What can drive someone to insanity? Certainly, insanity is something that is commonly understood or misunderstood and usually carries some sort of stigma in the popular consciousness. If you believe in modern psychology and psychiatry, there are literally thousands of forms of insanity that a person can end up developing over a lifetime. Some of them, like depression, are temporary, while others, like social anxiety, require more work for a person to get through. However, there appears to be some commonality as to what actually brings about most of the forms of insanity that people go through. Which brings the question to bear is there a common, underlying trigger that compromises the stability of a person’s mental health?

Things like stress and anxiety are often cited, as most of the common and several uncommon mental health issues are triggered by one of the two. Continued exposure to stress can eventually push someone beyond their breaking point, with the form of insanity afterwards being affected by external factors. This is often a long, strenuous process because most people have some level of resistance to such things, allowing them to at least survive the stressful period with their sanity intact. Additionally, the process may not even really result in insanity, with most of the population serving as proof of this theory. Prolonged stress can affect a person’s behavior and outlook, but it is also known that several other factors can increase or reduce the impact of this. In some cases, stress and anxiety can merely even have the opposite effect, depending on the person’s personal outlook.

Emotions are also said to play a critical role in driving or pushing people into insanity, with feelings being so closely tied to mental health. A person’s emotional state can often be a reflection of a person’s relative state of mental stability, but may also become an effect of fractured sanity. There is no doubting that emotions can disrupt and affect a person’s thought processes and make them do things that they normally would not do. It has also been noted that extremely emotional situations and heavy emotional trauma can permanently affect a person’s mind, often resulting in a condition that requires therapy to eventually overcome. However, it is rather arguable that emotions are merely augmenting the effects of stress and pressure, not a factor in itself.

Trauma is also frequently cited as having drastic effects on a person’s sanity, particularly if it occurs during the formative years. The extreme psychological and emotional impact that trauma victims have to endure can often force some past the breaking point, having permanent effects on their mental health. However, it should be noted that trauma tends to be little more than a combination of stressful and emotional factors, usually mixed in with extreme circumstances. The vulnerability of the person’s psyche plays a larger role here than in other potential causes of insanity, which explains why trauma encountered later on in life does not have the same general effect as similar events encountered during childhood.

Ultimately, insanity is something that, like sanity, must be defined on an individual basis. What is sane for one person in a given society may not be considered such by a different person within the same society. Insanity is a matter of context in this case, which is the assumption that some psychological texts make.

Everybody wants to be successful in life. But what is success? How do you go about being successful? Is success only for people who have high IQ? How come there are intelligent people who are not successful in life? How do you measure success?
To be able to define success can be the first step in becoming successful. Someone has said that “success is the completion of anything intended.” Meaning to say, whatever it is you have planned or intended to do, you’ve got to finish or bring into completion. That is success.
If you plan to rob a bank and pulled-off the heist, does that make you a successful person? In this case, success should always be related to all things positive. Having this as a yardstick for assessing our lives enable us to say at the end of the day if we have failed or succeeded.
Aside from academic excellence, researchers believe that certain aspects of intelligence, such as logical reasoning, math skills, verbal abilities, and analytical understanding can predict to a significant degree professional and personal success of an individual. However, why is it that some of those with excellent levels of IQ are not doing successfully in life? A lot of people with so much promise and potential fall into anxiety and depression, and sometimes even end up in suicide? Something could be going wrong in the way they think and behave which hindered their chances to succeed.
According to Daniel Goleman, well-known psychologist and author of the book Emotional Intelligence, one of the major missing parts in the success equation is emotional intelligence. This concept is based on years of research by numerous scientists, such as Peter Salovey, John Meyer, Howard Gardner, Robert Sternberg, and Jack Block, just to name a few. They all agree that people with high emotional intelligence EI tend to be more successful in life than those with lower EI even if their classical IQ is average.
Scientific articles published during ’90s highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence, the human mental ability to validly reason with emotions and to use these emotions in enhancing thought patterns. It includes the abilities to accurately perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.
Emotional intelligence improves an individual’s social effectiveness. The higher the emotional intelligence, the better the social relations. Emotionally intelligent people can better perceive emotions, use them in thought, understand their meanings, and manage emotions, than others. These people are often the ones we consider to provide a shoulder to cry on. They do not only solve their own emotional problems, but they help others deal with it as well. They require less cognitive effort in solving emotional problems. They tend to be more open and agreeable than others, and are drawn to occupations involving social interactions, such as teaching and counseling, than jobs involving clerical or administrative duties.

People with high EI are less likely to develop emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. They have the ability to avoid self-destructive and negative behaviors, such as smoking, excessive drinking, drug abuse, or violent episodes with others. They are more likely to have possessions of sentimental attachment around the home and to have more positive social interactions.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to discern and understand emotional information which is all around us. People communicate basic emotions from one individual to another. But only those with high EI can really appreciate and understand the more subtle messages of these emotions.
Emotional intelligence is crucial to help us through our emotionally demanding days. If we are not emotionally intelligent, we need people who have higher EI to rely on and guide us in processing emotional information. Emotional intelligence enables our thinking and behavior to become more focus in achieving our goals and to take hold of the success in life we are dreaming of.

One in every three Americans are now considered to be overweight and obese. This can be seen as an alarming rate when one thinks about it, since being overweight and obese is not just about the issue of appearance in our society but a serious health issue that can seriously affect a person’s health. Although both these conditions have similar concepts, being overweight is different from obesity. Overweight people are the ones who weigh too much, while obesity means that a person has too much body fat that is already considered to be a health risk. Both weight conditions refer to weight that comes from bone, muscle, fat, and the amount of body water that a person carries.

A person who is overweight and obese usually have overweight or obese parents, too. Scientific evidence suggests that obesity is genetic, or runs in the family, so to speak. The environment also plays a role in developing obesity or being overweight. People are now gaining weight because of the food they eat. Eating choices like fast food burgers and fries that are equally high in fat and eating it in front of the television would not make the person burn all the calories needed to sustain the right weight. High calorie, low nutrient snacks and beverages, big portions of food, and a less than active lifestyle can also contribute to being overweight and obese. Sometimes, people turn to food for emotional comfort. When they feel stressed, sad, anxious, upset or even bored, they tend to eat more than usual, and they often eat more than what they need to consume.

Being overweight and obese is not just a cosmetic issue, but a health dilemma directly harmful to a person’s health. These conditions increase the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including hypertension, Type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, congestive heart failure, gallstones, gout, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, fatty liver, depression, and other diseases.

For this reason, many people turn to anti-obesity drugs to eliminate their body fats as fast as possible. These medications are specially formulated for people who are either overweight or obese, and is medically prescribed only in cases where weight loss is needed to prevent further life-threatening diseases. Such anti-obesity drugs like Orlistat, Rimonabant, Metformin, Sibutramine, and Xenical have certain ingredients that would help induce the appropriate weight loss. Such mechanisms include the suppression of one’s appetite, increasing the body’s metabolism, and interfering with the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients in food. However, these anti obesity drugs also have side effects that can be risky to one’s health. It is important to consult with the doctor before taking any of these anti-obesity drugs.

A healthier way to gradually decrease one’s weight is to simply have self-control. Make a simple plan that would eventually limit one’s food intake, like cutting back on those sugary beverages and junk food. If eating, make sure to pass up on second servings, and eat the right amount of fat and carbohydrates. By exercising even for just ten minutes a day, or by brisk walking, one can burn out the calories and help improve one’s health. Do not forget to ask for help and support from friends and family, since this can boost one’s confidence in to achieving their desired body weight.

Most new mothers are now showing some form of depression after birth. Usually, postpartum depression is not thoroughly discussed in childbirth classes where new mothers enroll for motherhood education. Such classes are only limited to the discussion of the mother’s physical recovery and taking care of the baby. Due to the lack of information, many new mothers do not have an idea and are not prepared for postpartum depression, which can feel like an emotional roller coaster. By being aware of the range of depression disorders that may arise during post-pregnancy, new mothers can better prepare for the overflow of emotions and, in the process, help their families cope with the challenges of childbirth-related emotional changes.

According to statistics, 80 percent of new mothers tend to have postpartum blues. The symptoms often start two days after giving birth as the hormones of pregnancy suddenly starts to fluctuate and adjust to meet the new baby’s constant demands. These mothers will experience extreme mood swings, and can manage these by self realization that these emotions are just based on hormonal shifts and fatigue. The best coping strategy for mothers use in dealing with postpartum blues is to have ample rest. These mothers need sleep for both physical and mental recovery. Adding to this, mothers should have a nutritious and balanced diet, plenty of fluids, and enough light daily exercise. By registering and joining new mother support groups, mothers can find great ways to share experiences and find mutual support with others who have postpartum blues. Most mothers with postpartum blues do not need medication, but can get relief from other forms of therapy such as acupuncture. Such condition generally resolves the emotional condition in about two to three weeks after birth.

Some women can develop postpartum anxiety disorders such as GAD generalized anxiety disorder, OCD obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorders. Mothers experience excessive worry or anxiety, repetitive compulsions, or extreme anxiety with chest pains, dizziness, sweating, and many other symptoms when dealing with disorders named above. Women dealing with these disorders would frequently have attacks early in the morning with chest and stomach pain, followed by emotions of concern and despair for the baby. Together with good eating habits, rest and exercise, mothers could also go for relaxation exercises, support groups, counseling, and use of anti-depressants.

When dealing with postpartum psychosis, one should be able to distinguish signs of depression from other more symptoms of anxiety disorders. A mother experiencing postpartum psychosis would have hallucinations or delusions. This kind of psychosis may not be noticeable to family members since there would often be periods when a new mother may seem fine and also show periodic changes in behavior.

When a new mother is suspected of having a psychosis, most likely, her judgment would be impaired and she shows irrational behavior. In such cases, both the mother and the baby are not safe. Though rare, psychosis should be treated as an emergency. The mother suffering this psychological condition would usually respond to medication. In other cases, the new mother needs to be confined to a hospital or treatment center.

In knowing all these, new mothers should not worry about having postpartum depression. All these disorders can be managed or treated with medication and therapy. With enough information, new mothers and their families can find relief from the depression and stress that comes with the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that come with childbirth.

Living with scoliosis doesn’t mean you can’t live your life to the fullest. The spine or backbone is responsible for keeping the body in an upright position. If something happens to it, we can encounter difficulty in doing a lot of things. Scoliosis is a condition that affects the spine. A curved spine can cause someone’s body to tilt to the left or right. Scoliosis can be noticeable when one shoulder blade is higher than the other or an uneven waist has a tendency to lean to one side. These problems may be noticed when a kid is trying on new clothes. If one pant leg is shorter than the other, the kid might have scoliosis. Though, it could also be possible that one of his legs is actually shorter than the other. If scoliosis is neglected, the curves may progress dramatically, creating significant physical deformity and even cardiopulmonary problems.
One easy test to find out if a person has scoliosis is the forward-bending test which involves bending over, with straight knees, and reaching the fingertips toward the feet or the floor. Then, a doctor or nurse will look at the back to see if the spine curves.
Once scoliosis is suspected, an x-ray of the spine is necessary in order to get a better look of the condition of the spine. People with a mild curve may need to undergo regular check ups with their doctors to make sure that the curve is not getting worse. However, those with severe curves may be required to wear a brace or may have to undergo an operation. The brace is designed to hold the spine in place and prevent the curve from getting worse. The length of time the brace is worn depends on the severity of the scoliosis. It can be worn all day or only during nighttime. Most kids need to wear their braces at least 20 hours a day, even when they go to school. The use of the brace is slightly decreased as the child grown older.
Doctors have made better designed, lighter, and more comfortable braces for kids with scoliosis. But if braces do not do the trick, a surgical operation is the next option. During surgery, Orthopedic surgeons fuse the bones in the spine together to correct the curve using metal rods, hooks, screws, and wires to hold everything in line until the vertebrae heals. The operation may take several hours, depending on how big the curve is and how many bones need to be fused. Recovery from operation depends on the type of surgery, the age of the patient, and the severity of the condition.
Due to the advancements in medicines, treatments have greatly improved and more people with scoliosis are now living normal lives. People with scoliosis should consult their doctors about how to participate safely in activities, such as exercise and sports, because it’s important for everyone to be active and fit. Scoliosis may throw you a curve, but with the right care, you can live a healthy and active lifestyle.

A number of Chinese herbs can be useful for the many different facets of Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is a bacterial infectious disease caused by the spirochetal organism, Borrelia Burgdorferi. It is usually caused by a tick bite. The prevalence of the disease is greatest in the northeastern United States, but there have been cases of the illness in all lower 48 states. The disease is easy to treat with antibiotics in its initial stages, but it is often not detected at that point. There is a bulls eye rash that is characteristic of the disease, but many people never get the rash. The rash looks different in people with darker pigmentation, making it easy to mistake it for other skin conditions, including bruising or eczema. The wide variety of symptoms that a person can have in its later stages makes it hard to obtain a proper diagnosis, and the medical testing for the illness is still not very accurate in many cases.

People with later stages of Lyme need treatment on a number of different levels. At the very basic level, herbs that are anti-bacterial, specifically against spirochetal bacteria, are an important component of treatment. Herbs that have been shown to have activity against spirochetal bacteria include coptis huang lian, andrographis paniculata chuan xin lian, isatis ban lan genqing dai, phellodendron huang bai, scute huang qin, forsythia lian qiao, smilax tu fu ling, and gardenia zhi zi. Garlic is also a useful antibacterial supplement for those with Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease can lower body temperature and create poor blood circulation. A person is also likely to feel cysts, lumps, and swellings in different areas of their body that often change and move. The bacteria walls itself off, and creates an environment in which it can grow and thrive and the person with the disease ends up in severe pain, with horribly low energy, and neurological problems. The disease thrives in a low temperature, low oxygen environment, and that is the environment it creates within the body. People with the disease often have signs and symptoms similar to someone with severe altitude sickness also caused by a low oxygen environment. Chinese herbs that clear blood stasis and break blood stagnation can be very useful for this aspect of the disease. The herb, pseudoginseng san qi, can be extremely beneficial for people with Lyme Disease. It promotes blood circulation and oxygenation in the body, and can force open the cysts that protect the bacteria from being killed off. It also can help clear some of the brain fog that people with this disease have by improving blood circulation and oxygenation to the brain. Frankincense ru xiang, and myrrh mo yao can also help by improving blood circulation, especially to the joints, where the bacteria often hides in cartilaginous tissue where blood circulation tends to be poorer. An herb that is frequently used by people with Lyme Disease, teasel root, is beneficial because it improves circulation in the body and also has a warming affect. All of these herbs can help significantly with the intense and chronic pain that those with later stages of Lyme disease experience.

Certain Chinese herbs can be used to reduce the persons sensitivity to cold and improve microcirculation in the body. Herbs such as clove, cinnamon, ginger, and siegesbeckia can be useful for this purpose.

The lymphatic system and the metabolism are often compromised in people with Lyme Disease. The bacteria frequently hides inside the walls of white blood cells, and results in swollen and congested lymph glands. People with the disease often have symptoms of hypothyroidism and a slowed metabolic rate even if all of their thyroid tests are normal. In Chinese Medicine, herbs that treat phlegm are frequently used for conditions related to a slow metabolism and a congested lymphatic system. The Chinese herb, prunella vulgaris xia ku cao, and scrophularia xuan shen are very useful for inflammation, congestion, and infection of the lymphatic system. Herbs such as citrus aurantium, kelp, epimedium, and Siberian ginseng, can be beneficial for improving a sluggish metabolism in people with Lyme Disease who have signs or symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

Another aspect of Lyme Disease is severe and debilitating fatigue and a total lack of energy. This can be due to a host of different factors. Poor oxygenation and blood circulation and lowered metabolism and body temperature are part of the picture. The persons adrenal glands may not be functioning properly either. Someone with Lyme Disease may also have a host of digestive problems that result in a lack of adequate nutrition. The disease itself can trigger chemical changes in the brain that create severe depression and an inability to concentrate, which is debilitating as well.

In Chinese medicine, herbs that nourish the qi and blood can help this lack of energy. The herbs can improve the persons digestive functioning, support the functioning of the brain, support proper functioning of the adrenal glands, and improve the persons ability to handle stress. They can also help the proper functioning of the mitochondria in their production of ATP in the cells, which helps a persons energy at a very fundamental level. Siberian ginseng, schizandra, licorice, and astragalus are all good herbs for improving a persons energy level, digestive functioning, and their ability to handle stress. White peony, dong quai, and wolfberry nourish the blood and reduce fatigue. Polygonum and eucommia can help improve a persons adrenal response and can improve brain functioning. Bupleurum, longan fruit, zyzyphus seed, dragon bone, oyster shell, and magnolia bark can be beneficial for the depression, anxiety, lack of concentration, and sleep problems that people with Lyme Disease experience.

As you can see, Lyme Disease is a complex illness with many facets. Chinese herbal medicine has numerous herbs in its pharmacopia that can treat the many different aspects of this disease in a comprehensive and holistic manner.