What Are the Traits of an Addictive Personality?

Tweet

Addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no definitive answer to what causes addiction, there are certain personality traits that have been linked to a higher risk of developing an addiction. Keep reading to learn more about the traits of an addictive personality, and if you're interested in this article, consider pursuing one of the substance abuse counseling degrees online.

Impulsiveness

Impulsiveness is one of the DNA traits of an addictive personality. Addicts are known for their impulsiveness as well as their reckless behavior. This impulsiveness can lead to a number of problems, including mental health issues and addiction itself. There are a number of reasons why addicts are impulsively drawn to drugs and alcohol. For one, addiction is a form of self-medication. Addicts use drugs and alcohol to cope with their problems and to escape from reality. This escape can be very addictive and lead to further impulsiveness. Further, the stress of addiction can lead to impulsiveness. When an addict is going through withdrawal or is experiencing cravings, they may be more likely to act impulsively in order to get their hands on drugs or alcohol. This can lead to dangerous and risky behavior, and substance abuse counseling is recommended.

Thrill-Seeking Behavior

Thrill-seeking behavior is a sign of addiction and mental health issues. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol engage in thrill-seeking behavior as a way to get their fix. This behavior can include dangerous activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, and extreme sports. Thrill-seeking behavior can also include risky sexual behavior and gambling. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol have a history of thrill-seeking behavior. They may have started engaging in these activities as a way to have fun, but eventually, they became addicted to the thrill that these activities provided. Thrill-seeking behavior is a dangerous way to feed an addiction. It can lead to risky and dangerous behaviors that can have serious consequences. Thrill-seeking behavior can also lead to addiction to the thrill itself, which can be just as dangerous as addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Sensitivity to Stress or Anxiety

Sensitivity to stress or anxiety is a sign of drug addiction. If you are easily overwhelmed or stressed out, it is likely that you are addicted to the adrenaline rush that comes with it. This is because drug addiction is a coping mechanism, and when we are addicted to something, we find ways to cope with our stress or anxiety in that particular activity or substance. If you are not able to handle stress or anxiety in a healthy way, then it is likely that you are addicted to the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

Chronic Boredom

Boredom has long been associated with addiction, particularly with substance abuse. But what if chronic boredom is actually a sign of drug addiction? Drug addiction takes many forms and can manifest in different ways in different people. However, one common symptom of addiction is a feeling of chronic boredom. If you're feeling chronically bored, it's worth examining why that might be. Are you using drugs or alcohol to pass the time? Are you spending too much time on the internet or watching TV? Are you avoiding social situations or activities that you used to enjoy? If you're abusing drugs or alcohol, or if you're addicted to certain activities, it's likely that you're feeling bored because you're not living a meaningful or fulfilling life.

Overall, the traits of an addictive personality can have a significant impact on both the individual's life and the lives of those around them. While addiction is a complex issue, understanding the traits of an addictive personality can be helpful in identifying and addressing problem areas before they become too difficult to manage.

Read More »

Dietary Interventions with Autism

Tweet

Source

According to the CDC, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) seems to be common these days with instances of being diagnosed in 1 in every 54 children. This condition consists of a variety of challenges, such as abnormal social skills, communication problems, development delays and behavioural issues. Research suggests over 70% of children diagnosed with autism have at least one prevailing physical and mental condition and about 40% have two or more problems co-existing. Most children with autism have:

• 11-40% have anxiety
• 30-61% have ADHD
• Over 50% have sleep problems
• 7% have depression
• 16% are obese
• 32% are overweight

Children diagnosed with autism have 8 times more chances of developing gastrointestinal problems due to the tendency to eat more junk foods or picky eating habits. This shows food choices can have a high impact on the severity of autism symptoms among children. Not to mention the higher probability of contracting dental issues so the food choices need to be considered for the solution of these problems.

The food that you eat matters

It must be kept in mind that the food a person eats either acts as a poison or medicine. It is either helping your brain, mind, body or hurting them. Take a look at five top foods that can make ASD (autism) worse by the minute.

Dairy

When one of the proteins in dairy products such as casein mixes with stomach acids, it produces exorphins. Exorphins can react with the body and cause various types of health troubles such as inability to concentrate, brain fog, numbness or body pains etc.

Dairy is also considered as one of the most pro-inflammatory foods out there. Due to consumption of dairy products, autistic patients may develop inflammation in the abdomen and also get their immune system compromised.

So if you have a family member diagnosed with autism, try replacing dairy products in their diet with other alternatives such as almond milk, soy, etc. It has been observed that reducing dairy consumption among autism patients helped them begin talking more, reduce hyperactivity and resolve bowel problems.

Sugar

Not only is sugar a pro-inflammatory ingredient, it also makes the person addicted. The ongoing trend of drinking carbonated and fizzy drinks full of sugar content has made about 1 in every 10 people addicted to sugar. Researchers have observed that people with autism tend to develop type 2 diabetes, glucose intolerance and produce excessive levels of insulin as a result making the autism signs worse. Children with sugar addiction become more hyperactive and show inability to focus.

Avoiding sugar in all products and increasing the intake of protein consumption can improve judgement, concentration and decrease hyperactivity.

Gluten

Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in wheat, rye, barley etc. It can increase inflammation in the intestines when ingested. Moreover, if your body is allergic to gluten, it can produce antibodies to fight gluten which can severely damage the brain as well. According to research, ingesting gluten decreased the functioning of the cerebellum and made the autism symptoms worse.

Read More »

How Stress Affects Health

Tweet

Source

It is natural for people to feel stressed. It could be over a problem that requires immediate solving, or caused by waiting for a result or outcome. Stress could also be amplified by the amount of work that needs to be done, much less gets started.

The presence of stress, therefore, is as expected as it can get in one’s daily life. What makes it a bad thing, however, is the effect that it has on the body and your overall health, once you let it get out of control. Various studies have, in fact, found that stress can directly impact the quality of your health. It could also lead to fatal results if not addressed properly at the soonest possible instance. Here are some ways that that stress can impact your overall health.

Physical Effects

Did you know that stress manifests physically? Observe yourself when you’re feeling stressed. You’ll find that your muscles are tight and tense, and possibly, you could even feel a persistent pain. You might even feel a heaviness on your chest, as well as an upset or hyper-acidic stomach.

Other physical manifestations of stress include weight loss, hair loss, skin breakouts, constant headaches, insomnia, and even a lack of sex drive. The more stressed you are, the more these physical symptoms may appear, which could then lead you to further worries, and thus, more symptoms.

Emotional Effects

This leads us to the other way stress affects your health--emotionally. As mentioned above, the manifesting physical symptoms can be really worrisome, which is why people tend to further perpetuate their state of being stressed.

Anxiety, depression, a sense of being helplessly overwhelmed, intense sadness, and lack of drive or motivation and focus all are part of the emotional effects of being stressed. It can be so overwhelming that it becomes such a debilitating condition wherein the person experiencing it simply is frozen and cannot do anything else.

Mood and Behavior

When people are stressed, they’re not usually in the best of moods and dispositions. Think back to the time when you were last stressed. Most likely, you wanted to be left alone, or you were hostile to someone else. Stress can also drive people to pick up less than ideal habits, such as smoking or drinking. It can also lead them to imbibe unhealthy eating practices, such as bingeing, purging, or completely abstaining from eating food.

All of these various effects impact different people differently. What remains constant, however, is the fact that stress does have far-reaching detrimental effects on a person. That is why it is important to address the root cause of the stress as soon as possible, such as through functional medicine Colorado.

In the meantime, however, stress management strategies can help bring you back to your center, so you can get back to being functional, productive, happy, and well.

Read More »

Factors That Determine Alcohol Treatment Options

Tweet

Photo Source

Alcoholism is a severe disease characterized by preoccupation with and uncontrolled alcohol consumption. Alcoholism is the inability to control drinking due to both a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. The symptoms include continued alcohol use despite health and related legal issues. People suffering from alcoholism might begin a day with taking alcohol, feel guilty, and desire to reduce the amount. Treatment involves counseling by a healthcare professional. A detoxification program in a recovery center such as alcohol and drug treatment Denver is an option for addicts who require additional assistance. 

Sometimes, if you notice the early warning of alcoholism, an outpatient recovery program may offer the appropriate treatment. Nonetheless, if you have struggled with many years of alcohol dependency, an inpatient recovery facility such as alcohol and drug treatment in Denver may provide the ideal recovery option.

Regardless of whether you opt for an outpatient or an inpatient program, healing begins with detoxification. If you have become alcohol dependent, you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop drinking; This is why it is crucial to ask your physician to assist you in detox safely. Some cases may require hospitalization to avoid dangerous health complications.

The inpatient recovery center is considered an ideal way of treating alcoholism. It involves admission to an alcohol recovery center for the treatment period. In the recovery facility, you can access the service of experts the whole day; this enables you to rest easy knowing that help is within reach.

Anyone suffering from alcoholism can seek help from an inpatient recovery facility. Nevertheless, treatment options are dependent on factors such as:

Age

People aged 60 and above may become more affected during the detoxification period. Withdrawal symptoms might cause other health complications and can be life-threatening if not treated accordingly. An inpatient recovery center offers care that the aged require to recover from alcoholism.

Mental Health

An alcoholic with a co-occurring mental health condition may require a specialized treatment plan. Inpatient recovery facilities have health experts who can deal with such situations separately. Most recovery centers offer recovery programs that help alcoholics put up with various real-life circumstances and preventing relapse of the state.

Substance Abuse

Mixing alcohol and drugs can lead to dangerous interactions. A patient who wishes to overcome alcohol dependency should look for professional medical assistance. Treatment providers can observe you closely, relieve any severe withdrawal signs and provide service through each phase of the healing process.

Medical History

Experts often advocate inpatient alcohol recovery treatment for those with a history of respiratory, liver problems, or heart conditions. If any treatment process interferes with any existing condition, the service providers can make the necessary interventions.

Payment for Recovery Services

Inpatient recovery programs usually involve ninety, sixty, and thirty-day programs depending on the severity of the alcoholism. Despite the duration it takes to go through an inpatient recovery program, healing is an ongoing process. Each day, you will be required to use the techniques and tools you learned in various real-life situations. The cost of alcohol recovery depends on; location, amenities provided, and duration of treatment. Nonetheless, many recovery centers accept insurance policies or offer financial help to the needy.

Read More »

3 Signs of Depression

Tweet

photo source: APSTOCK

Many people go through periods where they feel sad, lonely or irritable. This is perfectly normal, as everyone experiences stressful situations such as the loss of a loved one or a source of income. When the symptoms do not diminish and negatively affect daily life, that could mean someone is experiencing depression.

1. Negative Thoughts and Feelings

While people with depression are often thought to be sad, that is not always the case. Depression may manifest in other ways, such as irritability, guilt, anxiety or feelings of emptiness. Negative thought patterns can emerge and cause people to relive unhappy memories or dwell on things they cannot control. In severe cases, people may think of harming themselves or others or consider suicide. Consulting a private licensed psychologist Pennsylvania for help can be a great way for people to learn coping techniques.

2. Lack of Energy

People who suffer from depression may be fatigued often. This can be accompanied by trouble falling or staying asleep or oversleeping. The lack of energy can seriously affect people’s ability to function during the day. Not getting enough sleep may further exacerbate other symptoms, leading to a worsened condition.

3. Loss of Interest

It can be difficult for someone with depression to concentrate properly, especially if they are having trouble sleeping. Feelings of hopelessness or apathy can contribute to people losing interest in things they used to enjoy. People who are depressed may stop attending social functions and may call in sick to work more often. A decreased sex drive can cause people to lose interest in sexual activity.

Anyone who is suffering from depression should know that they are not alone. They should reach out to others and attempt to get help. Talking to an experienced doctor can be a great way for people to find resources that will help them reduce negative thoughts and feelings and restore interest in daily activities.

Read More »

What are the Best Pets for Depression?

Tweet

photo source

Depression is a silent killer. One of the most prevalent forms of mental illness, depression alone affects 300 million people worldwide. Statistics in the U.S. show that in the past year alone, 16.2 millions adults, or 6.7 percent of the population, have experienced a major depressive episode. That's a whole lot of us. Added to this is the unfortunate fact that depression is a mental illness with one of the highest mortality rates of all diseases due to its link with suicide, especially in young people. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of people between the ages of 15 and 34, and the 10th leading cause of death in the country overall.

Scary stuff.

An encouraging aspect of depression is its high rate of success in being treated. In fact, between 80-90 percent of depression cases are able to be successfully treated, which is great news. You can visit BetterHelp.com to know more about different treatments that suits you.

There are many treatments for depression, which means that each individual patient may need a different combination of approaches to improve their condition. One of those approaches is relatively new—using therapy animals to relieve symptoms of depression and emotionally support patients who are struggling in their day to day life.

In this article, we explain a little more about what depression is, how exactly pets can help with depression, and the best types of pets to do the job.

Depression: What is it and How Does it Affect the Brain?

Depression is much more than a bout of sadness. Feeling sad or depressed at times is a normal part of the brain's activity, which everyone experiences. But when feeling of sadness are accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and continue for long periods of time, interrupting your daily life, it may be due to clinical depression.

Depression is often referred to as a 'chemical imbalance' in the brain, however in reality, it is much more complex than that. Researchers think that depression can be down to a combination of a whole range of factors, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It's believed that the interaction of a number of these result in the symptoms of depression that a patient experiences. While chemicals in the brain are involved in being responsible for causing depression, it's not simply a case of low and high. In reality, there are millions, even billions, of chemical reactions that are responsible for your mood, perceptions, and how you experience life. Each person's brain chemistry is completely unique, a key reason why treatments must be tailored to individuals.

Depression Treatments

As we mentioned before, there are as many depression treatments as there are patients, and not everything works for everyone. Depression is a serious illness, and if left untreated, it could be life threatening for the person experiencing it. The first step is to see a mental health professional for diagnosis, after which a treatment plan can be developed. The treatments that are used for depression patients fall into the category of either psychological or medical treatments.

Psychological Treatments
A range of therapies are available for depression patients. Some of the most common include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal therapy
Behavior therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
Animal therapy
Medical Treatments
For those with moderate to severe depression, medication may be required as part of a treatment plan. Those needing medication must have it carefully prescribed and monitored by a professional to ensure there are no unwanted side effects.

Antidepressants
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers and sleeping pills)
Pets and Depression
One of the newest forms of therapy involves using animals to improve mental health. We've long known that pets make us feel better, and they are now beginning to gain momentum as a therapy tool. Pets can help to fight depression in a number of ways, from boosting feelgood chemicals in our brains, to simply providing love, support and emotional interaction, whenever required. Pets can help us to feel we have a purpose in life, which can help depression sufferers to overcome feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. The perfect pet to help relieve the symptoms of depression is an animal buddy that we connect with.

The Ultimate Pets to Help Fight Depression
If you or someone close to you is struggling with depression, pet therapy could certainly be a treatment option. The best way to approach this is by speaking with your licensed mental health professional, who can help to advise and assist you on getting an emotional support animal. There are a range of animals suitable for treating depression, so we've put together a handy list that lays out the pros and cons between them.

Dogs
Dogs are the ultimate all-rounders as pets. Dogs are perfect to assist with the symptoms of depression, as they encourage their owners to be active and engaged, but also have the ability to comfort them day-to-day. Dogs may be best suited for someone with mild to moderate depression and make a great ESA dog.

Pros:
Friendly and sociable
Highly trainable
Travel well
Permitted on planes

Cons:
Require lots of exercise and care
Some breeds are high energy and can be overwhelming
Need access to outdoors space when owner is not there

Cats 
Cats are the purr-fect low key companions. They do not require tons of energy, so are a more manageable pet for those with depression. Due to their relatively low maintenance needs, they are suitable for those suffering mild to severe depression.

Pros:
Affectionate and calm
Able to live happily indoors/in small spaces
Do not require intensive exercise
Independent

Cons:
Some cats don't travel well
Depending on breed/personality can be aloof
Can cause allergies

Rabbits 
These compact little sweeties make lovely companions for those with depression. Their fur is super soft, so patting them and generally hanging out with these small animals is extremely calming and good for improving mood.

Pros:
Extremely quiet and calm
Soothing to pat
Excellent for very small spaces
Can live indoor or outdoor
Great for those who cannot have dogs or cats
Shedding is minimal

Cons:
Delicate and fragile
Not good with small children

Pets are a wonderful choice for those with depression, providing a holistic treatment that is safe, natural and ultimately effective. Choosing a pet to suit your lifestyle can have huge positive effects on your life and mental health. A pet that you or a family member connects with could end up being one of the most important parts of treatment for depression.

Read More »

10 Habits that Kill Good Luck of Students

Tweet

Current research suggests that a significant part of student youth tends to be harmful habits and addictions. Addictive behaviour is a serious threat to the health of students, adversely affects their mental and physical condition, becomes an obstacle to successful learning, creative activity and high ability to work. They often apply to writing essay service for the help, where you can order a custom essay . It is established that the influence of constantly acting risk factors leads to a violation of the mechanisms of self-regulation of physiological functions.

photo source

The list of 10 habits that kill good luck

1. The manner to draw conclusions in advance

One of the major mistakes of many people is the habit of hurrying out what and how. And then, following the ill-considered conclusions, a person begins to act in error, not even waiting for the truth. They often badly do any writing paper because of this. But the fate is capable of adjusting such unexpected turns that could not even come to the fore.

Also, the habit of thinking that we know everything about the behaviour of a person and is able to predict it is also false. Very often, due to such judgments, there are conflicting situations and various misunderstandings.

2. The manner of translating everything that is happening dramatically

Small failures occur very rarely, and it is not necessary to pay attention to them and collect insults. This behaviour is a constant disturbing state, which won’t help to bring luck and happiness.

3. The manner for all to look for patterns and stereotypes

When we start to define a thing by a template or fit into a stereotype, we often drown in mistakes. Everything can be completely different, so do not hurry to drive everything under certain limits.

4. The manner is divided into two camps

Life is so diverse that it is capable of throwing the most unlikely variants of action. It cannot be absolutely everything either very good or very bad. You need to rejoice for what you have, without the habit of idealizing.

5. The manner of summing up

It is impossible to adjust all our successes and failures under one comb and summarize them. Each event must be priceless.

6. The manner of perceiving everything is too close

The extraneous problems must remain such: another neighbour's illness, bad news on TV, failures of a former colleague, etc. You can sympathize, but this should stop.

7. The way to succumb to the emotions that suddenly flooded

A similar way of perceiving the world is not true, it's just your emotions.

8. The manner of the soulless is to accept everything

To be successful from you did not turn away, it is necessary to accept optimistically. When you wait, believe and hope for good - it must happen. Negative personalities are not able to catch all the opportunities that they face.

9. The manner of doing everything strictly according to the statute

A person, without noticing himself, can impose restrictions and limits on himself. Of all this, he has only extra complexity and unnecessary nerves to anyone. What to do if there are no obstacles.

10. The manner of remembering past images

The past must remain in the past. All the failures and disappointments that catch you over should not be kept in your memory. Only with faith and success for the better, you will all succeed.

How to get rid of these habits. A few writing tips:

Find out the maximum effects of your habit. As a rule, we rarely know about all the consequences that may result from one or another habit. For example, doing the assignment, not by rules can badly affect the results.

You better apply for writing help. To roughly speaking, do not feel all the pain of some of your habits, which you will feel if you do something bad.

Read More »