Monday, December 7, 2015

Treat a UTI With the UTI Remedy Report


People who have dealt with Urinary Tract Infection know exactly what we are talking about. Those stomach spasms, repeated urination, irritation and burning sensation can hardly be explained in words. But not to worry anymore; the step by step guide to the complete cure of Urinary Tract Infection is here. The UTI Report Remedy has helped thousands of people to get rid of the UTI infection, and you could be one too. They are very easy to practice and day to day life.

UTI infections are the next commonest conditions after respiratory infections. Recent surveys have been reported to have millions of such cases. These infections are more common in the women than the men. However the male cases are more severe than the women. The kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and the urethra together constitute the excretory system. The whole system works towards purifying blood and eliminating waste from the body in the form of urine. They also help in maintaining the hormonal balance of the body. The urethra carries the urine from the kidneys and stores them in the bladder till it is eliminated through the urethra. Normal urine is free from any sorts of bacteria, virus or fungus, it's sterile. But in case of UTI microorganisms like bacteria grow on the urethra and cause infection. Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria normally found in the colon is responsible for causing UTI.

The antibiotics provided by your doctors kill the beneficial bacteria too along with the infections. But its time you get to know the most effective ways of getting rid of the UTI. The UTI Remedy Report has home remedies for you which will not only help you get rid of the embarrassing UTI, but also prevent its recurrence in future. The UTI Remedy Report will help you do away with the UTI in less than 12 hours and that too by using ingredients straight out from the grocery shop.

There can be various reasons for UTI. Some people are just more prone to UTI than the others. In case of men, an enlarged prostate gland can be reason. In case of elderly persons who have little control over urination, catheters are used. The catheters can also cause infection in the urinary tract. But the UTI Remedy Report has effective solutions for all these conditions ultimately eliminating your UTI.

The UTI Remedy Report gives guaranteed relief in less than a day. It also decreases chances of further occurrence of the UTI. The remedies are tested and proven and are easily applied. It provides a systematic guidance. The UTI Remedy Report gives you detailed information on the cause, symptoms and remedy of the Urinary Tract Infection. It also provides a proper diet regime which will help you deal with the UTI. The UTI e-book is cheap and effective. With a single click of the mouse you can download it and you get a 60 days full money back guarantee in case you are not satisfied.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Can Agoraphobia Turn Into a Mental Illness?


"Am I going crazy?"

The fear of developing a mental illness or going crazy is a common fear among people with agoraphobia.

There are some good reasons for this fear.

First, panic attacks can make you feel like you are going crazy. During a panic attack, your mind and body feel out of control.

Because panic attacks can make you feel out of control, some people with agoraphobia have fears about suddenly losing control of themselves and doing crazy things. For example, I've heard people with agoraphobia say they were afraid of spontaneously jumping out of a high, open window, driving into another car in traffic, or stabbing someone they loved with a kitchen knife.

When you don't feel in control of your mind and body, it's easy to develop scary, obsessive thoughts like this - which can lead to the misconception that panic will keep growing worse until it turns into mental illness.

But, the truth is, agoraphobia is not a mental illness, nor can it turn into one. Psychiatrist and phobia expert, Fredric Neuman, director of the White Plains Hospital Phobia Clinic, says:

"Agoraphobia does not cause a physical derangement or psychosis. Schizophrenia and other such serious illnesses do not grow out of panic states."

In his book, Rising Above Fear, Dr. Neuman describes agoraphobia as developing through "mistakes in learning." Mental illnesses like schizophrenia are conditions in which a person loses touch with reality. Anxiety disorders like agoraphobia are conditions in which a person develops some unrealistic fears within reality.

That's the main difference between agoraphobia and mental illness: Agoraphobia is learned. Mental illness is not.

This means that agoraphobia is more highly treatable than mental illness because it develops through processes over which you can gain control. If you have agoraphobia, you have just learned to think and behave in certain ways over a period of time. Learned behaviors and thought patterns can be unlearned, with patience and consistent effort.

If you have agoraphobia right now, be rest assured that you're not sick and you are not mentally ill. Nor will your condition develop into mental illness, no matter how crazy the panic attacks make you feel. You are a normal person who has just learned some unusual fears.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Inside Mental Hospitals and Behavioral Units: A Bipolar Patient's Point-Of-View


Popular media portrayals of mental institutions often depict unflattering prison-like facilities staffed by stern attendants trying to manage patients as if they were small children in constant need of severe whippings and isolation. Except for government-run facilities for the indigent and criminally insane, today's hospital settings are much more benign and peaceful. This fact is not due to the oft-portrayed result of overmedication needed to keep patients from being too active and unmanageable as found in nursing homes; rather, it stems from today's empirical knowledge that a serene and comfortable environment is key to a patient's mental and emotional healing.

When an individual experiencing a mental disorder episode is either violent or not determines whether he or she is taken to either an emergency room (ER), a private mental hospital, or public hospital behavioral unit for assessment. The out-of-control ER patient typically receives a sedative medication upon admission to prepare him or her for transport to a mental health facility. Both they and non-violent individuals who enter a psychiatric unit are first assessed in order to discover their underlying condition(s). With the patient safely inside a secure facility, a psychiatrist prescribes an initial mix of psychotropic drugs to arrest and stabilize the patient's presenting condition and immediate symptoms' presentations. A lengthy hospital stay is often required because most psychiatric drugs require 2 to 4 weeks administration before behaviorally affecting the patient.

A violent or unruly patient is sometimes taken to a locked and padded isolation room for observation before his or her initial dosing of meds wears off. A psychiatrist, psychotherapist and case manager are assigned to the patient. The "in-control" patient in either a private hospital or general hospital behavioral unit is quickly assessed to determine the nature of the current episode. A patient history is also cobbled together. He or she is asked a battery of questions concerning moods, thoughts, actions and beliefs by a psychologist or trained psychiatric nurse, caseworker or licensed social worker (LSW). However, the patient is primarily scrutinized according to his or her "body language," as 65% of all human communication is non-verbal.

Medical care is often limited, constrained by government regulations, sub-standard facilities and medical professionals' unions found in state and federal (e.g., veteran) hospitals. There is even a lack of basic janitorial services at some of these locales. Additionally, "drug lists" used within these institutions are narrow and limit the physicians' use of the latest, most-efficacious and commonly prescribed psychotropic medications available in the marketplace.

Complicating adequate patient care in many of these facilities is the fact they are mandatory repositories for both criminally insane and indigent patients. As with prison facilities, dangerous contraband including drugs and sharp objects often find their way into the patient population and constitute an existential threat to all in-house staff and patients. Basic equipment, as can be found in most hospitals, is either non-existent or broken. A padded crutch or fully functional wheelchair may be non-existent or broken. A lone wheelchair may exhibit an undersized seat, loose armrest, pinch-points, missing footrests or broken brake lever. Group and individual counseling are pedestrian at best and absent at worst. Occupational and physical therapies often do not exist. Food is often substandard.

Standard procedure in all hospitals is having all items except for the textile portions of patients' clothing bagged and safely stowed to prevent theft and injury to the patient by items like pocket knives, belt-buckles and other items known as "sharps." Disposable slippers or cotton socks with non-slip rubber soles are issued in lieu of the patient's original footwear. Meal service is either smooth-edged metal spoons or plastic flatware accompanied by either unbreakable smooth-rimmed melamine or non-injurious paper or styrofoam plates. Styrofoam drink-ware is also used. Meals are of above-average quality and quantity. This stems from patient dietary needs due to disorder-caused eating issues that have deprived most patients of both nutritious and adequate amounts of food. Meals are served in either buffet lines or catered-style metal food warmers. The latter usually contain meals selected by patients the previous day from menus offering a choice of entrees, beverages and desserts. Much light-hearted trading of food takes place around the tables during mealtimes.

More women than men occupy a psychiatric unit at all times. Although an equal number of men and women are bipolar, women suffer depression twice as much as men do. Hence the patient census typically exhibits 15%-25% more women than men on any given day. With the wide variation of patients, their personalities, and manifold states of their drug therapies, arguments between and among them are not uncommon, as are physical confrontations. Psychiatric technicians and nurses are always on guard to immediately quash these encounters.

Psychiatric facilities focus on both mental (including emotional) and physical health for patients. Spiritual needs are not addressed except for an occasional, optional 15-minute non-denominational session on a Sunday morning, for example. The goal of a restored circadian rhythm in patients explains the strict observance of scheduled morning wake-up calls, meals, group therapy sessions, physical and occupational therapies, other activities and bedtimes. Occupational therapy consisting of small construction and art projects provide for patient relaxation, sense of accomplishment and success in meeting small goals. Sometimes batteries of mental and physical tests are administered to gauge the overall status or health of the patient. An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test is but one of these exams.

Mood patient anxiety, mania and depression slowly subside in response to a varying drug "cocktail" in an attempt to discover the best course for the patient. Also, a physical, emotional and social activity regimen is instituted to achieve a patient's overall goal of mental stability. "Level" or "stable" moods, not joy or happiness, are the goal, as is commonly misunderstood by the layman, for achieving mental recovery. Outpatient therapies and counseling may be administered before ultimate patient release. When a lack progress is evidenced after treatment with various pharmaceutical therapies, bipolar I and severe cases of clinically depressed patients may undergo Electro-Convulsive-Therapy (ECT or "electroshock therapy") to relieve the pain and damage done during episodes of mania, deep depression and catatonia. Although these procedures produce tremendous restoration of patient moods, they are performed at the expense of varying degrees of either or both temporary and permanent loss of patient memory.

As in-patients, a holistic approach to healing takes place due to the coordinated efforts of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric technicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, case managers and social workers. This advantage to the patient is abruptly interrupted upon release and can cause varying levels of anxiety and perhaps a relapse. There may be only psychiatric visits after leaving hospital and perhaps some psychological counseling. Sadly, these two professionals, psychiatrist and psychologist, are usually not in communication with one another and the resultant disconnect results in a patient's issues being poorly addressed. While the psychiatrist is primarily concerned with drug therapies, the psychologist is more concerned with talk, thought, emotional, and behavioral therapies. This scenario often, when combined with the patient's continuing poor domestic environment and poor responses to life challenges, will often require another visit to his or her hospital alma mater, or result in injury or death.

Once stabilized to the satisfaction of one's psychiatrist and other staff, the patient is readied for release. A strange feeling creeps into the patient's psyche as his or her release date and time draw near. He or she has been "ready to leave" for days on end and cannot wait for release. Nonetheless, immediately prior to walking out the door, anxiety strikes the patient with full force. The realization of having been in a peaceful, nurturing environment contrasts with having to confront the stigma of having mental illness, their home environments, and former (sometimes toxic) relationships with others and having no outside help. Fortunately, for most patients, they are usually referred to a counselor or licensed social worker with whom they can continue their recovery back in the "real world." Either an out-patient program or support group meetings can provide other avenues for recovery and maintenance of their mental health.

Because mental healthcare is a specialization and therefore more costly than general medicine, medical insurance usually covers a relatively small portion of both in-patient and out-patient mental health expenses or none at all. Lifetime total in-patient hours are often limited despite high premiums. And, as with any medical hospitalization, the mental hospital facility and doctors each bill the patient separately.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Bipolar Type 2 And Type 1 - What Is The Difference?


Have you heard of the term mood swings? What about manic depression? If you have, then it wouldn't be difficult to explain what bipolar disorder means. All these terms mean the same thing. This is a serious mental illness and is categorized as bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abrupt change of moods from an energetic mania (and hypomania) to the lowest depressive state. Both bipolar disorder categories share the same characteristics in mood swing levels. However, the drawing line between the bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied episode levels of each mood swing.

Bipolar Type 1

The type 1 bipolar disorder is characterized based on the occurrence of at least one manic episode, with or without the occurrence of a major depressive episode. The mania in this diagnosis is full-blown. This abnormality would usually last for a week at the very least. But there are cases that the bipolar patient is required to be confined for more than a week if hospitalized.

Symptoms of this type include the following:

* Self-esteem is high and the patient possesses a great deal of confidence.

* Ambitious attitude is apparent in this state.

* There is the feeling of sleeplessness.

* The patient tends to talk excessively.

* The patient has a tendency to think more than the usual.

The danger of this type is that the patient may hallucinate, losing his grasp of reality. In some cases of bipolar type 1, the patient is diagnosed as psychotic. In some books about bipolar disorder, bipolar type 1 is also called the "raging" bipolar.

Bipolar Type 2

The bipolar type 2 disorder is characterized by the occurrence of at least one hypomania episode and one major depressive state. Sometimes, this type may even have occurrences of more depressive episodes.

In some cases, hypomania actually enables the individual to excel in their fields of expertise. The state of hypomania can be apparent in people that are top achievers in the work environment and at parties. The symptoms in hypomania are mostly positive and may run for about four days before it subsides.

Though its manifestation is obvious and can be observed clearly by other people, the "swinging" bipolar (as it is aptly called) doesn't cause any disruption in normal functional settings. It doesn't cause any hospitalization to a hyperactive person and doesn't have psychotic tendencies.

Swinging Down To Depression

However, the same level of hypomania can swing back down into its depressive episode and its effect can be devastating to the person. Manifestations of this depressive state is apparent in broken marriage, badly-ended relationships, unfinished projects, public humiliation, and more.

But this type of bipolar disorder is difficult to treat because of the benefits the person enjoys from his achievements in the hypomanic stage. From a layman's standpoint, the hypomania in bipolar type 2 doesn't even seem to look like there's any sign of mental illness at all.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

How Do You Know If You Have Bipolar Disorder?


Do You Have Bipolar Disorder?

Do you ever feel like you've had 20 energy drinks and 4 cups of coffee and have so much energy you cannot sleep or even keep your thoughts clear, without actually drinking any? Does this mood usually last about every day up to 2 weeks? Does this mood disrupt your work, school or even home life? Maybe you're the opposite and become depressed or saddened without any apparent reason, you have no motivation to do anything resulting in restlessness and irritability. These "episodes" define bipolar disorder, a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and sometimes the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is categorized as severe mood swings, ranging from mania to depression.

Mania: A person experiencing mania may feel immortal or full of energy. This person would be so excited for no reason, they would have thoughts of grandeur or thinking they are invincible or be so excited they would only be able to sleep for a couple hours or may not even sleep for days. Other times, that person may be irritable that a simple "hello, how are you?" may set them off the edge and arguments result.

Hypomania: A milder form of mania is called hypomania, which people may experience the same symptoms without the negative effect on their everyday life. In many cases the lack of sleep and motivation to do everything at once gets them ahead at work or school.

Depression: A person experiencing depression may feel so saddened they begin crying for no reason or so guilty over things that don't even concern them. In more severe cases, the lack of energy to do everyday things may isolate them from friends or family, interfere with their job and could even lead to thoughts of suicide. Depression is a much more likely episode to occur than a manic mood, which makes it all the more dangerous.

Mixed: A person experiencing mixed episode will feel depressed or severely saddened while having enough energy to run a triathlon. This episode may affect someone's appetite or sleeping patterns. The mixed episode is much more uncommon in many bipolar disorder cases.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

The causes of bipolar disorder are not certain. Many experts have come to believe that there are many factors. The first is believed to be a chemical imbalance in the brain which is controlled by neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, a stress hormone, which contributes to bipolar disorder. When these levels are too high, mania is the result. When these levels are abnormally low, depression is the result.

Another key factor in discovering the cause of bipolar disorder is genetics. If a person has a family history of bipolar disorder, they may be at risk. The biggest risk is for the identical twin of a person suffering from bipolar disorder. The risk does not occur because of one gene, but multiple genetic and environmental factors. In other cases, a period of heightened stress (mainly emotional), drug use, and an illness with no association to bipolar disorder may trigger the onset of an episode.

The picture above shows three different brain scans. The top is a "normal" or "typical" brain. There are moderate levels of activity. The second is a hypomanic brain scan, or someone experiencing hypomania. There are endless amounts of activity occurring in all different parts of the brain, which is congruent with the racing thoughts of a manic episode. The bottom is a depressed brain scan, which shows the lowers levels of brain activity.

Not everyone with severe mood swings or severe changes in one's personality has bipolar disorder. In order to get the right diagnosis, one must seek medical care. Many other psychiatric conditions mimic bipolar disorder such as panic disorders, phobias, drug use, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia.

2 Types of Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar I is defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days. More than often, the person also has depressive episodes, typically lasting at minimum of two weeks. These episodes are irrelevant to any changes in the person's life, which means the symptoms must be a definite change in one's behavior, not a change in their lifestyle to make them feel manic or depressed.

• Bipolar II is very different from bipolar I, it is defined by episodes of mild depression that shift back and forth with hypomania. This means there is no extreme manic behavior, only hypomania, a less severe manic episode.

Risk Factors

The biggest risk factor when one has bipolar disorder is substance abuse. Those who have mixed episodes are at higher risk for substance abuse, because the need to feel balanced is not being met and they would do anything in order to make the mixed emotions stop. Some drugs that are considered "downers" help relieve the symptoms of an episode, only to create more problems later. For example, when a person is experiencing a depression episode, drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine send them into a manic episode, many times followed by a severe depression and other psychotic symptoms while alcohol and tranquilizers send them into a depression episode.

Anybody close to the person diagnosed bipolar disorder who is using drugs needs to be extra cautious. When a person is using drugs and is experiencing an episode, they are not themselves and may be considered very dangerous, especially when the drugs wear off and psychotic symptoms begin to show. This can range anywhere from delusions, such as: "I think they're out to get me," to blaming others around them for not helping them. It is advised that those associated with a person suffering from bipolar disorder to consider this as their cry for help and assist them in treatment as soon as possible.

Triggers for Episodes

• Stress is the main trigger for offsetting an episode. This can be a positive or negative change in someone's life such as moving, getting fired, getting married, or a divorce. Should any severe changes happen in a person's life who suffers from bipolar disorder, extra care and support may be necessary in order to ensure a successful transition.

• As stated, substance abuse is also a main trigger for offsetting an episode. While some who suffer from bipolar disorder may choose to turn to drugs in order to "cure" themselves, some may already be suffering from substance abuse. Any drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy may send them into a manic episode while downers such as alcohol may send them into a depression episode.

Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

While there is no cure for bipolar disorder yet, there are various ways to treat the symptoms and prevent episodes. Most help begins when medical treatment is enacted. There are many forms of counseling available, from group counseling to individual counseling. Cognitive therapy teaches the individual how to understand their disorder and how to make changes in their life through thought and behavior patterns. If someone suffering from bipolar disorder work 60 hours a week and goes to the bar to feel better every day after work, the cognitive therapist would see this as a road to a depression episode and would help the individual to see and change this behavior. Family therapy has also proven to be a strong way to support loved ones suffering from this disorder. For many individuals with bipolar disorder, they feel alone and hopeless. When family or friends show that they are not alone and want to help them understand and deal with their disorder, the support alone shows to improve their chances for a better lifestyle. These therapies help when the person wants help. As with anything, if help and the desire to better oneself are not present, it makes it very difficult to help that individual.

Medications have also proven to be a good treatment for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. Lithium is the most common treatment for bipolar disorder. Lithium is basically sodium. Sodium affects excitation or mania, lithium helps stabilize the flow of lithium through their body. Although lithium has been used for years, half the people who have bipolar disorder and take lithium do not respond. An alternative to taking lithium is Divalproex sodium or more commonly known as Depakote, which also controls the levels of sodium in their body. Olanzapine is also found to be very effective. It is an antipsychotic medication that works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Olanzapine is also more commonly known as Zyprexa. Although antidepressant medication has been shown to help they should be taken with a mood-stabilizer medication during depressive episodes since they trigger mania.

It is very important to talk with a doctor before choosing to take any medications listed above. All medications have side effects, depending on a person's body chemistry; some side effects may be more severe than others.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Bipolar Depressive Disorder - A Case Study


Bipolar Depression or manic-depressive disorder is characterised by one or more episodes of abnormally elevated moods. Here is a case study which provides further example of this condition.

As a child, a female accountant was always having mood swings. She did not understand the condition as there was no parental support for her. Her parents had separated when she was young. She went to live with her father. He always worked very hard to support her but was never available to talk to her. She often felt neglected as a child.

She soon found someone she liked and got married. Whilst having her first child, she realised that she needed prescriptions for her mood swing. Not having a supportive husband, she would end up doing everything herself. She felt that she was the only parent. Her Doctors prescribed her some medication.

When she had her second child, she again realised that she needed help. Her husband was getting less supportive towards raising the kids. Her mood swings were increasing. This time her Doctor prescribed her a different medication and asked her to take a job to be around people. She found however that this did not help. Her mood swings actually increased due to work related stress and having to look after two kids.

She decided that enough was enough and she should seek help from a Psychiatrist. Her Psychiatrist put her on medication and eventually on stabilisers. The road to recovery has been very difficult for her. Her medication has been changed on a few occasions. However, she is well on the road to recovery. Having left her husband, become a single parent and taken more control of her life, she now shares her story freely with anyone who can benefit from her experience.

This case raises a number of issues:

• This condition can affect a person from childhood.

• Parental separation can result in depression.

• Lack of support is often a factor that further enhances this condition.

• A Doctor does not always prescribe the right solution. You have to see other specialists to overcome such conditions.

• Work can sometime add to the stress of an individual suffering from this form of depression.

• Sometimes, removing obstacles in your life can change the way you feel and reduce your problem.

I want to emphasise that the cases I write about have been freely shared by many supporting individuals. Their common goal in sharing their story is to enable others to learn from this. The learning can enhance others growth and help them to cope with similar situations.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Does My 5-6 Year Old Need to See a Mental Health Professional?


As a way to declare independence, children can often times become defiant to a parent or caregivers direction. Most 5 and 6 year old's will push limits, and test to see exactly what he/she can get away with. However, it is important for a parent to know the difference between what is typical 5-6 year old behavior and what signs might warrant seeking help from a mental health professional.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

When a child gets easily distracted, forgetful, unable to hold his/her attention on one task at a time, is hyper, or impulsive may benefit from seeking the help of a qualified professional. Often times these symptoms described above may be an indication that your child may have ADHD. If your child does indeed have ADHD your child will benefit from the treatment team of qualified licensed team of professionals such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, LCSW, or behavioral therapist.

ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)

A child with ODD will defy adults, become easily frustrated/annoyed with others, and deliberate tries to annoy others (just to name a few). A child with ODD will exhibit these behaviors both at home, as well as in school. A child that is purposely seeking to upset others or exact revenge and constantly throws tantrums, arguing with authority figures, unable to take responsibility for their own misconduct, and is constantly defiant may have ODD and would benefit from a qualified mental health professional.

In conclusion, if you happen to see these things mentioned above,, it may be time that there is something going on emotionally beneath the behaviors that need to be addressed. As a parent when you see these things going on over the course of a few months, it may be time to make an appointment to see a qualified mental health professional.

Do you want to learn exactly how to eliminate your child's out-of-control and defiant behavior without using Punishments, Time-Outs, Behavioral Plans, or Rewards?