Author ´s Foreword

When I first came into contact with the word "Codependent" over a decade ago, I did not think that the word had anything to do with me personally. At that time I heard the word used only in reference to someone who was involved with an Alcoholic - and since I was a Recovering Alcoholic, I obviously could not be Codependent.

I paid only slightly more attention to the Adult Children of Alcoholics Syndrome, not because it applied to me personally - I was not from an Alcoholic family - but because many people whom I knew obviously fit the symptoms of that syndrome. It never occurred to me to wonder if the Adult Child Syndrome and Codependence were related.

As my Recovery from Alcoholism progressed, however, I began to realize that just being clean and sober was not enough. I started to look for some other answers. By that time the conception of the Adult Child Syndrome had expanded beyond just pertaining to Alcoholic families. I started to realize that, although my family of origin had not been Alcoholic, it had indeed been dysfunctional.

I had gone to work in the Alcoholism Recovery field by this time and was confronted daily with the symptoms of Codependence and Adult Child Syndrome. I recognized that the definition of Codependence was also expanding. As I continued my personal Recovery, and continued to be involved in helping others with their Recovery, I was constantly looking for new information. In reading the latest books and attending workshops, I could see a pattern emerging in the expansion of the terms "Codependent" and "Adult Child." I realized that these terms were describing the same phenomenon.

I was troubled, however, by the fact that every book I read, and every expert with whom I came into contact defined "Codependence" differently. I began to try to discover, for my own personal benefit, one all-encompassing definition.

This search led me to examine the phenomenon in an increasingly larger context. I began to look at the dysfunctional nature of society, and then expanded farther into looking at other societies. And finally to the human condition itself. The result of that examination is this book: Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls, A Cosmic Perspective on Codependence and the Human Condition.


continue story below

This book is based upon a talk that I have been giving for the last few years. I have edited and reorganized, expanded, added, and clarified information in adapting the talk to book form, but there is still the flavor and style of a talk throughout much of this book. I have not attempted to change this for several reasons, the main reason being that it works in conveying the multi-leveled message that I wish to communicate.

One of the reasons for the human dilemma, for the confusion that humans have felt about the meaning and purpose of life, is that more than one level of reality comes into play in the experience of being human. Trying to apply the Truth of one level to the experience of another has caused humans to become very confused and twisted in our perspective of the human experience. It is kind of like the difference between playing the one-dimensional chess that we are familiar with, and the three-dimensional chess played by the characters of Star Trek - they are two completely different games.

That is the human dilemma - we have been playing the game with the wrong set of rules. With rules that do not work. With rules that are dysfunctional.

I was terrified beyond description the first time I gave this talk in June of 1991. It seemed as if emotional memories of what it felt like to be stoned to death by an angry mob were assaulting my being. I went ahead with it anyway, because it is what I needed to do for myself. I needed to stand up in public and own my Truth. I needed to own the Truth that I had come to believe in, the Truth that worked for me to allow me to find some happiness, peace, and Joy in my life. I found that other people found Joy and peace in my message also.

So now I share this message with you, the reader of this book, in the hopes that it will help you to remember the Truth of who you are, and why you are here. This information is not meant to be absolute or the final word - it is meant as an alternative perspective for you to consider. A Cosmic Perspective that just might help to make life an easier, more enjoyable experience for you.

next: Links

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Author ´s Foreword, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/relationships/joy2meu/authoras-foreword

Last Updated: August 7, 2014

Sugar Sensitivity Test Rates Tolerance to Carbohydrates

Are you sensitivite to sugar? Take this sugar sensitivity test and find out. Rates your tolerance to carbohydrates - sensitivity to sugar.

Determining Your Sensitivity to Sugar and Eating Habits

Directions: If the statement applies to you, put the number of points (in the parenthesis) on the line. When you are done, add the points and look at the key below for what the total means.

(5) _____ I have a tendency to higher blood pressure.

(5) _____ I gain weight easily, especially around my waist and have difficulty losing it.

(5) _____ I often experience mental confusion.

(5) _____ I often experience fatigue and generalized weakness.

(10) ____ I have diabetic tendecies.

(4) _____ I get tired and/or hungry in the mid-afternoon.

(5) _____ About an hour or two after eating a full meal that includes dessert, I want more of the dessert.

(3) _____ It is harder for me to control my eating for the rest of the day if I have a breakfast containing carbohydrates, than it would be if I had only coffee or nothing at all.

(4) _____ When I want to lose weight, I find it easier not to eat for most of the day than to try to at several small diet meals.

(3) _____ Once I start eating sweets, starches, or snack foods, I often have a difficult time stopping.

(3) _____ I would rather have an ordinary meal that included dessert than a gourmet meal that did not include dessert.

(5) _____ After finishing a full meal, I sometimes feel as if I could go back and eat the whole meal again.

(3) _____ A meal of only meat and vegetables leaves me feeling unsatisfied.

(3) _____ If I'm feeling down, a snack of cake or cookies makes me feel better.

(3) _____ If potatoes, bread, pasta, or dessert are on the table, I will often skip eating vegetables or salad.

(4) _____ I get a sleepy, almost "drugged" feeling after eating a large meal containing bread or pasta or potatoes and dessert, whereas I feel more energetic after a meal of only meat or fish and salad.

(3) _____ I have a hard time going to sleep at times without a bedtime snack.

(3) _____ At times I wake in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep unless I eat something.

(5) _____ I get irritable if I miss a meal or mealtime is delayed

(2) _____ At a restaurant, I almost always eat too much bread, even before the meal is served.

Total _______


 


KEY:

A score of 20 or less indicates that you are a person who can do well on low fat / high complex carbohydrates diet, and might do well as a vegetarian, or on a Pritikin type or Ornish type diet. These diets are approx. 10% to 15% fat, 15% to 20% proteins, and 65% to 75% carbohydrates by calories. *

Those of you with scores of greater than 25 need diets lower in simple sugars, like sweets, alcohol and starches, but higher in protein and fats. * The higher your score, the more fastidious you should be regarding your protein to carbohydrate ratios at each meal and the more important the following tests. The "Zone Diet" of 40% complex carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat is a good example of the diet you might follow. Indeed, the Zone Diet is also known as the 40-30-30 Diet.

Those with very high scores may do well to consider high protein, moderate fat, low carb strategies like the Atkin's Diet, Dr Eades Protein Power, and Crayhon's "Carnitine Miracle" Caveman Diet.

Regular exercise is also a vital component in any program to optimize blood sugar control.

The higher your score, the more at risk you are for the all too common dysglycemias: hypo-glycemia, Syndrome X**, and adult onset diabetes, a major disease of aging. Having your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides checked in a "cardiac risk profile" blood test is a good idea then, as high blood pressure and high blood lipids is a sign of Syndrome X. Having your doctor test your blood sugar and insulin level via a two hour post-prandial glucose challenge is indicated as well with the higher scores if middle aged or older.

Those with higher scores might do well to take the "Adrenal Stress Index" salivary hormone test by ZRT Labs. This is the Two Tube Test Kit to measure morning and evening cortisol and a Two Test Kit to measure progesterone and DHEA. See the RX Learning Channel article, "Stress, The Ultimate Ager" for more information. Abnormal patterns of DHEA to cortisol are common with dysglycemias. Correcting such a pattern first is a good place to start.

Important: Middle aged and older apple shaped females who carry fat in their upper torso and arms and score higher on the above insulinogenic scale, particularly women who suffer adult acne and facial hair, are showing strong signs of dysglycemias. Dysglycemias tend to shunt DHEA into testosterone over estrogen, resulting in a high testosterone to estrogen ratio, sometimes even leading to polycystic ovary syndrome. Therefore, the enhancing of the androgens, i.e., DHEA, androstenes and testosterone should be avoided until salivary tests show them not to be too high. 7-KetoDHEA (7-KetoLean) is the choice for weight loss in these cases. See the RxShopping Channel for more info.

To restore hormonal balance the following guidelines are offered:

  1. Follow the basic instructions suggested in from Vol. 1, lesson 1 article, "How to Enhance the Effectiveness of Hgh". This includes good diet, exercise, supplementing with MultiWellness without Iron at six / day, and enhancing HGH w/ Hgh Plus if over 40.
  2. Strongly consider low to low moderate carbohydrate diets and low glycemic diets like the Zone or 40-30--30 diet and the Atkin's diet. Links are in the RxResources Channel. Books are in the Wellness Community bookstore.
  3. Use a low glycemic sweetener like Agave Nectar.
  4. Measure your hormones via saliva tests as suggested above, that is the adrenal stress index, restoring hormone balance as in dictated by the results.
  5. Have your doctor consider performing cardiac profile and post-prandial blood sugar and insulin tests.
    IF hyper-glycemia and or hyper-insulinemia are found, and or you score high on the Syndrome X Survey, consider supplementing with:
    • Insulin Wellness( Niacin, chromium, zinc, magnesium and vanadyl sulfate, AKG and ginseng),
    • EPA-DHA Complex (fish oils), ground flax seed, and
    • Alpha-Lipoic acid

    These products are intended to enhance insulin sensitively and/or provide the extra anti-oxidant activity necessitated by the dysglycemias.

  6. 6 If diabetic, consider adding to the above Glucose Wellness. These are herbs and nutrients that greatly support a normal blood sugar. Glucose Wellness is so effective in restoring insulin sensitivity that you must be careful not to go into insulin shock if you take insulin! +++ Even though Glucose Wellness is a totally natural product, please inform your doctor of your plans before proceeding +++.

* These fats should consist of no more than 1/3 saturated fats. A variety of small amounts of ground or well-chewed nuts and seeds are the best source of fats, generally speaking, as are the cold water fish as well.

** Syndrome X signs includes HBP, high blood lipids with poor HDL/LDL ratio's, poor lean body mass, and hyper-insulinemia, or insulin resistance/insensitivity.

back to: Alternative Mental Health Homepage

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Sugar Sensitivity Test Rates Tolerance to Carbohydrates, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/alternative-mental-health/main/sugar-sensitivity-test-rates-tolerance-to-carbohydrates

Last Updated: November 23, 2016

Skullcap

Skullcap is an alternative mental health herbal remedy for anxiety, nervous tension and convulsions. Learn about the usage, dosage, side-effects of Skullcap.

Skullcap is an alternative mental health herbal remedy for anxiety, nervous tension and convulsions. Learn about the usage, dosage, side-effects of Skullcap.

Botanical Name:Scutellaria lateriflora
Common Names:Mad-dog skullcap, scullcap

Overview

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is native to North America, but is now widely cultivated in Europe and other areas of the world. It has been used for over two hundred years as a mild relaxant and has long been hailed as an effective therapy for anxiety, nervous tension, and convulsions. Because of its calming effects on the nervous and musculoskeletal system, it was also at one time considered to be a remedy for rabies, thus it's name "mad dog weed."

Plant Description

Scutellaria lateriflora is one species of skullcap that is used in herbal preparations. The plant derives its name from the caplike appearance of the outer whorl of its small blue flowers. Skullcap is a slender, heavily branched plant that grows to a height of two to four feet and blooms each July.


 


Parts Used

The parts of the skullcap plant used for medicinal purposes are the leaves. These are harvested in June from a three- to four-year-old skullcap plant.

Medicinal Uses and Indications

While scientific studies have not been conducted on the medicinal properties of Scutellaria lateriflora, its current uses, based on traditional and clinical practice, include:

  • Treatment of muscle spasms
  • Calming of the nerves

It has also been used to treat symptoms associated with:

  • Tension headache
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Anxiety
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Restless leg syndrome and other causes of insomnia
  • Mild Tourette's syndrome (a disorder characterized by multiple motor and vocal tics)
  • Seizure disorders.

Chinese Skullcap
A closely related herb, Chinese skullcap (Scuterllaria baicalensis) has actually been the subject of a number of studies, including those on animals and people. It has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties, which can help treat allergies such as hay fever (called allergic rhinitis), particularly when used with other herbs, including stinging nettle.

Cancer
Chinese skullcap is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat tumors. Early laboratory studies investigating this traditional use are emerging and showing preliminary promise for combating bladder, liver, and other types of cancers, at least in test tubes.

In terms of clinical studies on people, skullcap is also one of the eight herbs that make up PC-SPES, an alternative treatment for prostate cancer. (It is important to note, however, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] recently issued a warning to consumers that PC SPES may contain undeclared prescription drug ingredients that could cause dangerous side effects.)

Other
Chinese laboratory research has isolated an element present in skullcap that may prove useful in treating hepatitis B and has suggested that the antioxidant properties of Chinese skullcap may prove beneficial for preventing heart disease or limiting the damage following a heart attack. Much more research needs to be done in these areas before conclusions can be drawn.

Available Forms

Skullcap is available as a powder or liquid extract.


How to Take It

Pediatric

Although not common, skullcap may be used for calmative purposes in children and administered as a mild tea. Use either prepackaged tea bags, letting it steep for approximately 2 minutes or add 1 tsp of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 2 minutes. (Shorter steeping time makes for milder strength teas).

The tea should be dosed according to the child's age and weight as follows:

  • Children 1 to 2 years (24 lb [11 kg] or less): ¼ cup one to three times per day
  • Children 3 to 6 years (25 to 48 lb [11 to 22 kg]): ½ cup one to four times per day
  • Children 7 to 11 years (49 to 95 lb [22 to 43 kg]): ¾ cup one to four times per day
  • Children 12 and older (over 95 lb [43 kg]): 1 cup one to four times per day

Adult

The following are recommended adult doses for skullcap:

  • Dried herb: 1 to 2 grams per day
  • Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb. Steep 20 to 30 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups per day.
  • Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 2 to 4 mL (40 to 120 drops), three times daily
  • Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2 to 5 mL (40 to 150 drops), three times per day

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.

There are mixed opinions as to the safety of skullcap because it has, in the past, been contaminated with Teucrium species, a group of plants known to cause liver problems. It is therefore important that skullcap be obtained from a reliable source.


 


Overdose of skullcap tincture produces giddiness, stupor, mental confusion, twitching, irregular heartbeat, and epileptic-like symptoms. Skullcap should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Possible Interactions

While there are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that skullcap interacts with any conventional medications, it does possess sedative properties. Therefore, skullcap should be used with caution, if at all, by those who are taking benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications) such as diazepam or alprazolam, barbiturates (medications often prescribed for sleep disorders or seizures) such as pentobarbital, or other sedative medications (including antihistamines).

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Supporting Research

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, Ore: Eclectic Medical; 1998:163.

Cauffield JS, Forbes HJ. Dietary supplements used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Lippincotts Prim Care Pract. 1999; 3(3):290-304.

Darzynkiewicz Z, Traganos F, Wu JM, Chen S. Chinese herbal mixture PC-SPES in treatment of prostate cancer (Review). Int J Oncol. 2000;17:729-736.

Fisher C. Nettles - an aid to the treatment of allergic rhinitis. European Journal of Herbal Medicine. 1997;3(2):34-35.

Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999:349-351.

Gao Z, Huang K, Xu H. Protective effects of flavonoids in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HS-SY5Y cells. Pharmacol Res. 2001;43(2):173-178.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Christof J. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:678-679.

Huang RL, Chen CC, Huang HL, Chang CG, Chen CF, Chang C, Hsieh MT. Anti-hepatitis B virus effects of wogonin isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. Planta Med. 2000;66(8):694-698.

Ikemoto S, Sugimura K, Yoshida N, et al. Antitumor effects of Scutellariae radix and its components baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin on bladder cancer cell lines. Urology. 2000;55(6):951-955.

Larrey D, Vial T, Pauwels A,et al. Hepatitis after germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) administration: another instance of herbal medicine toxicity. Ann Coll Physicians. 1992; 117: 129-132.

Miller LG, Murray WJ, eds. Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide. New York, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1998.

Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson J. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996: 239-240.

Shao ZH, Vanden Hoek TL, Qin Y, et al. Baicalein attenuates oxidant stress in cardiomyocytes. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2002;282(3):H999-H1006.

Watanabe S, Kitade Y, Maski T, Nishioba M, Satoh K, Nishino H. Effects of lycopene and Sho-saiko-to on hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model of sponstaneous liver cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2001;39(1):96-101

White L, Mavor S. Kids, Herbs, Health. Loveland, Colo: Interweave Press; 1998:22, 40-41.

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.

back to: Herbal Treatments Homepage

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Skullcap, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/alternative-mental-health/herbal-treatments/skullcap

Last Updated: July 8, 2016

Strattera Plus Stimulants for Treatment of ADHD

How Strattera and stimulants can be utilized in combination to extend duration of ADHD symptom relief without intolerable side effects.

Atomoxetine and Stimulants in Combination for Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Four Case Reports

Thomas E. Brown - Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

Thomas E. Brown. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2004, 14(1): 129-136. doi:10.1089/104454604773840571.

ABSTRACT

Atomoxetine and stimulants have both been demonstrated effective as single agents for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in some patients do not respond adequately to single-agent treatment with these medications, each of which is presumed to impact dopaininergic and noradrenergic networks by alternative mechanisms in different ratios. Four cases are presented to illustrate how atomoxetine and stimulants can be utilized effectively in combination to extend duration of symptom relief without intolerable side effects or to alleviate a wider range of impairing symptoms than either agent alone. This combined pharmacotherapy appears effective for some patients who do not respond adequately to monotherapy, but because there is virtually no research to establish safety and effectiveness of such strategies, careful monitoring is needed.

INTRODUCTION

Atomoxetine (ATX), a specific noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2002, is the first new medication approved for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in many years. In clinical trials including 3,264 children and 471 adults (D. Michelson, personal communication, September 15, 2003). ATX has been demonstrated to be safe and effective as a monotherapy for treatment of ADHD.

This new compound is quite different from stimulants, the long-established mainstay for treatment of ADHD. It has shown minimal risk of abuse and is not a schedule II agent; therefore, it can be prescribed with refills and distributed by physicians in samples. Unlike the stimulants that act primarily on the brain's dopamine (DA) system, ATX exerts its action primarily through the noradrenergic system of the brain.

Evidence suggests that there is an important role for both norepinephrine (NE) and DA systems in the pathophysiology of ADHD (Pliszka 2001). It appears that cognitive management systems of the brain can become dysregulated by either insufficiency of DA and/or NE in synapses or by excessive synaptic release of DA and/or NE (Arnsten 2001). There Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. is some consensus that DA and NE are centrally important in ADHD (Biederman and Spencer 1999), but relative importance of these two catecholamines in particular ADHD subtypes or in particular cases with or without specific comorbidities has not been established.

Although the stimulants methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine block reuptake of both NE and DA at their respective transporters, the primary mechanism of action of these stimulant medications widely used for ADHD is via the dopaminergic system of the brain (Grace 2001; Pliszka 2001; Solanto et al. 2001). Until ATX the primary noradrenergic medications for treatment of ADHD were the tricyclic antidepressants. These agents have been shown effective for treatment of ADHD, but risks of adverse cardiovascular effects have caused many clinicians to avoid theft use. Analysis of tricyclic antidepressant response profiles suggests that these agents more consistently improve behavioural symptoms of ADHD) than cognitive function as measured in neuropsychological testing (Biederman and Spencer 1999). In contrast, ATX has not shown elevated cardiovascular risks and has been shown effective for both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms of ADHD (Michelson et al 2001. 2002, 2003), although relative efficacy of ATX and stimulants on the two symptom sets has not yet been established.

The mechanism of action for ATX is more specific than that of the tricyclic antidepressants. It inhibits reuptake by the presynaptic NE transporter with minimal affinity for other noradrenergic transporters or receptors (Gehlert et al. 1993; Wong et al. 1982). This pattern of affinity might suggest that its therapeutic benefits derive exclusively from action on noradrenergic circuits, but the process may not be that simple. Preclinical work by Bymaster et al. (2002) and Lanau et al. (1997) suggests that noradrenergic agents such as ATX may act indirectly but potently on the DA system in addition to their recognized impact on noradrenergic receptors. It may be that both stimulants and ATX impact both dopaminergic and noradrenergic circuits in the brain, albeit in different ratios or sequences.

Given the complexity of ADHD and of the mechanisms of action in agents used to treat the disorder, it is likely that ADHD symptoms of some patients with respond to one ratio of noradrenergic versus dopaminergic intervention better than to another. For many patients, ATX or stimulants are quite effective as single agents for alleviating ADHD symptoms, yet some who suffer from ADHD impairments continue to experience significant problematic symptoms when treated with either a stimulant or ATX alone.

In cases where response obtained from a single agent is insufficient, the possibility of utilizing ATX and stimulants in combination may be considered. This combined treatment strategy is similar to the combination of MPH with fluoxetine reported by Gammon and Brown (1993), although that study focused exclusively on ADHD with comorbid symptoms. This report is concerned with treatment of core symptoms of ADHD alone as well as with the more commonly found cases of ADHD complicated by various comorbid symptoms (Brown 2000).

The following case reports describe patients carefully diagnosed with ADHD who did not respond adequately to treatment with a stimulant or ATX as a single agent. In some cases, ATX was added to an existing regimen of a stimulant; in others, a stimulant was added to a regimen of ATX. Each brief vignette describes the problematic symptoms, the regimen tried, and the patient's response. Possible indications for such combined treatment are described, and risks and benefits to such treatment strategies are discussed.




ATX ADDED TO STIMULANTS

Some patients with ADHD obtain a robust response from stimulants for most of their ADHD symptoms or for most of the day, but not for the full range of impairing symptoms or the full span of time needed.

Case I

Jimmy, an 8-year-old boy in second grade, had been diagnosed with ADHD-combined type while in kindergarten. He was doing well throughout the school day on OROS® MPH 27 mg q 7 a.m., but this dose wore off by 4p.m., leaving the boy restless, irritable, and severely oppositional for the ensuing 5 hours until his bedtime. During this time Jimmy was unable to focus on homework and often engaged in hostile interactions with playmates and family. He also was very irritable and oppositional every morning for about an hour until his OROS MPH had taken effect. In addition, Jimmy had chronic difficulty falling asleep, a longstanding problem that antedated his being on stimulant medication. Doses of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg immediate release MPH (MPH-IR) were tried at 3:30 p.m. to supplement the morning dose of OROS MPH. The 2.5- and 5-mg doses were ineffective; the 7.5-mg dose after school was helpful in alleviating Jimmy's irritability and oppositional behaviour after school and in the evening. This regimen had to be discontinued, however, because it left Jimmy with severely diminished appetite for afternoon and evening, a serious problem for this boy who was underweight. The 3:30 p.m. dose also exacerbated his chronic difficulty in falling asleep. Clonidine 0.1mg 1/2 tab q 3:30 p.m. and 1 tab hs was helpful in alleviating afternoon irritability and the difficulty failing asleep but did not help his impaired focus for homework or the serious problems with morning routine that were very stressful for the entire household.

Clonidine was discontinued, and a trial of ATX 18 mg qam was begun while continuing the OROS MPH. Jimmy's sleep problems improved markedly within a few days. His irritability and oppositionality improved slightly within a few days and significantly over the next 3 weeks after the dose of ATX had been increased to 36 mg at the end of the first week. In addition, after 3 weeks, parents reported that Jimmy was generally much less irritable upon awakening and much more cooperative with morning routines, even during the hour before his OROS MPH took effect. Patient has continued in this OROS MPH and ATX regimen for 4 months with continuing benefit and no adverse effects. Appetite is still somewhat problematic in the evening but much less so than during the treatment with an afternoon dose of MPH-IR.

This case highlights the usefulness of ATX for alleviating difficulties in falling asleep and for improving oppositional behaviour in late afternoon, early evening, and morning, times when the OROS MPH had either worn off or not yet taken effect. It was not clear whether ATX had enhanced positive effects of the MPH during daytime hours, but no negative effects were reported. The benefits of ATX were obtained without the adverse effects that accompanied the trials of MPH-IR administered after school.

Case 2

Jennifer, a 17-year-old high school junior had been diagnosed with ADFID, predominantly inattentive type, in ninth grade. She was treated initially with Adderall-XR® 20 mg administered q 6:30 a.m. as she left for school. Adderall-XR provided coverage only until about 4:30 p.m., which was sufficient for days when homework assignments were relatively light and could be done immediately after school.

At the outset of her junior year, Jennifer and her parents requested medication adjustments that would extend coverage into the evening. Because of part-time employment after school, Jennifer now had to do her homework in the evening. Also she was now driving herself to and from school, to and from her job, and to other activities. After she had a minor motor vehicle accident caused by her being inattentive, Jennifer and her parents decided it would be important for her to have medication coverage in the evening to help her with homework and to improve her attention when driving.

Jennifer's morning dose was maintained at 20 mg of Adderall-XR, and Adderall-IR 10 mg was added at 3:30 p.m. This provided coverage until about 10 p.m, but it caused Jennifer to feel extremely restless and anxious in late afternoon. These adverse effects were not alleviated by reducing the dose of Adderall-IR to 5 mg. Moreover, the lower dose of JR did not provide enough symptom control for Jennifer in the evening for homework, so she had to quit her after school job.

When ATX became available, Jennifer was started on ATX 18 mg qam for 1 week concurrent to the existing regimen of Adderall-XR 20 mg qam. After a couple of days of feeling somnolent on this combination, she reported no other adverse effects and some slight improvement in her ability to get homework done in the evening. ATX was increased to 40 mg qam. She experienced 2 days of somnolence on this increased dose, but this dissipated on the third day.

Over the next 3 weeks, Jennifer reported feeling calmer, more focused, and more alert throughout the day and into the evening until bedtime. For 5 months Jennifer and her parents have continued to report good control of her ADHD symptoms throughout the day and evening, with no adverse effects reported.

Jennifer was able to tolerate and benefit from the Adderall-XR given in the morning, but she did not respond well when a second dose of Adderall was given in the afternoon. The combination of Adderall-XR with Adderall-IR seemed to produce an accumulated level by late afternoon that caused her marked restlessness and anxiety The combination of Adderall-XR with ATX allowed better alleviation of ADHD symptoms throughout the day and into afternoon and evening. On this regimen, Jennifer did not feel anxious or restless and was able to do well during school, complete her homework in the evening, and resume her after school job. She also reported that she felt more focused when driving in the evening, at times when the stimulant would be expected to have lost effectiveness. Expanded duration of medication coverage, especially for evenings and weekends, for drivers with ADHD may provide important protection from elevated safety risks reported for drivers with this disorder (Barkley et al. 2002).




STIMULANTS ADDED TO ATX

Some patients with ADHD gain a positive response from treatment with ATX alone but continue to suffer with additional impairments that are highly problematic.

Case 3

Frank, a 14-year-old ninth grader, had been diagnosed with ADHD-combined type in seventh grade. He was tried on MPH at that time but did not respond well to doses of 10 or 15 mg tid. When the dose was increased to 20 mg tid, he experienced marked improvement in symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, but he refused to continue because this higher dose caused severe blunting of affect and anorexia. Subsequently he was tried on mixed salts of amphetamine and on OROS MPH. With all of these stimulants, the dose required to produce significant alleviation of ADHD symptoms caused the same intolerable side effects.

Frank was then tried on nortriptyline (NT) up to 80 mg hs. On this regimen his hyperactive and impulsive symptoms were markedly alleviated, but his inattention symptoms continued to be problematic. and he disliked the regimen because it caused him to feel that he had lost his "sparkle," a less severe blunting of affect than on stimulants, but still uncomfortable enough to make him reluctant to take the medication. Over 2 years, he had several episodes of interrupting his treatment with NT to avoid side effects, being frustrated by declining grades and behaviour problems, and then unhappily resuming treatment on the NT regimen.

Frank requested a trial of ATX immediately after it became available. His NT was discontinued, and he was started on 25 mg qam for 1 week, after which the dose was increased to 50 mg and then, 1 week later, to 80 mg qam. After minor gastrointestinal complaints and some somnolence in the first week, no adverse effects were reported. Frank initially reported no benefit, but after 3 weeks he noticed that he felt more calm throughout the day. His parents and teachers reported improved behaviour throughout the day, but they and Frank noted that he continued to show much difficulty in sustaining concentration for academic tasks.

In week 6, Frank's regimen of ATX 80 mg qam was divided into 40 mg bid and then augmented with OROS MPH 18 mg qam. He reported that this slightly improved his ability to remember what he had read and to focus on his schoolwork. At his request, the dose was increased to OROS MPH 27 mg qam with the ATX 40 mg bid. Frank has continued on this regimen for 4 months with no adverse effects.

He reports that on this regimen he feels "like my regular self," and his grades have improved in all subjects. Frank's intermittent disruption of his treatment with NT illustrates an important problem that commonly occurs, especially with adolescent patients. Uncomfortable side effects such as blunting of affect can significantly interfere with treatment compliance, even when the regimen significantly improves target symptoms. The combination of ATX and OROS MPH alleviated this problem that had threatened to totally disrupt Frank's treatment. This combined regimen developed in collaboration with Frank also resulted in better control of the wider range symptoms targeted for treatment.

Case 4

Six-year-old George was diagnosed with ADHD-combined type and oppositional defiant disorder after 3 months in full-day kindergarten. His teacher complained that George refused to follow directions and was unable to sustain attention to tasks. George's parents reported that over several years he had been increasingly oppositional at home, so much that they were unable to get any babysitter to return for a second time. He often fought with neighbourhood children and was argumentative and disrespectful to his parents and other adults. Parents also reported that since early childhood George had experienced chronic difficulty in falling asleep. Despite their efforts to calm him, he was unable to settle into sleep until 10 to 11:30 p.m.

George was started on ATX 18 mg qam. Initially he complained of stomach-ache, but this dissipated within a few days. Dose was increased to 36 mg qam after 1 week. After 2 weeks, parents reported that George had begun to settle down more easily in the evening and was falling asleep without much difficulty by 8:30 p.m. They also noted improvement in his compliance with morning routines and getting off to school. After 3 weeks, the teacher reported that George was more cooperative in following directions and had a better attitude with other children but noted that he still had much difficulty in sustaining attention to stories, play, or reading exercises.

In that the recommended ATX dosing limit for George's weight had been reached, a trial of Adderall-XR 5 mg qam was added to the ATX regimen. This improved George's behaviour further and increased his ability to sustain attention in school, but it also caused increased difficulty in falling asleep. The ATX dose was then split so that George received 18 mg ATX with the morning dose of stimulant and 18 mg ATX at dinnertime. This recaptured the improvement in sleep. George has continued on this regimen for 3 months, with marked improvement at home and school and no adverse effects. ATX was chosen as an initial intervention for George because it offered the possibility of addressing his severe problems in sleep as well as his very problematic oppositional behaviour and inattention using a single agent with relatively smooth coverage throughout the day.

ATX was quite helpful for George, but the teacher's reports of continuing inattention symptoms that were interfering with leaning highlighted the need for further intervention. A higher dose of ATX was not tried because a dose response study of ATX (Michelson et a!. 2001) did not show added benefit to doses above 1.2 mg/kg/day. At this point, the combination of ATX and stimulant every morning was tried. Splitting the dose of ATX provided a way to retain benefits of the stimulant while sustaining improved sleep.




RISKS OF COMBINING STIMULANTS WITH ATX

Stimulants and ATX have been subjected to extensive clinical testing that has demonstrated safety and efficacy in their use as single agents for treatment of ADHD. An enormous quantity of research and clinical experience has been accumulated with stimulants over the past 30 years. Most of this has been with elementary school children, but there is a sizable body of research on stimulants with adolescents and with adults as well. Greenhill et al. (1999) summarized studies including 5,899 individuals that have shown stimulants to be safe and effective for treatment of ADHD. ATX has not yet been tested for long in the wider population of patients treated outside the protective restrictions of clinical trials, but it has been demonstrated safe and effective in clinical trials involving over 3,700 individuals, a much larger sample than for other nonstimulant medications tried for ADHD. However, the substantial evidence of safety and effectiveness of ATX and stimulants as single agents does not establish satisfactory evidence of safety and benefits of using these agents together.

The combination of stimulants with ATX described in these cases has thus far been quite helpful in alleviating patients' ADHD symptoms without any recognized adverse effects. At present, however, there are virtually no research data to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of such combined treatments. The manufacturer of ATX has reported that tests of combined administration of MPH and ATX did not result in increased blood pressure, but not much more has been published about the use of these two medications together.

When more than two medications are used together, the potential for adverse effects is further increased. We had one 18-year-old high school student in whom a combination of three medications produced significant although transient adverse effects. This student's severe ADHD symptoms and moderate dysthymia had responded only partially to 1 year of treatment with OROS MPH 72 mg qam with fluoxetine 20 mg qam. When his continuing difficulties with inattention symptoms jeopardized his graduating from high school; ATX 80 mg was added to the existing regimen. After this regimen had been working well for 6 weeks, a taper down was begun to discontinue the fluoxetine. Before the taper down was completed, the boy reported an acute episode of headache and dizziness in school The school nurse found his blood pressure to be 149/100 mm Hg; previous baseline was consistently 110 / 70 mm Hg. All medications were discontinued until his pressure was restabilized for 2 weeks, at which time ATX was restarted followed by the OROS MPH a week later. The hypertensive episode apparently resulted from effects of the fluoxetine on metabolism of the ATX. This is evidence to support the warning from manufacturers of ATX that caution must be used when strong CYP2D6 inhibitors such as fluoxetine are used concurrent to ATX. The combination of ATX and OROS MPH was helpful and well tolerated by this patient after the fluoxetine had been fully washed out, a step that should have been taken prior to adding the ATX.

Lack of systematic research on use of ADHL) medications in combination is an example of a broader problem in psychopharmacology, particularly in child and adolescent psychopharmacological treatment. The practice of using medications in combination is increasingly widespread. Safer et al. (2003) recently reviewed clinical research and practice literature from 1996-2002 to assess frequency of concomitant psychotropics for youths- They reported that during 1997-1998 almost 25% of the representative physician office visits for youths in which a stimulant prescription was written were also associated with use of concomitant psychotropic medication. This was a fivefold increase over the rate in 1993-1994. Elevated rates for use of alternative combinations of medications to treat other psychiatric disorders in children were also found, usually to treat aggressive behaviour, insomnia, tics, depression, or bipolar disorder. Apparently, combined pharmacotherapy with children is increasing despite the lack of adequate research on the safety of such combinations.

Some might question why clinicians utilize a combined pharmacotherapy treatment before it has been fully evaluated in controlled trials. Usually the rationale is that apparent risks for a particular patient appear significantly less harmful than the likely risks of not providing such treatment and that there is potential of substantial benefit for a patient suffering significant impairment. The major problem with this approach is the dearth of adequate research to guide estimates of possible risks and benefits in the use of combined medication treatment. Similar uncertainties exist in many fields of medicine.

The cases described in this report reflect various problems that were not life threatening but were significantly impairing the learning, school achievement, family life, and/or social relationships of these patients in ways that had substantial negative impact on functioning and quality of life for the children and their families. Each derived some benefit from treatment with a single agent, but significant ADHD symptoms or related impairments persisted on the monotherapy regimen- In these cases, neither parents nor clinicians were engaged in a quixotic search for perfection; these children and families were suffering significantly from impairing symptoms inadequately alleviated by single-agent treatment.

In such cases, clinicians need to weigh carefully potential advantages and risks of accepting limited benefits obtained 1mm monotherapy versus the potential risks and benefits of utilizing combined agents. As Greenhill (2002) observed, "The individual practitioner must make key decisions when treating an individual patient, often without an authoritative answer or direction from the research literature." Greenhill added that even when relevant research literature is available, it yields "averaged group data to evaluate medication effects, possibly missing important subgroup differences in treatment response" (chapter 9, pp. 19-20). The clinician's task is to tailor treatment interventions utilizing understanding of the relevant science together with sensitive understanding of the particular patient.

In the four cases presented here; the combination of ATX with stimulants has apparently been safe and effective. We have obtained similar results thus far in 21 other cases with no significant adverse effects. Such anecdotal reports, however, especially over short time frames, are not sufficient to establish safety In~ the absence of adequate research, decisions to utilize this combination of ATX and stimulants should be made on a case-by-case basis, with full disclosure of the limited research base given to the patient or parents and with ongoing monitoring for effectiveness and possible adverse effects.

NOTE: This study has been printed here with the very kind permission of Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D.

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REFERENCES

Arnsten AFT: Dopaminergic and noradrenergic influences on cognitive functions. In: Stimulant Drugs and ADHD: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Edited by Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX New York, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp 185-208.
Barkley RA, Murphy KR, DuPaul GI, Bush T: Driving in young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Knowledge, performances adverse outcomes, and the roleof executive functioning . J. Neuropsychol Soc 8: 655-672. 2002.
Biederman J, Spencer T: Attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a noradrenergic disorder. Biol Psychiatry 46:1234-1242, 1999.
Brown TE: Emerging understandings of attention deficit disorders and comorbidities. In: Attention Deficit Disorders and Comorbidities in Children, Adolescents and Adults. Edited by Brown TE. Washington (DC), American Psychiatric Press, 2000, pp 3-55.
Bymaster FP, Katner JS, Nelson DL, HemrickLuecke 5K, Threlkeld PC, Heiligenstein JH, Morin SM, Gehlert DR, Perry KW: Atomoxetine increases extracellular levels of norepinephrine and doparnine in prefrontal cortex of rat: A potential mechanism for efficacy in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Neuropsychopharmacology 27:699-711, 2002.
Gammon GD, Brown TE: Fluoxetine and methylphenidate in combination for treatment of attention deficit disorder and comorbid depressive disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharrnacol 3:1-10, 1993.
Gehlert DR. Gackenheimer SL, Robinson DW: Localization of rat brain binding sites for [3H]tomoxetine, an enantiomerically pure ligand for norepinephrine reuptake sites. Neurosci Lett157:203-206, 1993
Grace AA: Psychostimulant actions on dopamine and limnbic system function: Relevance to the pathophysiology and treatment of ADHD. In: Stimulant Drugs and ADHD: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience. Edited by Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX. New York, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp 134-157.
Greenhill L: Stimulant medication treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: State of the Science, Best Pracfices Edited by Jensen PS, Cooper JR. Kingston (New Jersey), Civic Research Institute, 2002, pp 1-27.
Greenhill L, Halperin JM, Abikoff H: Stimulant medications. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38:503-512, 1999.
Lanau F, Zenner M, Civelli O, Hartmann D: Epinephrine and norepinephrine act as potent agonists at the recombinant human dopamine D4 receptor J Neurochem 68:804-812, 1997.
Michelson D, Adler L, Spencer T, Reimherr FW, West SA, Allen AJ, Kelsey D, Wernicke I, DietrichA, Milton D: Atomoxetine in adults with ADHD: Two randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Biol Psychiatry 53:112-120, 2003.
Michelson D. Allen AJ, Busner J. Casat C, Dunn D, Kratochvil C, Newcom J, Sallee FR, Sangal RB, Saylor K, West SA, Kelsey D, Wernicke J, Trapp NJ, Harder D: Once-daily atomoxetine for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, placebo-controlled study. AmJ Psychiatry 159:1896-1901,2002
Michelson D, Faries D, Wernicke J, Kelsey D, Kendrick K, Sallee FR, Spencer T; Atomoxetine ADHD Study Group: Atomoxetine in the treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-response study. Pediatrics 108:E83, 2001
Pliszka SR: Comparing the effects of stimulant and non-stimulant agents on catecholamn~e function: Implications for theories of ADHD. In: Stimulant Drugs and ADHD: Basic and Clinical Neuxoscjence Edited by Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX. New York, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp 332-352.
Safer DJ, Zito JM, Doskeis 5: Concomitant psychotropic medication for youths. Am J Psychiatry 160:438-449,2003.
Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX: Neuroscience of stimulant drug action in ADHD. In; Stimulant Drugs and ADHD: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience. Edited by Solanto MV ArnstenAFT, Castellanos FX. New York, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp 355-379.
Wong DT, Threlkeld It, Best KL, Bymaster FP: A new inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake devoid of affinity for receptors in rat brain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 222:61-65, 1982.


 


 

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Strattera Plus Stimulants for Treatment of ADHD, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/articles/strattera-plus-stimulants-for-treatment-of-adhd

Last Updated: May 7, 2019

Networking: A Woman's Contact Sport

Making the right contacts in business is extremely important to your success.

The truth is, no one really has cornered the market on networking as a contact sport. Networking is too big a sport for anyone to ever get a corner on it. For those of you who are successful, however, it's more than a favorite pastime. It's a way of life.

Networking: A Woman's Contact SportMost successful business women that I know are active networkers. Women excel in networking. Ask me, I know. I know a professional networker when I see one. I have built my professional speaking and publishing career by networking.

Meeting people is a must. It's not only "who you know," it's "who knows you." Meeting the people who count has to be a top priority. Meeting the right people gets you noticed and gets you places. If you have a desire to work smart, networking is one way to effectively do that.

Successful women in networking are not shy. Nancy Siegel, owner of Nancy Siegel Insurance Agency, Inc., says, "Don't be afraid to be the first one to speak to a stranger. Most people feel as uncomfortable as yourself and are usually glad to have someone to talk with after the ice is broken."

It has been my experience that women seem to have a special knack for networking. Perhaps it is inbred in our culture. Women always seem to intuitively understand where to go or who to contact for just about anything they need or want to know. There are many men who are very successful at networking, however, when it comes to being creative with contact talents, women get "thumbs up" from me.

Let's put networking in the right perspective. For the purpose of this discussion, let's work with a definition of networking that has served me well.

Networking is. . . using your creative talents to help others achieve their goals as you cultivate a network of people strategically positioned to support you in your goals. . . expecting nothing in return! - Larry James

Now, lets take a moment to think about that. Is that a belief system you could buy into? Read it again.

It is estimated that 65 - 75% of those people who are actively engaged in networking are women. People who network keep score by how many business leads they give others, not by how many leads they receive.

Kathy Holt, owner of Forget-Me-Not Gift Baskets, Inc., says, "If you really network right, with a commitment to only helping others, you will get back twice as much and make lifetime friendships." She should know. Kathy experienced a 38.6% increase in business in five months after she joined The Tulsa Business Connection, a group I founded in 1985. She also recommends joining and getting involved with the Chamber of Commerce.


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You won't find people who take the easy way out actively participating in networking groups. Experienced networkers can spot someone who is only in it for themselves a mile away. People who want something for nothing do not succeed at networking. They fade in and drop out.

We erroneously call these people losers. They are not losers, they have yet to understand that to be successful you must first have integrity and second, commitment. They seldom stay with a project until its completion. Therefore they don't do well when networking because networking demands both integrity and commitment. People who know the truth behind my definition of networking know that when you help others get what they want, you ultimately get what you want.

High achievers consistently are looking for a way to better themselves and to assist others in the process. They know that by participating in someone else's success, they become more successful. You can't be afraid of hard work and effectively network.

Networking works. And you must consistently work it. Rose Mary Winget, sales manager at McCaw Communications once told me, "Don't say you don't have time. You don't have time not to network." Her entire sales staff is actively involved in networking groups. She also hired me to present my networking seminar, Networking: Making the Right Connections, to her group.

Rose Mary's experience has taught her that networking gets quicker results than prospecting. When you prospect, you are looking for potential customers and clients. When you network, you capitalize on the alliances you have developed with others in your network; they do your prospecting for you.

It makes sense. You can multiply your own personal effectiveness by the number of people you know, who believe in you, like you, trust you and are committed to refer business leads to you. Isn't it a better use of your time to develop close personal and business relationships with people who are on your side and will help you succeed?

Many salespeople never get down to business. Their only interest is "busy-ness." I don't know about you, but busy-ness has never made me any money. To be successful, you must do what counts. Focus on what matters. Networking is building supportive personal and busines relationships; it's meeting new people and making new friends; it's helping others help themselves.

Marilyn Minter, a former Tulsa real estate agent started her own networking group, "Tulsans Networking Tulsa" (TNT) in March, 1991. Marilyn says, "Networking has given me the opportunity to make contact with literally hundreds of people. I never would have met those people without networking. The heart of my real estate business came from the personal referrals acquired while networking." Her advice to women who are considering networking, "Get started. Be patient. Believe in yourself and never quit."

Within the concept of networking is a blueprint for change. With change comes new ways of thinking. If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always gotten.

There is only one way to keep your career growing. YOU must keep growing. Ask the women who network about the personal growth they have experienced. Ask them about how much better they feel about themselves now that they are doing more of what the pros do.


In meetings that are specifically designated for networking, each person is asked to give their "30 Second Connection" as a way of introducing themselves and their business to the group. After her first networking meeting, Vicky Olsen, who was visiting the group to fill the banker slot, confided in me that standing up to give her "30 second connection" to the group was very scary and she wasn't sure she would return.

Networking: A Woman's Contact SportI asked her what her goals were for her advancement at the bank. She told me. I then explained that if she ever expected to achieve her goals, one of the most important elements of her success would be networking. To overcome her fear, I suggested that she take the Dale Carnegie Course. She did and later became one of their top "graduate assistants."

I also told her that as far as presenting her "30 second connection" was concerned, if she followed the guidelines, she couldn't get it wrong because no one in the audience knew what she was going to say anyway. I also suggested that she take an active part in the leadership of the group.

Less than a year later, she was the Treasurer of the group and served two one-year terms. Each week she stood unafraid to give the Treasurer's report. And now the good news: Vicky was promoted to Vice President of the bank.

It takes courage to network; do put yourself "out there;" to consistently move toward something better; to become the someone you look up to. The more you network, the more courage you receive. Be courageous and you will discover more courage!

Unless you are committed to doing more than you've done before, you will feel some discomfort when becoming involved in networking. This is natural. You will be in the presence of doers. You, who are not doing, may be confronted by this. Thus, you may feel uncomfortable.

People who do more get results! They are actively engaged in activities that feed their enthusiasm for their calling. For them, backward in not an option. They are on "fast forward." They get things done. They make every minute count when they are networking. They are aware of the "net" result. They know that what you put out to the universe, always comes back to you. They are dedicated to doing good for others.


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How many successful people do you know? Network to get to know more. The energy they dedicate to helping others is infectious. Listen to their success stories. Listen for the opportunity that a fresh perspective presents. For me, it's a lesson in inspiration; inspiring me to be the best I can be.

For a horse, one inch farther often wins the race. In networking, you never know when the next contact you make may be the one inch that puts you in the winner's circle.

I met Gregory J.P. Godek -- America's Romance Coach -- while networking. Greg is the best-selling author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic. We sat at the same lunch table at a National Speakers Association meeing many years ago. He referred me to his book distributor. Five days later, I had a three year contract for them to distribute my relationship books to all the major book stores. This was a big break for me. We have since become great friends. He mentions my work in the relationship area in his books; I mention his work for the "romantically impaired" in my books.

Networkers play too! When they play, they have fun. They know that the time they devote to social and recreational activities with family and friends pays off with a sense of having recharged their batteries. After 11 years of networking, Nancy Siegel advises: "Know when to stop and recharge. Learn how to say "no" to please yourself instead of "yes" to please others. when you network, network! Whey you play, play!"

Remember too, the energy level of successful people operates above average because they love who they are and what they do.

Above average people network for above average results. They know a good thing when they see one. They stick with it. They are the above average women who have discovered a wonderful contact sport called "networking" and are still making new and exciting personal and business contacts after "all these years."

Click on a book cover or book title link to place an order

The First Book of Life Skills: 10 Ways to Maximize Your Personal and Professional PotentialThe First Book of Life Skills: 10 Ways to Maximize Your Personal and Professional Potential - Larry James - This book will teach you how excell in business networking. It is a book devoted to the process of developing close personal and business relationships that work. It is a book committed to personal development and career management. Adapted from Larry's popular seminar, "The 10 Commitments of Networking!"

Power Networking: 59 Secrets for Personal & Professional SuccessPower Networking: 59 Secrets for Personal & Professional Success - Donna Fisher & Sandy Vilas - Packed with 59 proven networking methods for achieving success in all areas of your life, this inspiring book helps you to discover key networking skills to show you how to make the requests that get the results you want.

Larry's Review: The importance of making important business connections cannot be understated. Donna offers sound advice and encourages you to give up your shyness and offer to assist others as you build a network of support; one that increases your visibility, expands your network and marks you as someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections

The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections - John L. Bennett - This book is about establishing, maintaining, and reaping the benefits of connections. It incorporates many personal stories to illustrate the productive results that can occur from building connections. These include people who have found life-partners, avoided personal and financial disasters, made career changes, built businesses, and met famous people.

Larry's Review: The principles of business networking in an easy-read and understandable format. Highly recommended!

next: An Affirmation for Letting Go

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Networking: A Woman's Contact Sport, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/relationships/celebrate-love/networking-a-womans-contact-sport

Last Updated: May 27, 2015

A Sure Cure for a Hangover

The facts on the abuse of alcohol are sobering. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism alcohol consumption affect men and women differently, however some effects are the same in both genders.

A Sure Cure for a HangoverHere is a look at how the body of a man reacts:

  • Higher incidence of alcoholism.
  • Higher rate of drunk-driving accidents. Male drivers who die in auto accidents are almost twice as likely to be legally drunk as women.
  • Impotence (Now that's a good reason to quit!)

Here are some alcohol reactions specific to women:

  • Gets sicker easier because of lower levels of enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.
  • More likely to have interactions with medications.
  • Drinking while pregnant can cause learning disabilities and low birth weight in babies.

In both sexes you are likely to find the same reactions:

  • Alcohol affects neurotransmitters, affecting balance, speech and judgment.
  • Over long periods, alcohol can damage liver cells and lead to potentially deadly cirrhosis.
  • Alcohol can lead to dehydration.
  • Evidence is growing that limited alcohol intake can decrease the risk of heart desease, however long-term alcoholics may suffer from a degeneration of the heart muscle.
  • Alcohol can raise blood pressure, meaning it's not good for people with hypertension.
  • Too much alcohol and you may pass out. In extreme cases. . . a person may never wake up. (Another good reason to quit!)
  • Excessive alcohol can destroy a relationship!

Here is an easy way to tell if you are drinking too much. Truthfully answer these questions:

1 - Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?


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2 - Does your drinking ever make you late for work?

3 - Does your drinking worry your family or partner?

4 - Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?

5 - Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?

6 - Do you get headaches or have a hangover after you've been drinking?

Any answer of "Yes" signals a potential problem.

Here are some tips to help you cut back or stop drinking:

  • Don't keep alcohol at home.
  • Drink slowly, with an hour between drinks. Drink something else between alcoholic drinks.
  • Try not to drink one or two days a week, then for a full week.
  • Learn to say no.
  • Stay ACTIVE, doing something other than drinking.
  • Watch out for temptations. Avoid people, places or times that make you drink.

Excessive drinking causes more than 100,000 deaths a year in the United States. Nearly one-forth are attributable to drunken driving. One in five deaths results from alcohol-related homicide or suicide.

In an article in "Alcohol Health and Research World," Robert Swift and Dena Davidson say if you are determined to drink, stick with vodka or gin (unless you are allergic to juniper berries in gin), avoiding brandy, whiskey or red wine. Beer was not mentioned.

For your own sake and that of others. . . NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. Don't kid yourself. A one-once cocktail can stay in your system for as much as 8 hours. If you are stopped by the police, arrested and convicted, a DUI can drastically affect your life for years to come, e.g., drivers license suspension, heavy fines, the humiliation of jail time, higher insurance rates (IF you can get insurance!), attorney fees and more. It could cost "at least" $3,200 after a drunk-driving arrest. The risk is not worth it. Always have a designated driver or take a cab.

To decrease the intensity of a hangover, eat fruit or drink fruit juices. Bland foods with complex carbohydrates such as toast or crackers make help. Drink plenty of water, and get some sleep.

As for medications, take antacids, asprin, ibuprofen or napozin. According to Swift and Davidson, DO NOT use acetaminophen, because alcohol metabolism can enhance that drug's toxicity to the liver.


So. . . what is the "sure cure for a hangover?"

- Don't drink in the first place! -

A Sure Cure for a HangoverAlcohol abuse is involved in at least one traffic fatality every half-hour in the United States.

If you DO drink, remember: A cab ride home is much cheaper than a DUI.

Here is one man's sobering story.

The following form calculates an individual's blood alcohol content based on the quantity of beverages consumed, the alcohol percentage in each drink, the person's weight, and the time spent consuming the drink. Use numbers only (not % or oz., etc.). All results are close approximates.

  • Fluid Ounces Consumed
    (Beer = 12 oz. - Wine Glass = 4 oz. - 1 Shot = 1.5 oz)
  • Your Weight (Lbs)
  • Alcohol Percentate in Beverage
    (Beer = 4 or 4.5% Wine = 15 or 20% 1 Shot = 30 to 50%)
  • Hours Consuming Drink

Ways for Teens to Say "No!" When Offered a Drink
Source: Arizona Students Against Destructive Decisions (Formerly Students Against Drunk Driving)

    • I'd rather OD on pizza.
    • I become so witty no one can stand me.
    • I don't need any more hair on my chest. (This line is especially effective for women).
    • My weekends are made for something else.
    • It doesn't bring out my best.
    • Chocolate and alcohol don't mix.
    • I might forget where I parked my mind.
    • The last time I had a drink I wanted to attack a chicken.
    • It makes me look stupider.
    • I don't look good in a lampshade.

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  • If I want the high life, I'd rather go sky diving.
  • I'm performing neurosurgery in the morning.
  • It sloshes too much when I jog.
  • Things are polluted enough already.
  • I like me just the way I am.
  • I'm saving my brain cells for science.
  • I might forget all the witty things you're going to say tonight.
  • If I'm going to blow my diet, I'll do it on junk food.
  • My life is weird enough as it is.
  • I think; therefore, I will not drink.
  • I'm driving.

To purchase the following book, click on the book title link or book cover!

Responsible Drinking: A Moderation Management Approach for Problem DrinkersResponsible Drinking: A Moderation Management Approach for Problem Drinkers - Frederick Rotgers, Psy.D., Marc F. Kern, Ph.D., & Rudy Hoeltzel - The scientifically based program that shows you how to build a plan for a healthy, balanced approach to drinking. Researched-based techniques halp you to discover the the extent of your problem and learn key strategies for controlling your behavior, identifying your triggers and special needs, and developing a healthier, more moderate lifestyle.

Larry's Review: If you are truly intent on moderation or abstinence for the benefit of your health and your family, you will find an awesome collection of ideas and suggestions for taking responsibility for and being accountable for your drinking.

next: Networking: A Woman's Contact Sport

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). A Sure Cure for a Hangover, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/relationships/celebrate-love/sure-cure-for-a-hangover

Last Updated: May 27, 2015

Impact of Obesity and Dieting

Introduction

There are physical, psychological and social aspects to the problems of obesesity. Read about them.In discussions about the theories, common problems, and treatment of repeat dieters or those dealing with issues of weight preoccupation, obesity and dieting are often interrelated. There are physical, psychological and social aspects to the problems of obesity. This is why the social work profession is ideally suited to understanding the problems and provide effective intervention.

Some controversy surrounds whether obesity is considered an "eating disorder." Stunkard (1994) has defined Night Eating Syndrome and Binge Eating Disorder as eating disorders that contribute to obesity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV ™) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) characterizes eating disorders as severe disturbances in eating behavior. It does not include simple obesity as an eating disorder because it is not consistently associated with a psychological or behavioral syndrome. Labeling obesity as an eating disorder that needs to be "cured" implies a focus on physical or psychological processes and does not include recognition of the social factors that may also have a contributive impact. Weight preoccupation and dieting behaviors will certainly have some aspects of an eating disorder and eating disorders psychological implications such as inappropriate eating behaviors or disturbances in body perception. In this paper, neither obesity or weight preoccupation are considered to be eating disorders. Labeling these as eating disorders does not provide any useful clinical or functional purpose and only serves to further stigmatize the obese and weight-preoccupied.

What is Obesity?

It is difficult to find an adequate or clear definition of obesity. Many sources discuss obesity in terms of percentage above normal weight using weight and height as parameters. Sources vary in their definitions as to what is considered "normal" or "ideal" versus "overweight" or "obese." Sources range in defining a person who is 10% above ideal as obese to 100% above ideal as obese (Bouchard, 1991; Vague, 1991). Even ideal weight is difficult to define. Certainly not all people of a certain height should be expected to weigh the same. Determining obesity by poundage alone is not always indicative of a weight problem.

Bailey (1991) has suggested that the use of measuring tools such as fat calipers or water submersion techniques where the percentage of fat is determined and considered within acceptable or non-acceptable standards is a better indicator of obesity. Waist-hip ratio measurements are also considered to be a better determination of risk factors due to obesity. The waist-hip ratio takes into account the distribution of fat on the body. If fat distribution is mainly concentrated at the stomach or abdomen (visceral obesity), the health risks for heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes increase. If fat distribution is concentrated at the hips (femoral or saggital obesity), there is considered to be somewhat less of a physical health risk (Vague, 1991).

Currently, the most common measurement of obesity is through the use of the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale. The BMI is based on the ratio of weight over height squared (kg/MxM). The BMI gives a broader range of weight that may be appropriate for a specific height. A BMI of 20 to 25 is considered to be within ideal body weight range. A BMI between 25 to 27 is somewhat at a health risk and a BMI above 30 is considered at significant health risk due to obesity. Most medical sources define a BMI of 27 or higher to be "obese." Although the BMI scale does not take into account musculature or fat distribution, it is the most convenient and presently most widely understood measure of obesity risk (Vague, 1991). For the purposes of this study, a BMI of 27 and above is considered to be obese. The terms obese or overweight are used interchangeably throughout this thesis and refer to those with a BMI of 27 or higher.

Obesity and Dieting Demographics

Berg (1994) reported that the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) revealed that the average body mass index of American adults has risen from 25.3 to 26.3. This would indicate an almost 8 pound increase in the average weight of adults over the past 10 years. These statistics indicate that 35 percent of all women and 31 percent of men have BMIs over 27. The gains extend across all ethnic, age, and gender groups. Canadian statistics indicate that obesity is prevalent in the Canadian adult population. The Canadian Heart Health Survey (Macdonald, Reeder, Chen, & Depres, 1994) showed that 38% of adult males and 80% of adult females had BMIs of 27 or higher. This statistic has remained relatively unchanged over the past 15 years. Therefore, it clearly indicates that in North America, approximately one-third of the adult population is considered to be obese.

The NHANES III study reviewed the possible causes of the pervasiveness of obesity and took into consideration such issues as an increasing American sedentary lifestyle and the prevalence of eating food outside the home. It is interesting to note that in an era in which dieting has become almost the norm and profits from the diet industry are high, overall weight is increasing! This could this lend some credibility to the notion that dieting behaviors lead to increased weight gain.

In the Canadian survey, approximately 40% of men and 60% of women who were obese stated that they were trying to lose weight. It was estimated that 50% of all women are dieting at any one time and Wooley and Wooley (1984) estimated that 72% of adolescents and young adults were dieting. In Canada, it was striking to note that one third of women who had a healthy BMI (20-24) were trying to lose weight. It was disturbing to note that 23% of women in the lowest weight category (BMI under 20) wanted to further reduce their weight.


Physical Risks of Obesity and Dieting

There is evidence that suggests obesity is linked to increased sickness and death rates. The physical risks to the obese have been described in terms of increased risks of hypertension, gall bladder disease, certain cancers, elevated levels of cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and some associative risks with conditions such as arthritis, gout, abnormal pulmonary function, and sleep apnea (Servier Canada, Inc.,1991; Berg, 1993). However, increasingly there have been conflicting opinions about the health risks of being overweight. Vague (1991) suggests that the health risks of being overweight may be more determined by genetic factors, fat location, and chronic dieting. Obesity may not be a major risk factor in heart disease or premature death in those who do not have pre-existing risks. In fact, there are some indications that moderate obesity (about 30 pounds overweight) may be healthier than thinness (Waaler, 1984).

It has been hypothesized that it is not the weight that causes the physical health symptoms found in the obese. Ciliska (1993a) and Bovey (1994) suggest the physical risks manifested in the obese are a result of the stress, isolation and prejudice that are experienced from living in a fat-phobic society. In support for this contention, Wing, Adams-Campbell, Ukoli, Janney, and Nwankwo (1994) studied and compared African cultures which exhibited increased acceptance of higher levels of fat distribution. She found that there were no significant increases in health risks where obesity was an accepted part of the cultural composition.

The health risks of obesity are usually well known to the general public. The public is often less well informed about the health risks of dieting and other weight loss strategies such as liposuction or gastroplasty. Dieters have been known to experience a wide variety of health complications including cardiac disorders, gallbladder damage, and death (Berg, 1993). Diet-induced obesity has been considered a direct result of weight cycling due to the body regaining more and more weight after each diet attempt such that there is a resultant net gain (Ciliska, 1990). Therefore, the physical risks of obesity may be attributed to the repetitive pattern of dieting that created the obesity through a gradual net gain of weight after each diet attempt. It is believed that the physical health risk in people who repeatedly go through weight losses followed by weight gains is likely greater than if they were to stay the same weight "above" ideal (Ciliska, 1993b)

Causes of Obesity

The underlying causes of obesity are largely unknown (National Institute of Health [NIH], 1992). The medical community and general public hold the strongly entrenched belief that most obesities are caused by an excessive amount of caloric intake with low energy expenditure. Most treatment models assume the obese eat considerably more than the non-obese and that daily food intake must be restricted in order to ensure weight loss. This belief is directly opposed by Stunkard, Cool, Lindquist, and Meyers (1980), and Garner and Wooley (1991) who contend that most obese people do NOT eat more than the general population. There is often no difference in the amount of food consumed, speed of eating, bite size or total calories consumed between obese people and the general population. There is a great deal of controversy to these beliefs. On the one hand, overweight people often state that they do not eat more than their thin friends. However, many overweight people will self report that they do eat considerably more than they need. For many of the obese, dieting behaviors may have created a dysfunctional relationship with food such that they may have learned to turn to food increasingly to meet many of their emotional needs. (Bloom & Kogel, 1994).

It is not entirely clear whether normal weight people who are not weight preoccupied are able to tolerate or adapt to varying amounts of food in a more efficient fashion or whether the obese who have attempted calorie restricted diets may indeed have a food intake that is too high for their daily needs (Garner & Wooley, 1991). Through repeated dieting, dieters may be unable to read their own satiety signals and therefore will eat more than others (Polivy & Herman, 1983). The very act of dieting results in binge eating behaviors. It is known that the onset of binge behaviors occurs only after the experience of dieting. It is believed that dieting creates binge eating behavior that is difficult to stop even when the person is no longer on a diet (NIH, 1992).

Therefore, the evidence would suggest that obesity is caused by a multitude of factors that are difficult to determine. There may be genetic, physiologic, biochemical, environmental, cultural, socioeconomic, and psychological conditions. It is important to recognize that being overweight is not simply a problem of will power as it is commonly assumed (NIH, 1992).

Physiological Aspects of Dieting and Obesity

Physiological explanations of obesity look to such areas as genetic predispositions to weight gain, set point theory, different ranges of metabolism and the issue of "diet induced obesity." Some physiological evidence may indicate that obesity is more a physical rather than psychological issue. Mouse studies undertaken by Zhang, Proenca, Maffei, Barone, Leopold, and Freidman (1994) and twin studies conducted by Bouchard (1994) indicate that there may indeed be a genetic predisposition for obesity and fat distribution.

Metabolic rates are determined by genetic inheritance and have often been discussed in relation to obesity. It has been hypothesized that overweight people may alter their metabolism and weight through caloric restriction. At the onset of a calorie reduced diet the body loses weight. However, slowly, the body recognizes it is in "famine" conditions. Metabolism slows down considerably so that the body is able to maintains itself on fewer calories. In evolution, this was a survival technique that ensured a population, particularly the females, could survive in times of famine. Today, the ability for one's metabolism to slow with dieting means that weight loss efforts through dieting will usually not be effective (Ciliska, 1990).

Set point theory also relates to issues of metabolism. If one's metabolic rate is reduced to ensure survival, fewer calories are needed. The "set point" is lowered. Therefore, one will gain more weight when the diet stops ensuring a subsequent weight gain on fewer calories. This phenomena is often found in women who have endured a very low calorie liquid protein diet (VLCD) that consists of 500 calories per day. Weight is lost initially, stabilizes and when calories are increased to just 800 per day, weight is GAINED. It is believed that the set point is lowered and a resultant net gain occurs (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 1994).

There has been discussion that the process of prolonged and repeated dieting puts the body at physical risk. Yo-yo dieting or weight cycling is the repeated loss and regain of weight. Brownell, Greenwood, Stellar, and Shrager (1986) suggested that repeat dieting will result in increased food efficiency that makes weight loss harder and weight regain easier. The National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity (1994) concluded that the long term health effects of weight cycling were largely inconclusive. It recommended that the obese should continue to be encouraged to lose weight and that there were considerable health benefits in remaining at a stable weight. This is an ironic suggestion in that most dieters do not intentionally try to regain weight once it has been lost.

Garner and Wooley (1991) have discussed how the prevalence of high fat foods in western society has challenged the adaptive capacity of the gene pool such that there is an increasing amount of obesity found in western populations. The belief that it is only the obese who overeat is sustained by stereotypical assumptions that non-obese individuals eat less. Normal weight individuals who eat a great deal will usually attract little or no attention to themselves. As Louderback (1970) wrote, "A fat person munching on a single stalk of celery looks gluttonous, while a skinny person wolfing down a twelve-course meal simply looks hungry."


Psychological Aspects of Dieting and Obesity

While stating that the physical consequences of weight cycling were unclear but likely not as serious as some would assume, the National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity (1994) stated that the psychological impact of weight cycling was in need of further investigation. The study did not address the devastating emotional impact that repeat dieters universally experience when they repeatedly attempt diets that result in failure. The psychological damage that has been attributed to dieting include depression, diminishment of self esteem, and the onset of binge eating and eating disorders (Berg, 1993).

People may overeat compulsively due to psychological reasons that may include sexual abuse, alcoholism, a dysfunctional relationship with food, or genuine eating disorders such as bulimia (Bass & Davis, 1992). Such individuals are believed to use food to cope with other issues or feelings in their lives. Bertrando, Fiocco, Fascarini, Palvarinis, and Pereria (1990) discuss the "message" that the overweight person may be trying to send. The fat may be a symptom or signal representative of the need for protection or a hiding place. It has been suggested that overweight family members are often found having family therapy issues as well. Dysfunctional family relationships have been known to be manifested in such areas as parent-child struggles involving eating disorders. I believe that similar issues can also be recognized in families where there are family members who are perceived to be overweight regardless as to the accuracy of this perception.

Self Esteem and Body Image

Studies suggest that obese women will have significantly lower self esteem and negative body image than normal weight women (Campbell, 1977; Overdahl, 1987). When individuals fail to lose weight, issues of low self esteem, repeated failures, and the feeling that they "didn't try hard enough" come into play. Embarking on a diet that ultimately results in failure or even a higher rebound weight will have a significant negative impact on self esteem and body image. Contempt of oneself and disturbance of body image are often seen in those that struggle with weight control issues (Rosenberg, 1981). Wooley and Wooley (1984) have stated that concern over weight leads to "a virtual collapse" of self esteem.

Body image is the picture a person has of her body, what it looks like to her and what she thinks it looks like to others. This can be accurate or inaccurate and is often subject to change. The relationship between body image and self esteem is complicated. Often dual feelings that "I am fat" and "therefore I am worthless" go hand in hand (Sanford & Donovan, 1993). Both body image and self esteem are perceptions that are actually independent of physical realities. Improving body image involves changing the way one thinks about one's body rather than undergoing physical change (Freedman, 1990). To improve body image and therefore improve self esteem, it is important for women to learn to like themselves and to take care of themselves through healthy lifestyle choices that do not emphasize weight loss as the only measure of good health.

Relationship With Food

Repeat dieters often learn to use food to cope with their emotions. Women's experiences with emotional eating have often been neglected, trivialized and misunderstood (Zimberg, 1993). Polivy and Herman (1987) contend that dieting often results in distinctive personality traits such as "passivity, anxiety and emotionality." It is interesting to note that these are characteristics often used to describe women in stereotypical ways.

Food is often used to feed or nurture oneself for both physical and psychological hunger. Food is used to literally swallow emotions. I believe that when people become weight or diet preoccupied, it is often "safer" to focus on food and eating than on underlying emotional issues. It is important for people to look closely at their relationship with food. Through repeated experiences of dieting, people will develop a skewed relationship with food. Food should not be a moral judgment as to whether or not you have been "good" or "bad" depending on what has been consumed. Similarly, a person's self worth should not be measured on the bathroom scale.

There is often the belief that if one can make "peace" with food, then the logical result will be that weight will then be lost (Roth, 1992). While it is important to look at one's relationship with food and have it become a less powerful influence in life, this will not necessarily lead to weight loss. Studies that have utilized a non-dieting approach resulting in food disempowerment have shown that weight remained approximately stable (Ciliska, 1990). It may be considered a positive result for a person to be able to resolve a distorted relationship with food and then be able to maintain a stable weight without the gains and losses that repeat dieters often undergo.

I believe that when people become weight or diet preoccupied, it is often "safer" to focus on food and eating than on emotional issues. That is, for some people it may be easier to focus on their weight than to focus on the overwhelming feelings that they have learned to cope with through eating behaviors. People use food to nurture themselves or to literally "swallow" their emotions. Food is often used to cope with emotions such as grief, sadness, boredom, and even happiness. If food loses its power to aid in distracting or avoiding difficult situations, it may be quite overwhelming to confront the issues that were previously avoided through weight preoccupation or abnormal eating. Additionally, the excessive focus on concerns about body weight and dieting may also serve as a functional distraction to other overwhelming life issues.

Social Impact of Dieting and Obesity

From a young age, a woman is often given the message that she must be beautiful to be worthy. Attractive people are not only seen as more attractive, they are seen as smarter, more compassionate and morally superior. Cultural ideals of beauty are often transient, unhealthy and impossible for most women to live up to. Women are encouraged to be delicate, frail or "waif-like." There is a very narrow range of what is considered to be "acceptable" body size. Shapes that are not within this range are met with discrimination and prejudice (Stunkard & Sorensen, 1993). Women are taught early in life to be wary of what they eat and to fear getting fat. Trusting one's body often evokes tremendous fear for most women. Our society teaches women that eating is wrong (Friedman, 1993). Young women have long been taught to control their bodies and appetites, both sexually and with food (Zimberg, 1993). Women are expected to constrain their appetites and pleasures (Schroff, 1993).

We live in an age where women are seeking equality and empowerment, yet are starving themselves through diet and weight preoccupation while assuming that they can keep up with their better fed (male) counterparts. The strong social pressure to be thin began after World-War II (Seid, 1994). Magazines began showing thinner images of models as both pornography and the women's movement increased (Wooley, 1994). Faludi (1991) states that when society makes women conform to such a thin standard, it becomes a form of oppression towards women and a way of ensuring their inability to compete on equal grounds. The emphasis on thinness in our culture not only oppresses women, it also serves as a form of social control (Sanford & Donovan, 1993).

The stereotypical view of the overweight held by society is that they are unfeminine, antisocial, out of control, asexual, hostile and aggressive (Sanford & Donovan, 1993). Zimberg (1993) questions whether weight preoccupation would be a problem for women if it did not exist alongside society's clear prejudice against fat people. "Public derision and condemnation of fat people is one of the few remaining social prejudices... allowed against any group based solely on appearance" (Garner & Wooley, 1991). It is assumed that the obese willingly bring their condition on themselves through lack of will power and self control. The discriminatory implications of being overweight are well known and are often accepted as "truths" in western society. Fat oppression, the fear and hatred of fat is so commonplace in Western cultures that it is rendered invisible (MacInnis, 1993). Obesity is seen as a danger sign in moralistic terms that may imply personality faults, weak wills and laziness.

The obese face discriminatory practices such as having lower acceptance rates in high ranking colleges, a reduced likelihood of being hired for jobs and a lower possibility of movement to a higher social class through marriage. These effects are more severe for women than men. Obese women are not a strong social force and are likely to be of lower status in income and occupation (Canning & Mayer,1966; Larkin & Pines, 1979). "Prejudice, discrimination, contempt, stigmatization and rejection are not only sadistic, fascist and intensely painful for fat people. These things have a serious effect on physical, mental and emotional health; an effect which is real, and must not be trivialized." (Bovey, 1994)

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APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Impact of Obesity and Dieting, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/eating-disorders/articles/impact-of-obesity-and-dieting

Last Updated: January 14, 2014

Juliet: Family and Bipolar Disorder

Juliet's husband, Greg, frankly discusses the emotional pain, exhaustion and helplessness that comes with being a spouse of someone with bipolar disorder.

Personal Stories on Living with Bipolar Disorder

People with Bipolar Disorder affect family dynamics in all sorts of ways. There are times when things can get really intense. Patience is crucial when a loved one has Bipolar Disorder. Support is critical to someone who has the illness however, this may be extremely demanding and exhausting at times depending on the severity of the episode. Some people may not be able to adapt to a person's Bipolar Illness. There are many consequences of this illness and it can take it's toll on family members and friends. Bipolars may lose a loved one. My husband Greg feels this illness is not the person's fault, nor the family member or friend's fault. You must love and care for he or she as if they had any other illness' such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer. I am one of the lucky people to have such a supportive back bone in my court! I have asked Greg to tell you how my illness affects him.

Greg on Juliet's Bipolar Disorder

It ain't easy! I have known my wife for nearly 24 years and still cannot predict her behavior from day-to-day. Her rapid cycling can have her changing moods from hour to hour on some days. I can leave the house with her in a somewhat "balanced" mood and return only to find her crying and laying in bed or so energized she can't stay off the computer while talking in rapid succession mixing words and sentences. Sometimes I can't follow what she's talking about because she's not making any sense. It seems impossible for her to slow down. We've suffered financial set backs due to her overspending on different occasions. When these mood changes occur, she may get very angry and sometimes violent. These anger outbursts are cutting and brutal. It's difficult to deal with the person you love most in the world being so angry at you with the ability to cut you to the bone in a matter of seconds. Her fury is often over things that are small, however she seems to magnify the issue in her mind. I have learned over time that her illness is often the cause of this type of behavior. Her cycles have changed over the years and she has drifted from straight manic episodes and depression to rapid cycling and mixed states with severe depressions in the interim.

People with Bipolar Disorder affect family dynamics in all sorts of ways. Read this true story of Juliet and her bipolar illness.Her severe depressions are the worst. I can see how bad she feels yet I am helpless to pull her out of it. When she gets seriously depressed, she doesn't cook, clean, groom, answer the phone, pay bills, go outside, or do any of her usual things. She's in bed most of the time. I'm afraid to leave her alone and am on edge constantly. I fear she will suicide as she has attempted before. I take her medications with me when I have to leave the house, and I hide or lock them up when I'm home. I study my home carefully looking at things she might try to kill herself with. I take all the knives and anything else I can think of out of our house. When she reaches this point, it's time for the hospital and I have to get her admitted. It's a very painful thing to see. The stress can sometimes be unbearable.

I used to blame myself in the early days that something I did was causing her outbursts. When she was "high" she was the life of the party and I didn't realize something was wrong. We were so young. After we were married her patterns began to change and her outbursts began as "happy" but quickly turned spiteful and outrageous. I was always in the line of fire. I have now learned and have come to the conclusion that it's not my fault and it's something she can't control. There is no magic pill to make it all go away. Yes, her illness is "controlled" by medication and it is treatable, however it does not just go away. I firmly believe that a spouse and other family members should participate as much as possible in the treatment process. I have learned so much by being my wife's supporter in all of this. We are a team. I understand her medications and the importance of compliance. I go to each and every meeting with her psychiatrist so that we can both "take notes" as sometimes she can't recall what was said in the meeting. When she asks me to go to her therapist's appointment, I do. I want to understand everything I can about Bipolar Illness so I can help my wife with the battle.

My best advice to those of you who have a Bipolar family member or friend is to be kind, supportive, loving (even if you are gritting your teeth) and participate in the treatment. I know it is exhausting at times! I have been there believe me! If you are not comfortable with the doctor or therapist, get a second opinion. We have been down that road too! Speak up, ask questions, and get answers. Learn coping skills as that is a major key for any family member or friend to be able to deal with someone who has Bipolar Disorder! Educate yourself about this disorder, read, read, read! I sometimes ask her doc or therapist for things I might do to help myself when she's having difficulties. Sometimes when she's feeling okay, Juliet and I chat about situations and what we should do when they occur.

Remember, when things look there absolute worst, try to remember that this is a treatable illness with proper care and medication. It can be controlled. You are not to blame nor is your family member. We have seen light at the end of the tunnel and are able to enjoy things at times. The illness is a part of who my wife is and I married the whole person!

Take care,
Greg

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APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Juliet: Family and Bipolar Disorder, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/articles/juliet-family-and-bipolar-disorder

Last Updated: April 3, 2017

My Top Tips For Dealing With My ADD Son, Richard

are my top tips for dealing with my ADD son Richard. Please remember that each child is different, but if they give you some food for thought, then all the betterThe following are my top tips for dealing with my ADD son Richard. Please remember that they have not worked every time and of course each child is different, but if they give you some food for thought, then all the better.

1. Stay Calm - Easy to say I know but if I get stressed out at one of Richard's moods, and I have, it makes him ten times worse.

2.Change The Subject - If the conversation seems to be leading to a stressful situation, I do what I call a 'Heslop'. Those of you who remember the T.V. comedy 'Porridge', may recall a chap called Heslop, who always cut a conversation dead with one line quips which had no relevance whatsoever to what was being discussed, the famous one being, 'My mother went to Sidcup!'.

3.Lots Of Praise - Even accomplishing a small task is a great feat for Richard, so I try and make sure he knows how pleased I am, by giving lots of praise and sounding as though I mean it. Picking out a particular part of the task and asking a question about it makes him realise, I am genuinely interested and pleased. I try never to say just ' Oh yes, that's good ' and then start talking about something entirely different.

4.I Can Do Lots Of Things - Richard sees his brothers and other children getting on with things easily and therefore his self esteem starts to slide when he finds he can't do the same. I try and boost him up by reeling off a list of things he does really well and you can often see him visibly fill back up with pride, especially if I can find something, however small, that he can do that others find difficult. There are many examples of this but the one that springs to mind immediately is his extraordinary long term memory. I try and call upon this whenever we need to remember an event or person, this really makes him feel important, and so it should because it's one of his strengths

5.Short And Sweet - I have found that Richard gets on better with a task if I break it down into manageable (for him) segments. An example of this could be, instead of asking him to clear his room, I would start with getting him to pick up just the books, then ask him to gather up any dirty clothes etc., etc. With little breaks and praise for what he has done after each mini task, he can accomplish a lot

6. Rewards - Star charts, smiley stickers - Richard loves them. They don't have to be for big achievements either. At one stage getting him to dress himself, brush his teeth etc., was a real struggle. It still is sometimes but following a period of sticker awards on a chart for doing these and other everyday tasks, he got into a sort of routine, which he mostly still carries on, with the odd hiccup. He likes my latest idea of printing out a picture and then cutting it into jigsaw pieces. He then gets rewarded with a piece for good work/behaviour etc., and builds up the picture.

7. Sleep - Richard feels comfortable with routines, so going to bed has turned into something of a ritual. Turning his covers down in a particular way, the door left in a certain position etc. Psychiatrists would have a field day but if it sets him up for a good nights' kip then I don't care. He still gets up at 5 a.m. and sometimes in the night but now he's got into a routine, he's much better than he used to be

8. Laugh - You could really cry sometimes, but having a laugh about a situation really can help in my experience to relieve the tension, even if the circumstances don't really call for it, who cares

9. Embarrassing Or What - Some of the things Richard has done in public really make you feel like disappearing down the nearest manhole but I try hard not to bother about what other people think, after all, he can't help it and that's what I tell myself in these situations

10.A Good Cuddle - Richard is a really emotional and loving child and a good old fashioned cuddle does us both the power of good

These are just a few of many tips. Mum operates them too but it was just easier to write them down from my perspective. I hope you find them useful.



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APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). My Top Tips For Dealing With My ADD Son, Richard, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/articles/my-top-tips-for-dealing-with-my-add-son-richard

Last Updated: February 12, 2016

Tried-And-True Remedies For Bad Sex

Bad sex. Unfulfilled sex. Miserable sex. It is a subject that most people don't want to think about, not to mention talk about--not in public, not at home, not in their bedrooms. But it is a problem that afflicts a great number of Americans. In fact, a recent University of Chicago study indicates that at any given time four in 10 American women and three in 10 American men suffer from some kind of sexual dysfunction.

The situation is worse in Black America. In general, African-Americans experience more sexual dysfunction than Whites, and Hispanics experience fewer sexual problems. Black women are much more likely to experience low sexual desire, and to report less pleasure from sex, than White women. Hispanic women consistently reported the most satisfying lives.

Many were shocked to learn that so many people are suffering from the bedroom blues. It is hard to believe that hundreds of thousands of men and women in this land of free sex and liberal love--where couples in bed area staple on daytime and evening television shows, where the average age of first-time sex is sinking lower and lower, where music and movies seem to be stuck on the same theme of sex, sex and more sex--that so many people are not enjoying what they spend so much time talking, reading, dreaming, bragging and lying about.

Sexual dysfunctions, according to the study, are "characterized by disturbances in sexual desire and in the psychophysiological changes associated with the sexual response cycle in men and women." The dysfunctions covered by the survey include lack of sexual desire, arousal difficulties, inability to achieve climax or ejaculation, anxiety about performance, premature orgasms, pain during intercourse and not finding sex pleasurable. In addition, the university study indicates that sex problems are more common among young women and older men.


continue story below

There are many factors that affect the quality of a couple's sex life. They include the stresses that consume so many of us--job, family, social obligations, as well as economic pressures --in addition to psychological and physiological factors. At the same time, many people don't acknowledge that they have problems and don't seek help. Consequently, sexual problems that can be treated often go unmentioned.

hp-good-sex-08Author Audrey B. Chapman, a couples therapist and radio show host in the Washington, D. C., area, says she finds that for many Black people, the sheer stress of everyday life leaves little time and energy for quality sex. "These days, people are living racy and hectic lives," she says. "Everyone is stressed out trying to achieve so much with so little time and, for most Black people, with not enough resources. People are stressed, pressed and frustrated, and all that takes energy. By the time you get to the end of the day or the week, you are wiped out. It takes energy to be sexual, and that means physical and emotional energy."

Chapman and other relationship experts also emphasize that financial stress is major factor affecting the sex lives of Black Americans. When a man is unemployed, it affects his ego and consequently his sex life. When a woman is concerned about how to feed her children, she has little interest in sex. An interesting conclusion from the University of Chicago sex study is that more highly educated men and women seem to have greater sexual satisfaction. On the other hand, declining finances appear to contribute to sexual dysfunction, for women in particular. Financial and devastating life events such as job loss, death of a spouse and divorce all affect sexual desire and performance.

Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams, a psychologist and attorney who operates a relationship counseling practice in Detroit with her husband, Robert D. Williams, a clinical psychiatric social worker and marriage and family therapist, agrees with Chapman that busy, hectic schedules interfere with quality sex lives. "There are performance issues and there are quality issues," she says. "Because we live very busy, demanding lives, we just don't seem to have the available time that we used to have for relaxing with our mates.

"We don't have energy for any foreplay, and if we do make love, the quality is that of stress-reduction lovemaking rather than the romantic kind. People are just trying to get physical release, which is quite different from the beauty, excitement and arousal you get from the old-fashioned, on-vacation, romantic type of lovemaking."

Another social factor that affects the sex lives of African-Americans is the fact that spouses don't make or take time to relax and enjoy each other intimately. "People don't take enough time to communicate with their partners, to have fun, to connect spiritually," says Chapman. "There is not enough communication and spiritual union among Black men and women. It is not a priority anymore. Getting a car is a priority, getting a house, getting clothes, getting hair done."

Marriage therapist Robert Williams says that couples who want to improve their sex lives must recognize that what and how you think rather than what you do is essential to eliminating sexual dysfunction. "Healthy sexuality and satisfying sexual encounters among African-Americans will enhance their self-esteem and self-worth, and improve their intrapersonal communication skills on all levels," he emphasizes.

There area number of physiological reasons that people don't enjoy sex. One is the inability of the man to get an erection; another is the pain that women sometimes experience. Individuals who experience these or other physical problems should seek advice from their physicians.


SUREFIRE REMEDIES FOR BAD SEX

1 Be More Creative In Sexual Thoughts And Performance. Husbands and wives should explore each other's bodies to discover their mates' erogenous zones. Unfortunately, many men as well as women do not discuss their sexual preferences, and the only way to find out what really turns your partner on is the art of exploration.

2 Share Fantasies. "Verbally sharing rich sexual fantasies with your spouse can greatly enhance your sex life," says therapist Williams. "We all need to have a complete sexual performance package with each other, and that includes intellectual stimulation." His wife, Dr. Finner-Williams, says couples should share and act out their fantasies. "They become the couple's secret and are very sacred between them," she explains. "Intellectual sharing can improve the performance and quality of the relationship."

Finner-Williams adds that new research indicates that African-Americans "seem to be more homogenous to our own race and culture" when it comes to fantasies. That is, we fantasize about Black men and women rather than about other ethnic groups. "We're now having fantasies within the realm of reality for us. Though some fantasies may be bizarre, they are feasible fantasies," she says.

3 Don't Criticize Your Partner's Performance. Relationship therapists say they are hearing from many female clients who say their husbands are experiencing premature ejaculation and other sex problems. At the same time, say the therapists, women are quick to express their displeasure. "Women are no longer holding back their opinions," says Finner-Williams. "They don't boost their husbands' egos the way women used to, like we were taught by out grandmothers and aunts. If a man didn't find the G-spot, the man will know it. The man's ego becomes defensive concerning performance." And when there is that kind of anxiety and tension, affects sexual performance.


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4 Show Your Partner How To Please You. Instead of complaining about what your partner is not doing show him or her what turns you on. Dr. Finner-Williams says men are not taught to be romantic. They are not taught how to explore a woman's body to find out where her erogenous zones are. Women should take responsibility for their sexual pleasure. "A man has to be taught how to perform and how to satisfy his woman," she says.

At the same time, women must learn to express their sexual needs. Audrey Chapman says she notices that Black women don't tell their men what they want. "Some women tend to let the man do all the talking, make all the suggestions," Chapman explains. "They are very reluctant to let men know how they feel, what they want sexually. While we are said to be the most sexual, the most liberated, in fact, Black women are the most inhibited when it comes to expressing what we want and need."

5 Delete Distractions. When couples finally get in the mood and find time for love, that is not the time to focus on other issues or problems, no matter how pressing. While in bed, don't discuss paying bills, household chores, issues concerning children, what extended-family members might have said. Good sex is dependent on a relaxed state of mind.

6 Get Re-educated About Sex. Relationship therapists say that personal views on sex can greatly diminish the pleasure. Dr. Finner-Williams points out that while some women feel that sex can and should be pleasurable, other women learn that sex should not be enjoyable. She tells of counseling one Christian newlywed who had conflicting feelings about sex with her husband. "It's okay to enjoy making love to your husband; sex and orgasms are okay," says Finner-Williams. "Many women grew up learning that their bodies were there to serve their husbands rather than for a woman also to be satisfied. We should enjoy making love to out husbands and stop having all those inhibitions, all that miseducation."

Chapman also has found that many African-Americans hold religious views that inhibit sexual sure. "They feel that if you love God, you can't love sex," says Chapman. "That's a problem. Where did that come from? Some believe that sex is dirty, even with your mate. And then there are those who feel that it's okay to have sex with your mate, but it's just another duty, like household chores. In fact, sex should be pleasurable."

7 Put That Ego In The Closet. Marriage counselors say that some Black men are victims of the myth that all Black men are superb lovers. "Black men can be very [macho]," says Chapman. "They believe they are throwing down, but in fact they are not satisfying the women. Even when they are not in the mood, they feel the pressure to perform because they have been told that they are superstuds." Instead, says Chapman, men should put that ego away and talk to their women about their sexual anxieties and problems.

8 Medical Alert. Many men and women do not realize that their medications might affect their sexual appetite and performance. Some medications for hypertension, ulcers and certain heart conditions cause impotence in men. At the same time, the libido of men and women is affected by common ailments such as diabetes and clogged arteries. In addition, smoking as well as alcohol and substance abuse affect sex. Dr. Terry Mason, chief of urology at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, points out that many women who have been termed as "frigid" in fact have physiological reasons for their lack of sexual response. He and other specialists recommend that individuals experiencing sex problems check with their physicians

9 Fight Depression. Men and women both should be aware that depression greatly affects one's sexual appetite. "When you are stressed and depressed, you have no interest in sex," says Chapman. "Depression could be related to the job, to your sick parents, to your children. When men lose a job, they are depressed. Many women suffer from postpartum depression after having a baby. Some medications make you depressed. Sometimes it is just our complicated lives." Clinical depression affects at least 17 million Americans, and many of the medications prescribed as treatment cause sexual dysfunction. So don't downplay the effect that the blues might have on your sex life. Check with your doctor. If depression is the culprit, seek counseling to resolve the problem and reclaim your sex file.

10 Don't Have Unrealistic Expectations. Just because your coworker has sex every day or the character in a novel has incredible orgasms does not mean that your sex life is abnormal. Every individual is unique; every couple has its own rhythm. If you and your partner have a great sex life that is satisfactory for both of you, you are among the more fortunate.

next: Aphrodisiacs

APA Reference
Staff, H. (2008, December 10). Tried-And-True Remedies For Bad Sex, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, May 6 from https://www.healthyplace.com/sex/good-sex/tried-and-true-remedies-for-bad-sex

Last Updated: August 25, 2014