Skip to content

Online Anger Management - Does it Work?

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Just as alcoholics need to accept the fact that they have a drinking problem to get help, constantly angry people need to admit that they can’t control their anger. Anger can be tamed when you are able to identify your anger triggers. When you get angry almost all the time and you are irrational when you are angry, chances are you have an anger management problem. Anger can be controlled if you learn to look on the subject of your anger objectively. When you are threatened by a potential anger trigger, take a step back and look at it without getting emotionally involved. The danger with getting angry all the time is that you can wind up hurting people you had no intention of hurting. The likelihood of hurling insults when you are uncontrollably angry is quite high. In anger, words spoken maliciously have a more devastating effect. So, the need to control and manage your anger is very important. One common way of taking control of anger is removing yourself from the source of anger. Usually, anger escalates when you focus on the source of your anger. Changing locations when you are angry can help you see things more clearly and help you make rational decisions. Anger management as a field is becoming more and more popular. The society is witnessing more anger related incidents that call for anger management solutions. If you are always prone to getting angry, you can reduce the problem by enrolling in anger management classes to get professional help in curbing your anger. You don’t have to be right all the time. Instead of provoking and being provoked because of the need to win an argument, you can simply concede for the sake of peace. It’s true that lots of outbursts of anger starts with arguments that end up badly. You don’t have to proof a point or show that your argument is superior all the time. Your opponents won’t accept it and this will only make you angry more often. The fact is that children have very impressionable minds and can easily imitate the emotion of anger if you exhibit it long enough for them to get used to it. If you are truly concerned about helping your kids grow up well enough to deal maturely with anger, then you should make a concerted attempt to express your anger in more healthy ways, especially in the presence of your children. Bear in mind that angry children will only give rise to angry adults. That said, try as much as possible to teach your kids anger management from very early in their lives. A problem that is ripped in the bud can prevent a backlash of unpleasant consequences. Always keep a close eye on yourself and people around you to identity any emotion of negative anger in order to address it immediately. That’s effective anger management. To get a grip on resourceful hints on articles about adolescent anger management , or anger management articles see HJ Shearer’s website ==> http://angermanagement-facts.com

Filed in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Being Able To Detect Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Monday, September 29, 2008

autism spectrum

Disorders of the autistic spectrum were not given a label until the middle of the 20th century. Dr. Leo Kanner studied a group of children in 1943 who exhibited marked behavioral and communication issues and found them to be afflicted with what we today know as autism. There are five different disorders of development within the autism spectrum. All of the disorders vary in the degree that the individual is affected. But all have issues with communication skills, socialization and at times, repetitive behavior.

A child with an autistic spectrum disorder will normally show the symptoms before they reach the age of 3. These children do not act like other children who are not affected. They will not respond to their parents when they speak to them or attempt to play with them. They may fixate on inanimate objects instead of responding to the parents. While the disorder may not show itself until after the child has already shown “normal” behavior, it can sometimes be seen almost from birth.

Disorders may range from the milder form in the autism spectrum, normally referred to as Asperger syndrome, to a more severe form known as an autistic disorder. There is also high functioning autism, which shows symptoms very close to Asperger syndrome. If a child seems to have symptoms of autism, either the mild or the more sever form, yet does not fall under a certain criteria for one of these disorders, then they are normally diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder.

While it may not be a concern if a child is showing signs of delayed development, they should be evaluated by a doctor. It is important to let your physician know if you see any developmental delays in your child. If they do indeed have one of the disorders within the autistic spectrum, then there are steps that can be taken to help the child increase their development and also help the family to deal with the disorder. Even after an autism spectrum disorder is found, individuals can, in many cases learn to be functioning individuals; however, if the disorder is disregarded and nothing is done, then there is a possibility of severe delays in both communication and social skills. It is always important when any developmental delays seem apparent that the child’s physician be consulted.

Filed in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Superfoods that Squash Stress

Monday, August 25, 2008

The run of things has a way of getting the best of us occasionally. Whether it’s booking too many hours, dogtrotting your descents all over town for their activities, taking care of your home, or dealing with personal or family affairs, stress can take its toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But there are easy steps you can take to combat stress, starting with the things you eat.

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a good start when The run of things’s particularly stressful. Stimulants and depressants like these can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with tension. Sugary things should also be avoided as well, as they cause your blood sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate.

However, there are several superfoods out there that provide you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check

Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood.

And though we may hear negative things regarding red meat, it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef’s high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay there as well. Your local butcher can help you select lean cuts for the healthiest options

Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration. Paired with a healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you. Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed periods.

Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming yourself against stress. They’re high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to cause cancers and heart disease.

Filed in Health | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Why Worry?

Monday, August 18, 2008

Most of us get the occasional stomach-churning bout of worry but just because we all get butterflies doesn’t mean worrying is a healthy habit - it isn’t! When you worry, you are living in a future world that may not ever happen. Also, just because you don’9t know a future outcome it doesn’t mean it’s going to be negative.

Worry can motivate you to do things like warning your children not to talk to strangers or double-checking directions to get somewhere- these reactions are pretty normal. Worry only becomes ineffective when, for example, you are still contemplating getting lost even though you have mapped out your route and printed out the directions. In other words you have taken steps to insure a positive outcome yet you still spend time and energy on expecting a negative result.

There are ways to reduce how much you worry about things. It takes practice but what it boils down to is changing how you think about the world and really believing that tomorrow is going to bring something great not something awful.

Here are a few of the most common ways in which we worry along with simple advice to help put worry behind you.

1. Seeking constant reassurance

There is no harm in getting a second opinion about something but asking for it repeatedly is not useful. This is because it’s easy to second-guess any answer you get especially if you doubt yourself to begin with. For example you are worried that your partner no longer finds you attractive so you ask them. They reply (hopefully!!) of course I find you attractive but you’re not convinced so you ask them again and again and again 

No reply they give provides you with the absolute certainty you need; at this point you need to stop and ask yourself why you are not taking the answer at face value. Are you hoping to validate your fears? At the end of the day the answer you have been given is the only one you are going to get so accept it then take steps that will help you believe in yourself   without having to rely on feedback from others.

ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL, AND WORK ON WHAT YOU CAN ..

2. Ignoring your worries

Maybe you fear losing your partner? When the thought pops up, you put it right out of your mind. By not allowing yourself to think about this fear for even a second you think you are not worrying about it. In reality what you are actually doing is reinforcing your fear by not facing it .

Repeat to yourself  It is always possible that I may lose my partner ; your anxiety levels will shoot up at first but, after a few minutes, you will calm down as the thought loses its power. By doing this you will discover that because you are thinking about the worst-case scenario it doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEARS AND YOU WILL REDUCE THEIR POWER2026.

3. Arming yourself with irrelevant information

It’s a good idea to gather as much information as you can about something that is bothering you but the value of it depends on the type of information you have collected. For example, if you are worried about flying and Google plane crashes you will find lots of information about terrible accidents. But what if you looked for safe plane landings instead? It is called Confirmation Bias  wanting to prove your fear is real and then finding information that confirms it. You need to ask yourself Am I collecting useful information or am I just confirming my fear?

Counselling Spain says: WEIGH UP THE VALUE OF YOUR SOURCES AND ALWAYS THINK ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.

Filed in Other | Tagged | Comments (0)

Making The Most Of Hard Times

Monday, May 26, 2008

If you are struggling to make ends meet, start making plans today to overcome possible problems tomorrow. Making the most of hard times means being as prepared as possible for any circumstances that come your way.

Food prices are skyrocketing. Gasoline is going higher every week, sometimes every day. Foreclosures are up. There are many more expenses climbing at rates never seen before.

It is time to start planning for changing times. Those who have a plan and have prepared, even a little, will have an easier time than those who just go with the flow until it is too late.

What type of plan can you make? What can you do today to prepare for tomorrow. Traditionally, people have been told to save money. Often 10% of your income is the amount you hear to save. When you are having trouble paying the bills, it is hard to start saving $1.00 much less 10% of what you earn.

Most people find themselves in trouble before they know what is happening. They get laid off or down sized. Sometimes someone gets ill or hurt and cannot work. The causes of trouble are numerous, but with some well laid out plans you could avert some of the disasters you see others encountering.

To start make a list of all of your expenses. The obvious ones like rent, utilities, gasoline and groceries are easy. The hidden ones like money spent on sodas at work or coffee at the local kiosk also add up. Figure out what you spend.

Plan to cut expenses wherever you can and lower expenses in other areas. Totally eliminating something often saves a lot of money. Cutting back may save even more.

Cut back on the cuts of meat you buy. Cut out expensive snacks and substitute healthier fruits and vegetables. This article is about is getting you thinking today and preparing for tomorrow.

Do you drive a large vehicle? Could you pay the payments on a smaller car with the savings it would give you on gasoline? 28 to 35 miles per gallon instead of 8 to 15 MPG might save you from problems.

A recent article said the older Geo Metro was getting close to 45 miles per gallon of gas. Could you downgrade to a clunker for most of your driving?

Carpooling was a big push back when gas was well under $2.00 a gallon. Maybe it is time to find two or three people to carpool with.

Go online and search for “frugal living” or “money saving ideas”. Start now to prepare for tighter times tomorrow.

If your house is in foreclosure, it is too late to start saving to protect your investment. Today is the time to start planning on how to get through and maybe even thrive as prices go higher all around you.

Finally, if you see problems in your future, think of getting a second, part time job. Two to six extra hours a day may mean you are tired for a while, but it also may mean you have time to get the answers you need to make life better for yourself and your family.

Filed in Business, Finance, Other | | Comments (0)

Tips for teaching ADHD children to read

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Teaching a child with ADHD to read as any parent or teacher will tell you can be frustrating as their hyperactivity and inattentiveness makes focussing on any one task difficult.
The ADHD child has no trouble paying attention, the problem is they pay attention to everything and have difficulty ‘tuning out’ distractions.

Therefore specific strategies need to be implemented while reading to your child. Not every approach will work so try different methods until you discover which ones works for you. Only then will the process of reading be easier for everyone.

1. If you are wanting to improve your child’s reading then read. Read as much as possible and let your child see you reading. We don’t just read books, throughout our daily lives we read things such as adverts, labels, timetables, newspapers warning signs, leaflets. Read them to your child and talk about what you have read.

2. Visit the library and choose books suitable for your child’s reading age. If you are unsure ask the teacher for suggestions. If books appear too daunting at this stage, try looking at children’s magazines or comics.
One type of book which proves to be very useful are cook books. They are excellent for incorporating the following elements:-
a. Reading - by reading the recipes.
b. Maths - working out the measurements and quantities.
c. Cooking - which allows the ADHD child to be creative and kinesthetic as well as answering his need to do something.

3. A calm environment is necessary while helping your child to read. Pick a quiet spot away from distractions. Read together and take it in turn to read pages or paragraphs depending on reading level and ability to focus. If you are homeschooling see if you can enlist a family member to help with the reading. You can even pair readers of different abilities together to enhance your child reading ability.

4. ADHD children fidget constantly so allow them to fidget even while reading. Giving them something to squeeze, tap or play with will help to keep their attention. Remember ADHD children can focus on multiple things at once, so by giving them something to do there is no longer the need to look for anything else.

5. Break down reading into small chunks. Read for a short time then allow your child to play or do something else, before turning back to the task in hand. Read another paragraph or so again then allow another break. Continue this process until you have finished the chapter or story.
This method works very well because your child’s brain is wired to focus on more that one thing at a time. After the reading ask for the child’s account of what he or she has read, jot down his or her words and review the next day.

6. Have your child listen to stories or reading matter on tapes whilst following along in the text. Use pods and mp3 players to record reading material the child can listen to. By seeing and hearing the words being read the child will be better able to focus.

7. Use a computer to aid your child’s reading. They are many ‘learning to read’ CDs and DVDs that can benefit your offspring and as most children love computers you can use this tool to your advantage.

8. Finally be liberal in your praise and encourage. Most children want it, particularly those that suffer from low self-esteem which is true for most ADHD children. Give rewards and positive feedback. Whichever way you choose to say ‘well done’ to your child, do it! They need it and it will certainly go a long way in helping them master the art of reading.

Filed in Health, Other | | Comments (0)