The Three Secrets to Happiness

THIS IS FOR NORMAL HUMANS ONLY !

We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life.

But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.
So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are.

Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:

1. Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.
2. Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.
3. Flow. This is a popular concept on the Internet these days — the state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you.

You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them!

VERY INSPIRATIONAL

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18 Things Your Feet Say About Your Health

By Paula Spencer, Caring.com

Want to make a simple, ten-second check on the state of your health? Sneak a peek at your feet.
"You can detect everything from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies just by examining the feet," says Jane Andersen, DPM, president of the American Association of Women Podiatrists and a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The lowly left and right provide plenty of insightful data: Together they contain a quarter of the body's bones, and each foot also has 33 joints; 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments; and countless nerves and blood vessels that link all the way to the heart, spine, and brain.
Unresolved foot problems can have unexpected consequences. Untreated pain often leads a person to move less and gain weight, for example, or to shift balance in unnatural ways, increasing the chance of falling and breaking a bone.
So when the feet send one of these 18 warning messages, they mean business.
8 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health
1. Red flag: Toenails with slightly sunken, spoon-shaped indentations
What it means: Anemia (iron deficiency) often shows up as an unnatural, concave or spoonlike shape to the toes' nail beds, especially in moderate-to-severe cases. It's caused by not having enough hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in the blood cells that transports oxygen. Internal bleeding (such as an ulcer) or heavy menstrual periods can trigger anemia.
More clues: On fingers as well as toes, the skin and nail beds both appear pale. The nails may also be brittle, and feet may feel cold. Fatigue is the number-one sign of anemia, as are shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and headache.
What to do: A complete blood count is usually used to diagnose anemia. A physical exam may pinpoint a cause. First-step treatments include iron supplements and dietary changes to add iron and vitamin C (which speeds iron absorption).
2. Red flag: Hairless feet or toes
What it means: Poor circulation, usually caused by vascular disease, can make hair disappear from the feet. When the heart loses the ability to pump enough blood to the extremities because of arteriosclerosis (commonly known as hardening of the arteries), the body has to prioritize its use. Hairy toes are, well, low on the totem pole.
More clues: The reduced blood supply also makes it hard to feel a pulse in the feet. (Check the top of the foot or the inside of the ankle.) When you stand, your feet may be bright red or dusky; when elevated, they immediately pale. The skin is shiny. People with poor circulation tend to already know they have a cardiovascular condition (such as heart disease or a carotid artery) yet may not realize they have circulation trouble.
What to do: Treating the underlying vascular issues can improve circulation. Toe hair seldom returns, but nobody complains much.
3. Red flag: Frequent foot cramping (charley horses)
What it means: The sudden stab of a foot cramp -- basically, the hard contraction of a muscle -- can be triggered by fleeting circumstances such as exercise or dehydration. But if it happens often, your diet may lack sufficient calcium, potassium, or magnesium. Pregnant women in the third trimester are especially vulnerable thanks to increased blood volume and reduced circulation to the feet.
More clues: Charley horses tend to rear up out of nowhere, often while you're just lying there. They can be a single sharp muscle spasm or come in waves. Either way, soreness can linger long afterward.
What to do: Try to flex the foot and massage the painful area. You may also be able to relax the muscle by applying a cold pack or rubbing alcohol. To prevent cramps, stretch your feet before you go to bed. Then drink a glass of warm milk (for the calcium).
4. Red flag: A sore that won't heal on the bottom of the foot
What it means: This is a major clue to diabetes. Elevated blood glucose levels lead to nerve damage in the feet -- which means that minor scrapes, cuts, or irritations caused by pressure or friction often go unnoticed, especially by someone who's unaware he has the disease. Untreated, these ulcers can lead to infection, even amputation.
More clues: Oozing, foul-smelling cuts are especially suspect because they've probably been there awhile. Other symptoms of diabetes include persistent thirst, frequent urination, increased fatigue, blurry vision, extreme hunger, and weight loss.
What to do: Get the ulcer treated immediately and see a doctor for a diabetes evaluation. Diabetics need to inspect their feet daily (older people or the obese should have someone do this for them) and see a healthcare professional every three months.
5. Red flag: Cold feet
What it means: Women, especially, report cold feet (or more precisely, their bedmates complain about them). It may be nothing -- or it may indicate a thyroid issue. Women over 40 who have cold feet often have an underfunctioning thyroid, the gland that regulates temperature and metabolism. Poor circulation (in either gender) is another possible cause.
More clues: Hypothyroidism's symptoms are pretty subtle and appear in many disorders (fatigue, depression, weight gain, dry skin).
What to do: Insulating layers of natural materials work best for warmth. (Think wool socks and lined boots). If you also have other nagging health complaints, mention the cold feet to your doctor. Unfortunately, however, aside from treatment with medication in the event of a thyroid condition, this tends to be a symptom that's neither easily nor sexily resolved.
6. Red flag: Thick, yellow, downright ugly toenails
What it means: A fungal infection is running rampant below the surface of the nail. Onychomycosis can persist painlessly for years. By the time it's visibly unattractive, the infection is advanced and can spread to all toenails and even fingernails.
More clues: The nails may also smell bad and turn dark. People most vulnerable: those with diabetes, circulatory trouble, or immune-deficiency disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis). If an older person has trouble walking, sometimes the problem can be traced to the simple fact that as infected nails grow thicker, they're harder to cut and simply go ignored to the point of pain.
What to do: See a foot specialist or your regular physician for care and treatment. In serious cases, over-the-counter antifungals are usually not as effective as a combination of topical and oral medications and the professional removal of diseased bits. Newer-generation oral antifungal medications tend to have fewer side effects than older ones.
7. Red flag: A suddenly enlarged, scary-looking big toe
What it means: Probably gout. Yes, that old-fashioned-sounding disease is still very much around -- and you don't have to be over 65 to get it. Gout is a form of arthritis (also called "gouty arthritis") that's usually caused by too much uric acid, a natural substance. The built-up uric acid forms needlelike crystals, especially at low body temperatures. And the coolest part of the body, farthest from the heart, happens to be the big toe.
"Three-fourths of the time, you wake up with a red-hot swollen toe joint as the first presentation of gout," says podiatrist Andersen.
More clues: Swelling and shiny red or purplish skin -- along with a sensation of heat and pain -- can also occur in the instep, the Achilles tendon, the knees, and the elbows. Anyone can develop gout, though men in their 40s and 50s are especially prone. Women with gout tend to be postmenopausal.
What to do: See a doctor about controlling the causes of gout through diet or medication. A foot specialist can help relieve pain and preserve function.
8. Red flag: Numbness in both feet
What it means: Being unable to "feel" your feet or having a heavy pins-and-needles sensation is a hallmark of peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the peripheral nervous system. That's the body's way of transmitting information from the brain and spinal cord to the entire rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy has many causes, but the top two are diabetes and alcohol abuse (current or past). Chemotherapy is another common cause.
More clues: The tingling or burning can also appear in hands and may gradually spread up to arms and legs. The reduced sensation may make it feel like you're constantly wearing heavy socks or gloves.
What to do: See a physician to try to pinpoint the cause (especially if alcohol addiction doesn't apply). There's no cure for peripheral neuropathy, but medications from pain relievers to antidepressants can treat symptoms.
9. Red flag: Sore toe joints
What it means: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a degenerative joint disease, is often first felt in the smaller joints, such as the toes and the knuckles of the hands.
More clues: Swelling and stiffness usually accompany the aches. This pain tends to be symmetrical; for example, it happens simultaneously in both big toes or in both index fingers. RA develops more suddenly than degenerative arthritis, and attacks may come and go. Women are almost four times more affected than men.
What to do: A full workup is always needed to pinpoint the cause of any joint pain. For RA, there are many medications and therapies that can minimize pain and preserve function, though early diagnosis is important to avoid permanent deformity. (In the feet, the toes can drift to the side.)
10. Red flag: Pitted toenails
What it means: In up to half of all people with psoriasis, the skin disease also shows up in the nail as many little holes, which can be deep or shallow. More than three-fourths of those with psoriatic arthritis, a related disorder that affects the joints as well as the skin, also have pocked, pitted nails.
More clues: The nails (fingers as well as toes) will also thicken. They may be yellow-brown or have salmon-colored patches. The knuckle nearest the nail is also likely to be dry, red, and inflamed.
What to do: A variety of medications can treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and can restore the nail bed surface in many cases, especially if treatment begins early.
11. Red flag: Being unable to raise the foot upward from the heel
What it means: "Foot drop" (also "drop foot") signals nerve or muscle damage that can originate well north of your feet -- as far as your back or even shoulder or neck. Certain chemotherapy drugs can also cause trouble lifting the front part of the foot while walking or standing.
More clues: There may be pain and numbness as well, though not necessarily. Sometimes the pain is felt in the upper leg or lower spine, where a nerve is pinched (by damage or a tumor). In some cases, the foot drags when the person walks. It's rare for both feet to be affected.
What to do: Report this serious symptom to your doctor. Foot drop can be completely reversible or permanent, depending on its cause and treatment.
12. Red flag: Dry, flaky skin
What it means: Even if your face or hands tend to be powdery-dry, don't dismiss this skin condition on your feet. You don't have to be a jock to contract athlete's foot, a fungal infection that usually starts as dry, itchy skin that then progresses to inflammation and blisters. When blisters break, the infection spreads.
(The name comes from the moist places the fungus thrives -- places athletes tend to congregate, such as locker rooms and pools.)
More clues: Athlete's foot usually shows up between the toes first. It can spread to the soles and even to other parts of the body (like the underarms or groin), usually due to scratching.
What to do: Mild cases can be self-treated by bathing the feet often and drying them thoroughly. Then keep the feet dry, including using foot powder in shoes and socks. If there's no improvement in two weeks or the infection worsens, a doctor can prescribe topical or oral antifungal medication.
13. Red flag: Toes that turn patriotic colors
What it means: In cold weather, Raynaud's disease (or Raynaud's phenomenon) causes the extremities to first go white, then turn blue, and finally appear red before returning to a natural hue. For reasons not well understood, the blood vessels in these areas vasospasm, or overreact, causing the tricolor show.
More clues: Other commonly affected areas include the fingers, nose, lips, and ear lobes. They also feel cool to the touch and go numb. Women and those who live in colder climates get Raynaud's more often. It typically shows up before age 25 or after 40. Stress can trigger Raynaud's attacks, too.
What to do: See a doctor about medications that can widen blood vessels, which reduces the severity of attacks.
14. Red flag: Feet that are really painful to walk on
What it means: Undiagnosed stress fractures are a common cause of foot pain. The discomfort can be felt along the sides of the feet, in the soles, or "all over." These fractures -- they often occur repeatedly -- may be caused by another underlying problem, often osteopenia (a decrease in optimum bone density, especially in women over age 50) or some kind of malnutrition, including a vitamin D deficiency, a problem absorbing calcium, or anorexia.
More clues: Often you can still walk on the broken bones; it just hurts like heck. (Some hardy people have gone undiagnosed for as long as a year.)
What to do: See a foot doctor about any pain. If, for example, you've been walking around Europe for three weeks in bad shoes, your feet may simply be sore. But a 55-year-old sedentary woman with painful feet may need a bone-density exam. An X-ray can also reveal possible nutritional issues that warrant a referral to a primary care provider.
15. Red flag: Toes that bump upward at the tips
What it means: When the very tips of the toes swell to the point where they lose their usual angle and appear to bump upward at the ends, it's called "digital clubbing" or "Hippocratic clubbing" after Hippocrates, who described the phenomenon 2,000 years ago. It's a common sign of serious pulmonary (lung) disease, including pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Heart disease and certain gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease, are also associated with clubbing.
More clues: Fingers can be clubbed as well as toes. It can happen in just some digits, or in all.
What to do: Treatment depends on the underlying cause, so report this serious symptom to a doctor. (Physicians are also well trained to look for clubbed digits during exams.)
16. Red flag: Shooting pain in the heel
What it means: Plantar fasciitis -- a fancy name for inflammation of a band of connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar) of the foot -- is abnormal straining of the tissue beyond its normal extension.
More clues: The pain starts when you take your first steps in the morning and often intensifies as the day wears on. It's usually concentrated in the heel (one or both) but can also be felt in the arch or in the back of the foot. Running and jumping a lot can cause it, but so can insufficient support. You're at risk if you go barefoot a lot or wear old shoes or flimsy flip-flops, have gained weight, or walk a lot on hard surfaces.
What to do: If pain persists more than a few weeks or seems to worsen, have it evaluated by a podiatrist. Stick to low shoes with a strong supportive arch until you get further advice and treatment (which may include anti-inflammatory drugs and shoe inserts).
17. Red flag: "Phee-uuuuw!" 
What it means: Though smelly feet (hyperhidrosis) tend to cause more alarm than most foot symptoms, odor -- even downright stinkiness -- is seldom a sign something's physically amiss. (Whew!) Feet contain more sweat glands than any other body part -- half a million between the two of them! And some people are more prone to sweat than others. Add in the casings of shoes and socks, and the normal bacteria that thrive in the body have a feast on the resulting moisture, creating the smell that makes wives and mothers weep. (Both sexes can have smelly feet, but men tend to sweat more.)
More clues: In this case, the one olfactory clue is plenty.
What to do: Wash with antibacterial soap and dry feet well. Rub cornstarch or antiperspirant onto soles. Toss used socks in the wash; always put on a fresh pair instead of reusing. Stick to natural materials (cotton socks, leather shoes) -- they wick away moisture better than man-made materials. Open up laced shoes after you remove them so they get a chance to fully air out; don't wear them again until they're fully dry.
18. Red flag: Old shoes
What it means: Danger! You're a walking health bomb if your everyday shoes are more than a couple of years old or if walking or running shoes have more than 350 to 500 miles on them. Old shoes lack the support feet need -- and footgear wears out faster than most people think, foot specialists say.
More clues: Blisters (too tight), bunions (too narrow), heel pain (not enough support) -- if you're having any kind of foot trouble, there's at least a 50-50 chance your shoddy or ill-fitting footwear is to blame.
Older people are especially vulnerable because they fall into the habit of wearing familiar old shoes that may lack support, flexibility, or good traction.

The Beauty of Mathematics...

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UNDER THE COVERS (The little known truth about Bipolar Disorder!) By Shari Schreiber, M.A.

                                          UNDER THE COVERS
                     (The little known truth about Bipolar Disorder!)
                                  By Shari Schreiber, M.A.

 If you've already tried antidepressants but felt they "didn't work" or they only worked short term, you may have fallen slightly below the radar of your physician or referring psychotherapist, in terms of an accurate diagnosis. In many instances, Bipolar Disorder (formerly referred to as manic-depression) is under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, and if this happened with you, your treatment was seriously compromised, and antidepressant therapy probably left you feeling disappointed and discouraged.

Growing up with a bipolar condition, you're usually not aware that you have a problem or something’s wrong, because you have no frame of reference for feeling differently! Your moods have never really been consistent or stable for extended periods, so what you've experienced thus far is your definition of “normal,” even if every few months (more or less) you can barely make it out of bed for several days or longer. Between these intervals, you may feel fine and be able to socialize and function well in your chosen field of work, but when a depressive cycle hits, it pulls the rug out from under you--and all you really want to do, is to hide under your covers 'till it passes!

Bipolar Disorder may be only a part of an individual's diagnostic picture, and other critical diagnoses are very frequently overlooked. This disorder may be genetically inherited, and is often attended by other neurological issues like ADD/ADHD--but patients could also have features of Borderline Personality Disorder, and a dual-diagnosis should at least be considered. This wellness site houses a great number of articles on BPD. Explore them.

Borderline personalities will exhibit acting-out behaviors, such as extreme jealousy, drug/alcohol abuse, desperate attempts to gain attention, lying, self-harm (cutting or burning skin), intense/irrational abandonment concerns, lack of empathy, stalking, rebound relationships, perceptions that rapidly shift from loving/glorifying/idealizing you--to diminishing/criticizing/rejecting you (and back again), hypersexuality, 'crazy-making' interactions, histrionics, low self-esteem, poor impulse control, selective memory or recall, emotional cut-off, cognitive distortions, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, anxiety or OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) features, emotional blackmail, etc.

While these two disorders can easily coexist within the same person, they're distinctly separate issues! It would be like comparing apples to oranges, to ignore the differences between a mood disorder and a personality disorder, which is precisely how folks remain confused and untreated. It's extremely important to make this distinction, so that you know what you're up against.

New studies are suggesting there's a link between ADHD (seldom seen or diagonosed in females) and Borderline Personality Disorder. Attention deficit issues are attended by mood cycles, which can certainly heighten acting-out behaviors. This newfound awareness may help us more easily discern what type of pharmaceutical intervention can lead to favorable outcomes. While this does not imply that BPD problems are exclusively neuro-chemical rather than emotional, we may just begin to treat/manage the symptoms of this disorder differently and more effectively.

There are three main types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I is characterized primarily by manic episodes, Bipolar II has mostly depressive periods with hypomanic (or brief) episodes, and Bipolar III (or Cyclothymia) is a rapid-cycling mood disorder that can produce numerous high and low mood swings during the course of a day. The diagnostic criteria for these types of BD are very specific, according to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition), but what happens if your symptoms fall slightly outside these sets of criteria--are you ever diagnosed and treated, or do you slip through the cracks?

The unfortunate truth is, thousands of people suffer with Bipolar Disorder, but their cycles are non-specific or atypical, in relation to how it's generally identified or thought of clinically! They may struggle through numerous drug trials to alleviate depression, and some could be temporarily more effective than others, but short term relief can frequently be attributed to inaccurate or inadequate diagnosis of a Bipolar II type mood disorder. If your physician overlooks a bipolar issue and medicates you only for depression, it's very likely you'll be dissatisfied with treatment, and feel "what's the point?" in reference to pharmaceutical intervention. Just be aware that the right drug therapy can prevent fatal consequences (suicides) commonly associated with depressive spirals, and help you surmount this daunting condition.

Atypical features of Bipolar II might mean that severe depressive episodes occur on an extremely rare basis. There could be months, or even years in-between a down spiral that may have to be relieved with electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) or 'shock treatments,' used to restore neurological balance. If you know someone who suffers from these horrible occurrences, they might need you to function as their advocate, by helping them find highly qualified care to avoid this invasive procedure.

For effective relief from bipolar depression, a mood stabilizer is often needed in addition to your antidepressant therapy, and vice-versa. Some doctors believe that a mood stabilizer alone will be effective for treating Bipolar II symptoms--but in my experience, this is seldom true. Finding the right drug combination that works with your body is imperative, as everybody's system is somewhat different. If your antidepressant triggers a manic response, this might indicate a bipolar issue. Manic or hypomanic episodes can present as extreme irritability or rageful outbursts, as opposed to elation, extravagant shopping sprees, or compulsions to paint a room of your house in the middle of the night.

Mood stabilizers are different drugs than antidepressants, as they are anti-convulsive medications that control extreme mood shifts or swings.

Once your physician has found a solid drug protocol to effectively treat your unique chemistry, symptoms should feel reduced/controlled within 48 hours. You'll likely experience significant relief from this neurological balancing, and have some hope for a brighter future. Do not settle for minimal outcomes. Keep trying to refine your drugs and dosages to where you're feeling mostly at ease, and able to function well in your personal and professional spheres.

Manic episodes can feel wonderful. If you're afraid you'll have to give these up if you take medication, this is an erroneous belief associated with up or down (good or bad) feelings, which typically accompany a bipolar issue. Rest assured, you'll still be able to access good, positive, empowered feelings on medication, but they won't be as likely to play out in self-destructive ways (compulsive behaviors or substance abuse), especially if you're in solid talk therapy to help you resolve any underlying emotional issues.

Bipolar Disorder is a medical condition that must be ruled out by a therapist and/or prescribing physician, to avoid treating you for other issues (like personality disorders) that may not be the cause of your difficulties. If you live with this disorder, you can easily have a dual or mixed diagnosis, which includes Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and/or Dysthymia (chronic, mild to moderate depression), so a full evaluation of your symptoms and emotional history is critical in determining your treatment needs! ADD is also a cyclical disorder that can cause mood fluctuations, and prompt you to wonder if you're "a little bipolar." While ADD symptomology is less severe than with a bipolar condition, this neurological issue can definitely interfere with mood stability, and the effectiveness of your antidepressant therapy.

You should be advised that alcohol is a depressant; drinking counteracts the positive effects of medications you're taking to combat your discomfort, and undermines even the most solid therapeutic intervention. This aside, if your current drug therapy feels insufficient for managing your symptoms, talk with your therapist and/or physician about switching to a different prescription, or increasing the one you're on. If it seems like your doctor is unresponsive to your concerns or needs, find another one!

Typically, Bipolar Disorder is genetically inherited or brought on by severe head trauma, but more recent studies indicate that environmental influences can also predict outcome. A baby's brain continues to develop in critical ways in the first eighteen months or more of life: Inadequate amounts of nurturant care/attention during early stages of life, can inhibit normal neurological development specific to parts of the brain that control mood regulation, and put a child at risk for acquiring a bipolar condition.

Some people finally seek help when depression overtakes them to the point they’re contemplating suicide. They might hear voices telling them to kill themselves ("why not~it's a way out of the pain") and suicides are fairly common during depressive episodes. Acute depression is seldom observed in someone with a Bipolar Disorder, because he/she withdraws and virtually disappears from social functioning during a spiral or down cycle. Typically, friends and relatives are shocked by a loved one's sudden death, having had no prior awareness of this disturbance. Sometimes there’s a precipitating event that triggers a depressive episode, but often there’s not--which makes this a frustratingly unpredictable issue!

Many celebrities suffer from undiagnosed/untreated mood disorders. The risk of public shame they'd experience if their condition were disclosed, often keeps them from seeking the help they desperately need. Bipolar Disorders are frequently the cause of celebrity suicides or attempts. We're always surprised and confused, when we hear that someone we've perceived to be very jovial has tried to do away with him/herself, or died of a drug overdose! Sadly, most rehabilitation clinics only target addiction with behavioral and emotional techniques or interventions, but neglect to address neurological imbalances that helped spawn the addiction in the first place! When rehab clinics fail to medically assess, balance and normalize their client's brain chemistry, relapses are practically inevitable--and so is repeat business. Each relapse intensifies the celebrity client's shame; on one hand, they've failed at something that "should have worked" for them, and on the other, each regressive episode turns into a media event! Hence, the very thing this individual had hoped to avoid, becomes a deeply humiliating reality.

My perspectives on Bipolar Disorder have altered dramatically over the past decade or so. Graduate schooling suggests that an individual must fit one of three specific sets of diagnostic criteria to have a bipolar diagnosis. Atypical variations are often missed during a clinical consult or psychiatric evaluation ("psych-eval") with a psychopharmacologist or physician, because of doctor or therapists' limited clinical experience--or a client/patient's reluctance to fully disclose their symptoms.

Are you resistant to any medical intervention? Well, you're not alone! Your entire life may have been spent defending against the notion of having any kind of deficit or need. When you've been programmed from an early age to repress your needs, feelings of shame are triggered when they finally begin to surface. Shame is the primary sensation of core trauma (or narcissistic injury), which first occurs in infancy, and is reinforced during childhood. You couldn't have averted this trauma, any more than you could have avoided inheriting genetic factors, and this depression is not your fault!

Unfortunately, others can't relate to your struggle: Only if you've lived with depression all your life, can you know what the torment from constant psychic pain feels like! We humans are pretty resourceful when it comes to figuring out how to help ourselves feel better; whatever it takes, we'll find ways to escape our depression, feelings of emptiness or self-loathing, even if it means putting our personal or professional world in jeopardy.

The experience of needing therapeutic or medical help seems to activate an old stigma that stops us from seeking assistance. We may think; “if I need drugs or psychological support, something really must be wrong with me!” Ironically, we might have self-medicated most our life, with alcohol/illicit drugs, food or compulsive behaviors such as over-work, shopping, gambling, sex, excessive exercise or religious/cult affiliations, to alleviate or numb our pain--but when considering drugs that are made to balance brain chemistry and provide relief, this seems the hardest pill of all to swallow!

Mood stabilizers most commonly prescribed for bipolar issues are; Neurontin, Topamax, Lamictal, Depakote and Lithium. Some of these drugs are more effective when smaller doses are taken 2 - 3 times throughout the course of a day, rather than only once within a 24-hour period. While Topamax is generally indicated for Bipolar I (manic) issues, in some cases it's been very effective for treating Bipolar II (depressive) symptoms with little or no side effects. Lamictal could be better tolerated at lower doses, but can cause lethargy or fatigue as dosage escalates (with some of these drugs, less is more). Depakote and Lithium require routine blood tests during initial/early months of treatment, to monitor potential adverse effects they may have on your liver.

Since the inception of this piece, the mood stabilizer, Abilify has been made available to the public, and you've probably seen television commercials on it. I've known a few folks who've done very well with this drug, whether it's been added to their existing antidepressant regimen, or taken alone.

Mood stabilizers can cause hand tremors and difficulty with fine/detailed tactile functioning (fastening a necklace, for instance), especially at higher doses. Your doctor may send you home with pharmaceutical sample packs that tend to increase dosage exponentially, forcing you to double your pre-existing intake. This can prompt repercussions, as your body tries to adjust to this significant change. A more gradual increase (cutting tablets whenever possible) may help you circumvent this difficulty, but always check with your physician before you explore any options relating to your medication dosage. This information is intended to help normalize the experiences you might have with a mood stabilizer, and alert you to potential issues that can be easily managed. I realize some of this could sound pretty scary--but overall, these drugs are very helpful/safe, and they can greatly enhance the quality of your life.

Within the realm of natural treatment, Omega 3 (fish or flax) EPA/DHA oils can sometimes enhance mood and lessen bipolar symptomology. Some of us have difficulty with these 'repeating' (particularly the fish oil capsules) and understandably, neglect to take them consistently for this reason. Any deep sea or cold water (check the label) fish oil is especially well tolerated, and unlikely to repeat or leave an aftertaste. The brand, Nature's Bounty makes a 'deodorized' version of this product. Other types can be taken just prior to eating, to eliminate most of this unpleasantness. Both types can usually be found at most retail health food establishments--or local drug chains, like CVS pharmacy. If you cannot find this type of product, ask your local vendor to order it for you! Two to three capsules with each meal may alleviate depression and improve cognitive function. Omega 3 oils won't interfere with your drug therapy, but they might eventually decrease your reliance on it. Refrigerate these products once you get them home.

OKAY, HERE'S SOME EXCITING NEWS . . . !

I've been researching potential benefits of cranial adjustments in relation to Bipolar and Attention Deficit Disorders. Preliminary information strongly suggests that this modality of treatment can positively impact neurological issues, particularly if onset of symptoms is associated with head trauma. I had an accident in September, 2007 that left me with a concussion--and this type of help assisted my recovery. Relatively few chiropractors specialize in this work, but if you think you'd benefit from seeing a practitioner who does, you can find craniosacral practitioners in your geographic area, by going to The Upledger Institute's website; www.Upledger.com.

In context of natural approaches, I don't want to neglect to mention bio-feedback and homeopathy. You might be inclined to explore whether these options can be effective for you, before trying pharmaceutical intervention. As is the case with any treatment modality, results may vary widely. Some feel that homeopathy and bio-feedback are more effective for children than adults, but (so far) I haven't seen outcomes that seemed conclusive enough to justify the significant time commitment or costs associated with either approach. HGH (human growth hormone) may relieve bipolar symptomology in certain individuals, but this is an expensive way to go, and we're not yet certain if extended use is physically safe.

Life shouldn't have to be so tough and it can be infused with more joy, but healing takes place on many different levels. I've assisted people who've experienced fewer physical ailments or pain, lost weight, let go of crippling addictions, and expressed "feeling happy for the first time," because we've identified various obstacles and/or brain chemical imbalances, and provided the help they've needed. What will happen if you don't attend to your mood swings? You'll continue to suffer with these terrible, disruptive cycles--and that's the problem! If you've experienced an ongoing pattern of emotional highs and lows, this can be due to a Bipolar Disorder. Recovery is never "just a chemical issue," but addressing this piece certainly helps you begin to see some light at the end of a very long tunnel. This is your Life that's on the line~why postpone living it any longer?

Phone sessions are available. If you're seeking assistance with this issue, or your group/organization would like me to speak on this topic, feel free to contact me.

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12 Indian foods that cut fat THE TIMES OF INDIA Powered by INDIATIMES

12 Indian foods that cut fat

EISHA SARKAR (Mumbai Mirror) , Jan 12, 2011, 12.00am IST

 

You don't have to acquire a taste for olive oil, seaweed or soya to maintain a low-fat, healthy diet. Indian cuisine can be healthy too, if it's cooked with oil and ingredients that take care of your heart and health.

Ayurveda suggests you include all tastes — sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent — in at least one meal each day, to help balance unnatural cravings. Here are 12 foods that can help you lose weight and gain health: 

Turmeric : Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is an object of research owing to its properties that suggest they may help to turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack. 

Cardamom : This is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently. 

Chillies : Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies. 

Curry leaves : Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal. 

Garlic : An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats. 

Mustard oil : This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart. 

Cabbage : Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. 

Moong dal : The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programmes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption. 

Honey : It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning. 

Buttermilk : It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss. 

Millets : Fibre-rich foods such as millets - jowar, bajra, ragi, etc - absorb cholesterol and help increase the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats. 
Cinnamon and cloves: Used extensively in Indian cooking, the spices have been found to improve the function of insulin and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.

 

TREAT ALZHEIMERS, CANCER AND ARTHRITIS,DAIBITIES WITH THIS SUPER HOME REMEDY

 Take 1/4 tea spoon of tumeric (HALDI) and 1/4 tea spoon of ginger powder add 1/2 tea spoon of pure honey in cup of warm water. Drink it 2 to 3 times a week. A real GURU.

 

Super Spice Secrets:  This Miracle Spice Can Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis!       By Dr. Mercola For more than 5,000 years, turmeric has been an important part of Eastern cultural traditions, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.. Valued for its medicinal properties and warm, peppery flavor, this yellow-orange spice has more recently earned a name for itself in Western medicine as well. Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is native to Indonesia and southern India , and is widely used as an ingredient in curry dishes and yellow mustard. As research into this powerful spice has increased, it has emerged as one of nature’s most powerful potential healers. Said Dr. David Frawely, founder and director of the American Institute for Vedic Studies in Santa Fe , New Mexico : “If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose the Indian spice Turmeric. There is little it cannot do in the realm of healing and much that no other herb is able to accomplish.Turmeric has a broad spectrum of actions, mild but certain effects, and is beneficial for long term and daily usage. Though it is a common spice, few people, including herbalists know of its great value and are using it to the extent possible. It is an herb that one should get to know and live with.”

Turmeric’s Beneficial Effects in a Nutshell 
Strengthens and improves digestion

• Reduces gas and bloating
• Assists in the digestion of protein and with rice and bean dishes
• Improves your body's ability to digest fats
• Promotes proper metabolism, correcting both excesses and deficiencies
• Maintains and improves intestinal flora
• Improves elimination of wastes and toxins

Supports healthy liver function and detox

• Turmeric helps increase bile flow making it a liver cleanser that can rejuvenate your liver cells and recharge their capability to break down toxins
• Helps to prevent alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to your liver
• Supports formation of healthy tissue

Purifies your blood 

·         Stimulates formation of new blood tissue 
·         Anti-inflammatory: Helps to reduce irritation to tissues characterized by pain, redness, swelling and heat 
 Contains curcuminoids that fight cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s

• Curcuminoids are potent phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients) that contain powerful antioxidant properties
• Counteract the damaging effects of free radicals in your body
• Relieve arthritis pain and stiffness, anti-inflammatory agent
• Anti-carcinogenic: “Curcumin has been shown to prevent a large of number of cancers in animal studies. 
• Laboratory data indicate that curcumin can inhibit tumor initiation, promotion, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.”[1]
• Supports treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: “Because Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by amyloid-induced inflammation, 
• Curcumin has been shown to be effective against Alzheimer's. 
• Clinical trials are in progress at UCLA with curcumin for Alzheimer's.”[2]

 Curcumin: Turmeric’s Active Anti-Inflammatory “Ingredient”

 Most notably turmeric is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which come from curcumin -- the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-orange color, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects. There are an estimated three to five grams of curcumin in 100 grams of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been implicated in inflammation.[3] 

 Turmeric’s Cancer-Fighting Properties 
 In India where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. Cancers -- colon, breast, prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower. In fact, prostate cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in U.S. Men, is rare in India and this is attributed, in part, to turmeric. Numerous studies have looked into this potential cancer-fighting link, with promising results. For instance, curcumin has been found to: 

• Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells
• Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor
• Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body
• Decrease inflammation
• Enhance liver function
• Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation
• Prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth

 As for the results of research studies, a study in Biochemical Pharmacology found that curcumin can slow the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs in mice.[4]  "Curcumin acts against transcription factors, which are like a master switch," said lead researcher, Bharat Aggarwal. "Transcription factors regulate all the genes needed for tumors to form. When we turn them off, we shut down some genes that are involved in the growth and invasion of cancer cells." A second study in Biochemical Pharmacology also found that curcumin inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB, a regulatory molecule that signals genes to produce a slew of inflammatory molecules (including TNF, COX-2 and IL-6) that promote cancer cell growth.[5]

Turmeric’s Essential Role for Your Liver 
 Your liver’s primary role is to process and remove toxins carried in your bloodstream. When functioning at its peak, it can filter up to two liters of blood per minute and easily break apart toxic molecules to reduce their toxicity. Your liver is also a crucial part of vitamin, mineral, protein, fat, carbohydrate and hormonal metabolism. However, poor diet, allergens, pollution and stress can cause your liver to become sluggish, and this can impair its vital functions. This is where turmeric can be a very useful part of your liver support system. Studies have shown that it:  
May increase important detoxification enzymes in your liver 
Induces the formation of a primary liver detoxification enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes 
Turmeric is also a natural cholagogue, a medicinal agent that promotes the discharge of bile from your system. Increased bile flow is important to help your liver detoxify and to help your body digest fats. 

 Turmeric for Your Heart, Brain and Overall Health 
Turmeric inhibits free radical damage of fats, including cholesterol. When cholesterol is damaged in this way, or oxidized, it can then damage your blood vessels and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, research suggests that turmeric’s ability to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol may be beneficial for your heart. It’s also rich in vitamin B6, high intakes of which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Meanwhile, turmeric appears to be highly protective against neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, in India levels of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s are very low, and studies have shown that curcumin can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in mice. The compound has also proven capable of blocking the progression of multiple sclerosis.  Further, Professor Moolky Nagabhushan from the Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, who has been studying turmeric for the last 20 years, believes that turmeric can protect against harmful environmental chemicals, and in so doing protect against childhood leukemia. The research showed that curcumin in turmeric can:[7] 

• Inhibit the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (cancer-causing chemicals in the environment)
• Inhibit radiation-induced chromosome damage
• Prevent the formation of harmful heterocyclic amines and nitroso compounds, which may result in the body when eating certain processed foods, such as processed meat products
• Irreversibly inhibit the multiplication of leukemia cells in a cell culture

 Turmeric's volatile oils also have external anti-bacterial action. As such, they may help prevent bacterial wound infections and accelerate wound healing. Johnson & Johnson even sells a curcumin-containing Band-Aid in India !  And the therapeutic potential of turmeric and curcumin do not end there. Evidence suggests the spice may also be beneficial for: 

• Cystic fibrosisType 2 diabetes
• Crohn’s disease
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cataracts
• Gallstones
• Muscle regeneration
• Inflammatory bowel disease  

Which Type of Turmeric is Best?

 For use in cooking, choose a pure turmeric powder, rather than a curry powder. At least one study has found that curry powders tend to contain very little curcumin, compared to turmeric powder. Turmeric is also available in supplement form and for many this is a more convenient method to obtain these health benefits discussed above, especially if they are from a high-quality organic source and if one doesn’t particularly enjoy the taste of curry.