Thank You

Charles Spurgeon: Morning And Evening, May 26th, 2012

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.”—Psalm 55:22.

ARE, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into His place to do for Him that which He has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy He will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if He were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to His plain precept, this unbelief in His Word, this presumption in intruding upon His province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the “broken cistern” instead of to the “fountain;” a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God’s lovingkindness, and thus our love to Him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking. Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from Him; but if through simple faith in His promise, we cast each burden as it comes upon Him, and are “careful for nothing” because He undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to Him, and strengthen us against much temptation. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.”

Praise & Worship: May 25th, 2012

Song List

1.  Open Our Eyes- Maranatha Singers

2.  The Light Of That City-  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

3.  Gone Gonna Rise Again-  The Gordons

4.  Glory Bound-  The Wailin Jennys

5.  Hallelujah-  Krystal Meyers

6.  The Anthem/Hallelujah-  Planetshakers

7.  All To You-  Kathleen Carnali

8.  The Hurt And The Healer-  MercyMe

9.  Broken Hallelujah-  Mandisa

10.  Your Love (Psalm 139)-  Oslo Gospel Choir

11.  Better Than A Hallelujah-  Amy Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bipolar Symptoms May Start In Teen Years

 

 

Taken from  mental wellness today   which is located   HERE.

It is commonly believed that for patients with bipolar disorder, mania begins in their 20s and 30s, but a new study shows that bipolar disorder may actually start in adolescence.

The study revealed that the number of teenagers and adults who experience episodes of mania are actually very similar and that the illness is not more common in adults as previously believed.

“I think the important thing is for people to recognize that mania does occur in adolescents,” said Kathleen Ries Merikangas, the study’s lead author and chief of the genetic epidemiology branch at the National Institute of Mental Health.

More than 10,000 participated in the study, answering questions about their behaviors and moods. Previously only smaller studies had been done that looked at mania in children, and Merikangas and colleagues wanted a larger sample.

The team discovered that 2.5 percent of participants met the criteria for depression and mania—2.2 percent within the last year. Within the year prior to the survey, 1.3 percent of kids experienced only mania, and 5.7 percent had depression.

“I think that our data suggest that bipolar disorder is more common in adolescents than previous studies had shown,” Merikangas told Reuters Health. One reason for this may be that questions in this study were broader than in previous studies; however, all of the children the study considered as having a mood disorder met the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM IV).

The National Institute of Mental Health reports 2.6 percent of adults have had bipolar disorder within the last year, and the study showed that the rates of bipolar disorder in children are comparable to those seen in adults. It was also discovered that as children got older, the mood disorder was more common. For example, among children ages 13 to 14, 1.4 percent met the criteria for mania, yet mania was almost twice as common among those ages 17 to 18.

Benjamin Goldstein, MD, from Toronto, Ontario’s Sunnybrook Research Institute, who also was not a part of the research, said this study is one of the best to date which highlights bipolar disorder in adolescents.
“I think what stuck out to me most was how severely impaired the adolescents were who were described as having bipolar disorder,” said Goldstein.

Approximately one in five teens who experience depression and mania have attempted suicide, and more than half of those also had an anxiety or behavior disorder. Only half of adolescents in the study had been treated for their disorders.
Goldstein said the study does not suggest that bipolar disorder is becoming more common in adolescents, but rather that more adolescents seeking treatment are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“The take home message is that adolescence is when we really see bipolar disorder begin, so we should shift our focus of prevention and intervention earlier in the lifespan,” Merikangas said.

Source—ABS-SBN News

Temple Grandin Answers Your Questions

Taken from  Temple Grandin’s Autism website  which is located   HERE.

 

QUESTION: I have heard you speak several times and you always say one of the best things your mother did was to teach you good manners.  I agree this is a VERY important part of social development.  My problem comes when my son, age 8 and high functioning, keeps asking WHY it matters?  Why does it matter if you use the dinner fork or the salad fork?  WHY is it important to say “yes ma’am” “please” and “thank you” instead of saying “sure” and “uh huh”?

He wants concrete explanations why these things matter. Thank you for all you do to help make the world easier for my son and many others!

– Susan

ANSWER: I would suggest telling your son “we use good manners because other people like it when you do”.  Be simple and to the point.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: My name is Hannah.  I am 10 but I really LOVED your movie!  It is my favorite movie ever!  I loved your project that had to do with optical illusions!  I would have never figured that out if I hadn’t watched your movie.  I was wondering, are you still friends with your blind roommate from college?  Have you ever made a squeeze machine for anyone else?  Lastly, at your aunt’s ranch, do you still have your handy work of the gate up?

– Hannah

ANSWER: I am glad you liked the HBO movie.  Yes, I am still friends with my roommate from college.  We lost contact for many years, but after the HBO movie came out, she contacted me and we have regained contact.

I have made a squeeze machine for the Therafin Corporation.  They sell it on their website.  You can also Google “hug machine” and see the drawings on the Internet.

As for the gate at my aunt’s ranch, unfortunately, the ranch was sold a long time ago and the gate is no longer in service.

Thank you for your questions.  Study hard and do well in school.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I am curious how people with autism develop loving relationships with family members, friends and animals.  You mentioned that you have no interest in reading or talking about relationships and I understand that people with autism have little interest and high difficulty relating to others in social environments.  I know every person with autism is different, but overall, do most people with autism experience emotions (i.e. love) differently than with others?  Does the lack of social interest affect the way they emotionally bond with others?

– Brooke

ANSWER: I find that I basically build bonds with people through shared interests.  In High School, it was horseback riding and electronics lab.  Now, as an adult, I have formed friendships with individuals in the animal welfare and meat industry.

There is a chapter in my book, “Thinking in Pictures” that deals with dating and emotions.  I do have emotions and they are very strong.  However, they are simple, not complex; such as a growl compared to a thunderstorm. I have replaced emotional complexities with intellectual complexities.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I live in South Africa and am now 30 years old.  I never dreamt of getting a qualification or even being able to function in an adult world that I find so difficult.

I have problems with my hearing.  I wear special earplugs to lessen the sound input.  Secondly, I have extreme difficulty in touch and wearing certain textures as well as eating food.  I usually eat plain food and not a lot of color.

Basically, most of my 5 senses are too intense and go into overload very quickly each day.
I am still amazed if this is really you taking the time out to answer from someone you don’t even know.

– Liandri

ANSWER: Yes, it really is me answering your questions. Sometimes in an older individual, that has very severe sensory problems, it makes normal activities difficult or impossible.  There are a few things you can try that might help.

Try these one at a time in progression:

First, try fish oil supplements.  These take about three months before you will see a difference.

Secondly, try Magnesium or B6 supplements. Special diets may help as well.  Diets such as gluten-free, sugar-free or dairy-free.  It will take about 30 days to see the results these may have.

You can also try a low dose of anti-depressants.  You will want to read the chapter on medications in my book, “Thinking in Pictures” and the 2nd edition of “The Way I See It”.

As a last resort, you can try an extremely tiny dose of Resperadol – such as ¼ or .25 of a milligram per day.  Be very careful the dosage is not too high as it may cause you to be agitated or have insomnia.

Obviously, a doctor, one that knows your medical history, should prescribe these drugs.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: Dr. Grandin, if you could give only one piece of advice to teachers and one piece of advice to parents, what would that be?

– Christa

ANSWER: The advice I would give to teachers and/or parents would be to develop the child’s strengths and teach them from those.  For instance, if a child likes art, then teach with art.  If they like trains, then teach with trains, dinosaurs, etc. You can teach Math with trains, you can teach Art with trains.  And so forth.

It also helps the child to develop their interest further by broadening it out.  They can learn history from studying parts of the world where dinosaurs once lived. An interesting fact is dinosaurs once lived at the Denver Airport!

– Temple

 

QUESTION: What was it like working with animals at your High School?  Also, how do you remember things so well?  I saw your movie with my class and thought you are such an amazing person to get to know.  Plus, I enjoyed your movie and thought, “How does she come up with things to build”?  The movie was so amazing.  What I learned from it was to always try your best and never give up on anything.

– Christa

ANSWER: You have asked what it was like working with animals while I was in High School.  I really enjoyed it!  I spent my best times riding horses. I remember things so well because I think in pictures, just like a video recorder.  If you will remember in the movie, when the word miracle was mentioned, I had a “vision” of Christ walking on the water.

Whenever someone asks me about shoes, the files in my mind run through every pair of shoes I have ever seen. I come up with things to build because I see them in my mind first.  Just like my aunt’s gate that I designed.  I made something that someone wanted.  My aunt did not like to get out of the car to open and close the gate, so I made it so she didn’t have to get out of the car.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I am a transportation supervisor for a large public school system.  I teach and train over 450 special needs drivers and bus monitors.  The last couple of years the greatest challenge I have encountered is teaching the drivers and monitors how to relate to children with autism, specifically Asperger’s, so we are able to safely transport them.

I have shared information about you in many of my safety meetings, encouraging them to learn about autism so they will be more receptive to children who are more challenging. After 35 years in transportation, working with the special needs children, I am still trying to make a difference for them.

Can you suggest any DVD’s or materials that would benefit school bus drivers and their monitors regarding autism?

– Laila

ANSWER: I think it would be beneficial for your drivers and monitors to realize change is the biggest problem for children affected by autism. Any sudden change in routines; a new bus, a new driver or worker, needs to be told to the children to prepare them for what is to come.  If possible, show them a photo of the new bus, the new driver, worker, etc.  No Surprises!

Secondly, loud noises are irritating to them.  Read the Sensory chapter in my book, “The Way I See It”.  Also, view the chapter in “Thinking in Pictures” on the squeeze machine. Another good book would be “Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew”.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I would like to know what you think the top five most important things people should know when working with adults who have autism who may not have learned social rules growing up?

– Shannon

ANSWER: I think it is important to start teaching social rules in the real world to the individual one specific explanation at a time.  Actually, I think there are more than five important things.  On page 119 in my book, “Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships”, you will find a list of the rules society places upon us but never tells us about.

Jennifer McIlwee Myers gives excellent demonstrations of social rules in her book, “How To Teach Life Skills to a Person with Autism”.  You can order that through Future Horizons at www.fhautism.com She gives lots of specific examples for everyday “rules”.

A good place to start is with ordering food at McDonald’s.  Have the individual place their order, remembering to say “please” and “thank you”.  When a mistake is made, give the correction and move on – do not dwell on it.  An example would be “you forgot to say thank you” or “you forgot to say please”.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I have a stepdaughter who is almost 8 years of age.  When we turn off her TV at night to go to bed, she makes an excuse to stay up.  Even though the TV is turned off at 8pm, she sometimes does not go to bed until sometimes 1am!

Any day can turn into a bad day quickly.  When things to do not go her way, she cries and wants to be alone.  Her real Dad is of no help at all.

– Roger

ANSWER: Not sleeping at night is OK.  When I was a kid I had problems sleeping and was allowed to stay up late.  BUT, there was a rule I had to follow.  I had to be in bed at 9pm.  I was allowed to read with a reading light, but I had to stay on my bed and be quiet.  I want to point out that I still had to get up at my normal time, 7am.  That was expected.

Whenever I had a tantrum, mother would put me in my room until I calmed down for about an hour or so.  After I was calm, mother explained that throwing a tantrum was not acceptable and there were consequences.  The consequences were I would not be allowed to watch television that evening.  But only for one night!  If the punishment is too severe, the child will just give up.

It is very important for children that rules  are the same at home, at school, at Mom’s house, at Dad’s, Granny’s, etc.  There needs to be consistency.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: I would first like to thank you for your insight into autism!  You helped me to recognize that I can see autism as a gift rather than a downfall and that is an invaluable gift you have given me!

My first question for you is regarding my 5 year old, high functioning boy with autism.  He is VERY argumentative.  He sees things a certain way.  There is NO talking him out of it.  He just does not grasp that we (the parents) are in charge, and that he is a child and unfortunately, yes, he does have to listen to us.

Do you know how we can deal with him in a way that he will grasp?

– Jessie

ANSWER: The main thing is to be consistent and constant with the consequences.  If your son is defiant, then no television and no video games for the evening. It is also equally important that good behavior is rewarded. In every conversation with him, be very calm and matter of fact with your speech.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: My son is 4 years old and diagnosed with moderate to severe autism.  He is absolutely terrified of one of my co-workers who has a daughter in his class at school.  Every time he sees my co-worker, he screams. Cries, throws things – basically has a tantrum.  She was providing him with a treat every time she saw him and the behavior decreased, but it has once again greatly increased.  Although the response is much shorter it is still a distress to my co-worker.

Where do we go from here?

– Jennifer

ANSWER: It could be there is a sensory reason involved. Sometimes a child avoids a person, not because they have done anything bad to them, but because they cause sensory overload for the child.
It could be the odor of the laundry soap they wash their clothes in, the overpowering smell of perfume or cologne, maybe they have a high pitched voice (often in most women) or they carry cell phones with a high pitched ringtone that hurts their ears.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: What’s the number one thing you would want or tell a young person that is looking at majoring in ranch management or animal production?

– Ryan

ANSWER: I recommend for a young person pursuing a major in ranch management or animal production to visit as many types of cattle operations as possible. Visit different ranches in different States with different climates.  Visit feedlots and meat plants as well. Of course, you will want to take classes in Animal Behavior.

– Temple

 

QUESTION: Do you have any suggestions for teaching AS kids to learn to drive?

– Virginia

ANSWER: There is a chapter in my book. “The Way I See It”, on page 297 specifically.  I believe it is entitled “Can my adolescent drive a car?” Kids on the spectrum can learn to drive, but they need lots and lots of practice.  Practice in learning the basic operations of a car; steering, braking, backing up, acceleration, etc.

When I learned to drive I had one year on easy, back country roads before I drive in traffic and on the freeways.  The best place to start is a large deserted parking lot. Let them practice turning, parking, stopping, backing up, etc.  If a child rode their bike safely and followed the rules, they can learn to drive.

– Temple

 

Next To Normal: A Broadway Play About Mental Illness

(For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, May 13, 2012) Rebekah Stevens, as Natalie, left, and Happy McPartlin as Diana in this scene from Stages’ Houston premiere of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical “Next to Normal.” Photo: Gary Fountain / Copyright 2012 Gary Fountain.

Taken from the  chron.com   which is located   HERE.

 

“Next to Normal” tackles the thorniest topic imaginable for a musical – mental illness – and treats its somber theme with such honesty, artistry and originality that it makes exhilarating theater.

The recent Broadway hit, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama and three Tony Awards, is making a powerhouse Houston premiere at Stages. With Happy McPartlin‘s searing portrayal of the bipolar heroine anchoring a fine cast, Stages’ rendition is intimate in scale but gigantic in emotional clout – the company’s best all-round effort in two seasons.

The show depicts suburban housewife Diana, who has struggled with bipolar disorder and delusions for 16 years, and her illness’ devastating effect not only on Diana, but also on her husband, Dan, and their teen daughter and son, Natalie and Gabe. When the latest adjustment of her meds leaves Diana “feeling nothing,” she discards her pills – with disastrous results that lead her doctor to recommend shock therapy as a last hope.

A synopsis cannot convey the impact that stems from the depth and interplay of the characters, as well as the carefully calibrated revelations about the family’s history and the circumstances that precipitated Diana’s illness.

Having chosen a challenging theme, composer Tom Kitt and lyricist-librettist Brian Yorkey do not shy from its complexities. They honor their characters’ pain. These are real people, with rough edges and dark corners, and the array of figures lets us view Diana’s struggle from different perspectives.

Even in its most wrenching moments, the intense involvement of “Next to Normal” makes it exciting theater. The show also has moments of poignancy and tenderness, as well as jolts of gallows humor reflecting the characters’ awareness that their family dynamics are messy as a 12-car pile-up.

Propelling the show is the most affecting new theater score written in a rock idiom since “Rent.” Kitt draws from a much more varied palette musically than that “rock” designation typically implies. Along with driving rhythms and surging emotion, the score has unconventionally haunting melodies, especially in yearning ballads such as “I Miss the Mountains,” “A Promise” and the lovely music-box waltz “I Dreamed a Dance.” Yorkey’s lyrics strive for plain-spoken truth and usually hit their mark.

Melissa Rain Anderson has directed with skill and subtlety, giving the action a sense of naturalness and spontaneity. She’s abetted by comparably solid and uncluttered work from her design team of Ryan McGettigan (sets), Margaret Crowley (costumes) and Kirk Markley (lighting).

McPartlin conveys all of Diana’s anguish, bewilderment, intensity and ironic humor, while singing her demanding numbers with great strength, range and character. The hallmark of her performance is its absolute truthfulness.

Brad Goertz is ideal as long-suffering, ever-patient Dan. He exudes genuine decency in his effort to stay supportive of Diana, even as he grows increasingly exhausted by their life of constant crisis.

Rebekah Stevens is electrifyingly good as intense, moody, brainiac Natalie, fed up with the situation and lapsing into self-destructive behavior herself. Mark Ivy brings natural charm and understated humor to her persistent boyfriend Henry. The evolution of their relationship makes an satisfying counterpoint to Diana’s story.

Tyler Berry Lewis invests Gabe with wild energy and a free spirit. Kregg Dailey adds yet another strong voice to the cast, playing two doctors with a believable blend of concern and distance. The six-person band headed by keyboardist Steven Jones does fine work, too.

Along with the deserved praise for “Next to Normal” comes this inevitable disclaimer: If you like only glitzy, feel-good musicals, then this uncompromising and serious-minded work is not for you. If, however, you can journey with Diana and her family through some dark places to reach the eventual light, you’ll find the show’s emotional payoff is enormous.

everett.evans@chron.com

Overview On Anxiety Disorders

Taken from NAMI  which is located   HERE.

 

What are anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause people to feel excessively frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most other people would not experience these same feelings. When they are not treated, anxiety disorders can be severely impairing and can negatively affect a person’s personal relationships or ability to work or study. In the most severe cases, anxiety disorders can make even regular and daily activities such as shopping, cooking or going outside incredibly difficult. Anxiety disorders can further cause low self-esteem, lead to substance abuse, and isolation from one’s friends and family.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America: they affect around 20 percent of the population at any given time. Fortunately there are many good treatments for anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, some people do not seek treatment for their illness because they do not realize how severe their symptoms are or are too ashamed to seek help. Furthermore, these disorders are often difficult to recognize for friends, family and even some doctors.

[Click here to download the NAMI fact sheet on anxiety disorders.]

What are the most common anxiety disorders?

• Panic Disorder—Characterized by “panic attacks,” panic disorder results in sudden feelings of terror that can strike repeatedly and sometimes without warning. Physical symptoms of a panic attack include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, upset stomach, feelings of being disconnected and fear of dying. Some people with this disorder may experience unrealistic worry of having more panic attacks and become very ashamed and self-consciousness. This can result in some people feeling too afraid to go to certain places (e.g., airplanes, elevator) which can be very intrusive in their daily lives.
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)—OCD is characterized by repetitive, intrusive, irrational and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or rituals that seem impossible to control (compulsions). Some people with OCD have specific compulsions (e.g.,counting, arranging, cleaning) that they “must perform” multiple times each day in order to momentarily release their anxiety that something bad might happen to themselves or to someone they love. People with OCD may be aware that their symptoms don’t make sense and are excessive, but on another level they may fear that the thoughts have are having might be true.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—When people experience or witness a traumatic event such as abuse, a natural disaster, or extreme violence, it is normal to be distressed and to feel “on edge” for some time after this experience. Some people who experience traumatic events have severe symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, being very easily startled or scared, or feeling numb/angry/irritable/distracted. Sometimes these symptoms last for weeks or even months after the event and are so severe that they make it difficult for a person to work, have loving relationships, or “return to normal.” This is when a person may be suffering from PTSD. Many people with PTSD have difficulty discussing their symptoms because they may be too embarrassed or scared to recall their trauma. This is common in victims of sexual abuse and in combat veterans.
• Phobias—A phobia is a disabling and irrational fear of something that really poses little or no actual danger for most people. This fear can be very disabling when it leads to avoidance of objects or situations that may cause extreme feelings of terror, dread and panic. “Specific” phobias center on particular objects (e.g., caterpillars, dogs) or situations (e.g., being on a bridge, flying in an airplane). Many people are very sensitive to being criticized and are ashamed of their phobias which can lead to problems with self-esteem.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)—A severe, chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday events is the most common symptom in people with GAD. This is a worrying that lasts for at least six months, makes it difficult to concentrate and to carry out routine activities, and happens for many hours each day in some people. Some people with this disorder anticipate the worst and often experience physical symptoms of fatigue, tension, headaches and nausea due to the severity of their anxiety.
• Social Anxiety Disorder—An intense fear of social situations that leads to difficulties with personal relationships and at the workplace or in school is most common in people with social anxiety disorder. People with social anxiety disorder often have an irrational fear of being humiliated in public for “saying something stupid,” or “not knowing what to say.” People with this illness may have symptoms similar to “panic attacks” (e.g., heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath) or may experience severe sweating (hyperhidrosis) when in social situations. This leads to avoidance of social situations which can make it difficult to go to parties, school, or even family gatherings.

Other recognized anxiety disorders include: agoraphobia, acute stress disorder, anxiety disorder due to medical conditions, such as thyroid abnormalities, and substance-induced anxiety disorder, such as from too much caffeine.

Some people with other mental illnesses, such as depression or schizophrenia, may have symptoms of severe anxiety. These symptoms of worrying, panic attacks or compulsions may make treating their primary illness more complicated for mental health professionals. Therefore, complete treatment of depression or schizophrenia often requires treatment of anxiety symptoms.

People with anxiety disorders are more likely to use or abuse alcohol and other drugs including benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam and clonazepam), opiates (e.g., pain-killers, heroin) or cigarettes. This is known as self-medication. Some people use drugs and alcohol to try and reduce their anxiety. This is very dangerous because even though some drugs make people feel less anxious when they are high, anxiety becomes even worse when the drugs wear off. Other people are anxious because they are intoxicated or withdrawing from drugs and alcohol.

Are there any known causes of anxiety disorders?

Although studies suggest that people are more likely to have an anxiety disorder if their parents have anxiety disorders, it has not been shown whether biology or environment plays the greater role in the development of these disorders. Some anxiety disorders have a very clear genetic link (e.g., OCD) that is being studied by scientists to help discover new treatments to target specific parts of the brain.

Some anxiety disorders can also be caused by medical illnesses. Scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health and elsewhere have discovered a link between some cases of OCD that occur following infection or exposure to a certain bacteria. This connection is described by the term Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANDAS). Other anxiety disorders can be caused by brain injury. Scientists have also found that certain areas of the brain, including a part of the brain called the amygdala, work differently in people with anxiety disorders.

The sudden appearance of severe anxiety symptoms in a person of any age requires immediate attention by both caregivers and doctors. Parents and friends should be aware that a traumatic event may be causing their loved one to become more nervous or to have other symptoms of anxiety disorders. Doctors should be aware that many medical problems including hormonal and neurological illnesses can cause symptoms of anxiety.

What treatments are available for anxiety disorders?

Effective treatments for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy, aerobic exercise and medications. Some psychotherapy techniques known as behavioral therapies or cognitive behavioral therapies are most useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders and are referred to as “first-line treatments.” Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves examining the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This is used to teach a person to address their fears by modifying the way he or she thinks and responds to stressful events. Relaxation techniques including mindfulness and meditation are also useful for people with anxiety disorders to decrease their stress and to help them cope with severe worrying.

In most cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medications is most beneficial for people with severe anxiety disorders. Some commonly used medications for anxiety disorders are anti-depressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), and citalopram (Lexapro). Another commonly used type of medications are benzodiazepines: including diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin) and alprazolam (Xanax).

Ask your doctor if the medication he or she is recommending is FDA approved for your specific condition. If they are recommending a compound that is not FDA approved (an off label use), ask them to help you better understand their reasoning so you can make an informed choice.

The importance of having a good diet and getting enough sleep are known to decrease symptoms in people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise has also been scientifically proven to be effective.

Family and friends who have loved ones with anxiety disorders should attempt to be understanding of the symptoms that their loved one is trying to overcome. Family and friends should be careful not to blame themselves but rather to encourage their loved one to seek treatment for these complicated illnesses.

Reviewed by Ken Duckworth, M.D. and Jacob L. Freedman, M.D., April 2012

 

Depressed? Nine Mental Tricks To Turn It Around

 

 

Taken from  Fox News  which is located   HERE.

Depression-fighting tips

Medication can help depression. But a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—which focuses on changing behavior, rather than talking about your childhood, for instance—can be an effective adjuvant to or even substitute for drugs. “It’s much more focused on what you seem to be doing and thinking that is keeping you depressed,” said Simon Rego, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Some of its methods can be practiced at home, on yourself, with no special training. So here are some tips for breaking the cycle of negativity.

Don’t catastrophize

One way to sabotage yourself is to take a single event and treat it as an ongoing source of negativity. “People who are unemployed do this a lot,” said Rego. “They’ve lost their job because of the economy and they personalize it.”

It’s also unhealthy to catastrophize—focus on the worst imagined outcome, even if it’s irrational. For example, don’t let concerns about money escalate into the conviction you’ll soon be homeless.

Instead of thinking, “I’ll never get another job,” try to say to yourself: “I will get another job. It just may take some time.”

Stop ruminating

Ever clash with a colleague or fight with a friend and then keep obsessively thinking about it, amplifying the anger, stress, and anxiety associated with the memory? Known as rumination, this type of thinking is linked to a greater risk of becoming or staying depressed.

While reflection is a good thing, and may help you solve problems, rumination does the opposite.

If you catch yourself ruminating, studies suggest it may help if you try to distract yourself, meditate, or redirect your thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy often targets rumination because it can be so damaging to mental health.

Retire your crystal ball

Very few (if any) of us are blessed with the ability to predict the future. But depressed people will often convince themselves they know what will happen a day, a month, or a year down the line. And it’s usually bad, if not downright catastrophic.

Fortunately, our dire predictions rarely come true.

Try to stay in the present. It’s much more manageable and you’re less likely to blow things out of proportion.

Don’t dwell on the past

It’s pretty pointless to tell yourself you should have done this or shouldn’t have done that. You can’t change the past, but you can live in the present.

Just accept that you made the best decisions you could have made with the information or resources you had at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20, so best to try to just let it go and don’t beat yourself up for perceived missteps.

And do a rumination check; ruminating about the past can generate anxiety, just as worry about the future.

Reach out to others

A hallmark of depression is isolation. It can happen easily if you’re not working, or you’re avoiding people because you’re depressed. But reinvigorating or expanding a social network provides an opportunity to get support, perhaps even from people in the same or a similar situation, said Rego.

“Once you start reconnecting with people, you get a sense they understand,” he said. “You get positive advice and encouragement and it’s often done in activities that end up being fun.”

Staying home alone will perpetuate the depression. Getting out with other people—even a little bit—will lift your spirits.

Stick to a structured routine

Even if you don’t feel like it, make sure you get up at a set time, eat meals at the same hour every day (even if you’re not hungry), and avoid lounging on the couch during the day lest it prevent you from sleeping well at night.

“People who are depressed tend to eat or sleep inconsistently,” said Rego. “Even if you’re unemployed or feeling down, it’s really important to set and establish a daily routine as best you can. This gives you a sense of regularity that can help with a depressed mood.”

If you can incorporate socializing into your routine, all the better.

Avoid black and white thinking

Black and white is great for zebras, but not thoughts. Depressed people tend to think in extremes: I’m a loser. No one loves me. I’ll never get a job.

But your thought patterns could put you in a rut or keep you there. “Being depressed or sad is going to color the way you think about yourself in a negative direction,” said Rego.

These thoughts can paralyze you and stop you from doing the very things that will get you out of a lousy situation. Try to think in shades of gray, said David R. Blackburn, a psychologist with Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Instead of “no one loves me,” try “lots of people (if not everybody) love me.”

Reality check your thoughts

If you’re depressed, negative thoughts go with the territory. However, they are rarely grounded in reality.

Once you’ve identified a negative thought, ask yourself, “Where is the evidence that I’m the most despicable human being on the entire earth?” There probably isn’t any.

“You can’t just be rattling these thoughts back and forth and saying they’re true,” said Blackburn. “You have to come up with some solid evidence.”

And if you’re worried about what people are thinking about you, go ahead and ask them.

Choose smart goals

Select a few simple, straightforward goals you can easily set and follow, suggested Rego. Those goals should be SMART, which stands for “specific, measurable, attainable, rewarding, and time-limited.”

So for example, deciding you will have a job by the end of the week is unrealistic.

But deciding to post two resumes online by the end of the week, on the other hand, is SMART. “It’s specific. It’s attainable. It’s not that much effort to do and it could be rewarding,” said Rego.

Don’t Be Offended: Streams In The Desert, May 19th, 2012

The Apostle Paul. Chained and imprisoned writes to encourage the church.

“Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” Luke 7:23

It is sometimes very difficult not to be offended in Jesus Christ. The offenses may be circumstantial. I find myself in a prison-house — a narrow sphere, a sick chamber, an unpopular position — when I had hoped for wide opportunities. Yes, but He knows what is best for me. My environment is of His determining. He means it to intensify my faith, to draw me into nearer communion with Himself, to ripen my power. In the dungeon my soul should prosper. The offense may be mental. I am haunted by perplexities, questions, which I cannot solve. I had hoped that, when I gave myself to Him, my sky would always be clear; but often it is overspread by mist and cloud. Yet let me believe that, if difficulties remain, it is that I may learn to trust Him all the more implicitly — to trust and not be afraid. Yes, and by my intellectual conflicts, I am trained to be a tutor to other storm-driven men.

***

The offense may be spiritual. I had fancied that within His fold I should never feel the biting winds of temptation; but it is best as it is. His grace is magnified. My own character is matured. His Heaven is sweeter at the close of the day. There I shall look back on the turnings and trials of the way, and shall sing the praises of my Guide. So, let come what will come, His will is welcome; and I shall refuse to be offended in my loving Lord. –Alexander Smellie

***

Blessed is he whose faith is not offended, When all around his way

The power of God is working out deliverance For others day by day;

Though in some prison drear his own soul languish,

Till life itself be spent,

Yet still can trust his Father’s love and purpose,

And rest therein content.

Blessed is he, who through long years of suffering,

Cut off from active toil,

Still shares by prayer and praise the work of others,

And thus “divides the spoil.”

Blessed are thou, O child of God, who sufferest, And canst not understand

The reason for thy pain, yet gladly leavest

Thy life in His blest Hand.

Yea, blessed art thou whose faith is “not offended”

By trials unexplained,

By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,

Until the goal is gained. –Freda Hanbury Allen

 

Praise & Worship: May 18th, 2012

Song List

1.  I Am Yours-  Misty Edwards

2.  Oh Draw Me Lord-  Selah

3.  Yet I Will-  Vineyard

4.  No More Night-  David Phelps

5.  For Love Of You-  Audrey Assad

6.  Waiting Here For You-  Christy Nockels

7.  Days Of Elijah-  Robin Mark

8.  Day By Day-  Robin Lamont/Godspell

9.  My Beloved-  Kari Jobe

10.  You’re Beautiful-  Phil Wickham

11.  Rooftops-  Kim Walker/Jesus Culture