March 31, 20063:10 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Loneliness Weighs Heavily on the Heart
Hebrews 10:25 says “Do not… forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ” There is accountability, exhortation and encouragement when we are in life-giving relationships with other people. As a Pastor, keeping your congregates connected to the body of the church is vital. When a person is socially isolated they can become depressed, their health can deteriorate and ultimately they can become suicidal. The following article discusses a clinical study on the negative affects of loneliness:
“Loneliness may be as bad for the heart as being overweight or inactive, researchers here suggested.
Middle-age and older adults reporting the greatest degree of loneliness had blood pressure levels 10 mm Hg to 30 mm/Hg higher on average than those who were least lonely, found psychologist Louise C. Hawkley, Ph.D., of the University of Chicago, and colleagues.
The magnitude of the effect of loneliness on blood pressure is comparable to the magnitude of reduction that can be achieved through weight loss and exercise, said Dr. Hawkley and Jarett D. Berry, M.D., a cardiology fellow at Northwestern, in the March issue of Psychology and Aging.
For example, they noted, other studies have shown that losing 10 kg of excess weight reduces blood pressure by 5 mm Hg to 20 mm Hg and that regular physical activity can lower blood pressure by 4 mm Hg to 9 mm Hg.”
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March 29, 200612:18 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Eating disorders exact toll on adults, too
Often times people think of eating disorders exclusively in terms of young adults and teenagers. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, studies have shown an increasing amount of woman in their mid to late thirties suffering from the disorder. The following is an article that discusses this trend:
“I’m checking out new items and buying things that aren’t on the list,” the 38-year-old mother and wife from New Jersey said with a laugh. Cindy has asked that her last name be withheld for reasons of privacy.
“I go to the grocery store, and I’m having a spiritual experience on Aisle 5.”
But grocery shopping has not always been such an exuberant experience for Cindy. She suffered for years from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder in which a person severely limits the amount of food he or she eats in fear of weight gain or a distorted body image. Anorexic people can be severely underweight.”
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March 23, 20067:22 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Smoking May Hinder Brain’s Recovery from Alcoholism
The following article refers to an interesting study labeled Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. The study contends that the smoking affects the rate at which the brain can recover after heavy long-term alcohol use. Apparently, smoking actually directly inhibits cognitive recovery:
“For alcoholics whose drinking brings on cognitive deficits, smoking seems to retard their cognitive recovery when they go on the wagon, a study here suggested.
“It is pretty well established that long-term chronic drinking of the amount that alcoholics do leads to abnormalities of brain structure, chemistry, and blood flow as well as cognition,” said Timothy Durazzo, Ph.D., of the San Francisco VA in an interview.
Alcoholics may appear to be functioning normally, but cognitive tests will usually reveal abnormalities or “frank deficits,” he added.
So it stands to reason that diminished cognition should reverse itself when alcoholics stop drinking. But, Dr. Durazzo found, cognitive recovery can be retarded by cigarette smoking, at least during the first month of abstinence from alcohol.”
Read: Smoking May Hinder Brain’s Recovery from Alcoholism
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March 22, 20068:14 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
What is the Definition of Anxiety?
As a pastor, it is good to have a general understanding of the different types of mental health conditions that you may encounter in your duties. Among these differing types of mental conditions there are several forms of anxiety disorder. The following article gives a break down of the different types of anxiety disorders:
“Anxiety disorders serious medical illnesses that involve intense feelings of fear, anxiety, worry or apprehension often associated with specific situations, events or objects. The physical symptoms that accompany these feelings include heart palpitations, trembling, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea.
There are different types of anxiety disorders, but all share the feelings of excessive fear and dread. Types of anxiety orders include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia or social anxiety disorder, specific phobias (such as fears of enclosed or open spaces) and generalized anxiety disorder.”
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March 17, 20063:23 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an unhealthy heightened self-awareness in social situations. People with Social Anxiety Disorder experience high levels of stress in every day group environments. The National Institute of Mental Health has a wealth of information on Social Anxiety Disorder. The following article provides a definition of the disorder, identification signs and symptoms and typical treatments for this disorder:
“In any social situation, I felt fear. I would be anxious before I even left the house, and it would escalate as I got closer to a college class, a party, or whatever. I would feel sick at my stomach- it almost felt like I had the flu. My heart would pound, my palms would get sweaty, and I would get this feeling of being removed from myself and from everybody else.
“When I would walk into a room full of people, I’d turn red and it would feel like everybody’s eyes were on me. I was embarrassed to stand off in a corner by myself, but I couldn’t think of anything to say to anybody. It was humiliating. I felt so clumsy, I couldn’t wait to get out.
“I couldn’t go on dates, and for a while I couldn’t even go to class. My sophomore year of college I had to come home for a semester. I felt like such a failure.”
“Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school, and other ordinary activities. While many people with social phobia recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they are unable to overcome it. They often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.”
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March 13, 20068:56 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is often times related to other Mental Health Disorders. Anxiety, depression, insecurity can all feed into the disorder. The following article provides some good information on OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder):
“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where a person has recurrent and unwanted ideas or impulses (called obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. The obsessive thoughts range from the idea of losing control, to themes surrounding religion or keeping things or parts of one’s body clean all the time. Compulsions are behaviors that help reduce the anxiety surrounding the obsessions. Most people (90%) who have OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. The thoughts and behaviors a person with OCD has are senseless, repetitive, distressing, and sometimes harmful, but they are also difficult to overcome.
OCD is more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or panic disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Yet, it is still commonly overlooked by mental health professionals, mental health advocacy groups, and people who themselves have the problem.”
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March 10, 20068:01 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A compulsion to repeat tasks over and over again never feeling as though the job is complete is one of the signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Repeated washing of hands, checking the door continually to make sure that it is locked, setting your radio alarm over and over and never feeling like your hair is quite right are just some of the many possible rituals of repetition that someone with OCD can experience. OCD, if untreated, can cause major depression perhaps even suicidal thoughts. The following article provides a more in depth look at OCD:
“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions which the sufferer usually recognizes as being excessive or unreasonable. Obsessions are recurring thoughts or impulses that are intrusive or inappropriate and cause the sufferer anxiety. Some common obsessions are:
- Thoughts about contamination, for example, when an individual fears coming into contact with dirt, germs or “unclean” objects;
- Persistent doubts, for example, whether or not one has turned off the iron or stove, locked the door or turned on the answering machine;
- Extreme need for orderliness;
- Aggressive impulses or thoughts, for example, being overcome with the urge to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals performed by the OCD sufferer, performance of these rituals neutralize the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, relief is only temporary. Compulsions are incorporated into the person’s daily routine and are not always directly related to the obsessive thought, for example, a person who has aggressive thoughts may count floor tiles in an effort to control the thought. Some of the most common compulsions are:”
Read “What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”
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March 6, 20061:30 pm
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Panic Attack! A close-up look at a disorder that affects 23 million lives - including mine
A racing heart, a feeling of being out of control, an “out of body” or detached from your body sensation or a sense of impending doom, all of these symptoms are characteristic of panic attacks. The good news is that you are not alone. By some estimates over 23 million people suffer from panic attacks. Although it may seem hopeless there actually is help for this disorder. The following article is one christian woman’s story of dealing with panic attacks and how she is overcoming:
“Labor day weekend in our small town had been uneventful and relaxing, so it came as a shock when I suddenly experienced heart palpitations and lightheadedness. A panicked call to my physician determined that exposure to paint fumes from painting inside our home over the weekend was probably the cause. After getting some fresh air, I did feel better.
But the symptoms returned two days later while I was waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store. Somehow, I managed to load my groceries in the car, then I drove home quickly, gripping the steering wheel with sweating hands, praying I wouldn’t pass out.
The symptoms continued over the next few days with even more severity, causing constriction in my chest and throat and trouble breathing. Finally, I called my husband, Brad, at work and asked him to take me to the local emergency room. While I waited for him, I found myself crying uncontrollably. It was unlike me to be so out of control emotionally - and that frightened me as much as my physical symptoms. I’d hit a wall and didn’t know why.”
“Panic Attack! A close-up look at a disorder that affects 23 million lives - including mine”
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March 2, 200610:55 am
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Panic Attacks: How I’m Surviving
Panic Attacks can cause people to feel that their world is out of control. Why not trust in God to provide you with the security and stability you need? 1 Peter 5:7 says “…Cast all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” Including Christ in the process of recovery anchors a person’s faith to the strength and support of God’s love. The story below talks about one woman’s testimony regarding the benefits of trusting in God to help with recovery from Panic Attacks:
“Since my first panic attack in 2002, I have been learning what it means to believe and rely on my Redeemer, not one day at a time, but literally moment by moment. For almost 3 years fear was my constant companion. Like Job in the Bible, I had friends who tried to comfort me. They would remind me that fear is not from God. That perfect love casts out fear. I knew that, and I couldn’t understand why I was having these panic attacks.
I was a Christian. I loved Jesus. I loved God. But from March 2002 to December 2004, I had over 60 panic attacks. I had to quit my job, give up singing in the choir, give up Sunday School and church. I became agoraphobic and couldn’t leave my house for fear that I’d have a panic attack. I couldn’t attend family and holiday celebrations. I couldn’t tolerate anti-depressants and could only tolerate Xanax in small amounts, which put me to sleep throughout the day.”
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