Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A Cure For Tiredness - Brain Entrainment With A Binaural Beats Download


The aim of this article is to explain how brain entrainment with a binaural beats download can be an effective cure for tiredness.

Tiredness is a common problem within today's society, where physical and mental exertions can have a debilitating effect on the individual. Not surprisingly, this ailment is most frequently experienced by those in full-time employment. By the time they arrive at work, they are physically exhausted by the journey, and the only thing on their mind is to either procrastinate or acquire a quick fix of coffee.

Symptoms

The symptoms of tiredness include depression, cognitive difficulties such as decision making and poor concentration, a lack of motivation, and daytime fatigue. If you experience these symptoms on a frequent basis, it is important to clarify whether they are a result of physical or mental stresses. Statistics show that around eighty in one-hundred people will have a cause centered in their emotional state, whilst ten in on-hundred will have a physical disease.

Physical Causes

Physical causes include chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia (iron deficency), hyperthyroidism (over reactive thyroid gland), hypothyroidism (under reactive thyroid gland) and fibromyalgia, a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder.

Another physical cause is obesity, where the body is forced to work harder than normal. A vicious cycle commences when the individual is too tired to lose weight, thus worsening the condition. Likewise, undernutrition can deplete the muscles of energy, and this again has the effect of discouraging physical activity.

Insomnia is a condition characterised by an inability to sleep, and affects over 50 million people in the West. This can be incredibly discouraging, as they are forced to work through each day with a feeling of extreme fatigue and low vitality. As you will see below, this condition is often tied in to an emotional cause, though this is not always the case.

Emotional Causes

Worry and stress are emotions which exacerbate feelings of tiredness. If these emotions become a common occurrence; i.e., stressful scenarios within the workplace; the immediate, short term effects of irritability and frustration eventually lead to tiredness, which is also caused by stressful situations such as financial woes, family troubles and bereavements.

Mental health must also be considered under this category. Social anxiety or manic-depression, for example, can leave one with a feeling of emptiness and low vitality.

These emotional causes can be tied into the aforementioned problem of insomnia, as a mind ill at ease is more likely to find it difficult to attain sufficient sleep at night.

Brain Entrainment

Assuming all physical conditions have been ruled out, we can now discuss an effective form of therapy which is currently gaining rapid momentum within the self help industry. Brain Entrainment is a process in which the electromagnetic activity of the brain is modified to mirror a frequency conductive to a particular state. For example, the brain frequency of a person in deep, dreamless sleep would be approximately -4Hz. This delta-wave frequency can be experienced through a binaural beats download, and is ideal for getting to sleep quickly, thus ensuring a decent night's sleep before the next working day.

Taking into consideration the various factors which cause tiredness, brain entrainment can cater to each of these with intricate variations of the binaural beat induced frequencies. Therefore, if a stressful situation gives rise to an erratic brain pattern within the gamma frequency range of +40Hz, it is logical that a lower frequency, i.e. the alpha range of 7-13 Hz, would produce a state conductive to calmness and relaxation. The same practice can be applied to fatigue, depression, anxiety, and other factors contributing to tiredness and fatigue.

Treatments For Depression In Children-Adolescents


Introduction

Yes, Depression can occur in anyone from young children to senior citizens. Depression is tough to deal with as an adult and even more so with children. Children, even teens often have trouble describing their feelings. Teens become moody and withdraw from things as part of being a teenager. Sometimes, Depression in teens can be dismissed as the child being a "typical teenager." We are going to take a look at some signs of Depression in young children and teens, behavioral changes that might be noted, and getting treatment for your child. Some hints on how to find the right therapist is also briefly discussed.

Four Categories of Potential Signs

Emotional Signs

Sadness - may cry easily, withdraw from family and friends, worry too much, and have anger outbursts.

Loss of interest - may quit sports suddenly, complaints of boredom, refusal to participate

in activities they usually like.

Anxiety - may be nervous and panicky; the source of the anxiety could be cause of their
depression

Cognitive Signs (thinking)

Negativity - may put self down, statements such as "I know I'm going to fail."
Child may have low to no self-esteem.

Worthlessness/guilt - Obsessed with faults and failures, may magnify the depth of those,
exhibit extreme guilt and feelings of being worthless and having no value.

Hopeless/Helpless - believes nothing will change and things won't get better, there's no relief from problems (real or imagined), accepted as it's the way it is and nothing can change.

Isolation - withdrawal from family and friends, withdrawal from sports and activities as
was mentioned, may spend a lot of time in their room, may have suicidal
thoughts and/or attempts.

Physical Complaints
Changes in weight - sudden gain or loss

Changes in sleep - either getting too much or not enough along with falling asleep in school/class

Sluggish - may talk, react, or walk slower, may be less playful or active

Behavioral Changes

Avoidance - withdrawal from family, friends, or activities

Clinging - may become too clingy (wanting to stay with one parent or caregiver)
refusal to let go to do activities.

Demanding - may want what they want immediately, demanding attention.

Restless - fidgety, disruptive in school, reckless behavior.

Self Injury - may cause pain to self, (burning, cutting themselves)

Getting Treatment

It is important that if you suspect your child or teen may be depressed to get help immediately. It is important to ask them questions and talk about how they may be feeling. Discuss the concept of chemical imbalance in the brain to them at their level. You can contact your local mental health agency for more detailed tips on helping your child cope with their depression. Your child's physician can also give you advice and resources. Counseling or psychotherapy may be required and even recommended.

Medications could be prescribed but be warned anti-depressants have been known to cause children up to the age 21 - to have suicidal thoughts. Your child must be monitored closely while on medication for this reason.

There is also the option to use natural means for treatment such as herbal supplementation. A specific group of herbs known to positively affect mood and other nutritive substances are combined in a formula to get the most relief possible from depressive symptoms. The advantage to herbal supplementation is that there are far fewer side effects, if there are any at all.

Conclusion

Depression is a hard illness to deal with, especially in children. The important thing is that you get them help as soon as possible. Know too, that the Depression is not your fault or your child's fault. It is a real physical problem and is easily treated for the most part.

Tips for People Buying Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions


Life insurance companies do not simply dole out policies to anyone who applies for it, as much as we may wish them to! As with any business, there must be healthy profits and so it is with life insurance companies who make money by assessing the risk of death. The higher your risk of death, the greater the premiums you will need to pay. Premiums are invested by the life insurance company into healthy investment portfolios that earn interest for the company. Actuaries, the company smarts, design systems that help to control risk, minimize loss and basically ensure that the company continues to make profit and sustain a healthy business.

What is a Pre-Existing Health Condition?

A pre-existing health condition is a personal illness or health condition that is known to you. Here are a few examples:


  • untreated high blood pressure

  • untreated high cholesterol

  • heart conditions

  • depression

  • asthma

  • type 2 diabetes

  • sleep apnea

  • cancer

  • hay fever and other allergies

  • accidental injury

  • other health conditions that may affect your mortality risk

A life insurance company requires you to list these or any other pre-existing health conditions you have when applying for life insurance. Life insurance companies usually verify the information on your application by conducting a medical examination of their own. Since these medical tests will play a role in determining your premium rates, you should prepare well for them to get the best results.

Preparing for a Medical Examination

Start your preparations as early as possible. Here are a few tips: Lose a few pounds if you are overweight, eat a healthy diet, get enough rest, don't consume any alcoholic or caffeinated beverages 12 hours before your exam. Try to relax during the whole procedure.

The medical exam usually consists of a blood test, urine specimen, blood pressure reading, height and weight measurement and possibly an EKG. You will be asked questions about your health, lifestyle and family health history. The results of the medical examination are submitted to the Medical Insurance Board (MIB), and the information is available for other insurance companies to access.

By now you've probably understood that if you have a pre-existing health condition, life insurance may turn out to be an expensive proposition for you. But wait, there's more news coming! insurance is also a very competitive business. Underwriting processes differ with each company. In order to have a competitive edge, an insurance company may look more favorably on certain pre-existing health conditions than others. Such companies may be able to offer you better premium rates.

How can you get a better premium if you have a pre-existing health condition?

There are life insurance companies that specialize in certain pre-existing health conditions. Such companies look more closely at your pre-existing health conditions, assess how severe it is, and also look into other factors such as weight, age, family history and lifestyle to determine the most competitive premium rate you can qualify for. For instance, people who have been treating their blood pressure, lead an active and healthy lifestyle may be rewarded with a better premium rate.

Where to search for the best premiums?

Online life insurance quote providers have access to hundreds of top-rated insurance companies. All you need to do is fill out an online questionnaire. Be honest with the pre-existing health conditions you have. Submit your questionnaire and wait a few minutes as their databases locate the companies that specialize in the particular pre-existing health condition you have. You'll receive the best insurance quotes based on the personal information you have provided. Compare prices, company ratings and the terms and conditioners each offers before you make a decision.

However, if you have a severe medical condition and your application for insurance is denied, you can apply for what is known as no-medical insurance. You don't need to go through a medical exam for this type of life insurance.

Conclusion

Pre-existing health conditions should no longer hinder you from getting the best insurance rates, especially if you are trying hard to get in shape and stay in good health. There are insurance who will reward you for your efforts. You simply need to shop around; get multiple insurance quotes for comparison. And remember, the best way to avoid having to pay extra premium rates for pre-existing health conditions is to purchase life insurance at a young age. The younger you are the better chances you have for locking in low premium rates!

When a Loved One Is Suffering With Depression


For John, it seemed like one day he woke up and life as he knew it had changed. Maura, his wife, was anxious, but it was a different kind of anxiousness. Initially John comforted Maura, reassuring her that her worries were unfounded. However, things got progressively worse, Maura's mood remained low, she began to talk about how useless she was, that she was a bad parent, and how she couldn't understand why John still wanted her. Soon Maura began staying in bed in the mornings. She was unable to foster her usual 'up and at it' attitude that had been such a big part of their busy morning routine.

Maura's weight also steadily increased as she became less active and began to eat more. As her weight increased, so did Maura's feelings of worthlessness. Sex became non-existent between them with Maura turning away from John, complaining of tiredness or a variety of other aches and pains. As the weeks turned into months, John watched helplessly as his once vibrant, happy wife, evolved into a woman he felt he could no longer reach. What John didn't know was Maura was displaying all the signs of someone suffering with depression.

Depression can follow a traumatic event

Right now over 400,000 people in Ireland are experiencing depression but many are unaware and so the condition remains untreated. A first bout of depression often occurs after a traumatic life event however if left untreated it can leave one vulnerable to future episodes of depression. Therefore, early recognition of the symptoms followed by access to support or treatment is crucial for a positive outcome. It's probably worth saying that men are diagnosed less with depression, not because they don't suffer with it, but because they don't talk about it. Instead, men will often resort to self-medicating using alcohol or drugs to cope with their depression.

When a loved one withdraws

For every person suffering with depression there is often someone in the background suffering in a different way. For the partner, who does not understand what is happening, they can feel overwhelmed when a spouse withdraws from the relationship and the family. While the person struggling with depression might ask, "Why Me?" the non-depressed partner will often ask, "Is this because of me? Is it something I did?"

When one partner is struggling with depression, it will inevitably put a strain onto an otherwise healthy relationship. A depressed partner while unhappy may also become critical, argumentative, and non-communicative. For the non-depressed partner, they may feel helpless believing no matter what they do, whether it is comforting, supporting, or loving, none of it helps. The unconditional love and understanding a depressed partner needs may stretch even the most tolerant of partners beyond endurance. Emotions such as frustration, resentment, even anger are not uncommon and often followed by the even more intense feelings of guilt. If this is you, take heart, because it's natural. Living with a depressed partner is not easy.

Taking a proactive approach benefits everyone

If you believe your partner is suffering with depression, the good news is depression is treatable and there is a variety of support options available. One of the first things you need to do is to encourage your partner to seek help. If they are not motivated to do so, try helping them recognise there is a problem and that it can be resolved. This is an essential first step to their recovery. Of vital importance is your acceptance that you cannot control or fix a partner's depression. That power lies only with them. What you can control is your response. Therefore, it's essential you educate yourself about depression so you know what you're dealing with.

Equally crucial is your understanding that the symptoms like those described above are a part of the illness and not a reflection on you or your relationship. Make sure you also become alert to your own mood, as it's easy to get caught up in the hopelessness and end up just as de-energised as your depressed partner. You can avoid this happen by putting support in place for you. Maintain as much as possible the things in life you enjoy like social or sporting activities. Talk with a friend who knows and understands your situation. If you don't have a friend to talk to, find a therapist who will act as your support instead.

Self-Care is Crucial

Remember, you are not at fault, you did not choose for your partner to develop this condition, anymore than they chose to have it. While your love and encouragement plays a huge role in a partner's recovery, it will not be possible if you're not taking care of yourself first. By putting simple self-care routines and supports in place, you'll feel better able to cope, and your partner, children and relationship will all benefit.

Can Spending More Time In The Sun Make Your Depression Go Away?


Throughout the years there had been much anecdotal evidence of people who live in northern climates developing what is known as 'cabin fever'. Cabin fever has often been described as a feeling of being depressed caused by being cooped up in a cabin, home, or other enclosed living space for long periods of time.

The reason for being cooped indoors and limited from outside activities can be potentially caused by many factors including sickness, weather, darkness, and the like. However, the reason for the depression was almost always considered to be the confinement itself.

It was not until relatively recently that researchers validated the existence of cabin fever as a real phenomenon. They also theorized that its cause was not the confinement of living in a small space but, instead, was due to a lack of sunlight.

The research into this phenomenon was triggered by Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, a psychiatrist at the Bethesda National Institute of Mental Health. In his practice, he made the observation that many of his patients who suffered from depression, mysteriously seemed to recover from it as the spring and summer months arrived. He further noticed that many of his patients who visited warmer climates in the Winter were less depressed than they were at home. That is, until they returned home and begin to experience higher levels of depression again. He dubbed this affect, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD for short.

This recognition, prompted Dr. Rosenthal to begin a study into why this was so. And as his research neared its conclusion, it became obvious that what was causing the depression was a lack of light. The research dramatically showed the extent to which light affects a person's mood. It seems that, among people who are prone to depression, the more time they spend in sunlight, the less depressed they are.

The working theory is that what causes this shift in the person's attitude is a hormone called melatonin. The body naturally produces melatonin. And, psychiatrists know that an excess of melatonin in the body can cause depression in a person. It is now recognized that sunlight can inhibit the production of this hormone.

It is also believed that sunlight increases the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. And if the levels of serotonin is high enough, it can offset the negative effects of melatonin. The natural conclusion is that, if you are prone to depression, spending more time in the sun will improve your outlook significantly.

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Confusion Between Mania and Hypomania


I have a friend whom we'll call John. For nearly two decades John was diagnosed as a manic depressive. He had been given this diagnosis on four different occasions throughout those years.

John's medical assistance with the condition was on again, off again because of his financial situation. He was never actually on a program long enough to get the right medication. Medications for bipolar disorder are not one size fits all and it can be extremely difficult to get on the right medicine.

Finally, John was able to get into a system that was going to offer long term help regardless of his financial situation. There was finally hope for him.

However, a most curious thing happened when he went through the consultations with his new doctors to verify his condition. After having been diagnosed four times as a manic depressive, they were now telling him that while he may well have depression, he did not have mania and what he really need was anger management classes. He was told that at best he had hypomania.

How could this be? Why was he told so many times that he did have it, and what is hypomania?

Mania vs. Hypomania

John had episodes where he would fly into rages, yell and throw things around. He also had happier episodes where he would go into states of hyperactivity. In these situations he would sing, tell jokes and act silly. That doesn't sound too bad in itself, but when you do it constantly to the point that you are driving people around you nuts, you might have a problem. Especially if you're running up and down the halls doing it.

So John was asked how long those times lasted. The answer was that the rages might go on for days at a time, maybe even a week or two. The super silly part might be on and off for two or three days.

He was also asked if he ever got in his car and drove very fast and recklessly. The answer was no. Then he was asked if he had times of abnormally active sexual behavior. Again, the answer was no. That's when he was told that he did not have mania, but hypomania.

Apparently, hypomania is a much milder version of full-blown mania. In true mania, you may have racing thoughts, hear voices, have delusions of grandeur, increased irritability and anger, and very fast speech.

In hypomania, you have increased levels of creativity and ideas, energy, and feelings of euphoria. While it may not sound all that different from regular mania, it is milder. In fact, many productive workaholics have this condition. That may sound ideal, but the truth is that as time goes on it can progress into full-blown mania, which is not at all desirable.

The treatment for both conditions is essentially the same. A mood stabilizer must be used to keep the mania or hypomania from occurring, and an antidepressant must be used to keep the depression from occurring.

Now that John was all confused about what he was told as opposed to what he had previously been told, it seems the diagnosis was later reversed. The more the doctor's worked with him, they eventually learned that he was indeed a manic depressive and not a 'hypomania depressive'. The difference now was that he was a confused one.

Five Steps to Stop Your Food Cravings and Prevent Overeating


Oh, no . . . You suddenly realize that you are well on your way to eating more than you had intended. Maybe it's a meal that you've already eaten too much of, or perhaps an unexpected binge. How do you stop? It is not going to be easy, and that is certainly an understatement, but it is possible to find a way to put the brakes on. Use these five steps and discover your inner power to say "no" to food and "yes" to a happier, thinner life.

Step A. Wake Up!

People who use food to feel better often report overeating when they are in a time-out or food trance. This trance provides an escape from inner criticism, difficult emotions, or stressful life situations. The first step is to find some way to wake up from the trance. No matter how intense your food craving, or how much you have already eaten, you have to snap back to reality before anything else can happen. There is no one proven guaranteed way to bring your self back to conscious awareness. You will have to experiment with several different ways to grab your own attention. Below are some suggestions that may work to bring you back into the here and now:

o Walk to the nearest mirror, look yourself deep in the eyes, and say hello to yourself.

o Talk aloud to yourself. Call yourself by name and say, "wake up."

o Shake your head to clear out the cobwebs.

o Take a deep breathe and say to yourself, "I am okay now. I am fine now. I am in control now."

o Plant visual cues in your kitchen. For example, place a special blooming potted plant on your kitchen table. Looking at it might remind you of your potential to bloom and prosper.

o Tape your baby picture on your refrigerator. Look at how pure and happy you are. Decide that you want to feel happy and eating is not the way to get there.

List a few methods you can think of to bring yourself back to living in the present moment:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

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Step B. Listen to Your Thoughts

Now that you are awake, stop for ten seconds. Consciously notice the thoughts running through your head. Separate yourself from your thoughts. Just listen without judgment or without trying to stop or change your thoughts. Notice what your thoughts are saying. Are you worrying about the future or reliving the past? Are your thoughts critical and self-sabotaging? Are you thinking in black and white, or believing the worst always happens to you? Perhaps your thoughts are something like this:

o Look at what you've done now.

o Everything that you've worked for is now undone.

o It's going to take so much longer to lose weight now.

o Since you've eaten this much, no reason to stop now.

o What the heck, you've already failed.

o Might as well enjoy it now that you've given in.

o "It's useless. There is no point now in stopping.

Once you hear your thoughts, stop, and acknowledge them. Talk back to them with a non-confrontational style. Something along the lines of, "Yes, I hear what I am saying to myself." Just notice your thoughts without agreeing or arguing with them. You are not required to agree or disagree with them. Simply hear them as an observer. Take a moment and notice the feeling that goes along with the thoughts. Observe where in your body the feeling is, and see if you can identify your feelings or beliefs.

Step C. Breathe

Now, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose, allowing the breath to go deeply into your lower belly. Breathe out naturally. Feel yourself breathing. Allow the breath to enter the area of your body that is holding onto the feeling from the step above. Slowly release any tightness or constriction in your body. Let go. Breathe. Relax.

Step D. Compassion and Forgiveness

Talk compassionately to yourself. No matter what has happened or how much you have already eaten, begin speaking kindly to yourself. Yes, I can hear the protests already: "How can I talk nicely to myself when I've just blown it? I hate myself for what I've done." Beating yourself up will not improve your situation or create the overall success you want. Being critical only serves to maintain and reinforce status quo. One episode of overeating will not affect anything in the scheme of things. Choose criticism and you learn nothing, move nowhere. A lack of self-supporting self-talk will lead to negative emotions, decreased motivation, and will turn one episode into an ongoing event. Choose compassion for self and you move forward.

Even if you have already given in to the craving, now is the time to remember your dreams, relocate your desire, and be clear about your direction. Positive thoughts, even in the face of a setback or disappointment will reinforce your destination. It is up to you, and you alone, to make the choice to strengthen your goals and your determination.

Here are some examples:

o I forgive myself for what I have done.

o Now is the time to begin again. I do not need to wait until tomorrow.

o I haven't failed. The only failure is failing to learn something from this experience. What have I learned?

o I am back in control now. I can choose my response from this point forward.

List a few sentences or quotes that will begin to bring calmness and control back to you:

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Step E. Success Tape

If you already know that you have regular episodes of cravings, overeating, or binge eating, you might consider putting a positive self-talk speech on tape. Buy a small, easy to carry digital tape recorder and prepare a self-motivation tape for yourself. The next time you are about to give in to your craving, you can pull out your recorder and hit the play button. You can even use your motivation tape if you are in the middle or the end of overeating. Below is a example of what your pre-recorded self-supporting message might sound like:

"Hello! I see that you woke up from the trance you were in. Congratulations. That's something new. Now that you are back in real time, notice what a good job you did of waking up when you did. You are really putting in the effort to learn these new skills. I am proud of your determination! Yes, I can see that you are disappointed in your actions. It's okay to feel disappointment. It's also okay to forgive yourself. So, close your eyes and listen closely. You are a wonderful person. Yes, you overate, and it's not the end of the world. In truth, it was just one meal. Everything is going to be okay. Remember your goal and remember how good it feels to know what you want. (Fill in your goal). You can do this. I have faith in you. I love you."

Food cravings are not only tough to resist, they are also a typical experience for most people attempting to lose weight. The good news is that by planning ahead you can take action when you need it most. Follow the five steps above and give yourself the tools for permanent weight loss success.