“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?” Gandhi could have not been more right when he said his piece about the futility of a war that brings bloodshed and chaos. Nobody really wins but everyone is a losing victim of man’s atrocities and evil doings against each other. Sometimes, it would have been better to be dead than to survive and face the almost life-long trauma one has to deal with after going through the harrowing experience of war. War is a complex web of violence, loss, and human tragedy. Aside from the destruction of lives and properties that is inherent in any armed conflict, violations of human rights is also prevalent. Torture, oppression, sexual abuse of women, abductions, and massacres also occur during times of armed conflict. Surviving the horrible memories of war is a victory in itself yet the survivors often still need to deal with stress and anxiety long after the fighting has ceased. For many war survivors, the shooting may have stopped but the battle against psycho-emotional distress and serious medical conditions are still on-going struggles. Everyday, military personnel and civilian survivors relive the catastrophes of war. Men and women, young and old alike, still cannot remove the images and sounds of battle from their minds. For a long time, they will vainly try to deafen the sounds of gunfire and bomb explosions ricocheting in their heads day in and day out. They find it extremely difficult to erase the painful memories of witnessing their beloved families, relatives, and friends being gunned down to death or dismembered. Scenes of burying their own dead in open trenches continue to flash back in their minds. Soldiers are haunted by episodes of being forced to shoot innocent civilians, including women and children —- all in the name of duty. Most war survivors suffer from emotional and psychological disorder such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Though PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans or survivors, it can also result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as rape, torture, being kidnapped or held hostage, child abuse, vehicular accidents, plane crashes, even natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. It is considered to be one of the most severe forms of emotional disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a terrifying ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm happens to a person. The person may have been the one who was harmed or the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a traumatic event that happened to loved ones or strangers. Most war veterans or survivors get easily startled and can become emotionally numb especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close. Like other people who are suffering from PTSD, they tend to lose interest in the things they used to value and enjoy. They have a hard time showing affections, can be easily irritated and may become more aggressive to the point of being violent. It is possible that a traumatized person may not develop a full-blown PTSD. For a case to be considered PTSD, symptoms should last more than a month. Usually, these symptoms appear within the first three months after the traumatic incident, or it could manifest several years later. Recovery from the condition may vary as some individuals may need at least six months to deal with PTSD, while others may need more time before they fully recover. War veterans and survivors with PTSD experience severe headaches and anxiety attacks. Aside from having crying spells, they also tend to sweat heavily, get easily depressed, experience sustained bodily pains. They develop phobias or irrational fears that may or may not be related to the actual traumatic event. PTSD patients are often afraid of being alone in the dark or have trouble sleeping at night due to recurring nightmares about war. Some war veterans even develop a fear of heights due to terrible memories of parachute jumps. These painful memories are called flashbacks and may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, which are often triggered by ordinary occurrences. The popping of firecrackers, the startling sound of a slammed door, a car tire explosion, and other sudden, loud noises can trigger flashbacks resulting to panic attacks. A person having a flashback may lose touch with reality and believe that the traumatic incident is happening all over again. Treatment of PTSD involves regular therapy and the use of medications. Health care professionals may prescribe antidepressant drugs to help PTSD patients to relax and find relief from the aching physical and emotional wounds of war. These medications may also help induce sleep in those who are suffering from insomnia, aside from making it easier to deal with daily stress and anxiety. Various psychotherapy programs are being studied and developed not just to bring modest relief from stress and anxiety but to effect noticeable changes in the lives of these emotionally battered and perhaps physically disabled survivors of war. While there is yet no cure or formula to totally stop wars, there is available assistance and medication for those who inevitably become traumatized by armed conflict. As long as there are bitter, armed struggles in the world, these medications and therapy sessions will be in high demand.
Tag-Archive for ◊ stress ◊
In this age of globalization and wireless technology, worrying about hectic schedules and living complicated life is completely normal. When too much worrying becomes overwhelming, you may feel like they’re out of control and they’re running your life. Consider your thoughts and feelings. The excessive amount of time you feel anxious or have difficulty sleeping because of your worries can be symptoms of an anxiety disorders. We all experience anxiety almost everyday. It is considered a natural part of life. It refers to the worries and concern of every day life which may lead to stress and nervousness. Anxiety to young people can be limited to situations in school such as project deadlines, exams, special events like sports and proms. There can be something good about feeling anxious. It can actually help students to be motivated to prepare for the upcoming exams or recitations. Athletes train well and become alert when being kept on their toes in potentially dangerous situations. Occasional anxiety is something not to be concerned about. However, for some teenagers, anxiety tends to rule their their lives. Anxiety disorder can interfere with people’s ability to function normally. Teens with anxiety disorders may suffer from intense, long-lasting fear or worry, in addition to other symptoms. Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions characterized by unrealistic fear and worry which affect people of all ages, including kids and teens. Young people with this condition aren’t crazy but may find it hard to get through the day. Aside from difficulty studying and concentrating, young people with anxiety disorder can also experience insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, as well as the loss of appetite. The good news is, anxiety disorder can be treated. Young people can be affected by several types of this condition which include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Having an anxiety disorder can make you feel stressed, tense or unable to relax, and you may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, sweaty hands, upset stomach, pounding heart, and muscle tension. People with extremely intense symptoms may experience panic attacks and may think they are having a heart attack or might even die. There is no one cause for anxiety disorders. Research shows that many factors contribute to this condition including genetics, brain biochemistry, an overactive “fight or flight” response, life circumstances, and learned behavior. Genetics – When one member of a family has anxiety disorder, there is a possibility that other members may also develop the condition, though of a different type, due to the hereditary or genetic component of anxiety disorder. Brain Biochemistry – Genetics influence a person’s brain biochemistry, and may make certain people more prone to problems with anxiety. The brain’s biochemistry involves the brain’s millions of nerve cells, called neurons, that constantly communicate with each other through chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are the brain’s chemical messengers, and there are specific neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and attach to a receptor on another neuron. However, if the receptor is blocked and unable to receive the neurotransmitter, it can create an imbalance in the levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain, and can cause symptoms of anxiety. There are many kinds of neurotransmitters but those that are involved in anxiety are called serotonin and dopamine. Imbalance of these chemicals will result to anxiety and other problems. Life Circumstances – Traumatic life experiences can also set the stage for anxiety disorders which leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Learned Behavior – Having a family environment where there is a pervading atmosphere of fear can influence a child to grow up viewing the world as a scary place. The child will become fearful and will always become anxious of worse things to happen. “Fight or Flight” Response – This is the brain’s automatic reaction to an anxiety-provoking situation which can also fuel an anxiety disorder. When a person senses a potentially dangerous situation, the brain quickly sends out a signal to amygdala, a small structure in the brain that activates the “fight or flight’ response. This response triggers sweating and makes the heart beats faster. The body prepares itself ready for the eventuality of danger. The danger may be real or just perceived danger. As soon as the person realizes that there is no more danger, the person relaxes, and the “fight or flight” response stops. Since the amygdala is programmed to “remember” the trigger in case it happens again, it enables the brain to protect the person from future danger by keeping track of all cues that might signal danger. When the amygdala overreacts, the person will mistakenly interpret certain things as dangerous. Young people overwhelmed by anxiety disorder resort to alcohol and drugs, including sleeping pills, in order to relieve themselves of stress, anxiety attacks and other symptoms. They feel that others may not understand what they are going through. However, drugs and alcohol only create a false sense of relaxation which can be dangerous and may lead to lots of other serious problems. Young people must not let anxiety prevent them from enjoying their lives. There are treatments and medications which can help them including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation or biofeedback to control tense muscles. A combination of treatments may also be prescribed. Family support and communication is the key in dealing with people who are having anxiety disorders. Close friends are a valuable part of the solution in overcoming anxiety problems.
Related posts
Copyright 2006 Dr. Eileen Silva Do you wake up refreshed in the morning without the use of an alarm clock and feel energetic all day? If you don’t, you may not be sleeping enough (adults need between 7.5-8.5 hours a night of sleep) or you may suffer from a sleep disorder that affects 60 million Americans: insomnia. If you have insomnia, you probably experience difficulty falling asleep, waking up too early, waking up during the night and having trouble going back to sleep, or un-refreshing sleep. During the day, you may have difficulty concentrating or feel sleepy, fatigued, or irritable. Obviously a significant life stress (losing a job or a loved one, divorce, or moving), illness, or environmental factors (noise, change of bed, the neighbor’s late night party) can throw off your normal sleep schedule, and health conditions (depression, heartburn, cancer, asthma, arthritis, etc.) can cause insomnia as well. Once these situations resolve themselves, your sleep schedule should improve. However, if these problems are not present, and you still cannot sleep, perhaps some of your daily, and nightly, routines contribute to your sleeplessness. Diet, environment, and routine are three areas that commonly affect sleeping success. Here are some healthy tips that many experts agree can improve the amount and quality of your sleep. 1. Don’t go to bed hungry! Have a light, early dinner or a light snack, but avoid a heavy meal before bed, as going to bed with a full stomach can disturb sleep. Warm milk, dairy products, carbohydrates, and foods high in tryptophan (an amino acid) like turkey or bananas may help you sleep. Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods 4-6 hours before bedtime. Spicy foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night. Try to restrict fluids close to bedtime to prevent nighttime awakenings to go to the bathroom, though some people find milk or herbal, non-caffeinated teas to be soothing and a helpful part of a bedtime routine. 2. Avoid caffeine! This includes chocolate, caffeinated sodas and teas, and coffee. Caffeine delays sleep and increases the number of times you awake during the night. It generally remains in your body from 3-5 hours, but can affect you for up to 12 hours. 3. Give up smoking! Nicotine is a stimulant that can cause difficulty falling asleep and waking in the morning, and even nightmares. If that’s not bad enough, smokers experience withdrawal symptoms for nicotine while asleep and experience sleep disturbances. 4. Forego that “night cap!” Alcohol may help you to get to sleep, but it will cause you to wake up throughout the night, even if you aren’t aware of it. Alcohol also contributes to snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. Although you may consider alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings. 5. Is your room an inviting place to sleep? Make your sleeping environment a place for healthy sleep – cool, quiet, comfortable, attractive, and orderly. Use clean, comfortable, and allergen-free bedding and pillows and a quality mattress. Keep the temperature cool, but not cold, and the room dark, quiet, and well ventilated for a restful sleep environment. If light is a problem, invest in blackout curtains, eye shades, or a sleeping mask. Install dimmer switches in bedroom and bathroom, keep them low at night and high in the morning. Experiencing bright light at a regular time in the morning should help you wake up and then feel sleepy at the same time every night. If noise is a problem, invest in earplugs, a fan, or a white noise machine to cover up interruptive sounds. 6. Don’t balance your checkbook right before bedtime! Avoid activities that cause excitement, stress, or anxiety. Quiet bedtime routines like reading, listening to music, or taking a bath are helpful to relax and wind down before sleep. Conduct these activities in dim light to signal the brain that it is time to relax and get sleepy. 7. No pushups right before bed! Although daily exercise is a desirable asset to wellness, try not to exercise during the 3 hours before bedtime to avoid stimulation that could make falling asleep more difficult. Exercise also raises your body temperature, causing it to take longer to reach the cooler temperature associated with sleep onset. 8. Sex or sleep only! The bedroom is not an office! Using your bedroom only for sleep and sex strengthens the association between bed and sleep. Your body needs to “know” that the bed is associated with sleeping. Do not engage in activities that cause you anxiety and prevent you from sleeping. If you associate a particular activity or item with anxiety about sleeping, omit it from your bedtime routine. For example, if looking at a bedroom clock makes you anxious about how much time you have before you must get up, turn it to the wall. Avoid TV or laptop computers, and if you find reading helpful, make sure to use a very small wattage bulb to read by. Train your body to understand that this is the place and time to rest. 9. Early to bed, early to rise! Limit daytime naps to 30-45 minutes. Your sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a “circadian clock” in your brain and the body’s need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help you get sleepy at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in. 10. Count sheep, not problems! If you have trouble lying awake worrying about things, try making a to-do list before you go to bed, and then put those problems to bed for the night. If you can’t fall asleep for over 30 minutes and don’t feel drowsy, get up and read or do something boring in dim light until you feel sleepy. Stressing over whether or not you are getting enough sleep will just make matters worse. Relax, and you will eventually fall asleep. 11. No middle of the night TV! If, after awakening in the middle of the night, you cannot get back to sleep within 15-20 minutes, leave the bedroom and read, have a light snack, or do some quiet activity (not TV). Return to bed after 20 minutes or so. Avoid looking at the clock if you wake up as this can make you anxious. As I said, turn it to the wall! 12. No weekend sleep binges! Because of the high-paced lifestyle most of us lead, you may have difficulty getting enough sleep. Ongoing lack of sleep causes sleep deprivation, which runs up a sleep debt that you must pay back or your sleepiness will continue to worsen. However, avoid trying to pay up by weekend sleep binges as this will result in the disruption of your circadian rhythm. Make quality sleep a priority! Follow these guidelines and develop your own bedroom environment and regiment for healthy, restful sleep. Happy dreams!
Related posts
Have you received a massage in Longmont, Colorado? If you haven’t done it already you should put it on your list of things to do. Longmont has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the United States and is considered one of the most serene and spiritual places to live or to visit. So, whether you go to Longmont for a business trip, an unforgettable vacation, or a family relocation you might find you want to receive massage therapy. Massage in Longmont is widely available from independent Certified Massage Therapists, Massage Establishments, and a growing number of Day Spas. Massage in Longmont is something that is memorable and enjoyable and something you’ll want to repeat over and over. Whether your goal is to completely relax with a slow, soothing massage, relieve muscular pain and chronic tension, have a more comfortable pregnancy, or improve your sports performance Massage Therapists in Longmont can help you achieve your goals. In fact there are several types of Massage in Longmont. The most commonly offered massage techniques in Longmont are: Swedish Massage – relaxing massage using gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and striking strokes along with gentle stretching and rocking. Hot Stone Massage – perhaps the most relaxing and luxurious massages you can get. Heated stones seemingly melt away stress and tension. Aromatherapy Massage – a very relaxing and therapeutic massage incorporating the benefits of both massage and essential oils for an incredible effect you’re going to love. Pregnancy Massage – massage for the mother-to-be helping her to decrease pain and discomfort throughout the pregnancy. Neuromuscular Therapy – advanced pain relief targeting specific trigger points in muscles, tendons, and attachment sites. Lymphatic Drainage Massage – specifically used for decreasing swelling and edema as well as improving the circulation of the body’s lymph. It’s detoxifying and some think it improves the immune system too. Deep Tissue Massage – massage of the deeper musculature and connective tissue to release chronic tension and pain. It’s often a firmer massage that is appreciated by experienced clients. However, in addition to the more commonly practiced massage techniques your Longmont based Massage Therapist might also practice some other well known massage therapy techniques: Sports Massage Myofascial Release Medical Massage Acupressure Shiatsu Ortho-Bionomy You might even want to try a special treat when you get a massage in Longmont like Couples Massage where a couple can receive their massage together in the same massage room with two massage therapists. During the couples massage each member of the couple can choose to receive a different massage from that of their partner. Or, for the true massage therapy enthusiast some Massage Establishments and Day Spas offer Four Hand Massage, or Tandem Massage, where you can be massaged by two massage therapists at the same time. Massage in Longmont is also very convenient to receive. Massage in Longmont is available on an incall basis at a Massage Therapist’s office, salon, or clinic, in a Licensed Massage Establishment, or in one of many conveniently located Day Spas. Massage in Longmont is also available on an outcall basis in your Longmont area home, office, or hotel. No matter where you are in Longmont a great massage is just minutes away. So what’s stopping you from receiving the benefits of massage? Massage in Longmont is relaxing, stress reducing, pain relieving, and performance improving so get one today.
Related posts
An asthma attack is usually regarded as a physical experience. Sufferers often experience chest tightness, coughing, and an increased effort to breathe. Yet asthma also has an emotional component. There is the frustration of experiencing an attack and the fear of what might happen if the attack worsens. Asthma can be a life-threatening condition. This can increase levels of anxiety, leading to panic, which in turn can trigger or worsen an asthma attack. Anxiety, resentment and despair are common emotions felt by the asthmatic. For centuries, many people believed asthma was caused by stress or emotional disorders. This led to a stigma being attached to the condition and there grew a stereotype of the asthmatic being a weak, anxious person, forever wheezing and coughing. Breathing is obviously tied in with emotion. We gasp with fear when we watch a scary movie, and take short breaths if we get involved in an action flick. We catch our breath if something startles us. Laughing and crying are certainly expressions of emotion and they both involve a change in our normal breathing pattern. Being under stress can gradually tighten the airways. Sometimes people suffer their first asthma attack at a time of heightened emotion, like the death of a close relative. In these cases the person was probably already susceptible to asthma and the traumatic event and stress triggered the attack. The beliefs of a person can also influence their asthma. Experiments have shown that asthmatics can produce and decrease asthma attacks using the power of suggestion. Just as Pavlov’s dogs salivated to the sound of a bell, asthma patients can suffer attacks if they are convinced they have inhaled an allergen even if the allergen is not present. Similarly they can experience relief if they believe they are taking a reliever drug though the substance they have taken has no medical effects. This ‘placebo effect’ has been noted for many conditions and situations. This power of suggestion may explain why some people suffer a worsening of their asthma if they just see something related to their asthma trigger. It may also explain why some feel they cannot be without their inhaler. The cause of asthma is not in the mind. It is in the genes and airways. But it seems that the mind can aggravate the condition. Research has shown that asthma attacks can be connected to panic disorder – recurrent unexplained panic attacks. This connection seems stronger in smokers than non-smokers, and in women than in men. It has also been found that the children of mothers prone to depression or panic attacks have an increased risk of developing asthma. More recently researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison performed tests in which asthma patients heard various different words. They found that simply mentioning asthma related words such as ‘wheeze’ stimulated responses in two regions of the brain. One region is associated with emotional responses; the other is involved in obtaining information about the body’s physiological condition, such as shortness of breath. The results suggest a direct link between an emotion-processing area of the brain and the physical response to the disease. The brains of people with asthma may over-react to emotional and physiological signals, like inflammation, which in turn may affect the severity of symptoms. This may help explain why asthma attacks in response to allergens can worsen during stressful times. This research may one day lead to drugs or behavioral interventions to control asthma. Meanwhile it is know that certain relaxation techniques and martial arts can help control asthma that is triggered by emotional events.
Related posts
There are very few psychological conditions that can be as devastating for a person to develop as bi-polar disorder. This mental health disorder is a vicious condition that can be traced as the cause of various problems, including suicide. It is ranked as the third most common cause of suicide around the world and the sixth leading cause of someone being classified as “disabled.” Bi-polar becomes even worse when one considers it can be a recurring problem, plaguing people that have it for the rest of their lives. It is also sad that this mental health condition is rarely understood by the general public, to the point that most people tend to associate it with violent or criminal tendencies. What Happens When Someone Has Bi-Polar Disorder? As previously stated, bi-polar is a mental health condition that is typically identified by the recurring shifts between mania and depression. The sudden “swings” can often make bi-polar patients incredibly difficult to predict, particularly if the condition has been left untreated for long periods. The “swings” are not regular and can be spaced years apart in some instances, but patients with the condition often have an average of eight to ten within a lifetime. Certain external factors, such as one’s environment and peers, are sometimes said to aggravate the condition, but this theory has yet to be fully tested. Some patients experience psychotic episodes, particularly during the mania periods of the condition, but these occur only after very severe cases. Finally, younger patients with the condition experience chronic mania, rather than episodic, often accompanied by factors such as stress, irritability, and anxiety. What Causes Bi-Polar Disorder? Recent evidence suggest that there might be a genetic link that causes bi-polar. Studies have focused on twins, blood relatives, and adoption studies. According to the results, parents who have a mood-related disorder tend to produce offspring that have bi-polar disorder. Twins also frequently develop the problem together, though there are cases where only one twin develops the condition. The results have also shown that identical twins have a 43% chance of developing the disorder, as opposed to a 6% chance for fraternal twins. The studies also note that since the results for the twins study did not reach 100%, environmental factors may also play a role in the development. Whether they merely activate the genetic trigger or if they are the direct cause, however, remains to be seen. How Do You Treat Bi-Polar Disorder? Treatment of bi-polar disorder can be rather extensive, as it usually involves a lifetime of therapy and the use of some form of medication. Usually, the medication prescribed to accompany the therapy is a mood stabilizing drug, such as lithium, valproic acid, or carbamazepine. These medications only help suppress the mood swings and shifts, but are not known to completely remove the disorder. There is a certain level of difficulty in treating the condition as the episodes can occur with years of interval between them. In some extreme cases, anti-psychotic medication can also be given to help. Nutritional supplements have had no noticeable effects during testing, despite some claims to the contrary. Currently, the best treatment known consists of psychotherapy, mood-stabilizing medication, and psychoeducation.