As we walk through life each of us is longing to find our individual happiness. Happiness that simply defines our inner thought as humans and as we continue to search our individual satisfaction.
Exert your best effort to be positive in all circumstances. If you love someone or care for them.. point out their negative side and mistakes and encourage them to avoid somebody, work on becoming a mirror that reflects his true rather than mistaken image.. after all, what are the benefits of human relations if not properly invested, if the standards of happiness are not known in this world and if we were unable to win others.
Beware that possesiveness might drag or lead you to something different if you focus and allow yourself to be controlled by the essence of possesiveness. Its fine to admire someone or to love them as much as you could but more than anything your life then I bet possiveness is contolling you.
Try to be less possessive and if possible control your emotions eveytime you dwell with your opposite or some sex.
You may refer to this article I've found a while ago as to how less possessive can save you in having a healthy and much happier life. They somehow elaborated in the said article an issues that contributes possessions of man and as to how to overcome it.
Tips on Time For Parents & Guardians...
Spend Time With Your Children
One of the most important things you can do to safeguard your children is to spend time with them. None of us ever feels we have enough time to do the things we have to do much less the ones we’d like to do! But, according to the Office of National Drug Control Strategy, when strong ties are formed between children and their families, and between families and their children’s schools, children are least likely to develop drug problems.
Enhance the Quality of the Time You Spend
Children should be absolutely sure that they can count on your time with them. Set aside time when you can give your full attention to your child: family dinner hour, homework help, or once-a-week outings. Younger children need more time, although older children need regular time with you, too. And each of your children needs some time to spend with you alone, apart from brothers and sisters. Set aside together time with your children when they are younger and the habit will more likely continue as your children grow.
Three Kinds of Time
There are three kinds of time you can spend with your kids:
1. One-on-one time: Just you and your child talking, shopping, cooking, going to the playground or the park, watching TV, reading aloud, or playing a game
2. Family time: The whole family eating a meal, cleaning the house or car, hiking, making plans, reading aloud, cooking, going to a movie, or playing a game
3. Community time: Family, or you and your child, attending neighborhood or sports events or gatherings at places of worship
Share Yourselves
The whole point of spending time with your children is to share your own values, beliefs, and plans with your child. Talking with and listening to your child is one of the most important "quality time" activities you can do. And, it can happen anywhere, at any time—while folding laundry, playing a game, doing the shopping, or driving home from Grandma’s house.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Education.com
One of the most important things you can do to safeguard your children is to spend time with them. None of us ever feels we have enough time to do the things we have to do much less the ones we’d like to do! But, according to the Office of National Drug Control Strategy, when strong ties are formed between children and their families, and between families and their children’s schools, children are least likely to develop drug problems.
Enhance the Quality of the Time You Spend
Children should be absolutely sure that they can count on your time with them. Set aside time when you can give your full attention to your child: family dinner hour, homework help, or once-a-week outings. Younger children need more time, although older children need regular time with you, too. And each of your children needs some time to spend with you alone, apart from brothers and sisters. Set aside together time with your children when they are younger and the habit will more likely continue as your children grow.
Three Kinds of Time
There are three kinds of time you can spend with your kids:
1. One-on-one time: Just you and your child talking, shopping, cooking, going to the playground or the park, watching TV, reading aloud, or playing a game
2. Family time: The whole family eating a meal, cleaning the house or car, hiking, making plans, reading aloud, cooking, going to a movie, or playing a game
3. Community time: Family, or you and your child, attending neighborhood or sports events or gatherings at places of worship
Share Yourselves
The whole point of spending time with your children is to share your own values, beliefs, and plans with your child. Talking with and listening to your child is one of the most important "quality time" activities you can do. And, it can happen anywhere, at any time—while folding laundry, playing a game, doing the shopping, or driving home from Grandma’s house.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Education.com
Saudia Arabia Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
Saudi Arabia, the kingdom known for its vast oil reserves, is thinking green.
A statement from the Oil Ministry said that the government was looking into ways to get energy from a variety of sources, including nuclear, solar, and wind — all of which the kingdom hopes to be utilizing by 2020.
It's not a question of the oil running out. The government said it had 264 billion barrels of oil in reserve, enough to meet current demand for the next 80 years. However, demand is expected to increase, and so the kingdom is exploring new ways to generate electricity for itself, so it doesn't have to depend on oil, like the rest of the world. Specifically, demand now sits at about 3.2 million barrels a day. The Saudi government expects that figure to rise to 8 million barrels a day in 2028. That demand is both internal and external. The more energy the country can get from non-oil sources, the more oil would be available to sell to other countries.
Saudi government officials have been consulting with energy officials from Europe, Asia, and North America, focusing on ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels without precipitously cutting energy use. Already under way is a pilot project to make better use of solar thermal energy. One more strategy being pursued is to convert existing power plants running only on oil or only on coal into multi-use facilities.
Oil is still by far the most-used source of energy, although many countries are experimenting with other technologies to try to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Source: socialstudiesforkids.com
A statement from the Oil Ministry said that the government was looking into ways to get energy from a variety of sources, including nuclear, solar, and wind — all of which the kingdom hopes to be utilizing by 2020.
It's not a question of the oil running out. The government said it had 264 billion barrels of oil in reserve, enough to meet current demand for the next 80 years. However, demand is expected to increase, and so the kingdom is exploring new ways to generate electricity for itself, so it doesn't have to depend on oil, like the rest of the world. Specifically, demand now sits at about 3.2 million barrels a day. The Saudi government expects that figure to rise to 8 million barrels a day in 2028. That demand is both internal and external. The more energy the country can get from non-oil sources, the more oil would be available to sell to other countries.
Saudi government officials have been consulting with energy officials from Europe, Asia, and North America, focusing on ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels without precipitously cutting energy use. Already under way is a pilot project to make better use of solar thermal energy. One more strategy being pursued is to convert existing power plants running only on oil or only on coal into multi-use facilities.
Oil is still by far the most-used source of energy, although many countries are experimenting with other technologies to try to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Source: socialstudiesforkids.com
Focus on Green at Nuremberg Toy Fair
Green is the color of choice for many entries in this year's Nuremberg Toy Fair.
The popular exhibition in the central German city is a highlight for many toy manufacturers, and many of them this year are featuring toys that emphasize sustainability and renewable energy. Among the eye-catching entries is a doll house that is powered by a wind turbine and features a rainwater catcher, a toy car that runs on hydroelectric power, and a miniature space station that runs on solar power. The station, dubbed Future Planet, runs nominally on solar power but also runs on bright red "energy stones" that need to be inserted from time to time — a reminder that not all energy is plug-and-forget.
Another of the themes is toys made of "green" products, such as a toy helicopter made of bamboo. Also being discussed are sustainable methods of production and packaging.
The themes of sustainability and renewable energy are very much in discussions of the world these days, and toys can now be added to that list, especially since the Nuremberg Toy Fair is one of the largest in the world. In its 61st year, the Nuremberg event annually delivers more than 70,000 new product announcements from more than 2,500 manufacturers based in 64 countries. On offer are models, handicraft items, stuffed animals, and much more.
Source: socialstudiesforkids.com
The popular exhibition in the central German city is a highlight for many toy manufacturers, and many of them this year are featuring toys that emphasize sustainability and renewable energy. Among the eye-catching entries is a doll house that is powered by a wind turbine and features a rainwater catcher, a toy car that runs on hydroelectric power, and a miniature space station that runs on solar power. The station, dubbed Future Planet, runs nominally on solar power but also runs on bright red "energy stones" that need to be inserted from time to time — a reminder that not all energy is plug-and-forget.
Another of the themes is toys made of "green" products, such as a toy helicopter made of bamboo. Also being discussed are sustainable methods of production and packaging.
The themes of sustainability and renewable energy are very much in discussions of the world these days, and toys can now be added to that list, especially since the Nuremberg Toy Fair is one of the largest in the world. In its 61st year, the Nuremberg event annually delivers more than 70,000 new product announcements from more than 2,500 manufacturers based in 64 countries. On offer are models, handicraft items, stuffed animals, and much more.
Source: socialstudiesforkids.com
Learning Cosmetology...
Are you one of those people who wanted to lern about cosmetics? Do you wish to study cosmetology for future reference and job ventures? Well if you do then I bet Regency Beauty Institute would be a great help for you.
They are actually an institute specializes on cosmetology like hairstylist, how to apply make ups, spa's, some other related things pertaining to cosmetics and preserving once skin and defying age. This institute specifcally provides an extensive trainings on cosmetics as to how, when and why cosmetics play's a crucial role in human's lives.
IF you guys wants to know more about the and what are the services they offer aside from studying cosmetology better take sometime now to browse their site and if possible enroll your self online for you to have the best slot on studying cosmetics.
No worries if you decide to enroll at them simply because they are one the leading school on cosmetology and they hold the mission that whenever their students is graduating from their class it's well equipped with the current trends on cosmetology. So, enroll youself now and enjoy the benefits you'll gonna have while learing cosmetics! This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com or contact Regency Beauty Institute – 10217 North Metro Parkway West – Phoenix, AZ 85051
They are actually an institute specializes on cosmetology like hairstylist, how to apply make ups, spa's, some other related things pertaining to cosmetics and preserving once skin and defying age. This institute specifcally provides an extensive trainings on cosmetics as to how, when and why cosmetics play's a crucial role in human's lives.
IF you guys wants to know more about the and what are the services they offer aside from studying cosmetology better take sometime now to browse their site and if possible enroll your self online for you to have the best slot on studying cosmetics.
No worries if you decide to enroll at them simply because they are one the leading school on cosmetology and they hold the mission that whenever their students is graduating from their class it's well equipped with the current trends on cosmetology. So, enroll youself now and enjoy the benefits you'll gonna have while learing cosmetics! This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com or contact Regency Beauty Institute – 10217 North Metro Parkway West – Phoenix, AZ 85051
Travel Info: Baras Beach Resort, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Philippines
This is another little hidden resort on the western coast of Guimaras, one hour by banca from mainland Iloilo. The resort nestles in a very pretty interior bay from the midst of which jut out rocky islets. The bay is very sheltered and serves as a mooring place for yachts ad sailing boats in the region. Nothing along the coast of Guimaras gives you a clue of Bara’s existence — unless you enter the bay. The white sand beach of Baras contrasts strikingly with its mantle of luxurious green foliage teeming with bird life.
The Englishman, Peter Harper-Bill, who owns the resort with its Filipino partner Mike Araneta, lives there all year round. On a property covering 17 hectares, he constructed nine bamboo bungalows on stilts, with nipa roofs bringing to mind those in Indonesia. The cottages have the advantage of being quite detached, each perched on the coast overlooking the sea. Each has a lovely terrace but those of the family cottages are particularly impressive. The interior if the cottages is simple with wood flooring, plaited bamboo walls and basic furniture. Each has a bright, white-tiled bathroom.
The activities of Baras are all water-oriented. A fleet of boats including a banca, a catamaran and sailboat are available for rent.. though not always. (These do not belong to Peter.)
It is pleasant to sail around Guimaras, as it is a fairly large island with an area of 579 square kilometers. In the countless bays around the little coral islets, you can stop on the tiny, golden deserted beaches. Some of the areas are favorable for snorkeling.
Mountain hiking is a popular sport in Guimaras. Bikes can be rented in Baras.
How to get there:
By air, land and sea, 65-minute daily flights on PAL, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Iloilo, 15-30 minutes by car from Iloilo airport to the pier, 1 hour by banca from the pier to the resort.
The Englishman, Peter Harper-Bill, who owns the resort with its Filipino partner Mike Araneta, lives there all year round. On a property covering 17 hectares, he constructed nine bamboo bungalows on stilts, with nipa roofs bringing to mind those in Indonesia. The cottages have the advantage of being quite detached, each perched on the coast overlooking the sea. Each has a lovely terrace but those of the family cottages are particularly impressive. The interior if the cottages is simple with wood flooring, plaited bamboo walls and basic furniture. Each has a bright, white-tiled bathroom.
The activities of Baras are all water-oriented. A fleet of boats including a banca, a catamaran and sailboat are available for rent.. though not always. (These do not belong to Peter.)
It is pleasant to sail around Guimaras, as it is a fairly large island with an area of 579 square kilometers. In the countless bays around the little coral islets, you can stop on the tiny, golden deserted beaches. Some of the areas are favorable for snorkeling.
Mountain hiking is a popular sport in Guimaras. Bikes can be rented in Baras.
How to get there:
By air, land and sea, 65-minute daily flights on PAL, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Iloilo, 15-30 minutes by car from Iloilo airport to the pier, 1 hour by banca from the pier to the resort.
Getting Your Child to Help Out Around the House
As a toddler, your child may have been be eager to help you with everything, even when you did not want the help! Now that same toddler is older and is far less excited about helping out around the house and has her own busy schedule of extracurricular activities, homework, and friends. Although your child may not be thrilled about doing chores, giving her the responsibility will build her self-confidence and remind her that she is a contributing member of your family.
Tips for getting your child to chip in
* Make sure the chores you have your child do are safe and age-appropriate. If you would like your child to do a chore alone, make sure that is possible. For example, do not send a young child to take the trash outside by herself. If your young child cannot complete a chore by herself, you can do it together to help her learn until he is able to do it alone.
* Start young. Starting from when your child is in preschool, give him easy chores to do to get him in the habit of helping out and being responsible. For example, your 5 year-old can help clear the table, or even put away his own clothes.
* Make your expectations clear and acknowledge hard work. Given that the purpose of chores is to help your child gain self-confidence, you want to make sure your child feels like she was successful in completing her chores. Try not to be too hard to please, or your child will be far less likely to want to help out in the future. Let your child know when the chore needs to be completed by, acknowledge that she has competed it, and let her know you appreciate her help by saying thank you. Try to avoid money as a reward for chores. Some children receive allowance each week or each month, but it is best not to make this a payment for chores done as children may begin to feel entitled to payment for any favor you ask of them, and the other values in doing chores might be lost. An occasional pizza or movie night at the end of the week or month to celebrate might be a good way to acknowledge chores being done.
* Make a family chore list. This will serve as a reminder to everyone of responsibilities, it will help your child know what is expected, and it can also be satisfying for him to ‘check off’ the chore when it has been completed. Mixing in a new and different chore once and a while can help keep your child interested in helping out. If you have more than one child, you could try rotating the chores on a regular schedule so each child is doing different chores each week. Also, try not to assign chores based on gender stereotypes. Anyone can help out with loading the dishwasher or taking out the trash.
By: OneToughJob - Education.com
Tips for getting your child to chip in
* Make sure the chores you have your child do are safe and age-appropriate. If you would like your child to do a chore alone, make sure that is possible. For example, do not send a young child to take the trash outside by herself. If your young child cannot complete a chore by herself, you can do it together to help her learn until he is able to do it alone.
* Start young. Starting from when your child is in preschool, give him easy chores to do to get him in the habit of helping out and being responsible. For example, your 5 year-old can help clear the table, or even put away his own clothes.
* Make your expectations clear and acknowledge hard work. Given that the purpose of chores is to help your child gain self-confidence, you want to make sure your child feels like she was successful in completing her chores. Try not to be too hard to please, or your child will be far less likely to want to help out in the future. Let your child know when the chore needs to be completed by, acknowledge that she has competed it, and let her know you appreciate her help by saying thank you. Try to avoid money as a reward for chores. Some children receive allowance each week or each month, but it is best not to make this a payment for chores done as children may begin to feel entitled to payment for any favor you ask of them, and the other values in doing chores might be lost. An occasional pizza or movie night at the end of the week or month to celebrate might be a good way to acknowledge chores being done.
* Make a family chore list. This will serve as a reminder to everyone of responsibilities, it will help your child know what is expected, and it can also be satisfying for him to ‘check off’ the chore when it has been completed. Mixing in a new and different chore once and a while can help keep your child interested in helping out. If you have more than one child, you could try rotating the chores on a regular schedule so each child is doing different chores each week. Also, try not to assign chores based on gender stereotypes. Anyone can help out with loading the dishwasher or taking out the trash.
By: OneToughJob - Education.com
Valentine's Gift!
Yikes! Valentines is about to come. Do you got a dinner date already? How about valentines gift for your special someone of for your Mom? Well, no worries 'cause you still have alot of time to prepare for the upcoming event. Make sure that you set it up on the best date you think is ideal to celebrate it. Though its nice to celebrate it on February 14 but if this would be some kind of hectic sked for you then consider some date which is absolutely perfect for you and for your partner.
Don't forget to buy gold bullion as your valentines gift for her/him. Though its not really necessary to buy a gift for your partner on the said occassion but its ideal to have one simply because its a season to fully celebrate your love for each other as well as a thanks giving for the fruitfull year you had spent for one another.
So, if you guys are planning to have a great dinner date on Valentines Day don't forget to prepare ahead of time. Better set it up now as Feb. 14 will be next week already. Mind you, your partners are waiting for something interesting on the said day. Enjoy the season...
Don't forget to buy gold bullion as your valentines gift for her/him. Though its not really necessary to buy a gift for your partner on the said occassion but its ideal to have one simply because its a season to fully celebrate your love for each other as well as a thanks giving for the fruitfull year you had spent for one another.
So, if you guys are planning to have a great dinner date on Valentines Day don't forget to prepare ahead of time. Better set it up now as Feb. 14 will be next week already. Mind you, your partners are waiting for something interesting on the said day. Enjoy the season...
Travel Info: Amingo Terrace Hotel, Iloilo City, Philippines
The Amingo Terrace Hotel located in the town center of Iloilo, is a large modern 5-story building which, when viewed from the exterior, seems very ordinary. You are agreeably surprised, therefore, when you enter and discover the elegant reception area with its gleaming marble floor, large comfortable rattan sofas and antique pieces. A beautiful flower arrangement adds a touch of color and gaiety to the place.
The reception area opens onto the slightly elevated restaurant-bar. Cafe Chichirico. Here, the decor is warm and pleasant with beautiful rattan or wrought iron furniture, green plants in large jars and little bouquets of flowers on the tables. A grand piano stands in the corner.
A large staircase leads to the rooms on the 4th and 5th floors but you can also go up using elevator.
The interior are very comfortable with soft wall-to-wall carpeting and bamboo furniture, but the decor is simpler than that of the reception area. The rooms are bright because of the bay windows. The superior deluxe rooms, slightly more expensive, are a better choice as they are more spacious and include such facilities as a minibar and a coffee maker.
Situated in the heart of Iloilo’s tourist and business district, and a mere 10 minute drive from the airport, our 100-room hotel sits on an exhilarating lobby shopping center platform on the 1st and 2nd floor. Ideal for business and leisure, banks, shops, entertainment center and commercial establishments are at our doorsteps.
How to get there
By air and land, 65-minute daily flights on PAL, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Iloilo. Ten minutes by car from Iloilo airport to the hotel.
The reception area opens onto the slightly elevated restaurant-bar. Cafe Chichirico. Here, the decor is warm and pleasant with beautiful rattan or wrought iron furniture, green plants in large jars and little bouquets of flowers on the tables. A grand piano stands in the corner.
A large staircase leads to the rooms on the 4th and 5th floors but you can also go up using elevator.
The interior are very comfortable with soft wall-to-wall carpeting and bamboo furniture, but the decor is simpler than that of the reception area. The rooms are bright because of the bay windows. The superior deluxe rooms, slightly more expensive, are a better choice as they are more spacious and include such facilities as a minibar and a coffee maker.
Situated in the heart of Iloilo’s tourist and business district, and a mere 10 minute drive from the airport, our 100-room hotel sits on an exhilarating lobby shopping center platform on the 1st and 2nd floor. Ideal for business and leisure, banks, shops, entertainment center and commercial establishments are at our doorsteps.
How to get there
By air and land, 65-minute daily flights on PAL, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Iloilo. Ten minutes by car from Iloilo airport to the hotel.
Phobias
A phobia is an intense and unrealistic fear brought on by an object, event, or situation, which can interfere with the ability to socialize, work, or go about everyday life.
Description
Almost all children develop specific fears at some age. Sometimes the fear is a result of a particular event, but some fears arise on their own. Many fears are associated with certain age groups. Very young children (through age two) tend to fear loud noises, strangers, large objects, and being away from their parents. Preschoolers often have imaginary fears, such as monsters who might eat them, strange noises, being alone in the dark, or thunder. School-age children have concrete fears, such being hurt, doing badly in school, dying, or natural disasters. When the child is afraid of something past the age at which it is normal, when the fear interferes with the child's ability to function normally, then the fear ranks as a phobia.
Phobias belong to a large group of mental problems known as anxiety disorders that include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Phobias themselves can be divided into three specific types:
* specific phobias (formerly called simple phobias, most common in children)
* social phobia
* agoraphobia (not common in children)
Specific phobias
As its name suggests, a specific phobia is the fear of a particular situation or object, for example, flying on an airplane or going to the dentist. Found in one out of every 10 Americans, specific phobias seem to run in families and are roughly twice as likely to appear in women. If the person rarely encounters the feared object, the phobia does not cause much harm. However, if the feared object or situation is common, it can seriously disrupt the person's everyday life. Common examples of specific phobias, which can begin at any age, include fear of insects, snakes, and dogs; escalators, elevators, and bridges; high places; and open spaces. Children often have specific phobias that they outgrow over time, and they can learn specific fears from adults or other children around them, or even from television.
Social phobia
People with social phobia have deep fears of being watched or judged by others and being embarrassed in public. This may extend to a general fear of social situations. They may be more specific or circumscribed, such as a fear of giving speeches or of performing (stage fright). More rarely, people with social phobia may have trouble using a public restroom, eating in a restaurant, or signing their name in front of others. Young children often have a fear of strangers that is quite normal; social phobia is not usually diagnosed until a child reaches adolescence and has crippling fears that interfere with normal function.
Social phobia is not the same as shyness. Shy people may feel uncomfortable with others, but they do not experience severe anxiety, they do not worry excessively about social situations beforehand, and they do not avoid events that make them feel self-conscious. On the other hand, people with social phobia may not be shy; they may feel perfectly comfortable with people except in specific situations. Social phobias may be only mildly irritating, or they may significantly interfere with daily life. It is not unusual for people with social phobia to turn down job offers or avoid relationships because of their fears.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the intense fear of being trapped and having a panic attack in a public place. It usually begins between ages 15 and 35 and affects three times as many women as men or approximately 3 percent of the population.
An episode of spontaneous panic is usually the initial trigger for the development of agoraphobia. After an initial panic attack, the person becomes afraid of experiencing a second one. People are literally fearful of fear. They worry incessantly about when and where the next attack may occur. As they begin to avoid the places or situations in which the panic attack occurred, their fear generalizes. Eventually the person completely avoids public places. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia can no longer leave their homes for fear of experiencing a panic attack.
Demographics
Approximately one person in five (18 percent) of all Americans experience phobias that interfere with their daily lives. Almost all children experience some specific fears at some point, but not many rise to the level of phobia or require professional treatment.
Causes and symptoms
Experts do not really know why phobias develop, although research suggests the tendency to develop phobias may be a complex interaction between heredity and environment. Some hypersensitive people have unique chemical reactions in the brain that cause them to respond much more strongly to stress. These people also may be especially sensitive to caffeine, which triggers certain brain chemical responses.
Advances in neuroimaging have also led researchers to identify certain parts of the brain and specific neural pathways that are associated with phobias. One part of the brain that was as of 2004 being studied is the amygdala, an almond-shaped body of nerve cells involved in normal fear conditioning. Another area of the brain that appears to be linked to phobias is the posterior cerebellum.
While experts believe the tendency to develop phobias runs in families and may be hereditary, a specific stressful event usually triggers the development of a specific phobia or agoraphobia. For example, someone predisposed to develop phobias who experiences severe turbulence during a flight might go on to develop a phobia about flying. What scientists do not understand is why some people who experience a frightening or stressful event develop a phobia and others do not.
Social phobia typically appears in childhood or adolescence, sometimes following an upsetting or humiliating experience. Certain vulnerable children who have had unpleasant social experiences (such as being rejected) or who have poor social skills may develop social phobias. The condition also may be related to low self-esteem, unassertive personality, and feelings of inferiority.
A person with agoraphobia may have a panic attack at any time, for no apparent reason. While the attack may last only a minute or so, the person remembers the feelings of panic so strongly that the possibility of another attack becomes terrifying. For this reason, people with agoraphobia avoid places where they might not be able to escape if a panic attack occurs. As the fear of an attack escalates, the person's world narrows.
While the specific trigger may differ, the symptoms of different phobias are remarkably similar: feelings of terror and impending doom, rapid heartbeat and breathing, sweaty palms, and other features of a panic attack. People may experience severe anxiety symptoms in anticipating a phobic trigger. For example, someone who is afraid to fly may begin having episodes of pounding heart and sweating palms at the mere thought of getting on a plane in two weeks.
When to call the doctor
A doctor, mental health professional, or counselor should be consulted when irrational fears interfere with a child's normal functioning.
Diagnosis
A mental health professional can diagnose phobias after a detailed interview and discussion of both mental and physical symptoms. Children are often less able to accurately describe their symptoms or discuss their fears, and so should be encouraged to talk about them with parents. Social phobia is often associated with other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse.
Treatment
People who have a specific phobia that is easy to avoid (such as snakes) and that does not interfere with their lives may not need to get help. When phobias do interfere with a person's daily life, a combination of psychotherapy and medication can be quite effective. Medication is used less often in young children, but more frequently in older children or adolescents with severe phobias and associated depression. While most health insurance covers some form of mental health care, most do not cover outpatient care completely, and most have a yearly or lifetime maximum.
Medication can block the feelings of panic and, when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be quite effective in reducing specific phobias and agoraphobia.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy adds a cognitive approach to more traditional behavioral therapy. It teaches individuals how to change their thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes, while providing techniques to lessen anxiety, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and refocusing.
One cognitive-behavioral therapy is desensitization (also known as exposure therapy), in which people are gradually exposed to the frightening object or event until they become used to it and their physical symptoms decrease. For example, someone who is afraid of snakes might first be shown a photo of a snake. Once the person can look at a photo without anxiety, he might then be shown a video of a snake. Each step is repeated until the symptoms of fear (such as pounding heart and sweating palms) disappear. Eventually, the person might reach the point where he can actually touch a live snake. Three-fourths of affected people are significantly improved with this type of treatment.
Another, more dramatic, cognitive-behavioral approach is called flooding. It exposes the person immediately to the feared object or situation. The person remains in the situation until the anxiety lessens.
Several drugs are used to treat specific phobias by controlling symptoms and helping to prevent panic attacks. These include anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium). Blood pressure medications called beta blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), appear to work well in the treatment of circumscribed social phobia, when anxiety gets in the way of performance, such as public speaking. These drugs reduce over-stimulation, thereby controlling the physical symptoms of anxiety.
In addition, some antidepressants may be effective when used together with cognitive-behavioral therapy. These include the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and fluvoxamine (Luvox).
In all types of phobias, symptoms may be eased by lifestyle changes, such as the following:
* eliminating caffeine
* cutting down on alcohol
* eating a good diet
* getting plenty of exercise
* reducing stress
Treating agoraphobia is more difficult than other phobias because there are often so many fears involved, such as fear of open spaces, traffic, elevators, and escalators. Treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy with antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Paxil and Zoloft are used to treat panic disorders with or without agoraphobia.
Prognosis
Phobias are among the most treatable mental health problems; depending on the severity of the condition and the type of phobia, most properly treated people can go on to lead normal lives. Research suggests that once a person overcomes the phobia, the problem may not return for many years, if it returns at all. Children most often outgrow their specific phobias, with or without treatment.
Untreated phobias are another matter. In adults, only about 20 percent of specific phobias go away without treatment, and agoraphobia gets worse with time if untreated. Social phobias tend to be chronic and are not likely go away without treatment. Moreover, untreated phobias can lead to other problems, including depression, alcoholism, and feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Therefore, specific phobias that persist into adolescence should receive professional treatment.
A group of researchers in Boston reported in 2003 that phobic anxiety appears to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) in males, although as of 2004 it is not known whether phobias cause PD or simply share an underlying biological cause.
While most specific phobias appear in childhood and subsequently fade away, those that remain in adulthood often need to be treated. Unfortunately, most people never get the help they need; only about 25 percent of people with phobias ever seek help for their condition.
Prevention
There was, as of 2004, no known way to prevent the development of phobias. Medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy may help prevent the recurrence of symptoms once they have been diagnosed.
Nutritional concerns
Unless a phobia involves fear of eating a needed food, there are no nutritional concerns associated with phobias.
Parental concerns
Parents should be observant to ensure that unusual fears or phobias do not interfere in the lives of their children. Parents should recognize that a child's fears are real, and encourage the child to talk about his or her feelings, without trivializing the fear. Parents should be sympathetic, but not allow the child to avoid situations in which the child must encounter the feared object or events. If a school-age child has fears that interfere with the child's education, ability to make friends, or participate in other normal activities, a professional should be consulted.
KEY TERMS
Agoraphobia—Abnormal anxiety regarding public places or situations from which the person may wish to flee or in which he or she would be helpless in the event of a panic attack.
Benzodiazepine—One of a class of drugs that has hypnotic and sedative action, used mainly as tranquilizers to control symptoms of anxiety. Diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are all benzodiazepines.
Beta blockers—The popular name for a group of drugs that are usually prescribed to treat heart conditions, but that also are used to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety and phobias, such as sweating and palpitations. These drugs, including nadolol (Corgard) and digoxin (Lanoxin), block the action of beta receptors that control the speed and strength of heart muscle contractions and blood vessel dilation. Beta blockers are also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents and antiadrenergics.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors—A type of antidepressant that works by blocking the action of a chemical substance known as monoamine oxidase in the nervous system.
Neuroimaging—The use of x-ray studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect abnormalities or trace pathways of nerve activity in the central nervous system.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—A class of antidepressants that works by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, thus raising the levels of serotonin. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).
Serotonin—A widely distributed neurotransmitter that is found in blood platelets, the lining of the digestive tract, and the brain, and that works in combination with norepinephrine. It causes very powerful contractions of smooth muscle and is associated with mood, attention, emotions, and sleep. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression.
Social phobia—An anxiety disorder characterized by a strong and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which the individual might feel embarrassment or humiliation.
By L. Fallon, Jr., MD, DrPH - The Gale Group - Education.com
Description
Almost all children develop specific fears at some age. Sometimes the fear is a result of a particular event, but some fears arise on their own. Many fears are associated with certain age groups. Very young children (through age two) tend to fear loud noises, strangers, large objects, and being away from their parents. Preschoolers often have imaginary fears, such as monsters who might eat them, strange noises, being alone in the dark, or thunder. School-age children have concrete fears, such being hurt, doing badly in school, dying, or natural disasters. When the child is afraid of something past the age at which it is normal, when the fear interferes with the child's ability to function normally, then the fear ranks as a phobia.
Phobias belong to a large group of mental problems known as anxiety disorders that include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Phobias themselves can be divided into three specific types:
* specific phobias (formerly called simple phobias, most common in children)
* social phobia
* agoraphobia (not common in children)
Specific phobias
As its name suggests, a specific phobia is the fear of a particular situation or object, for example, flying on an airplane or going to the dentist. Found in one out of every 10 Americans, specific phobias seem to run in families and are roughly twice as likely to appear in women. If the person rarely encounters the feared object, the phobia does not cause much harm. However, if the feared object or situation is common, it can seriously disrupt the person's everyday life. Common examples of specific phobias, which can begin at any age, include fear of insects, snakes, and dogs; escalators, elevators, and bridges; high places; and open spaces. Children often have specific phobias that they outgrow over time, and they can learn specific fears from adults or other children around them, or even from television.
Social phobia
People with social phobia have deep fears of being watched or judged by others and being embarrassed in public. This may extend to a general fear of social situations. They may be more specific or circumscribed, such as a fear of giving speeches or of performing (stage fright). More rarely, people with social phobia may have trouble using a public restroom, eating in a restaurant, or signing their name in front of others. Young children often have a fear of strangers that is quite normal; social phobia is not usually diagnosed until a child reaches adolescence and has crippling fears that interfere with normal function.
Social phobia is not the same as shyness. Shy people may feel uncomfortable with others, but they do not experience severe anxiety, they do not worry excessively about social situations beforehand, and they do not avoid events that make them feel self-conscious. On the other hand, people with social phobia may not be shy; they may feel perfectly comfortable with people except in specific situations. Social phobias may be only mildly irritating, or they may significantly interfere with daily life. It is not unusual for people with social phobia to turn down job offers or avoid relationships because of their fears.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the intense fear of being trapped and having a panic attack in a public place. It usually begins between ages 15 and 35 and affects three times as many women as men or approximately 3 percent of the population.
An episode of spontaneous panic is usually the initial trigger for the development of agoraphobia. After an initial panic attack, the person becomes afraid of experiencing a second one. People are literally fearful of fear. They worry incessantly about when and where the next attack may occur. As they begin to avoid the places or situations in which the panic attack occurred, their fear generalizes. Eventually the person completely avoids public places. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia can no longer leave their homes for fear of experiencing a panic attack.
Demographics
Approximately one person in five (18 percent) of all Americans experience phobias that interfere with their daily lives. Almost all children experience some specific fears at some point, but not many rise to the level of phobia or require professional treatment.
Causes and symptoms
Experts do not really know why phobias develop, although research suggests the tendency to develop phobias may be a complex interaction between heredity and environment. Some hypersensitive people have unique chemical reactions in the brain that cause them to respond much more strongly to stress. These people also may be especially sensitive to caffeine, which triggers certain brain chemical responses.
Advances in neuroimaging have also led researchers to identify certain parts of the brain and specific neural pathways that are associated with phobias. One part of the brain that was as of 2004 being studied is the amygdala, an almond-shaped body of nerve cells involved in normal fear conditioning. Another area of the brain that appears to be linked to phobias is the posterior cerebellum.
While experts believe the tendency to develop phobias runs in families and may be hereditary, a specific stressful event usually triggers the development of a specific phobia or agoraphobia. For example, someone predisposed to develop phobias who experiences severe turbulence during a flight might go on to develop a phobia about flying. What scientists do not understand is why some people who experience a frightening or stressful event develop a phobia and others do not.
Social phobia typically appears in childhood or adolescence, sometimes following an upsetting or humiliating experience. Certain vulnerable children who have had unpleasant social experiences (such as being rejected) or who have poor social skills may develop social phobias. The condition also may be related to low self-esteem, unassertive personality, and feelings of inferiority.
A person with agoraphobia may have a panic attack at any time, for no apparent reason. While the attack may last only a minute or so, the person remembers the feelings of panic so strongly that the possibility of another attack becomes terrifying. For this reason, people with agoraphobia avoid places where they might not be able to escape if a panic attack occurs. As the fear of an attack escalates, the person's world narrows.
While the specific trigger may differ, the symptoms of different phobias are remarkably similar: feelings of terror and impending doom, rapid heartbeat and breathing, sweaty palms, and other features of a panic attack. People may experience severe anxiety symptoms in anticipating a phobic trigger. For example, someone who is afraid to fly may begin having episodes of pounding heart and sweating palms at the mere thought of getting on a plane in two weeks.
When to call the doctor
A doctor, mental health professional, or counselor should be consulted when irrational fears interfere with a child's normal functioning.
Diagnosis
A mental health professional can diagnose phobias after a detailed interview and discussion of both mental and physical symptoms. Children are often less able to accurately describe their symptoms or discuss their fears, and so should be encouraged to talk about them with parents. Social phobia is often associated with other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse.
Treatment
People who have a specific phobia that is easy to avoid (such as snakes) and that does not interfere with their lives may not need to get help. When phobias do interfere with a person's daily life, a combination of psychotherapy and medication can be quite effective. Medication is used less often in young children, but more frequently in older children or adolescents with severe phobias and associated depression. While most health insurance covers some form of mental health care, most do not cover outpatient care completely, and most have a yearly or lifetime maximum.
Medication can block the feelings of panic and, when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be quite effective in reducing specific phobias and agoraphobia.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy adds a cognitive approach to more traditional behavioral therapy. It teaches individuals how to change their thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes, while providing techniques to lessen anxiety, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and refocusing.
One cognitive-behavioral therapy is desensitization (also known as exposure therapy), in which people are gradually exposed to the frightening object or event until they become used to it and their physical symptoms decrease. For example, someone who is afraid of snakes might first be shown a photo of a snake. Once the person can look at a photo without anxiety, he might then be shown a video of a snake. Each step is repeated until the symptoms of fear (such as pounding heart and sweating palms) disappear. Eventually, the person might reach the point where he can actually touch a live snake. Three-fourths of affected people are significantly improved with this type of treatment.
Another, more dramatic, cognitive-behavioral approach is called flooding. It exposes the person immediately to the feared object or situation. The person remains in the situation until the anxiety lessens.
Several drugs are used to treat specific phobias by controlling symptoms and helping to prevent panic attacks. These include anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium). Blood pressure medications called beta blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), appear to work well in the treatment of circumscribed social phobia, when anxiety gets in the way of performance, such as public speaking. These drugs reduce over-stimulation, thereby controlling the physical symptoms of anxiety.
In addition, some antidepressants may be effective when used together with cognitive-behavioral therapy. These include the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and fluvoxamine (Luvox).
In all types of phobias, symptoms may be eased by lifestyle changes, such as the following:
* eliminating caffeine
* cutting down on alcohol
* eating a good diet
* getting plenty of exercise
* reducing stress
Treating agoraphobia is more difficult than other phobias because there are often so many fears involved, such as fear of open spaces, traffic, elevators, and escalators. Treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy with antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Paxil and Zoloft are used to treat panic disorders with or without agoraphobia.
Prognosis
Phobias are among the most treatable mental health problems; depending on the severity of the condition and the type of phobia, most properly treated people can go on to lead normal lives. Research suggests that once a person overcomes the phobia, the problem may not return for many years, if it returns at all. Children most often outgrow their specific phobias, with or without treatment.
Untreated phobias are another matter. In adults, only about 20 percent of specific phobias go away without treatment, and agoraphobia gets worse with time if untreated. Social phobias tend to be chronic and are not likely go away without treatment. Moreover, untreated phobias can lead to other problems, including depression, alcoholism, and feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Therefore, specific phobias that persist into adolescence should receive professional treatment.
A group of researchers in Boston reported in 2003 that phobic anxiety appears to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) in males, although as of 2004 it is not known whether phobias cause PD or simply share an underlying biological cause.
While most specific phobias appear in childhood and subsequently fade away, those that remain in adulthood often need to be treated. Unfortunately, most people never get the help they need; only about 25 percent of people with phobias ever seek help for their condition.
Prevention
There was, as of 2004, no known way to prevent the development of phobias. Medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy may help prevent the recurrence of symptoms once they have been diagnosed.
Nutritional concerns
Unless a phobia involves fear of eating a needed food, there are no nutritional concerns associated with phobias.
Parental concerns
Parents should be observant to ensure that unusual fears or phobias do not interfere in the lives of their children. Parents should recognize that a child's fears are real, and encourage the child to talk about his or her feelings, without trivializing the fear. Parents should be sympathetic, but not allow the child to avoid situations in which the child must encounter the feared object or events. If a school-age child has fears that interfere with the child's education, ability to make friends, or participate in other normal activities, a professional should be consulted.
KEY TERMS
Agoraphobia—Abnormal anxiety regarding public places or situations from which the person may wish to flee or in which he or she would be helpless in the event of a panic attack.
Benzodiazepine—One of a class of drugs that has hypnotic and sedative action, used mainly as tranquilizers to control symptoms of anxiety. Diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are all benzodiazepines.
Beta blockers—The popular name for a group of drugs that are usually prescribed to treat heart conditions, but that also are used to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety and phobias, such as sweating and palpitations. These drugs, including nadolol (Corgard) and digoxin (Lanoxin), block the action of beta receptors that control the speed and strength of heart muscle contractions and blood vessel dilation. Beta blockers are also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents and antiadrenergics.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors—A type of antidepressant that works by blocking the action of a chemical substance known as monoamine oxidase in the nervous system.
Neuroimaging—The use of x-ray studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect abnormalities or trace pathways of nerve activity in the central nervous system.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—A class of antidepressants that works by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, thus raising the levels of serotonin. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).
Serotonin—A widely distributed neurotransmitter that is found in blood platelets, the lining of the digestive tract, and the brain, and that works in combination with norepinephrine. It causes very powerful contractions of smooth muscle and is associated with mood, attention, emotions, and sleep. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression.
Social phobia—An anxiety disorder characterized by a strong and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which the individual might feel embarrassment or humiliation.
By L. Fallon, Jr., MD, DrPH - The Gale Group - Education.com
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