Tuesday, June 30, 2009

COULD I BE ALLERGIC TO SMOKE?

COULD BE ALLERGIC TO SMOKE?

Question: Could I be allergic to smoke?

Answer: Yes, Mesquite, oak, cedar, and hickory are types of wood used for this barbecuing—they are also trees that produce pollen that many people with seasonal allergies are allergic to. It appears that the allergen in this type of pollen is also contained within the wood of the tree; these allergens survive combustion and remain in smoke once the wood is burned.

While smoke from burning wood and other sources typically causes a form of, it is possible to be allergic to the smoke as well. It is therefore possible that a person with mesquite pollen allergy could have an allergy and asthma attack if exposed to mesquite wood smoke at a summertime barbeque. And, there have been reports of oral allergy symptoms after eating foods barbequed over these types of wood.

Monday, June 29, 2009

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDES

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ATTITUDES



I WOKE UP EARLY TODAY, EXCITED OVER ALL I GET TO DO BEFORE THE CLOCK
STRIDES MIDNIGHT. I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO FULFILL TODAT. I AM IMPOR-
TANT.

MY JOM IS TO CHOOSE WHART KIND 9OF DAY I AM GOI NG TO HAVE.

TODAY I CAN COMPLAI N BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS RAINY OR I CA N BE THAMK-
FUL THAT THE GRASS IS GETTING WATERED FOR FREE.

TODAY I CAN FEEL SAD THAT I DON'T HAVE MORE MONEY OR I CAN BE GLAD
THAT MY FINANCES ENCOURAGE ME TO PLAN MY PURCHASES WISELY AND GUIDE
ME AWAY FROM WASTE.

TODAY I CAN LAMENT OVER ALL THAT MY PARENTS DIDN,T GIVE ME WHEB I WAS
GROWING UP OR I CAN FEEL GRATEFUL THAT THEY ALLOWED ME TO BE BORN.

TODAY I CAN CRY BECAUSE ROSES HAVE THORNS OR I CAN CELEBRATE THAT
THORNS HAVE ROSES.

TODAY I CAN MOURN MY LACK OF FRIENDS OR I CAN EXCITEDLY EMBARK
QUEST TO DISCOVER MEW RELATIONSHIPS.

TODAY I CAN WAIL BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO WORK OR I CAN SHOUT FOR JOY
BECAUSE I HAVE A JOB TO DO .

TODAY I CAN COMPLAIN BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL OR EAGERLY POEN MY MIND AND FILL IT WITH RICH NEW TIDBITS OF KNOWLEDGE.

TODAY I CAN MURMUR DEJECTEDLY BECAUSE I HAVE TO DO HOUSEWORK OR
I CAN FEEL HONORED BECAUSE THE LORD HAS ENTRUSTED TREASURES INTO MY CARE.

TODAY STRETCHES AHEAD OF ME, WAITING TO VE SHAPED. AND HERE I AM,
THE SCULPTOR WHO GETS TO DO THE SHAPING.

WHAT TODAT WILL BE LIKE IS UP TO ME. U GET TO CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF DAY I
WILL HAVE!

Teri's Special Children's Blog

TERRI'S SPECIAL CHILDREN BLOG
Weekday Reflection: Guilt

Read: “I knew several people that had babies and they were always healthy. They ate, slept and did all the 'normal' baby things they they were supposed to. I had never really been around chronically sick children before and it was really hard to see children suffering. And now, mine was one of them. What had I done wrong? What had I done to deserve this?”--Amy Jo Yewell, The Silent Cry, this week's featured book.

Reflect: Do I blame myself for my child's disabilities? Am I jealous of others with healthy children and no obvious problems?

Respond: It's important to recognize and process guilt and anger you feel, but those emotions aren't very useful to the day-to-day work and love of parenting your child. Set some time aside to indulge your worries or pour your darker emotions into a journal, and then leave them there when you're helping and caring for your child.

Tell Me About Your Special-Needs Site

Every weekday on this site, I offer a Site of the Day of interest of parents of children with special needs. I'm always scouring the Web looking for good stuff, but referrals are helpful, too. If there's a site that you've found indespensible---whether on a specific disability or disability issues in general—share the link in the comments to this post and I'll check it out. Some of the best sites I've found as a parent have been at the suggestion of moms and dads in the know, and I'd love to be able to pass your finds on to others (and use them myself).

Site of the Day: GettingHired,com

What It Is: “The GettingHired Mission: To create sustainable employment growth and opportunity for people with disabilities. The GettingHired internet based portal accomplishes its mission by serving and connecting: Job seekers with Disabilities: Committed Employers; Advocacy Organizations; Service Providers.”

Who's In Charge: The company's executives bring experience from leading major corporations and business ventures.

What It's Worth Checking Out: If your child is at an age when job-seeking and career-building are important, this site has lots of resources and opportunities to offer, including networking, mentors, resume building, career-assessments, interview training and job listings. If you're still a ways away from that, you may still want to see what's out there and think about what your child will be able accomplish.

+Page of the Day: Book Review: Make the Day Matter+
Leave Tantrums in “The Parking Lot”

I asked for your child discipline tips, and reader canmombecalm submitted a great idea for tabling tantrums, under the title “The Parking Lot”

“When you lack time and patience for your child's request and you know that he will get upset if you don't agree to his wishes, then I put his request in the 'parking lot.' The parking lot is just a sheet of paper on the wall in our home, likely near the door as many of the tantrums start there, just before you try to leave the house. I drew a picture of a car and just put his request on the paper with a blank checkbox next to what I wrote and told him that he would get to do it later. Writing it down seemed to validate his feelings and immediately quelled any possible tantrums headed our way. He was also happy to check off the box when he was given the opportunity to fulfill his request afterwards. I think it also helps my child to learn to delayed gratification—an issue with which he struggles daily.”

I've found over the years that things like this work with my kids, too---sometimes, all they need is a little validation or even a simple distraction to head off out-of-control behavior. But so often things we do instead, like threats or overreactions, turn up the emotional volume in a way that guarantees a meltdown. What behavior management techniques work for you? Share them on the Readers Respond page.

Weekday Reflection: Friends and Family

Read: “Sometimes there seems to be a “statue of limitations' on some friends and family members understanding---After some time passes, everyone goes on with their own lives and they seem to forget that we are in exactly the same position that we were in, or worse than we were.”--Amy Jo Yowell, The Silent Cry, this weeks' featured book.

Reflect: Do I feel abandoned by friends and family? Do they know I feel that way? Are there things I can do to reestablish those connections, or is it time to move on?

Respond: Sometimes, the people who react poorly to a child's disability and the changes it brings to our lives are not worth making an effort to include, as much as it hurts to lose them. You may have to find a way to tolerate their behavior, and probably vent about it, but it's the relationships that flourish under these new circumstances that you'll really want to cherish. If you're lacking in those, look to a support group to find friends who get it.

Tell Me About Your Special-Needs Blog

Every day, I spend what's probably a shameful amount of time reading RSS feeds of blogs to see what's going on around the Internet. Many of those have to do with special needs, and, maybe to justify the amount of time I spend blog-hopping. I pick out stories of interest and share them with you in my Today's News and Views folder. From there, those stories travel to the Weekly News folder and finally to news folders on their particular topics, so you can easily find what's happening in your own area of interest. If you write a blog about your family's special-needs journey, or have a favorite that you follow faithfully, mention it in the comments here and I'll add it to my RSS rounds, for possible linking in those news folders.

Site of the Day: Autism Safety Project

What It Is: “The Autism Safety Project provides First Responders with information and guidelines for communicating with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in emergency situations.”

Who's In Charge: The site is under the umbrella of Autism Speaks.

Why It's Worth Checking Out: A recent flurry of news stories about police officers misinterpreting the behavior of individuals with autism highlighted the need for education and awareness. Since parents are the natural choices to advocate for that training and provide material to local authorities, you'll want to take a good look at the resources here and think about what you can do with them.

Where To Start: Information for Families

+Page of the Day: Special-Needs Advocacy: Seven Ways to Get Involved+
One Reader's Dream Invention: Meltdown o Meter

Every week at the top of the About com, Parenting Special Needs homepage you'll find a “Question of the Week,” and this week's asks, “If you could invent a special-needs tool, what would it be?” Reader ireneeswval recently submitted a great suggestions, under the title “Meltdown o meter and more””

“I would like to have a meldown o meter that tells me what is causing this meltdown so I can intervene and take away the cause! Someone I know wants a lie detector that flashes the truth followed by the appropriate law to take to IEP meetings.”

I'd take each of those, for sure. Do you have a fanciful invention you're just dying to see? Please add it to the Readers Respond page—and read the ten I came up with, too.

Weekday Reflection: Aggression

Read: “This brings me to the fundamental question you have to ask yourself any time you're trying to solve a problem with aggression: is the aggression coming from fear or dominance? That's important, because punishment will make a fearful animal worse, whereas punishment may be necessary to curb assertive aggression.”--Temple Grandin, Animals in Translation

Reflect: Is what's true for animals true for children, too? Does my child's aggression come from a place of dominance or fear? Does my reaction take that into account?

Respond: Performing a behavior analysis on troubling behavior can help you find what's behind it and tailor an appropriate response.

Tell Me About Your Special-Needs Business

If you're the parent of a child with special needs who has found a solution to helping your child and then turned that into a business to help other, I want to hear from you. Enterprising Parents is a feature on this site spotlighting online companies run by and for special-needs parents, and I'm always looking for new shops to share. Non-parent-run businesses with a special-needs slant have their own spot now on the Parenting Special Needs Forum in the Marketplace. And if you're just a parent seeking a place to find solutions for your child? Now you know where to look.

Http://specialchildren.about.com/b/

FARRAH FAWCET DIED OF CANCER AT 62 YRS. OLD

Farrah Fawcet Died of Cancer at 62 yrs. Old

She was born Feb. 2, 1947 til 6-25-2009

She died Thursday morning at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica nearly three years after being diagnosed with Anal Cancer.

Christine 6-26-09

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

IT'S OFFICIAL: JON AND KATE SEPARATE

ITS' OFFICIAL: JON AND KATE GOSSELIN SEPARATE
Last night was the big Jon and Kate announcement episode. I couldn't help but watch. For one, I've always identified with the racial mix of the Gosselin family, who are the focus of the TLC reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” If you look at my childhood pictures, I could've been one of the Gosselin kids.
Besides, it's the most basic human drama—the always-complicated relationship between a man and a woman. I'm as curious as the next wife and mother to see what happens as a family breaks apart. It's not an easy thing to build a life and household together, and parents of multiples are especially vulnerable to stress. Any one of us who thinks she's immune to marital problems is kidding herself.
As expected, Jon and Kate announced they are going to separate and end their 10-year marriage—in separate on-camera interviews. They'll continue to appear on the show. Interestingly, the eight children will remain in the family home while the parents alternate living there, an arrangement recommended by many family therapists to ensure stability for children when their parents divorce.
Earlier this month, I asked whether critics are hard on Kate because she's pursued a career, first as a reality television star and then as the author of books about mothering multiples. Readers agree with my assessment that she's a working mom, despite the way the show was initially cast as a way for her to afford staying home with the kids.
She addressed that question last night, saying it's “not a chapter that's been brought on by our show, not a chapter that's been caused by our career choices at all.” But Jon did raise the possibillity of finding a job, and spoke with eagerness about taking a new direction in his life.
It found it unbearably poignant that as the Gosselin home is crumbling, Jon and Kate brought in four playhouses for the children. Those poor kids. As Kate said, they'll always look back and say “my parents split up when I was fill-in-the-blank age.” They'll also be able to dissect what went wrong since everything was captured on video. (I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing for anyone involved).
Did you watch last night? What do you think about the latest development? And do you agree with those critics who say TLC should cancel the show and let the family move forward off-camera?
Http://workingmoms.about.com/b/2009/06/23/its-official-jon-and-kate-gosselin-separate.htm

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

SOME ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY INCREASE RISK OF BREAST CANCER RETURN

SOME ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY INCREASE RISK IF BREAST CANCER RETURN

About a half a million U.S. women take tamoxefin, a drug which cuts in half the chances of breast cancer recurrence. Of these, many also take antidepressants for hot flashes, due to the fact that hormone replacements are not considered wise after breast cancer. It has long been known that certain antidepressants affect the amount of tamoxefin’s active form available in the bloodstream. What was not known, however, was whether these antidepressants could also affect a woman’s risk of a cancer recurrence. A new study reported at a cancer conference in Florida on May 19, 2009 provided an answer to this questions.

The study reported that using certain antidepressants – including Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft – can almost completely cancel out any cancer-preventing benefit from tamoxefin.

The researchers did not see a greater cancer risk in women taking the antidepressants and tamoxefin may not be quite so harmful, the message is still the same; combining these particular antidepressants with tamoxefin may not be a good idea.

If you have had breast cancer in the past and are currently using tamoxefin, check with your doctor about whether any antidepressant is known to interfere with tamoxefin metabolism. If it is, ask about safer alternatives.

http://depression.about.com/b/209/06/02/some-antidepressants-may-increase-risk-of-brea...

GETTING AN IBS DIAGNOSIS

ANGER TOOL KIT

Four Proven Techniques for Managing Anger
The first step towards managing anger in our personal relationships appropriately is the identification of the mistaken attitudes and convictions that predispose us to being angry in the first place!

The second step is the identification of those factors from our childhood that prevents us from expressing our anger as appropriately as we otherwise might. These factors include fear, denial, ignorance and so on.

These impediments to the effective and appropriate management of our anger towards others can be removed

The third step is learning the appropriate modes of expressing our “legitimate” anger at others so that we can begin to cope more effectively with anger provoking situations in our person relationships. When we are depressed, very often we are also angry at ourself without realizing it.

Learning to appropriately manage our anger at ourselves is the antidote.

The fourth step in the Anger Management process is to bind up the wounds that may have been left by the potentially devastating emotional pace of anger.

One of the most effective means of giving ourselves immediately relief from anger is forgiveness.

YAHOO HotJobs-The Savvy Newsletter

YAHOO: HOTJOBS – The Savvy Newsletter

MYTH: When you get a call from HR and they ask you your required salary, you should lowball to them to get the interview.
HR people envision a special pace in hell for candidates who say on the phone, “I’d love to come in interview, and I need to make $50K per year” when in fact, after three interviews, they decide that they need to earn $75k per year. You can give a range on the phone, but you can’t say that you’re OK with a number that you’re really not OK with.

Realty: If you’re asked for a salary range, be truthful.

MYTH: In a cover letter, you should quote the job as much as you can to show that you’re qualified for the job.
Quoting the text from the job ad doesn’t say you’re qualified. It says that you can read, and type. Rather than quoting the job ad, use examples from your career history that illustrate your ability to perform the job.

Realty: Don’t parrot terms from the job ad, but address the elements in your cover letter with specific examples from your past.

MYTH: If you get a call from a phone screener, you say it’s not a good time to talk—that shows that you’re in demand.
If you really can’t talk (the baby is crying, the dog needs a walk, or you’re not feeling well) then ask for a reschedule. But if you can take the call, do it! The more quickly you can get through the phone-screen process and be scheduled for a face-to-face interview, the better for you.

Reality: Don’t find excuse to delay phone screening—if you can manage to take the call when the phone rings, do it.

MYTH: You shouldn’t use a “summary” section of your resume—it’s a waste of space.
A summary on your resume is an absolutely critical element, as it ties together what you’ve done over the course of your career. A well-written summary shows your judgment, your writing skills and your ability to determine what’s salient in your background. Without it, you’re saying to the reader, “I’ve done a bunch of jobs, and here they are—you figure out what it means to your company.”

Reality: A concise, specific, and no-boilerplate summary is a critical element in your resume.

MYTH: The job market will improve this spring—you’re better off waiting out the next couple of months.
This may be the most dangerous job-search myth of all, because if you’re not working, the last thing you want to do is wait until your unemployment runs out before beginning your search. Employers won’t be impressed by your explanation of how you took time off to hang out while the job market improved. There’s no guarantee that things will get easier a few months from now. Don’t delay—get your job search engine in gear, now!

Reality: Don’t let moss grow on your job search—get your plan together now and jump into action!

WHAT THE INTERVIEWER IS LOOKING FOR

WHAT THE INTERVIEWER IS LOOKING FOR

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself

You: Remember, this is a job interview, not a psychological or personal interview. The interviewer is interested in the information about you that relates to your qualifications for employment, such as education, work experiences, and extracurricular activities.

Interviewer: Why should I hire you?

You: Stress what you have to offer the employer, and how nice it would be to work there or what you want from the employer.

Interviewer: Why do you want to work for our company/organization?

You: Not having an answer is a good way to get crossed off the candidate list, and is a common pet peeve of the interviewers. Research the employer before your interview; attempts to find out about the organization’s products, locations, clients, philosophy, goals, previous growth record and growth plans, how they value employees and customers, etc.

Highlight positive reputation of the organization in the community. Add a story of when someone you know was happy with their product or service, if possible.

Monday, June 22, 2009

MENTAL HEALTH: A REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL-CHAPTER 2

MENTAL HEALTH: A REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL-
CHAPTER 2

The surgeon general has a report out on mental illness that has a lot of well-thought information on a broad scope of mental health issues, and information on recovery from mental illnesses, too.

We are including some excerpts for the report along with a link to the site with all of the information available.

Overview of Etiology

The precise causes (etiology) of most mental disorders are not
known. But the key word in this statement is precise. The
precise causes of most mental disorders may not be known.
but the broad forces that shape them areknown: these are
biological, psychological, and social/cultural factors.

The causes of health and disease are generally viewed as a
Product of the interplay or interaction between biological,
Psychological, and socio-cultural factors. This true for all
Health and illness, including mental health and mental
Illness. For instance, diabetes and schizophrenia alike are
Viewed as the result of interactions between biological,
Psychological, and socio-cultural influences. With these
Disorders, a biological predisposition is necessary but not
Sufficient to explain their occurrence (Barondes 1993). For
Other disorders, a psychological or socio-cultural cause may
Be necessary, but again not sufficient.

Psychological and socio-cultural events continue to have
Meaning for mental health and mental illness.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter2/sec3.html

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

BIOLOGY AND MENTAL ILLNESS

BIOLOGY AND MENTAL ILLNESS

The most honest answer to this question is “No one really knows for sure.” However, this is not an answer you’re apt to hear very often. On this page, I’ll briefly discuss both sides of the issues. First, let me talk briefly about the relationship between biology, mental illness, and emotion.

Biology, Mental Illness and the Emotions

Most emotional states occur in connection with certain processees in the brain which can be measured in terms of electrical activity and presence of certain chemicals. For example, when a person is depressed, we can predict that there are lower levels of a neurotransmitter called Serotonin in the brain. Similarly, we can predict many other activities occurring in the brain based on different emotions or mental illness diagnoses.

This does not necessarily tells us anything about the cause of this pattern.

The Case for a Biological Base of Mental Illness

Baaed on what is stated above, it seems quite obvious why many people would say that mental illness is biologically based. Additionally, research has suggested that people with a family history of mental illness are more likely to have the same or a similar mental illness. This appears to suggest that mental illness has its roots in genetics and biology. But let’s take a look at the other side of the story…

Alternative Views on Mental Illness

One of the first things that you’ll learn if you take a research class is that correlation doesn’t mean causation. In other words, just because two things routinely occur together does mean one is causing the other. A good deal of theory which is supported by research suggests that things which bother us that we don’t deal with may change our biology. For example, say that you are really mad at your spouse. However, you don’t want anyone, including your spouse, to know. So you pretend everything is fine. This may lead to an ulcer, lower back problems, or a variety of other physically experienced symptoms. In psychology, we often refer to these as somatic symptoms. In other words, not dealing with emotional and relational illnesses also changes your biology!

HEALTHY ATTITUDE, CAN IT REALLY HELP?

HEALTHY ATTITUDE, CAN IT REALLY HELP?

We all know that good nutrition, exercise and proper medical care are vital to maintaining good health. What about your mental health attitude? Mounting evidence suggests that a strong connection exists between our mental attitude and physical health.

The Health Emotions Research Institute of the University of Wisconsin is one of the first comprehensive centers dedicated to the scientific analysis of how emotions, particularly positive ones, influence disease and overall health. They have been able to scientifically show how major organ systems, such as the cardiovascular and immune systems, function during periods of positive and negative emotion.

Whether from life-threatening illness, or excessive efforts to succeed, it is believed that stress, if experienced long enough at a significant intensity, can lead to serious illness, maybe even cancer. This may have to do with its affect on the immune system. Many researchers tell us that our attitude can help determine the effects stress will have on our health.

In one study with couples trying to resolve long-standing disagreements, the more stressful the argument the more both people’s immune system abilities dropped. The good news, however, is that a different, more positive response to stress changes the biochemical events that occur. Less cortisol is released, and less damage may be done to the body.

Htto://www.geocities.com/dreamr144/healthattitude.htm?200912

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS: DESTINY QUOTES

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS: DESTINY QUOTES

DESTINY AFFIRMATIONS

It makes no sense that our caring loving creator would create us for failure, sadness or fear. We are destined to be creatures of success, happiness and fearless. It is our divine birthright to be successful happy and strong. – CALLAHAN

Governments may try and suppress me. Temptations may try and hinder me. Persecutions may try and hurt me. Jealousy may try and repress my destiny. But I am the master of my destiny. It matters not what others do to me, say about me or feel about me. For with my mind I am destiny. - CALLAHAN
night of the sewer filled full of crap. Sow saying your so full of crap. must mean you
work in a sewer. day or night.

Friday, June 12, 2009

A LOOK AT ASHEVILLE, NC

A LOOK AT ASHEVILLE, NC
The area was settled by early English, Scots and Irish. Is it any wonder to see things reminiscent of their homeland, such as rushing streams and beautiful coniferous woodland. All the ruggedness of the Highlands can be found here nested in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Evidence of their lasting presence were found here in the Appalachian Mountains whence folklorist researchers found an untapped source of British folk music still in tits original form as illustrated in the movie The Dream Catcher. Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain etched out a story about an applicant family during the Civil War.
A Hannibal film, Patch Adams, Lost of the Mohicans and The Clearing all were filmed here. The beauty of the mountains attracts another kind of visitor, the filmmaker, who chooses its gorgeous verdant mountains rivers and streams for some of Hollywood's memorable movies. We have beauty, culture, music, and art in abundance here, all waiting for the vacationer to come and visit.
There is no shortage of activities and interests to enjoy in Asheville, North Carolina. Just a short drive from downtown Asheville lies in the majestic Biltmore House, whose foundations stretch across 4 acres wall-to-wall. It is the largest privately owned home in America. Biltmore Estate has an exciting program of events that include horses and trail riding, and carriage rides. It boasts America's most visited winery and it is a haven for people who want to ride their own horses on the estate's Ride Biltmore Trail, passes for which can be purchased directly from the estate. There are 80 miles of meandering horseback riding with various degrees of difficulty to suit most levels of competency.
Asheville itself is one of the very few cities of its size, 70,000 people, that can boast having its own symphony, ballet company and opera company, whose performance are more than enough to wet the pallet of the most serious arts connoisseur. Not only can Asheville boast these three performing art forms, it is host to many other art events through out the year including Belle Chere, a yearly street arts festival with musical visitors from all over the world, LEAF festival, and Shindig on the Green.
The French Broad Rive Walk with its artisan studios are waiting with unique works to amaze and delight its visitors. The timeless Tordoresque buildings of Biltmore Village are reminiscent of something found in ye olde' England.
Hiking on the endless Blue Ridge Mountain parkway trails include Graveyard Fields Trail, a mountain top hike where the tectonic plates once came together underwater and still have remnants of a once sandy bottom. Devil's Courthouse was labeled by American Indiana folklore as a mysterious place. Many trails include patches of wild blueberries to enjoy before resting by a rock formation.
-by Peter Collins

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

HOLISTIC MEDICINE

HOLISTIC MEDICINE
Medical Encyclopedia: Holistic Medicine
Definition
Holistic medicine is a term used to describe therapies to treat the patient as a whole person. That is, instead of treating an illness, as an orthodox allopathy, holistic medicine looks at an individual’s over-all physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being before recommending treatment. A practitioner with a holistic approach treats the symptoms of illness as well as looking for the underlying cause of the illness. Holistic medicine also attempts to prevent illness by placing a greater emphasis on optimizing health. The body’s systems are seen as interdependent parts of the person’s whole being. It s natural state is one of health, and an illness or a disease is an imbalance in the body’s systems. Holistic therapies tend to emphasize proper nutrition and avoidance of substances—such as chemicals—that pollute the body. Their techniques are non-invasive.
Some of the world’s health systems that are holistic in nature include naturopathic medicine, homeopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine. Many alternative or natural therapies have a holistic approach, although that is not always the case. The term complementary medicine is used to refer to the use of both allopathic and holistic treatments. It is most often used in Great Britain, but is gaining acceptance in the United States.
There are no limits to the range of disease and disorders that can be treated in a holistic way, as the principle of holistic healing is to balance the body, mind, spirit, and emotions so that the person’s whole being functions smoothly. When an individual seeks holistic treatment for a particular illness or condition, other health problems improve without direct treatment, due to the improvement in the performance of the immune system, which is one of the goals of holistic medicine.
Description
There are a number of therapies that come under the umbrella of “holistic medicine.” They all use basically the same principles, promoting not only physical health, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Most emphasize quality nutrition. Refined foods typically eaten in modern America contain chemical additives and preservatives, are high in fat, cholesterol, and sugars, and promote disease. Alternative nutritionists counter that by recommending whole foods whenever possible and minimizing the amount of meat—especially red meat—that is consumed. Many alternative therapies promote vegetarianism as a method of detoxification.
The aim of holistic medicine is to bring all areas of an individual’s life, and most particularly the energy flowing through the body, back into harmony. Ultimately, of course, only the patient can be responsible for this, for no practitioner can make the necessary adjustments to diet and lifestyle to achieve health. The practice of holistic medicine does not rule out the practice of allopathic medicine; the two can complement each other.
A properly balanced holistic health regimen, which takes into consideration all aspects of human health and includes noninvasive and nonpharmaceutical healing methods, can often completely eradicate even acute health problems safely. If a patient is being treated with allopathic medicine, holistic therapies may at least support the body during treatment, and alleviate the symptoms that often come with drug treatments and surgery. In addition, holistic therapies aim at the underlying source of the illness, to prevent recurrence.
Here are some of the major holistic therapies:
Herbal medicine
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Ayurvedic medicine
Nutritional therapies
Chiropractic
Stress reduction
Psychotherapy
Massage
Because holistic medicine aims to treat the whole person, holistic practitioners sometimes may advise treatment from more than one type of practitioner. This is to ensure that all aspects of health are addressed. Some practitioners also specialize in more than one therapy, and so may be able to offer more comprehensive assistance.
Dictionary: holistic medicine
n.
An approach to medical care that emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person’s health, including physical, psychological, social, economic, and cultural factors.
Alternative Medicine Encyclopedia: Holistic Medicine
Origins
The concept of holistic medicine is not new. In the 4th century, BC, Socrates warned that treating only one part of the body would not have good results. Hippocrates considered that many factors contribute to the health or otherwise of a human being, including weather, nutrition, emotional factors. In our times, a host of different sources of pollution can interfere with health. And of course, holistic medicine existed even before older Greece in some ancient traditions, such as those from India and China, which date back over 5,000 years. However, the term “holistic” only came part of everyday language in the 1970s, when Westerners began seeking an alternative to allopathic medicine.
Interestingly, it was only at the beginning of the twentieth century that the principles of holistic medicine fell out of favor in Western societies, with the advent of major advances in what we now call allopathic medicine. Paradoxically, many discoveries of the twentieth century have only served to confirm many natural medicine theories. In many cases, researchers have set out to debunk holistic medicine, only to find that their research confirms it, as has been the case, for example, with many herbal remedies.
Benefits
Many people are not turning to holistic medicine, often when suffering from chronic ailments that have not been successfully treated by allopathic means. Although many wonderful advances and for producing optimal health because they are designed to attack illness. Holistic medicine is particularly helpful in treating chronic illnesses and maintaining health through proper nutrition and stress management.
Preparations
To choose a holistic practitioner, a person should conscious the following questions:
How did you hear of this therapist? A personal referral can sometimes be more reliable than a professional one. What do other professionals say about this therapist? What qualifications, board certification, or affiliations does this practitioner have?
How do you feel personally about this practitioner? Do you feel comfortable in his/her office and with his/her staff? Is you sense of well-being increased? Are you kept waiting for appointments?
Do you have confidence in this practitioner, and does he/she respect you as a person? Does he/she show an interest in your family, lifestyle, and diet? Are various treatment options explained to you?
Is you personal dignity respected?
Do you feel that this practitioner is sensitive to your feelings and fears regarding treatment?
Is this practitioner a good advertisement for his/her profession? Signs of stress or ill health may mean that you would be better off choosing another practitioner.
Do you feel that you are rushed into decisions, or do you feel that the practitioner is taking your progress seriously?
Do you feel unconditionally accepted by this practitioner?
Would you send your loved ones to this practitioner?
If you answered yes to all of the above, then you have found a suitable practitioner. The cost of treatment by a holistic therapist varies widely depending on the level of qualification and the discipline, so it is best to discuss how much treatment can be expected to cost with a practitioner before beginning a course of therapy. Some forms of holistic treatment may be covered by health insurance.
Precautions
Many people who try holistic therapies focus on one area of their health only, often detoxification and nutrition. However, practitioners stress that it is only when all areas of a person’s potential well-being are tackled that total health and happiness can be achieved. They stress that the spiritual and emotional health contribute just as much as physical and mental health to a person’s overall state of well-being.
When seeking treatment from a holistic practitioner, it is important to ensure that they are properly qualified. Credentials and reputation should always be checked. In addition, it is important that allopathic physicians and alternative physicians communicate with me another about a patient’s care.
Side Effects
One of the main advantages of holistic therapies is that they have few side effects when used correctly. If a reputable practitioner is chosen and guidelines are adhered to, the worst that typically happens is that when lifestyle is changed, and fresh nutrients are provided, the body begins to eliminate toxins that may have accumulated in the cells over a lifetime.
Often holistic therapy results in what is known in alternative medicine as a “healing crisis.” This comes about when the cells eliminate poisons into the blood stream all at the same time, throwing the system into a state of toxic overload until it can clear the “backlog.” Symptoms such as nausea, headaches, or sensitivities to noise and other stimulations can be experienced.
The answer to most patients who are otherwise healthy patients is often just to lie quietly in a darkened room and take herbal teas. However, in the case of someone who has a serious illness, such as arthritis, colitis, diabetes, or cancer, it is strongly advised that they seek the help of a qualified practitioner. Therapists can help patients achieve detoxification in a way that causes the least stress to their bodies.
Research & General Acceptance
Traditionally, holistic medicine, in all its different forms, has been guarded with mistrust and skeptiscism on the part of the allopathic medical profession. This situation is gradually changing. As of the year 2004, many insurance companies will provide for some form of alternative, or complementary treatment.
In addition, many allopathic physicians, recognizing the role alternative medicine can play in overall health and well being, are actually referring patients to reputable practitioners, particularly chiropractors and relaxation therapists, for help with a varied range of complaints.
Training & Certification
Holistic or alternative medicine practitioners are usually affiliated with an organization in their field. Training varies widely with the category, and ranges from no qualifications at all-experience only—to holding a Ph.D from an accredited university. Again, credentials and memberships should be checked by prospective patients.
An excellent source for qualified practitioners is the American Board of Holistic Medicine (AHBM), which was incorporated in 1996. Also, the American Holistic Medicine Association has a comprehensive list of practitioners in all types of therapies across the United States, which they call the “holistic doctor finder.” However, these groups stress that it is the responsibility of the patient to check each practitioner’s credentials prior to treatment.
The AHBM has established the core curriculum upon which board certification for holistic medicine will be based. It includes the following twelve categories:
Physical and environmental health
Nutritional medicine
Exercise medicine
Environmental medicine
Mental and emotional health
Behavioral medicine
Spiritual health
Spiritual attunement
Social health
The six specialized areas:
Biomolecular diagnosis and therapy
Botanical medicine
Energy medicine
Ethnomedicine—including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and Native American medicine
Founded in 1978 for the purpose of uniting practitioners of holistic medicine, membership of the AHMA is open to licensed medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (Dos) from every specialty, and to medical students studying for those degrees. Associated membership is open to health care practitioners who are certified, registered or licensed in the state which they practice. The mission of the AHMA is to support practitioners in their person and professional development as healers, and to educate mainstream physicians about holistic medicine.
Encyclopedia of Public Health: Holistic Medicine
The words “holism” and “holistic” are derived from the Greek word holos, meaning “whole.” Jan Christian Smuts coined the term “holism” in a book published in 1926 titled Holism and Evolution. Holism is based on an understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Practitioners of holistic medicine focus on the whole person, not just a specific disease, and believe that mind, body, and spirit are inseparable. They also believe that good health is not merely the absence of disease, that the body has an innate power to heal itself, and that lifestyle factors contribute to health and illness.
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: holistic medicine
Doctrine of prevention and treatment that emphasizes looking at the whole person—body, mind, emotions, and environment—rather than a single function or organ. It promotes use of a wide range of health practices and therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and nutrition, stressing “self-care” with traditional commonsense essentials. In the extreme, it may accord equal validity to a wide range of health-care approaches, some incompatible and not all scientific. It does not ignore mainstream Western medical practices but does not see them as the only effective therapies.

Columbia Encyclopedia: holistic medicine
Holistic medicine, system of health care based on a concept of the “whole” person as one whose body, mind, spirit, and emotions are in balance with the environment. Stressing personal responsibility for health, a holistic approach may include conventional medicine and various nontraditional methods of diagnosis and therapy, e.g, acupuncture, biofeedback, faith healing, folk medicine, megavitamin therapy, meditation, and yoga. Patients are encouraged to establish self-regulated regimens to control such illness-related factors such as poor diet, smoking, alcohol intake, and stress. Surgery and prescription drugs are generally avoided.
Health Dictionary: holistic medicine
An approach to medicine that emphasizes treating the person as a whole, with special attention to the interconnections of the mind and body and of the systems within the body. Holistic medicine stresses the patient’s role in health care through such means as positive attitudes, sound diet and regular exercise.
Veterinary Dictionary: holistic medicine
A comprehensive approach to health care and prevention of disease employing conventional and many of the alternative medicine modalities, including acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, nutraceuticals and physical therapy which integrates the body as a whole, including mind and spirit, rather than separate systems.
Wikipedia: holistic health
Holistic health is a philosophy of medical care that views physical and mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important approaches to treatment. While frequently associated with alternative medicine, it is also increasingly used in mainstream medical practice as part of a broad view of patient care.
History
Holism as a health concept has long existed outside of academic circles, but only relatively recently has the modern medical establishment begun to integrate it into the mainstream health care system. In the United States, the first National Conference on Holistic Health was conducted by the Health Optimizing Institute and The Mandala Society with the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in Juny 1975. This continued there for ten years with about three thousand health professionals participating each year. After the second year it was not under the Medical School.
The recording of these Conferences that the emerging of Holistic Health in America is in the nine volumes of The Journal of Holistic Health provided by the Mandala Society. Over 159 authorities in aspects of Holistic Health participated and recorded in the Journals.
The Mandala Society Conferences and work supported the creation of the Association For Holistic Health in 1976, the Holistic Medical Association in 1978 and The American Holistic Nurses Association, 1979.
Many regional Holistic Health Associations followed with the American Holistic Health Association being established in 1989.
Historically, Holistic health has not been widely practiced in North America. According to Robbie David-Floyd in “Medical Anthropology-Modern Midwives, Issue 20”, she states that there are “links between tradition, ancestry, home remedies, the earth and the biomedical systems”.
Qui Gong, Yoga and Chiropractic Treatment
In the Complementary Medicine section under the heading Benefits the manual states: “Holistic Approach: When you see your conventional provider, your visit generally lasts 10 to 15 minutes. People who provide alternative treatments often take one hour or more to find out all about you. Many health problems, especially chronic diseases, are more likely to respond to treatment when the whole person is taken into consideration.”
This section also gives advice about how to avoid fraud and quackery.
Under the heading, “Healing”: The VA manual mentions Spiritual Healing and Therapeutic Touch stating: “Nurses may use therapeutic touch in conventional medical settings to help heal and comfort their patients.”
The American Holistic Nurses Association is playing a significant role in moving Holistic Health into the mainstream for responsible care.
Holistic Health care is simply about responsible health care. Responsible health care is working fully the whole persons Spirit, Mind and Body.
“Dimensions of Holistic healing-New frontiers in the treatment of the whole person”, the authors define Holistic health as “treating the whole person, helping the person to bring the mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions of his or her being into greater harmony, using the basic principles and elements of holistic healing and, as much as possible, placing reliance on treatment modalities that foster the regenerative and self reparatory processes of natural healing.” (Otto and Knight, 1979, p.3).

Friday, June 5, 2009

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO BIPOLAR DISORDER

A HOLISTIC APPROACH BIPOLAR DISORDER
Treating people with Bipolar disorder in a holistic manner
In many cases those who are diagnosed with the condition of Bipolar disorder are singled out just for being Bi-polar. People, even family members will speak openly about those suffering as being a “bi-polar person”. This singling out is cause of the stigma that we face. It's not fair to be known as being a sick person as opposed to being a person. The holistic perspective does not see the person suffering with this disorder apart from the person living their life. Holistic means wholeness, completeness as it regards the individual. Approach Bi-polar from this perspective means seeing the individual as a complete person. This does not disregard the fact that those diagnosed with the term bi-polar are without need for mental healing. Bi-polar occurs when our nervous system and neurochemistry becomes to imbalanced that it drastically affects our mood. When this occurs, the speed at which our mind functions and our energetic being increase.
To fully balance the individual it is necessary to bring all elements of oneself into alignment. If your car is pulling to the right because your tires are out of alignment and you correct only the one that is most out of balance, neglecting the other three, your car may not pull as much but it will still run off the road if you take your hands off the wheel. This is a simple way of understanding what is happening when we treat just the symptoms of bi-polar disorder. The holistic perspective seeks to bring about complete healing by ackknowledging the entire person. Understanding this perspective is the reconditioning which is necessary for the individual to understand what is required of him or her in order to bring oneself back to a state of mental harmony. First we must be able to see ourselves as capable individuals. It is very important to see ourselves and to be seen as competent in the face of Bi-polar. Continuing to build self esteem is very important if we are going to amount to the challenges that this condition causes.
Bi-polar can happen to anyone living in the modern world. At this time in history more and more cases of bi-polar disorder are being diagnosed. This may be due to in large part to the amount of stress the modern world is creating in the lives of those living in it. The environment we live in, the foods we consume and the way in which we spend our time are greatly affecting our mental states. We need to find a way to rebalance. Approaching bi-polar disorder from a holistic perspective means clearly seeing the imbalances that are causing our fluctuating imbalanced mental state and then apply natural techniques to rebalance the entire being.
I agree with most of what you said about the stigma and frustration we bi-polar people face in society and even with friends and relatives. I even agree that holistic medicine, some areas anyway, might even help with coping with the symptoms of the disorder. Brain chemicals. I did think you did a good job explaining how people who are not bipolar see and treat us differently. I just wouldn't want to go through life without my mood stabilizer because it really does help to balance me out and help me live a normal life.
Http://healthmad.com/Mental-Health/A-Holistic-Approach-to-Bipolar-Disorder.2814...

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My husband & I miss the Integrity Clubhouse (Yale) A LOT “plus” we “LOVE” the Blue Water Clubhouse (Port Huron); in other words, we like going to “clubhouses” that are all about mentally ill, disability and handicapped people; who live in Group Homes, Nursing Homes, etc. and START – TRYING, in one-way-or-another, to get their own lives STARTED-UP by “living independent” “on their own!!” We would like to see that happen!!
We, also, enjoy to communicate & associated with the people at the clubhouses, who are going through one of the 3 bad health conditions (mentioned earlier), AND DO “already” live on their own, independently!!
Again, my husband & I “think A LOT” all about “clubhouses” that handle & operate the businesses about C.M.H. (Community Mental Health) Service Customers, after they become “Clubhouse Members” through the C.M.H.
Written by, A.W.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PARAMEDIC?

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PARAMEDIC?
MOBILITY-getting there is half the job.
A paramedic must also be ready to overcome whatever obstacle may come between the patient and the medic. Whether it is snowy roads, treacherous trials, swift moving rivers, or high volume traffic. All these things must be considered when responded to the patient.
In the job we have vehicles that can operate in almost all driving situations. These vehicles have been specifically made to strict guidelines and can be very costly. All paramedics are special trained on thee maneuverability and operation of these vehicles so that they are safe on our highways.
You also must consider how we will get to the patient once we arrive at a scene. A hiker injured half way down a rocked face mountain will require special rappellling techniques to get to him/her and then special techniques must be used to immobilize and treat life threatening injuries while hanging more than 100 feet in the air.
EDUCATION – is the backbone of his/her career
A paramedic must initially complete a certificate program, a two-year college program, or a four-college program. These programs differ in hours but not in the importance of material.
Upon completion of these courses the paramedic candidate must pass a grilling tese administered by the state of North Carolina and pass local medical boards consisting of doctors, nurses, and peers. After the paramedic has completed his/her test and boards the medic is ready to be trained by veterans in the field. This will consist of attending to every patient that may need medical attention over the next 6-9 months. Now he/she is ready for the road and will most likely operate with a paramedic partner.
Most Emergency Medical Services that serve at the paramedic level carry no less than 20 different medications. These units also carry equipment that can detect true heart attacks and provide you with electrical shock if your heart stops. Obviously more equipment is carried and used daily but they are to numerous to list. It is monthly inservice classes that keep the paramedic up to speed on new medical procedures and review of old procedures. The paramedic must attend 24 hours yearly to keep their North Carolina certification valid.
DETERMINATION – is the key to a paramedic's success.
The paramedic must be determined to overcome these obstacles already discussed. Never will you hear a paramedic returning from a call say “We could not get to the patient so we did not treat him/her.”
A paramedic will never feel as though she/he has learned all there is to know about the job. He/she will always show determination to learn that one skill or one medication better than anyone will.
Ultimately the patient and his/her family will gain from this determination.
INITIATIVE – no one is going to do it for you.
As a paramedic you must show self-initiative in your patient care. Often times a paramedic is the first to arrive on the scene and realizes that it is up to him/her if that patient's condition improves or worsens. The paramedic is the medical authority at that particular time. To show self-initiative without hesitation is imperative for a positive patient outcome.
As a paramedic's career continues he/she will be called upon to work on many projects to help improve the EMS system. Maybe they will be asked to write a paper such as this one or design a computer program to use for record keeping and billing of insurance. The paramedic must use the same initiative in this area as he/she does in their patient care.
COMPASSION – you must understand your patients and their families.
A paramedic meets people in the worst of times. It is this reason before a paramedic can treat the patient he/she must first try to understand the patient and comfort them. An elderly woman having chest pain will sometimes be more worried about her cats or calling her family. This is when a paramedic realizes that before he/she can get accurate information about the patient's illness they need to insure the patient that all will be fine and stress her need for immediate medical care.
In the death of a loved one the families are most often left traumatized. In some cases the time that the patient has been pulse-less is to great to receive any benefit from advanced cardiac life support and a doctor at the receiving hospital will give orders to discontinue any attempts at CPR. This is the toughest part of the job. Telling a wife that her husband for 50 years is dead will never be easy. The paramedic may then offer to call the funeral home of choice, a pastor, and/or family members.
All situations are different and it is up to the paramedic to address needs both emotionally and physically.
Http://www.catawgacountync.gov/depts/ES/whatdoes.asp

NEW DRUG APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR SERDOLECT

NEW DRUG APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR SERDOLECT
Copenhagen, Denmark, Sept. 15 2008-H. Lundbeck AVS announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed the initial check for completeness and accept the New Drug Application for Serdolect for the treatment of Schizophrenia for review.
ABOUT SERDOLECT
Serdolect is an effective antipsychotic drug for the treatment of Schizophrenia without sedative effect and with plecebo levelextapyramidal symptoms (EPS), the lack of sedative and anticholinergic effects to benefit cognition, which often is impaired in patients suffering from Schizophrenia.
The efficacy, tolerability, and safety of Serdolect has through daily clinical practice been confirmed in more than 70,000 patients. Serdolect's clinical and pharmacological profile indicates that the drug may improve their daily functioning and their quality of life and reduce the risk of relapse.
Serdolect derives from Lunbeck's in-house research and the company holds the global rights.

NEW DRUG APPLIC ATION SUBMITTED FOR SERDOLECT

SERVING CUSTOMERS
I found some information on how to be an effective waitress at a restaurant called Your Vagabond. These principles will help you to be a good server to customers at KALIESDOSCOPE as well.
So let's discuss what was written and any other ideas we may have about making our customers at the beach happy.
THE WAITRESS DOCTRINE
CLOTHING
You need to wear footwear and need sleeves in your shirts. Long hair should be out of your face (and the patron's food).
[RUSH HOUR]
For large groups and/or busy times of day, you may have to politely ask from patrons to make room.
TAKING AN ORDER
Obviously, this is the most basic part of your job. You've eaten in a restaurant, right? You remember those self-confident, efficient servers who waited on you and your family? This is all we need you to be.
But seriously, waitressing is not rocket science, and waitresses are only human. Do your best, be polite, thoughtful, and efficient in your work, and you will be a star! Take your time. Listen attentively and patiently.

SERVING CUSTOMERS

SERVING CUSTOMERS
I found some information on how to be an effective waitress at a restaurant called Your Vagabond. These principles will help you to be a good server to customers at KALIESDOSCOPE as well.
So let's discuss what was written and any other ideas we may have about making our customers at the beach happy.
THE WAITRESS DOCTRINE
CLOTHING
You need to wear footwear and need sleeves in your shirts. Long hair should be out of your face (and the patron's food).
[RUSH HOUR]
For large groups and/or busy times of day, you may have to politely ask from patrons to make room.
TAKING AN ORDER
Obviously, this is the most basic part of your job. You've eaten in a restaurant, right? You remember those self-confident, efficient servers who waited on you and your family? This is all we need you to be.
But seriously, waitressing is not rocket science, and waitresses are only human. Do your best, be polite, thoughtful, and efficient in your work, and you will be a star! Take your time. Listen attentively and patiently.

FDA APPROVES FANAPT TO TREAT SCHIZOPHRENIIA

FDA NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2009
FDA APPROVES FANAPT TO TREAT SCHIZOPHRENIA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Fanapt tablets (iloperidone) to treat adults with schozophrenia, a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder.
Schizophrenia can be a devastating illness requiring lifelong treatment and therapy,” said Thomas Laughren, M.D., director of the Division of Psychiatry Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Medications for schizophrenia can ease many symptoms, allowing people to live more independent lives.”
Fanapt is included in the atypical antipsychotic class of drugs. All atypical antipsychotic contain a boxed warning, the FDA's strongest warning.
The learning alerts prescribers to an increase chance of death associated with off-label use of these drugs to treat behavioral behavior problems in older people with dementia-related psychosis. Fanapt is not approved for patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Fanapt demonstrated efficacy in two placebo-controlled short-term clinical trials in both, Fanapt was superior to placebo (sugar pill) in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
The most common adverse reactions report by patients using Fanapt in clinical trials were dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, nasal congestion, sudden fall in blood pressure causing light-headedness upon standing ((orthostatic hypotension), drowiness, rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and weight increase.
Fanapt is manufactured by Patheon Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rockville, MD.

Monday, June 1, 2009

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS SETS FOR JOB-SEEKERS

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS SETS FOR JOB-SEEKERS
Marketable job skills can be broken down into five basic categories
Communication: the skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas.
Speaking effectively
Writing concisely
Listening attentively
Expressing ideas
Negotiating
Persuading
Reporting information
Interviewing
Research and Planning: the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs.
Creating ideas
Identifying problems
Imaging alternatives
Identify resources
Gathering information
Solving problems
Defining needs
Human Relations: the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict, relating to and helping people.
Developing rapport
Providing support for others
Motivating
Cooperating
Delegating with respect
Representing others
Organization, Management, and Leadership: the ability to supervise, direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals.
Initiating new ideas
Handling details
Coordinating tasks
Managing groups
Delegating responsibility
Promoting change
Selling ideas or products
Decision making with others
Work Survival: the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction.
Implementing decisions
Enforcing policies
Managing time
Meeting goals
Accepting responsibility
Setting and meeting deadlines
Making decisions

IS ECONOMY CAUSING DEPRESSION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS?

IS ECONOMY CAUSING DEPRESSION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS?
The Associated Press did a poll recently that showed stress was getting to college students. A lot of stress was attributed to finances and the economy. But school work caused the most stress by percentage. Family and other relationships came in third behind money problem. The AP along with MTVU (whatever that is) said that the most students had not sought professional help despite showing early symptoms of depression. For more information on this story, go to: www.health.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090521/ap_on_re_us/us_college_poll_depression

A NEW WEBSITE FROM THE U.S. MILITARY

The U.S. Military (perhaps the Army) now has a website for soldiers addressing mental health. The website is realwarriors.net. There seems to be quite a few resources for vets and their mental health. Resilience, Recovery and reintegration is the aim of this website. There are articles, a place for email updates, live help and chat and the suicide prevention lifeline. All good signs for our vets and the reduction of stigma. There is an article at ihealthbeat.org dated 5/27/09 on this new website. We'll put links up to the articles and realwarriors.net on our clubhouse website.

NEW RESEARCH UNDER WAY TO STUDY TREATMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

NEW RESEARCH UNDER WAY TO STUDY TREATMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDERed
Continuing their groundbreaking research into the treatment of mood disorders in older adults, psychiatrists at the Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Winchester Division in White Plains will begin new studies on the effects of quetiapine (Seroquel: Astra Zeneca) and lamotrigine (Lamictal: GlaxoSmithKline). Although both drugs have been approved for aspects of the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder, to date there has been limited research into their effects on older adults with bipolar depression.
The studies are being led by Dr. Robert. C. Young, professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, and his colleagues at the Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry. With more than 30 years of clinical and research experience, Dr. Young's focus has been to develop information that improve treatment of older adults suffering mood disorders.
Dr. Young, an attending psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Winchester, said:”Today, most bipolar treatment studies have been conducted in younger patients. In some older bipolar patients a good symptom response is difficult to achieve, and they often have recurring symptoms, disability, multiple medical disabilities and increased mortality rates. We hope that findings from these studies will help physicians better manage the care of their geriatric bipolar patients.”
Eligible participants must be 60 years of age or older with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or currently suffering from symptoms of depression. They will be required to meet with a psychiatrist one day per week for a few hours and receive medication management from the treatment team.
Dr. Young and his colleeagues are also continuing to lead another study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and now in its fourth year, comparing the efficacy of two commonly used mood mood stabilizers, lithium and valproate, for the treatment of bipolar disorder in older adults. To date, more than 140 individuals in six study sites across the United States include NewYork-Presbyterian/Westchester have participated.
Dr. Young added, “We've heard from some participants in the NIMH study that they have gotten satisfaction in knowing that the findings from this important research may be of benefit to other older individuals—now and in the years ahead—who are similarly afflicted with bipolar disorder.”
Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated mood—mania or hypomania—and periods of depression, or “mixed” episodes in which patients have both kinds of symptoms. Examples of manic symptoms are high levels of energy, going without sleep for extended periods, elated mood or irritability, and impulsive or reckless behavior.
Patients may not recognize that they are having symptoms.
The studies are funded by Astra Zeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Young has received a honorarium for a talk sponsored by Astra Zenaca.
Http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149292.php

NEW BIPOLAR TREATMENT PROVES PATIENTS CAN CONTROL THEIR MANIA

NEW BIPOLAR TREATMENT PROVES PATIENTS CAN CONTROL THEIR MANIA
It would be great if bipolar sufferers could control their manicc attacks. Now, researchers in Australia
claim they can. The researchers have developed a new form of treatment that gives bipolar patients more control over their lives than they ever had.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from periods of excitability to periods of depression and back again. Bipolar 1 disorder affects over two million U.S. Citizens every year. In many people, the mood swings can be so great that it prevents them from being able to live a normal life. This roller coaster of emotions not only affects them, but it affects their friends and family as well.
The new procedure basically involves adding therapy to the bipolar treatments that the patients normally receive. In reality, therapy is not new as many physicians already believe that the most effective treatment for bipolar disease is to use medication in combination with prescriptions medication. But belief does not equal proof.
Researchers from the Mental Health Institute of Victoria (MHRI) located in Melbourne, Australia, and is Australia's largest independent psychiatric research center, have gone on record as believing that this study is the first one that proves bipolar patients can control their mania. The exciting impact of the Australian study is that it gives credence to the value of psychotherapy in treating bipolar illness.
The Melbourne study consisted of 84 bipolar patients. Half of the patients were given medication only. The other half were given the same medication but in addition attended weekly therapy sessions. The therapy sessions focused on teaching the participants to recognize the common symptoms that might trigger a depressive or manic episode. Symptoms such as insomnia, a significant change in appetite, trouble concentrating, listlessness or tiredness, or other symptoms that are commonly recognized as indicating a bipolar event might be taking place.
The working theory behind the study is that if a bipolar sufferer is aware of an impending episode, he has the chance to do something about it. And the theory, in this case, proved to be correct. At the end of the study, the 42 patients taking the therapy, had only 50% of the manic or depressive episodes of the 42 patients that were treated with medication alone.
The study effectively demonstrates that therapy which emphasizes and teaches the patient how to plan his life, as much as possible, around regular daily activitie and stable relationships, can help them to suffer less manic/depressive attacks and to recover faster from the ones that they do experience.
Unfortunately, long-term therapy is not cheap and many insurance companies will either not cover it or cover only a portion of it. Hopefully, studies like this will help to push the insurance companies into recognizing that therapy is a valid and useful treatment for bipolar disease and may even help to decrease their long term costs.
This study is also important and encouraging for many sufferers who don't want to be entirely dependent on prescription medication. It gives them a sense of hope that they can exert a portion of control over their lives that up until now has been lacking.
About the author:
Julie Frey is webmaster at www.bipolarsickness,com who writes articles relating to bipolar disorder in children.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
http://mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=...