Natural Ways to Treat Your Depression

by Kristi Caporoso

While therapy and sometimes medication are necessary to help battle depression, there are some things that you can do on your own to help yourself. Depression may be making you feel helpless and hopeless, but in time and with these methods you can help yourself to no longer feel this way-all you have to do is keep trying.
For starters, form a daily routine for yourself. This is an easy way to give your life some structure, which most people often encounter trouble having. Another way to boost your mood is to set some goals for yourself. Start out small, with a goal you can definitely succeed at (Cook UCLA), and as you accomplish each goal your feelings about yourself will improve. As this gets easier you can move up to larger and larger goals. Same goes for responsibility. Having responsibilities will "ground you" and help you to feel more accomplished when you fulfill them. Another well known method of battling depression or feeling down is exercise. Exercise releases endorphins into your bloodstream, which are natural mood boosters. It doesn't have to be strenuous exercise either; walking several times a week can do the trick (WebMD). Other healthy habits such as having a good diet and making sure you get enough sleep are also beneficial. If you have trouble sleeping, which many people with depression do, try developing a regular sleep schedule: no naps, and make sure all technology and distractions are away from your bed at night. Also, check with your doctor before you use any over-the-counter supplements that are said to help with depression.
An important component of battling depression is changing the way you think. While this may be something you work on in therapy, it's important to make sure you are taking steps to do it at home as well. When you're feeling down and having irrational and gloomy thoughts, try to think clearly. "Use logic as a natural depression treatment" (WebMD). Also, to get yourself out of that rut try doing something new and exciting. Research shows that trying new things alters chemicals in the brain (Cook UCLA). And although it may sound difficult, have some fun. Set time aside for things you enjoy and keep at them, even if at first you don't feel much response. As time goes by, they will start to feel as fun as they once did.

source: http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments?page=2

High Coffee and Fat Intake During IVF Treatment May Decrease Likelihood of Success

by Kristi Caporoso



Studies are beginning to reveal an association between high caffeine and fat intake and lack of success in IVF treatments. Although the studies are in their embryonic stages, a definite negative impact has been shown from these two substances. Doctors in Denmark are saying that drinking more than five cups of coffee a day can decrease your success rate by 50% (WebMD).  Also, increased intake of both saturated and polyunsaturated fat showed decreased likelihood of IVF working. On the other hand, increased intake of monounsaturated fat increased the chances of having a live birth.
While these studies are still new and the relationships between diet and IVF success are tenuous, it is still recommended to only have one or two cups of coffee a day while undergoing treatment. Also, monitor what types of fat you have in your diet. At this time it is suggested to stick to the normal guidelines while undergoing IVF. "The Dietary Guidelines suggest keeping saturated fat intake low and total fat intake moderate" (WebMD). This in addition to watching your caffeine intake and anything else your doctor recommends are the best way to go for success in IVF.

source: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20120705/coffee-fats-may-affect-fertility-treatment?page=3

Does It Pay To Be Beautiful?

 

by Klaudia Zdybel

Are individuals’ who are perceived as being “beautiful” or “handsome,” really that much more successful in life than the rest of us average people? While there have been numerous studies conducted and presented that have found that beauty is “absolutely connected with success – well, at least financial success,” being beautiful may not always be a blessing (Archer, 2012). There is research to show that beauty does make a difference, both positive and negative.

Many people have a tendency to assume that beautiful people are more friendly, more intelligent, have a better sense of humor, are more sexual and have better social skills. This is a great example of the “’halo effect’: when global evaluations about a person bleed over into our judgements about their specific traits” (Archer, 2012). Beautiful people get more smiles from others, more attention, better treatment, etc. which in the end all leads to a more  powerful self-image, higher self-esteem and expectations not only from others but themselves as well.

So, many people believe beauty is everything and opens doors to numerous possibilities. While in a sense this is true, there is also a downside for those who are deemed more attractive. Beautiful men and women can become borderline obsessive with regarding their looks. It almost seems as though their whole lives revolve around the fact that they are beautiful and perfect. The second there is a pimple, blemish, or wrinkle, it throws them into a panic. What many people may not be aware of is that low self-esteem is much more common among beautiful women than you would expect. Many of these women do not believe they are beautiful and have a very distorted image of themselves. These women often times endure social rejection, in which other females will make them feel like outcasts because they are threatened, and men will avoid them because they believe that they have no chance with a woman like that. Why would she choose an average Joe if she could have anyone she wants?

What are some other downfalls that accompany beauty you may ask. For one, women who are seen as beautiful sometimes have a less likely chance of being hired. Same sex employers may feel threatened and get jealous of the applicant leading them to reject their inquiry for employment. Many times women who are beautiful are perceived as less talented, in many cases others believing they have achieved their successes only because of their looks (PsyBlog, 2011).

Although there are many benefits of being beautiful, it is important to remember that looks are not everything. Beauty can threaten relationships, work and our image of ourselves.

Sources:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201206/the-psychology-beauty

http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/08/10-pleasures-and-pains-of-being-beautiful.php

What Happened to Amanda Bynes?

by Kristi Caporoso

The public has been watching with wide eyes and anticipation as Amanda Bynes' life is appearing to spiral out of control--and for everyone to see. Most of you remember Bynes as a perky, hilarious young celebrity, once with her own hit show The Amanda Show. However, as of late Bynes has been known for her erratic tweets and multiple plastic surgeries and body piercings. She shows no shame in frequently broadcasting her daily bizarre activities to the world via Twitter. These have included videos of her working out "like an absolutely insane person" at the gym, one of her sucking on a Sour Patch Kid while getting ready for the night, and many others. The former child star has also been undergoing nose jobs, breast implants, and cheek piercings, all of which she has been doing under the public's scrutiny or applause. But if you're thinking of criticizing or worrying out Bynes, it may not be the best idea. Any public figure so far who has expressed concern for her has been called out by Bynes, usually branded by her new favorite word--ugly.

All of these unusual behaviors seemingly came to a head when Bynes was arrested last Thursday night "on charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, and criminal possession of marijuana."  Police were called after Bynes was reportedly walking around the lobby of her NYC apartment building smoking a joint and behaving oddly. However, when NYPD came to knock on her apartment door she threw the bong she was in possession of out of her 37th floor window. Bynes was immediately arrested, which she did not take very well. The star allegedly began screaming "Don't you know who I am?" and later accused the NYPD of sexual assault, which they are denying.

What is the cause of all this behavior? What happened to the sweet Nickelodeon child star who showed promise as a comedic young adult actor? It's clear that there must be some mental disturbance going on in Bynes' head, considering her sudden onslaught of body changes, quickness to call everyone around her ugly, and overuse of drugs and alcohol; and subsequent unusual excuses for her behavior, such as being "allergic" to drugs and alcohol and saying that anyone who expresses concern for her is just bitter that she is prettier than they are. We may not know what exactly is going on in Amanda Bynes' head, but we can certainly hope that she will soon get the help she needs to get herself stable once again.

source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/05/24/amanda-bynes-arrest-was-a-long-time-coming-but-it-s-still-tragic.html

Judge accepts theater shooting suspect's insanity plea

(CNN) -- The judge in James Holmes' murder trial accepted his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity Tuesday.

The suspect in last summer's shooting spree that killed 12 people and wounded dozens at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater will be taken to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo for evaluation. He's expected to be returned to Arapahoe County Jail on August 2. Judge Carlos Samour Jr.'s ruling Tuesday came about a month after Holmes' attorneys asked to change his plea from a standard not guilty. The original not-guilty plea was entered by a judge on Holmes' behalf in March, over his objection, his defense team said. The defendant offered to plead guilty and spend the rest of his life behind bars if authorities would spare his life, but prosecutors in Arapahoe County announced in April they would seek the death penalty. The defense then decided to make an insanity plea. Holmes faces murder and other charges in the July 20 shooting spree at the premiere of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises."

Having Trouble Concentrating?

by Kristi Caporoso

Do you often have difficulty focusing on your everyday tasks? There are many things that affect our concentration that you may be unaware of. For starters, multitasking. Multitasking may seem like an effective way to manage time and get more done, but it actually takes us more time to switch between each task. This is especially true when you are multitasking on complex tasks. Boredom can also impair your concentration. This is due to the fact that almost anything else is more appealing than what you are currently doing; therefore you are more likely to get distracted. A trick professionals recommend is giving yourself a reward after accomplishing a certain amount of your task, or taking a relaxing break to "recharge." Also, make sure you are getting enough sleep: doctors say that sleep deprivation impairs memory and attention.

Getting anything done also feels impossible when you are stressed out about millions of other things. Having a large amount of mental distractions running through your head will distract you from what you are currently trying to do. Try writing your troubles down, talking them out, or even meditating. Also, being constantly bombarded by text messages and emails won't help you write your paper or finish your work project. Set aside a time when you use technology, separate from when you are trying to get important work done. This will lessen your distractions and help you concentrate on what you are doing.  If your inability to concentrate is significantly impairing your life, you should seek a doctor's advice. Inability to concentrate, among other physical symptoms, may stem from certain medical conditions such as ADHD, thyroid disease, or depression.

source: http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/top-concentration-killers?page=3

Daily Tantrums for Preschoolers are Not Normal

Written by: Irada Yunusova

     Some parents assume that their child's frequent tantrums are a normal aspect of childhood, but research has recently shown that this is not the case. Daily tantrums should actually be a concern for parents because such behavior may be indicative of emerging mental health problems.

     Recently, researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine conducted a study concerning tantrums using the Multidimensional Assessment of Preschool Disruptive Behavior. They surveyed nearly 1,500 parents of preschoolers ages 3 to 5 about their children's behavior in the past month. 84 percent of parents reported their children occasionally having tantrums. However, only 9 percent of parents reported daily tantrums.

     The findings in this study will allow researchers to rate children along a dimension of behavior from typical to atypical. Traditional categorical mental healthy diagnoses in the past focused only on extreme behaviors. However, a continuum allows mental health professionals to intervene before there is a serious problem or to watch and wait if a child is in the middle range. Additionally, a continuum acts as a scale with which a mental health professional can determine whether a child is improving.

     Further research concerning tantrums is continuously conducted. Currently, Lauren Wakschlag, Margaret Briggs-Gowan, Joel Voss, and other collaborators are attempting to link tantrum patterns to their underlying brain structures, utilizing brain-imaging techniques such as event-related potential and fMRI. They hope to be able to widely distribute the study's questionnaire in a brief computerized form for parents to fill out in pediatric waiting rooms. Afterward, a computer will generate immediate feedback for pediatricians to look over before a child's appointment.

     New findings concerning children's tantrums are facilitating more accurate diagnoses. It is imperative that doctors and parents identify when a child's misbehavior may be an indication of something serious. Early recognition can lead to early treatment and improvement.

Source: Monitor on Psychology, Amy Novotney