These days whenever there is a fall out in a relationship or disagreement among friends/colleagues, at once, the term borderline personality (BPD) is used to describe the individual. Even though the term BPD is used liberally, very few people have little idea about the disorder.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a somber mental illness distinguished by a pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal interactions, self-image, and conduct. Asides from the individual, everyone around him/her experiences turmoil.
Individuals who have BPD usually have difficulty with family and work relationships. The individual has no long-term plans and there appear to be a lack of identity. These individuals suffer from a problem with emotion control. The disorder is fairly common and affects nearly 2/100 young women. Many of these women do have a history of repeated self injury but without an intent to commit suicide but completed suicides are not unheard of.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Claustrophobia- fear of enclosed spaces: Part 2
Symptoms of claustrophobia include a rapid heart rate, sweating, hyperventilation, sensation of difficulty breathing, light headedness, dizziness, nausea, and a feeling of doom.
Most individuals with claustrophobia are always on the lookout for exits in a closed room, avoid elevators and subways, are scared flying in plane or taking a taxi.
The diagnosis of claustrophobia is based on the history and does not involve any type of radiological study.
Over the years, several treatments have been developed to treat this disorder. The treatments gradually desensitize the individual to close spaces and allows for changes in behavior.
Psychotherapy is targeted to help overcome the fear and helps manage the situation. Most people are taught how to relax using breathing exercise and be calm when in a claustrophobic environment. Cognitive behaviour therapy is also used to help individuals control the negative thoughts of fear.
A few individuals may also benefit from the use of anti depressants and anti anxiety agents. These drugs do not cure claustrophobia but help diminish the symptoms.
Of all the mental disorders, claustrophobia can be effectively treated and significantly improve the quality of life.
Most individuals with claustrophobia are always on the lookout for exits in a closed room, avoid elevators and subways, are scared flying in plane or taking a taxi.
The diagnosis of claustrophobia is based on the history and does not involve any type of radiological study.
Over the years, several treatments have been developed to treat this disorder. The treatments gradually desensitize the individual to close spaces and allows for changes in behavior.
Psychotherapy is targeted to help overcome the fear and helps manage the situation. Most people are taught how to relax using breathing exercise and be calm when in a claustrophobic environment. Cognitive behaviour therapy is also used to help individuals control the negative thoughts of fear.
A few individuals may also benefit from the use of anti depressants and anti anxiety agents. These drugs do not cure claustrophobia but help diminish the symptoms.
Of all the mental disorders, claustrophobia can be effectively treated and significantly improve the quality of life.
Claustrophobia- fear of enclosed spaces: Part 1
Claustrophobia is defined as a disorder which brings about an unrealistic fear of enclosed or small spaces. Individuals who have claustrophobia describe these sensations of feeling trapped and scared with no way out of the situation. Claustrophobia brings about symptoms of heightened anxiety or panic. The fear can be intense and can create an unbearable lifestyle.
Data indicate that anywhere from 2-5 percent of individuals are affected by claustrophobia. Overall females are more prone to the disorder than men. Unfortunately the majority of people who suffer from claustrophobia rarely seek help chiefly because they are unaware that treatments exist. Most individuals cope by avoiding enclosed spaces and live a severely restricted life style.
However, today the disorder can be treated with great success.
Causes
The actual cause of claustrophobia is not known and the disease does tend to run in families. Claustrophobia generally develops in early childhood and peaks in the 2/3rd decade of life. In some lucky individuals the condition can spontaneously disappear. When claustrophobia persists, treatment is necessary because the symptoms can affect work and life style.
Claustrophobia tends to be more common in individuals who have a history of anxiety when placed in an enclosed room or restricted space.
Individuals who regularly avoid situations that have brought on previous attacks may actually have a higher chance of developing an anxiety attack.
Data indicate that anywhere from 2-5 percent of individuals are affected by claustrophobia. Overall females are more prone to the disorder than men. Unfortunately the majority of people who suffer from claustrophobia rarely seek help chiefly because they are unaware that treatments exist. Most individuals cope by avoiding enclosed spaces and live a severely restricted life style.
However, today the disorder can be treated with great success.
Causes
The actual cause of claustrophobia is not known and the disease does tend to run in families. Claustrophobia generally develops in early childhood and peaks in the 2/3rd decade of life. In some lucky individuals the condition can spontaneously disappear. When claustrophobia persists, treatment is necessary because the symptoms can affect work and life style.
Claustrophobia tends to be more common in individuals who have a history of anxiety when placed in an enclosed room or restricted space.
Individuals who regularly avoid situations that have brought on previous attacks may actually have a higher chance of developing an anxiety attack.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 3
Once diagnosis of this disorder is made, treatment includes medications and behavior therapy. Medications like SSRIs, tricyclic anti depressants or anti anxiety medications do not cure the disorder but significantly reduce symptoms and panic sensations. In many cases, symptoms of agoraphobia can be controlled within 12 months.
Cognitive behavior therapy also helps people over come agoraphobia. One learns to cope with panic attacks using relaxation techniques. In this treatment, one is slowly desensitized to things that create panic.
There are some people who claim that herbal and dietary supplements like Kava may help but these supplements have also been linked to liver damage.
Individuals who have agoraphobia should definitely seek treatment because the disorder can be successfully treated in most cases. There are also support groups where one can connect with others and understand more about the disorder.
Finally those who have agoraphobia should avoid alcohol and use of illicit drugs- these recreational items just make the condition worse.
Cognitive behavior therapy also helps people over come agoraphobia. One learns to cope with panic attacks using relaxation techniques. In this treatment, one is slowly desensitized to things that create panic.
There are some people who claim that herbal and dietary supplements like Kava may help but these supplements have also been linked to liver damage.
Individuals who have agoraphobia should definitely seek treatment because the disorder can be successfully treated in most cases. There are also support groups where one can connect with others and understand more about the disorder.
Finally those who have agoraphobia should avoid alcohol and use of illicit drugs- these recreational items just make the condition worse.
Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 2
Experts believe that agoraphobia is a complication of a panic disorder. Most people avoid situations where they feel panic and thus live very sheltered lives. Unfortunately, the cause of agoraphobia is unknown. The disorder usually develops in late teens or early adulthood. It is estimated that 1-5 percent of individuals develop agoraphobia during their lifetime. Women are more prone to agoraphobia than men.
In some cases, fear of having a panic attack may be so great that one may not be able to leave safety of their home. In other cases, one learns to live a restricted lifestyle and is able to tolerate certain situations as long as one is accompanied by a dependent family member or friend. Risk factors that predispose to agoraphobia include having a panic disorder, a stress full experience earlier in life (child abuse), alcohol or substance abuse.
Agoraphobia can lead to social isolation, depression and make one overtly dependent on others. The despair often leads to alcohol and substance abuse to help cope with the situation of hopelessness and loneliness.
In some cases, fear of having a panic attack may be so great that one may not be able to leave safety of their home. In other cases, one learns to live a restricted lifestyle and is able to tolerate certain situations as long as one is accompanied by a dependent family member or friend. Risk factors that predispose to agoraphobia include having a panic disorder, a stress full experience earlier in life (child abuse), alcohol or substance abuse.
Agoraphobia can lead to social isolation, depression and make one overtly dependent on others. The despair often leads to alcohol and substance abuse to help cope with the situation of hopelessness and loneliness.
Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 1
Agoraphobia is a mental disorder associated with unrealistic fear. The syndrome is intricately linked to anxiety. People who have agoraphobia fear being in certain places and easily develop panic like symptoms.
Agoraphobia tends to make people afraid even in open public places like elevators, bridges, high buildings, sporting events, use of public transportation, shopping malls and air planes. This fear can be so devastating that many people are trapped in their homes- this is the only place where they feel safe and rarely venture outside. Some individuals even fear being left alone at home, feel feeble and become dependent on others.
Agoraphobia is difficult to treat because it means confronting the fears. Other symptoms of agoraphobia include difficulty breathing, dizziness, sweating, fast heart rate, nausea, facial flushing, stomach cramps, chest pain, feeling complete lack of control, difficulty swallowing and a sense of doom.
Agoraphobia tends to make people afraid even in open public places like elevators, bridges, high buildings, sporting events, use of public transportation, shopping malls and air planes. This fear can be so devastating that many people are trapped in their homes- this is the only place where they feel safe and rarely venture outside. Some individuals even fear being left alone at home, feel feeble and become dependent on others.
Agoraphobia is difficult to treat because it means confronting the fears. Other symptoms of agoraphobia include difficulty breathing, dizziness, sweating, fast heart rate, nausea, facial flushing, stomach cramps, chest pain, feeling complete lack of control, difficulty swallowing and a sense of doom.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Does lack of sleep cause depression? Part 2
"Adequate quality sleep could therefore be a preventative measure against depression and a treatment for depression," he added.
Chief executive at the mental health charity YoungMinds, Sarah Brennan said: "Enough sleep, good food and regular exercise and all essential to stay emotionally healthy. Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer with depression, yet we are still failing to provide our young people with the help and support to cope with it and prevent it.”
She adds, “Providing parents with information about how to look after your body, for example by getting enough sleep, and how to get help if they are worried about their teenager, will ensure problems are tackled early and prevent serious mental health conditions such as depression."
Final point: While it may sound reasonable to assume that adequate sleep may prevent depression this is clearly not so. There are many individuals who do sleep well and yet feel depressed- clearly indicating that there are many other factors which play a role in development of depression. If sleep was the only factor then sedatives (and not anti depressants) would have long been a cure for depression; caveat- sedatives can in fact worsen depression!
Chief executive at the mental health charity YoungMinds, Sarah Brennan said: "Enough sleep, good food and regular exercise and all essential to stay emotionally healthy. Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer with depression, yet we are still failing to provide our young people with the help and support to cope with it and prevent it.”
She adds, “Providing parents with information about how to look after your body, for example by getting enough sleep, and how to get help if they are worried about their teenager, will ensure problems are tackled early and prevent serious mental health conditions such as depression."
Final point: While it may sound reasonable to assume that adequate sleep may prevent depression this is clearly not so. There are many individuals who do sleep well and yet feel depressed- clearly indicating that there are many other factors which play a role in development of depression. If sleep was the only factor then sedatives (and not anti depressants) would have long been a cure for depression; caveat- sedatives can in fact worsen depression!
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