image, an extreme aversion to food and an intense fear of gaining weight.

Antidepressants

Ø Medications that treat depression, as well as other psychiatric disorders.

Ø Caution:- Children, teens and adults being treated with antidepressants, particularly anyone being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behaviour. Close watching may be especially important early in treatment or when the dose is changed - either increased or decreased. Bring up your concerns immediately with a doctor.

Antisocial personality disorder

Ø A disorder characterized by a disregard for the feelings, property, authority and respect of others, for an individual's own personal gain. This may include violent or aggressive destructive actions toward other people, without a sense or remorse or guilt.

Anxiety

Ø A feeling of unease and fear of impending danger characterized by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling and feelings of stress. In contrast to fear, the danger or threat in anxiety is imagined, not real.

Anxiety disorders

Ø Conditions characterized by high levels of anxiety. Currently five different anxiety disorders are recognized: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and social phobia.

Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Ø A behaviour disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and, in some cases hyperactivity.

Autistic disorder (also called autism)

Ø A neurological and developmental disorder that usually appears during the first three years of life. A child with autism appears to live in his/her own world, demonstrating little interest in others and a lack of social awareness. The focus of an autistic child is a consistent routine and includes an interest in repeating odd and peculiar behaviours. Autistic children often have problems in communication, avoid eye contact and show limited attachment to others.

Avoidant personality disorder

Ø People with avoidant personality disorder avoid situations with any potential for conflict or rejection and are disturbed by their own social isolation, withdrawal and inability to form close, interpersonal relationships.

Behavioural therapy

Ø A form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying observable problematic behaviours by manipulating the individual's environment.

Binge eating disorder

Ø A disorder that resembles bulimia nervosa and is characterized by episodes of excessive overeating (or bingeing). It differs from bulimia, because sufferers do not purge their bodies of the excess food, via vomiting, laxative abuse or diuretic abuse.

Bingeing

Ø A destructive pattern of excessive overeating.

Bipolar disorder

Ø A mood disorder (formerly called manic-depressive disorder) that is characterized by episodes of major depression and mania.

Borderline personality disorder

Ø People with this disorder present instability in their perceptions of themselves, and have difficulty maintaining stable relationships. Moods may also be inconsistent, but never neutral -- their sense of reality is always seen in "black and white." Adults with borderline personality disorder often seek caretaking through the manipulation of others, leaving them often feeling empty, angry and abandoned, which may lead to desperate and impulsive behaviour.

Bulimia nervosa (also called bulimia)

Ø A condition characterized by binge eating followed by extreme measures to undo the binge (often vomiting).

Child and adolescent psychiatrist

Ø Licensed physicians who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Chronic

Ø A term used to describe long-term persistence. In some mental health disorders, chronic is specified as persisting for six months or longer.

Claustrophobia

Ø A fear of enclosed spaces.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Ø A method of treating psychiatric disorders based on the idea that the way we think about the world and ourselves (our cognitions) affects our emotions and behaviour.

Cognitive disorders

Ø The class of disorders consisting of significant impairment of cognition or memory that represents a marked deterioration from a previous level of functioning.

Cognitive therapy

Ø A method of treating psychiatric disorders that focuses on revising a person's thinking, perceptions, attitudes and beliefs.

Compartmentalization

Ø A process of separating parts of the self from awareness of other parts and behaving as if one had separate sets of values. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Compensation

Ø A process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived weaknesses by emphasizing strength in other arenas. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Compulsion

Ø An uncontrollable, repetitive and unwanted urge to perform an act. A compulsive act is a defence against unacceptable ideas and desires, and failure to perform the act leads to anxiety.

Compulsive overeating

Ø A tendency toward binging on large amounts of food, followed by extreme guilt.

Cyclothymia

Ø A mood disorder of at least two years' duration viewed as a mild variant of bipolar disorder. Cyclothymia is characterized by numerous periods of mild depressive symptoms not sufficient in duration or severity to meet the criteria for major depression interspersed with periods of hypomania.

Delirium

Ø A condition in which changes in cognition, including a disturbance in consciousness, occur over a relatively short period of time.

Delusions

Ø Beliefs such as delusions of grandeur that are thought to be true by the person having them, but these beliefs are wrong. People with delusions cannot be convinced that their beliefs are incorrect.

Dementia

Ø A group of mental disorders involving a general loss of intellectual abilities, including memory, judgment and abstract thinking. Dementias may be associated with poor impulse control and personality changes.

Denial

Ø The refusal to accept reality and to act as if a painful event, thought or feeling did not exist.

Dependent personality disorder

Ø People with this disorder rely heavily on others for validation and fulfilment of basic needs. They often lack self-confidence, have difficulty making decisions and are unable to properly care for themselves.

Depression

Ø A mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, worthlessness, withdrawal from social interaction, and sleep and eating disturbances.

Diagnosis

Ø The determination by a health care professional of the cause of a person's problems, usually by identifying both the disease process and the agent responsible.

Displacement

Ø The redirecting of thoughts, feelings and impulses from a source that causes anxiety to a safer, more acceptable one.

Dyslexia

Ø A reading disorder. A child with dyslexia reads below the expected level given his/her age, school grade and intelligence.

Dysthymia (also known as dysthymic disorder)

Ø A mood disorder characterized by chronic mildly depressed or irritable mood often accompanied by a loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities that is present most of the time for at least two years. Many people with dysthymia experience major depressive episodes at times.

Eating disorders

Ø Disorders characterized by abnormal eating behaviours and a distorted body image.

Electroconvulsive therapy

Ø A treatment method usually reserved for very severe or psychotic depressions or manic states that often are not responsive to medication treatment. A low-voltage alternating electric current is sent to the brain on an anesthetized patient to induce a convulsion or seizure, which has a therapeutic effect.

Endorphins

Ø Chemicals in the brain that influence moods and the experience of pain.

Euphoria

Ø A feeling of elation that is not based on reality and is commonly exaggerated.

Factitious disorders

Ø Conditions in which physical and/or psychological symptoms are fabricated in order to place an individual in the role of a patient or sick person in need of help.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Ø A psychiatric condition in which the main symptoms are chronic worry and fear that seems to have no real cause. There may be many associated physical reactions, such as trembling, jitteriness, sweating, light-headedness and irritability.

Hallucinations

Ø A strong perception of an event or object when no such situation is present; may occur in any of the senses (i.e., visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory or tactile).

Histrionic personality disorder

Ø People with this disorder are overly conscious of their appearance, are constantly seeking attention, exaggerate emotions and often behave dramatically.

Hostility

Ø The disposition to inflict harm on another person and/or the actual infliction of harm, either physically or emotionally.

Hyperventilation

Ø Abnormally deep or rapid breathing, often seen when someone is anxious.

Hypomania

Ø An episode of illness that resembles mania, but is less intense and less disabling. Hypomania is characterized by a euphoric mood, unrealistic optimism, increased speech and activity, and a decreased need for sleep.

Identity

Ø Self-knowledge about one's characteristics or personality. A sense of self.

Illusions

Ø A false perception; the mistaking of something for what is not.

Impulse-control disorders

Ø Disorders characterized by the inability to inhibit impulses that might be harmful to oneself or others.

Insomnia

Ø Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep when one has the opportunity to be sleeping.

Interpersonal therapy

Ø A form of psychotherapy that focuses on a patient's interpersonal relationships; it may be used to treat depression.

Kleptomania

Ø A pathological compulsion or impulse to steal.

Learning disorder

Ø When a child's academic ability is below what is expected for the child's age, schooling and level of intelligence. A learning difficulty is usually identified in reading, math or writing.

Lethargy

Ø A feeling of tiredness, drowsiness or lack of energy.

Maintenance treatment

Ø Treatment to prevent a new mood episode, such as depression, mania or hypomania.

Major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression)

Ø A major mood disorder characterized by one or more (recurrent) episodes of major depression, with or without full recovery between episodes.

Mania

Ø An episode usually seen in the course of bipolar disorder characterized by a marked increase in energy, extreme elation, impulsivity, irritability, rapid speech, nervousness, distractibility and/or poor judgment. During manic episodes, some people also experience hallucinations or delusions.

Manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder)

Ø Classified as a type of affective disorder (or mood disorder) that goes beyond the day's ordinary ups and downs. Manic depression is characterized by periodic episodes of extreme elation, elevated mood, or irritability (also called mania) countered by periodic, classic depressive symptoms.

Melancholy

Ø Symptoms usually found in severe major depressive episodes, including loss of pleasure, lethargy, weight loss and insomnia.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Ø Drugs used in the treatment of clinical depression. These substances decrease depressive symptoms by stopping an enzyme that breaks down the mood stimulating chemicals in the brain.

Mood disorder (also known as affective disorder)

Ø A category of mental health problems including a disturbance in mood, usually profound sadness or apathy, euphoria or irritability, such as the disorder major depression.

Narcissistic personality disorder

Ø People with this personality disorder have severely overly inflated feelings of self-worth, grandiosity and superiority over others.

Neurotransmitters

Ø In the brain, these chemicals transfer messages from one nerve cell to another and affect mood.

Norepinephrine

Ø A hormone that regulates blood pressure by causing blood vessels to narrow and the heart to beat faster. It also has a role in regulating mood.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Ø An anxiety disorder in which a person has an unreasonable thought, fear or worry that he/she may try to manage through ritualized activity. Frequently occurring disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals performed to try to prevent or dispel them are called compulsions. People with OCD often become uncomfortable in situations that are beyond their control and have difficulty maintaining positive, healthy interpersonal relationships as a result.

Panic disorder (also called panic attacks)

Ø An anxiety disorder characterized by chronic, repeated and unexpected intense periods of fear when there is no specific cause for the fear. In between panic attacks, people with panic disorder worry excessively about when and where the next attack may occur. Panic disorder may be accompanied by agoraphobia.

Paranoid personality disorder

Ø People with this disorder are often cold, distant and unable to form close, interpersonal relationships. Often overly suspicious of their surroundings, people with paranoid personality disorder generally cannot see their role in conflict situations and often project their feelings of paranoia as anger onto others.

Phobia

Ø An uncontrollable, irrational and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Ø A debilitating condition that is related to a past terrifying physical or emotional experience causing the person who survived the event to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories or flashbacks, of the ordeal. People with PTSD often feel chronically emotionally numb.

Prognosis

Ø The patient's chances for recovery; a medical assessment of the probable course and outcome of a disease, based on the recorded history of the disease, the physician's own experience of treating the disease, and the patient's general condition and age.

Projection

Ø The attribution of one's undesired impulses onto another. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Psychiatric nurse

Ø A nurse with special training in the treatment in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatrist

Ø A medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental, emotional or behavioural problems.

Psychodynamic therapy

Ø A branch of psychotherapy that deals with the psychology of mental or emotional forces or processes developed in early childhood and their effects on behaviour and mental states.

Psychologist

Ø A specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional problems. Because psychologists are not physicians, they cannot prescribe drugs. Their role with patients usually involves testing, counselling and psychotherapy.

Psychosocial

Ø Involving both psychological and social aspects or relating social conditions to mental health.

Psychotherapy

Ø The treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychological methods, such as talk therapy.

Purging

Ø People with bulimia engage in a destructive pattern of ridding their bodies of the excess calories (to control their weight) by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas and/or exercising obsessively -- a process called purging.

Pyromania

Ø A pathological compulsion to set fires.

Rage

Ø A state of intense emotional experience associated with uncontrolled destructive behaviour.

Reaction formation

Ø The converting of wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous into opposite thoughts. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Regression

Ø The reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of unacceptable impulses. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Relapse

Ø The recurrence of a disease after apparent recovery, or the return of symptoms after remission.

Remission

Ø A return to the asymptomatic state, usually accompanied by a return to the usual level of functioning.

Repression

Ø The blocking of unacceptable impulses from consciousness. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Schizoid personality disorder

Ø People with this disorder are often cold, distant, introverted and have an intense fear of intimacy and closeness. They are often so absorbed in their own thinking and daydreaming that they stay detached from others and reality.

Schizophrenia

Ø A complex mental health disorder involving a severe, chronic and disabling disturbance of the brain. The symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Ø A mood disorder characterized by depression related to a certain season of the year -- especially winter.

Sedatives

Ø A group of drugs used to produce sedation (calmness). Sedatives include sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Ø A commonly prescribed class of drugs for treating depression. SSRIs work by stopping the reuptake of serotonin, an action that allows more serotonin to be available to be taken up by other nerves.

Caution:-The SSRI Paxil may increase the risk for birth defects, particularly heart defects, when women take it during the first three months of pregnancy, according to a 2005 advisory from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is waiting for the results of recent studies to better understand the higher risk. Discuss with your doctor about the health risks of Paxil if you plan to become pregnant or are in the first three months of pregnancy. You may want to consider taking a different antidepressant. Do not stop taking the drug without first talking to your doctor.

Serotonin

Ø A chemical that transmits nerve impulses in the brain (neurotransmitter) causes blood vessels to narrow at sites of bleeding and stimulates smooth muscle movement in the intestines. It is thought to be involved in controlling states of consciousness and mood.

Serotonin and norenpinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Ø A commonly prescribed class of drugs for treating depression, which work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, an action that allows serotonin and norepinephrine to be available to be taken up by other nerves.

Self-esteem

Ø Feelings about one's self.

Social phobia

Ø An anxiety disorder in which a person has significant anxiety and discomfort related to a fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, or scorned by others in social or performance situations.

Somatisation disorder

Ø A chronic disorder characterized by multiple, often long-standing physical complaints such as aches and pains.

Specific phobia

Ø A type of phobia characterized by extreme fear of an object or situation that is not harmful under normal conditions.

Sublimation

Ø The channelling of unacceptable impulses into more acceptable outlets. This is considered a defence mechanism.

Suicidal behaviour

Ø Actions taken by one who is considering or preparing to cause their own death.

Suicidal ideation

Ø Thoughts of suicide or wanting to take one's life.

Suicide

Ø The intentional taking of one's life.

Suicide attempt

Ø An act focused on taking one's life that is unsuccessful in causing death.

Supportive therapy

Ø Psychotherapy that focuses on the management and resolution of current difficulties and life decisions using the individual's strengths and available resources.

Symptom breakthrough

Ø The return of symptoms in the course of either the continuation or maintenance phase treatment.

Tourette's syndrome

Ø A tic disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds. This disorder usually begins during childhood or early adolescence.

Tricotillomania

Ø Recurrent hair pulling resulting in significant hair loss with a motivation of self-gratification or tension release.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Ø Drugs used in the treatment of clinical depression. Tricyclic refers to the presence of three rings in the chemical structure of these drugs.

Vegetative symptoms

Ø A group of symptoms that refer to sleep, appetite and/or weight regulation.

Managing Family Conflicts

Ø Conflict is present in almost every family at one time or another. It's a part of any relationship.

Ø Some families may be more prone to conflict. Poor communication can lead to problems. Family members may also "take sides," which can create deeper splits in the household.

Many events can create friction or add to it. A family may have trouble making adjustments after changes or differences involving:

The birth of a baby
Unemployment of one spouse
Financial debt
Problems with in-laws
Trying to juggle busy activity schedules
A serious illness of a family member
Separation, divorce or becoming a stepparent

If you try to ignore issues that arise, you can make things worse. Plus, if parents manage their conflicts poorly, it raises the risk that the children will have behaviour problems.

Moving forward
Whatever the cause of the disagreement, the key is to move forward with respect and understanding. Arguments can be productive if you keep them under control. Replace yelling with calm voices. No name-calling should be allowed. Explore alternative solutions and find one that is agreeable to everyone. Otherwise, the ongoing stress may affect your health and well-being.

The first step toward resolution is to decide you want to work things out in your family. Keep these tips in mind:

Face the issues. Explore any underlying fears if you are avoiding a conflict. Find a proper way to convey your feelings and needs. Don't transfer your own past hurts and losses into the current conflict.
Take time-outs. Its okay to feel angry, but stay in control over how you display and handle your anger. If you start to feel out of control, take a time-out. Cool down and think through the situation and your actions. Remember, though, that a time-out is a chance to calm down and think about the conflict - not to exit the relationship.
Develop greater self-awareness. If you often fight about the same thing, take a look at the root causes. Think deeply about why you and your spouse, child or siblings are arguing about these matters. Accept your part in any conflict, and be responsible for your own actions.
Know your bottom line. Think about what you will and won't negotiate. Ask yourself:

"If I give in, am I compromising my principles?"
"Am I being overly rigid or righteous?"

Hold family meetings. This can help each family member understand how others are feeling and thinking on different issues. You can use these meetings to make decisions and resolve conflicts.
Take advantage of outside resources, such as:

Support groups
Financial or legal counsellors
Mediators
Parenting classes
Marriage enrichment workshops
Individual, couple or family counsellors

It may take some trial and error to learn how to address and manage conflicts in a healthy way. Once you do, though, it can bring your family closer together.

Online & Phone Counselling

You can get the Family & Marriage Counselling through online as well as phone.

If you want to get online counselling means Please mail your problem to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com, we will respond you about the online treatment procedures through mail.

If you need phone counselling means please Send SMS ( Your name, age, sex, place and problem in single line ) to +91 97869 01830, we will fix appointment time for you and contact us at said time

Professional Secrecy will be strictly maintained

For Direct Consultation

Please Visit

Vivekanantha Homoeo Clinic & Psychological Counselling Centre

Dr.D.Senthil Kumar, B.H.M.S., M.D(Alt Med)., M.Phil(Psy)

Consulting Homoeopath & Psychologist

Chennai Camp

(Consultation by Appointment only)

Every Sunday: - 11.00 am to 04.00 pm

Sri Chakra Flats

No.54-F3 vijaya nagar 3rd Main road

Velachery

Chennai-42

(Nearby Vijayanagar Bus Terminus)

NB:-

Ø We are taking only minimum number of patients per day.

Ø We are allotting 40 to 5o minutes for new patients & 15 to 20 minutes for follow-ups.

Ø So be there at time to avoid unwanted waiting

Ø For Psychological consultation “we concentrate more to client’s privacy, so we are allotting 40 to 50 minutes/client – so be there at time”

For Appointment

Please call: 09443054168, 09786901830

For Foreign patients & Online Treatment

For more detail and mode of payment

Send mail to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com

Call +91 9443054168, +91 9786901830

Main Clinic

Vivekanantha Homoeo Clinic & Psychological Counselling Center

No.8.Rajaji Salai (Near Valli Villas Jewellery),

Panruti-607106,

Cuddalore district,

Tamil nadu,

India

Timings

Monday to Saturday

10.30 am to 12.45 pm & 05.30 pm to 9.00 pm

For Appointment

Please call: 09443054168, 09786901830

(Sunday Consultation by Appointment only)

http://homeoall.com/

Professional secrecy will be maintained

(Your complaints and other Details should be kept very confidential)