Herbal Remedies For ADHD - The Safer Alternative To Standard ADHD Medications

Today, herbal remedies for ADHD are becoming ever more popular as parents and professionals move away from using the accepted ADHD medications routinely prescribed. Many parents have heard about the side effects that ADHD drugs can produce and are more than familiar with the controversy surrounding these medications. They choose to look into the possibility of using a more natural approach to treating the symptoms of the disorder. Of course this begs the question, are natural remedies better than standard ADHD medications and do they really work?

What you may not know is that using natural medicines for the treatment and management of the symptoms of ADHD is not new. In fact, these treatments have been used for many, many years. Today the world has become a lot more health conscious. We are aware of what we put into our bodies and as such, we gravitate toward anything purporting to be natural. It goes without saying, however, that just because something is natural in origin it does not automatically follow that it is entirely safe or not harmful.

When it comes to herbal remedies for ADHD versus standard ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall, for example, one must bear in mind that drugs do not work for every single child. For some children the symptoms are actually worsened or intensified. The reason for this is the side effects associated with those drugs. Whereas there are some children who tolerate the side effects well, others do not. The list of side effects associated with prescription ADHD medications is long and varied. They range from stomach upsets and headaches to seizures and death! Obviously, a concerned parent does not want to impair their child's well being by exposing them to side effects like these if they can be avoided. Aside from the side effects that the child might experience one also has to consider the undeniable fact that we have no idea what the long-term effects of these drugs will be. Consider the fact that the children being medicated in this way actually have developing brains and we cannot know what the effects will be.

When it comes to natural remedies, on the other hand, there are no side effects to worry about. They do take a bit longer to build up in the child's system and so the benefits are not soon seen. Rather than merely suppressing the symptoms of the disorder, the natural remedies actually provide nutrition for the brain, which in turn results in it functioning at a better level. Hyperactivity is calmed, aggression is reduced, impulsivity is diminished, nerves are eased, etc. The child is able to function better and so enjoy a better quality of life.

Another important thing to consider when it comes to herbal remedies for ADHD is whether they will negatively interact with the ADHD drugs your child might currently be taking. Ideally, the child should be weaned off the standard medicines while they are introduced to the natural alternatives; however, you should consult with your child's doctor before you take your child off the drugs they are currently taking. A very positive thing to note about natural remedies revolves around the fact that they provide the nutrients that the developing brain requires, so there is a strong possibility that the child will be able to stop taking them in the future and still enjoy the improvements and benefits provided by them.

Naturally, you need to be sure that the natural remedy you choose has been FDA approved and is safe for your child. Whether you choose an herbal remedy or some other form of natural approach, it can only be made even more effective if coupled with a healthy and balanced diet. ADHD children need a diet that is high in protein and fish. You can find out more about the efficacy of ADHD diets by doing a little research on the subject. Certain foods should be included in your child's daily diet, while others should be excluded.

Would like more information about herbal remedies for ADHD? Would you be interested in discovering more about a natural homeopathic remedy that will help you to treat ADHD safely and without the risk of harmful and disturbing side effects? If so, please visit my website at: http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/. From V K Rajagopalan, supporter of natural healthy living.

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Tutoring Options for ADHD Students

Does your child complain of headaches and tummy aches on school days? Does he or she refuse to show you report cards or test papers? These early signs suggest that your child is having academic difficulties - which are not uncommon among children with ADHD. It's often a struggle for them to keep up with the pace of their classes, especially if they have problems sustaining their attention. It's important that you be aware of your child's problems at schools and give him or her the help needed.

Not sure if your child needs extra help with schoolwork? Watch out for these signs:

Your child works hard, but his or her grades keep slipping.Your child feels anxious and nervous before tests.Your child's homework is frequently incorrect or incomplete, no matter how much time he or she spends doing it.Your child is no longer a straight A student; his or her report card is dotted with C's and D's.Your child is no longer interested in learning. The teacher reports that your child never pays attention in class or that your child's behavior disrupts the class.

If you think your child has a problem, it's important to take action as soon as you can. Once your child fails to keep up, he or she will stop trying, and the risk of repeating a year or dropping out of school increases. Here's what you can do.

Meet with the teacher

Begin by setting an appointment with the teacher. Find out what subjects your child has trouble with, what your child's academic strengths are, and his or her current class standing. Does your child need to polish some basic skills, or is the problem due to a newer topic he or she can't understand? Ask if the teacher can help your child master a few basics; if not, consider getting a tutor.

Tutoring options

Hiring a private tutor can be expensive, but there are ways to get help for free. Most schools have free after- or before-school tutoring sessions, thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001. Some public libraries also have volunteers who help students with homework or research after school.

If these resources aren't available to you, you can hire a private tutor or enroll your child in a learning center. The best tutors are often found through word-of-mouth, so ask for recommendations from parents or teachers.

Tutorial services are also available online. Options include real-time live tutoring over an instant messenger or video chat, correspondence tutoring via email, or time-monitored tutoring that charges a certain fee for a fixed number of hours.

Lastly, don't overlook the best tutor your child can possible get - you! If you have the time, knowledge, and patience to tutor your child, do so. Not only will your knowledge of your child's ADHD make it easier for you to break lessons down in ways he or she can understand; it's a great opportunity to spend some quality time together.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

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Fun Games To Play To Improve Memory Can Take on Many Forms

People can learn much easier when they are having fun. In fact, the majority of the animal kingdom teach their young the skills needed to survive through games. So when you want to learn something, getting some fun in would be a tremendous help. Enhancing your memory can also be said to be a learning experience, so looking for games to play to improve memory can be an efficient way to boost brainpower. Because they can be created from anything, games that improve memory can take on many forms, from simple to incredibly creative.

Video and Computer Games

Computer games, especially the more complex ones, can actually help a person's visual and spatial awareness. They can also be great settings for games to play to improve memory. For instance, a number of video games like first person shooter games or world-building games require you to keep track of the map and the places you have been, as well as your companions if you are in a multi-player game. The more complex PC or console games require that you memorize a set of keys to make the character act in particular ways, and many of the missions or quests require brains to solve and complete. Who would have thought that these games would actually help your brain improve? It's definitely not an excuse to cut school though.

Card Games and More

There are many games to play to improve memory that are not video games or digital. Card games are one of the simplest. The pair matching card game, for instance is something you can accomplish with a normal card deck. There are also more than a few toys that can help you improve memory. The classic electronic game called Simon is an example. Simply by visiting the nearest toy store, you can choose from quite a selection. The best thing is that you can invite friends over to play these games with you if you don't want to play along. They can also be great games to bond over with family.

Fun, Fun, and More Fun

Looking for games to play to improve memory is not that hard, but you can also create your own games easily and with themes of your choice. The more you play and have fun, the more you will realize that you are remembering more than before. The thought of improving memory while doing the things you do for fun is quite a deviation from normal schooling to learn things, isn't it? To learn, try not to think of what you are doing as learning, but as entertainment and a chance to do something enjoyable. In less time than you might think, you will stop worrying about forgetting the names of your new acquaintances or the places where you put your car keys.

One of the most effective ways of improving your memory is to buy Procera AVH. It is a brain power supplement made from safe natural ingredients designed to improve memory function. Alison Benjamin has read extensively about memory loss and suggests that anyone wanting to improve their memory try Procera AVH.

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What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Narcissists are people who are extremely egocentric or self-centered. They are obsessed with their personal abilities and physical appearances. They have this strong belief that they are superior to other individuals. Consequently, their self-esteem is easily threatened by negative feedbacks from other people. Narcissists hardly accept criticisms because they feel being overpowered by others. Likewise, they are close-minded about the idea of being defeated. When the previously mentioned behaviors become persistent and cause distress to a person's social life during adulthood, they become components of the condition called narcissistic personality disorder.

People with narcissistic personality disorder are indeed highly competent. Their self-confidence contributes enormously in every success they achieve in life. They are self-assured that they are versatile and capable of doing anything. They view themselves as extremely admirable and important beings. However, behind this self-confidence is a bunch of insecurity. Narcissists feel humiliation and self-inadequacy when someone overshadows their abilities.

The cause of narcissistic personality disorder remains unknown. However, various researchers had determined contributory factors from childhood that might have lead to the development of this disorder.

1. Oversensitive persona during childhood

A person with narcissistic personality disorder exhibits an oversensitive character during childhood. This type of person easily becomes very emotional.

2. Too much praise for professed outstanding appearance or abilities of the child by the adults

Adults have the tendency to over praise a child with outstanding appearance or looks. As a result, this child develops the feeling of superiority against others. Apart from this, the sense of supremacy triggers the child's manipulative and dominant behavior. However, commending the child's outstanding appearance or abilities has positive consequence as well, which is building up the child's self-confidence. On the other hand, excessive admiration can be a risk of making the child arrogantly confident. This is considered another factor that could possibly result to narcissistic personality disorder.

3. Unrealistic feedback on behaviors

Adults may excessively honor positive conducts or excessively condemn negative conducts of a child. This makes the child oversensitive to criticisms. The fear of receiving negative comments encourages the child to continue the good behaviors. However, the child might consider any negative feedback as threat to his/her self-esteem.

4. Being overvalued by parents

In general, parents give great value to their child. In fact, the happiness and satisfaction of their child is usually their top priority. However, parents may become overprotective and overly generous sometimes. They have the habit of providing more than what their child desires. In the same way, they have the passion on making their child feel much secured. Consequently, being too much valued by parents may result to the child's selfish behavior. The child ends up considering himself/herself more excessively important than other people. This is also evident on individuals with narcissistic personality disorder.

The childhood behaviors that might be developed from the abovementioned factors could be considered normal depending on the child's age. However, such behaviors must be retained during childhood only. If they are still possessed by the person until adulthood and had severely affected the person's social life, then the person might have developed narcissistic personality disorder. There are no laboratory examinations to diagnose this disorder. On the other hand, mental health experts had developed a tool to categorize mental illness, including narcissistic personality disorder.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Personality Disorder Test.

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Introduction to Meditative Painting

Basic Difference between a Painting and a Sketch

The fundamental difference between a painting and a sketch is that a painting is lead by the colors, while a sketch is lead by the shapes. It is more linearly correct to start to learn how to paint first, and then to move on to sketching - as color is primal to shape. To illustrate this fact, let us take a new born baby as an example. The baby begins to see first of all colors; starting with black and white shades. It is only later that that baby begins to see and to recognize, shapes and forms. Taking the above as a basic understanding, it can be seen as "incorrect" to paint a painting that is led by shapes, as is popular in modern art, for this is actually a colorful sketch, but it is not lead by color.

A Philosophical Point of View

Western culture and society has a tendency to consolidate and formulate very quickly. Things are given a shape and definition, pretty much as soon as possible. This habit helps to establish a feel of order and of being in control. This tendency also applies in education, where children are guided in this direction. Asking a small child "what do you want to do when you grow up?" or "what is your favorite food or color?", and other such questions, helps to establish a defining characteristic, develop a personality and establish specific likes and dislikes.

While it is completely natural that each person has personal preferences, as well as an ego, it seems that they are being emphasized and glorified. This attitude may seem supported and even beneficial, but it is actually based on a lack of trust or on excessive ambition.

On the other hand, cultures that are more receptive, in essence, have an indifferent approach towards one's individuality; where personal preferences are minimized. This leaves room for change and growth, and also facilitates the ability to go beyond personal boundaries and limitations.

What does all this have to do with painting?

"Correct" painting, so to say, can only happen or be expressed when the colors are allowed to lead, letting them express the specific shapes and themes that arise from their interaction. When the artiest or the practitioner is not imposing themselves, nor trying to take control, real art can take place.

As adults, this sort of work is not easy to us, as we are unfamiliar with being receptive. Most likely, we have always been encouraged to be "pussy" and to give things direction. Painting in a receptive or a meditative way is really a process of surrender, of learning and of going into the unknown.

For more information, please refer to our websites: Kodaikanal Yoga Center and Meditative Art School.

Shir Har-Lev teaches Yoga and Meditative Art at Meditative Art School and Kodaikanal Yoga Center, combining physical and inner work.

For the past ten years she has been practicing yoga and meditation as a way of life, living and studying in ashrams that focus on Yoga and Vedanta (Indian philosophical wisdom). Shir is also a professional designer and artist, exploring and developing the field of Meditative Art, both theoretically and by working with natural materials.

Her new the book "Meditative Art - Theory and Practice" is coming out shortly.

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ADHD Diet: Brainy Breakfasts

Healthy breakfasts are a critical component of any ADHD diet, especially for school-age kids with a busy day ahead of them. Eating breakfast allows your child to replenish the energy stores depleted during sleep and start the day with a full tank of fuel. Letting your child go to school on an empty stomach will only aggravate his or her ADHD symptoms. As his or her body draws fuel from its own energy reserves, the stress hormones that harness this energy can leave your child feeling lethargic, irritable, and unable to focus or behave. Of course, not all breakfasts are good for ADHD kids. Read on to find out the best types of breakfasts that fuel the ADHD brain.

What makes a brainy breakfast?

You may already be familiar with neurotransmitters - the chemical messengers that send signals to different parts of the brain to control behavior and mood. But are you aware that neurotransmitter activity is affected by food? Two proteins have the strongest effect on neurotransmitters - the calming protein called tryptophan, and the energetic neurostimulant tyrosine, which boosts dopamine and norepinephrine. A good breakfast for an ADHD child should have an equal balance of both proteins - tryptophan-rich foods to keep your child's energy levels in check, and energy-boosting tyrosine-rich foods to prime the brain for a day of learning. Foods high in tryptophan include red meat, dairy, and soy products, while tyrosine-rich foods include avocados, bananas, and legumes.

Provide a protein-rich breakfast

When preparing a healthy breakfast, it's important to note the ratio of proteins to carbohydrates, and ratio of tryptophan to tyrosine. The best way to jump-start the brain is to eat a low-carbohydrate meal with tyrosine foods; serve meat, dairy, and eggs with a side of whole wheat bread or fruit. On the other hand, high-carbohydrate low-protein meals relax the brain to the point of lethargy or sleepiness. Avoid serving chocolate, pasta, and seeds until dinnertime, when you want your child to unwind.

Watch out for sugary carbs

The classic American breakfast of cereal and milk may be easy to prepare, but it's one of the worst meals an ADHD child can start the day with - especially if the cereal comes in different colors and flavors. These cereals are rich in refined sugar, which enter the bloodstream quickly and boost energy levels a little too soon. The sugars get used up by the body as your child's energy skyrockets and once they're gone, the blood sugar levels go on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, affecting concentration and mood. Not to mention that such junk cereals are chock-full of artificial additives, which have are known to cause ADHD.

Instead of cereal, give your child complex carbohydrates like fruit sugars and starch. These are slow-burning carbs that provide a steady stream of energy without causing the rapid changes in mood and behavior.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

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Symptoms of Memory Loss: Forgetfulness

Have you experienced drifting off in the middle of your statement because you suddenly forgot what you were about to say? How about missing a very special occasion because you failed to remember what date it is? Have you constantly been failing in your exams because you tend to not recall the things you reviewed the night before? This can often be considered a natural occurrence but did you know that among the symptoms of memory loss, forgetfulness is among those that manifest first?

Not all people are very concerned about memory loss. Forgetfulness is usually considered as a petty thing because many people believe that it is fine to not remember things once in a while. It is true that forgetting things is not really that alarming but if you tend to get into trouble because it happens to you a lot, you better take notice because it could be that there is something more serious going on.

There are several reasons that can bring about forgetfulness including old age, brain-related illnesses, head injuries, drug abuse, too much consumption of alcohol, depression or stress, being administered with general anesthesia, brain tumors and hysteria or seizures. In these instances, there are some factors that hinder the brain from functioning properly, leading to poor memory retrieval and retention. However, there are cases that you just begin to not remember things because a lot of your brain cells have already died bringing along with them those precious memories. It is true that brain cells or nerves would eventually die but you can do something to prolong their life and make you remain as sharp as during your prime years.

Keeping your brain active - If you always keep your brain engaged in stimulating activities, it will become more alert, which would lead to better absorption and retention of new information. When you regularly train it to recover old memories, it will become more focused, which would trigger it to have better recall of old events you did not know were still in your memory bank.

Keeping your body active - When you work out, you are increasing the circulation of blood in your body and as a result, more oxygen is carried on to the brain, which is essential for it to function excellently.

Eating the right food - There are nutrients present in certain foods that can stimulate the brain. Foods like nuts, oats and most fruits and vegetables are very good sources of such nutrients that can enhance your mental ability.

You have a fight against memory loss; forgetfulness can be avoided if you will just make an effort to do something about it such as heeding the above tips.

You can win over forgetfulness and prevent memory loss if you know the strategies and techniques that can help in memory boosting. Learn about them when you visit http://www.improveyourmemorycentral.com/.

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Fitting In and the Development of the Self

Many people have anxiety about fitting in. What this means varies with each person and may mean being liked, accepted, acceptable, or some version of what you think will be attractive and pleasing to the other. From this point of view, fitting in requires that you try to be just like the members of the group you want to fit into. Probably, you will put aside your own needs and desires and accede to the wishes of others. It can feel risky to express your thoughts and feelings. The anxiety of fitting in uses up a lot of energy as one works so hard at going along with what it seems others want. In fact, when so much time is spent trying to shape yourself to what others are like, you don't have the time or perhaps the conscious desire, to develop your own unique self. As a result, there is little opportunity to develop what YOU think and feel.

The experience of not fitting in can have a serious impact on how you think about yourself. Trying to make sense of the experience can lead to the question: what is wrong with me? Why doesn't anyone want to hang out with me? Trying to figure out the answer to that question can lead to ruminating and obsessive thinking with a focus on your negative thoughts and feelings. A fear of rejection further erodes your self concept and increases anxiety about reaching out to others.

If you feel badly about yourself and are timid about letting people you wish to be with see who you are, the chances of being ignored or not seen are increased. This can affect your self esteem and self confidence and become part of a vicious circle that prevents you from reaching out to others. When you feel badly and vulnerable to rejection it makes sense that you will be cautious about revealing who you are. When you do this, you are not present for others to relate to. As a consequence, the timid, anxious person will likely end up feeling rejected even if there are no negative feelings directed toward them.

When one can be a fuller person with their own ideas, thoughts and feelings, a person who can express their wishes and desires and say what they want and express what they are feeling, then there is an individual to react to. While the reaction can be negative, the chances that there will be a real dialogue and interpersonal connection are increased. You are no longer seen as invisible and will be reacted to for better or worse. This means your have to learn what you want, think, and feel and become more willing to express yourself. It also means that your have to tolerate the possibility that someone will not wish to include you in their social circle. If this can be tolerated, the chances of developing one's self and then a social network that welcomes you, is vastly increased.

Dave came to see me for psychotherapy because he was feeling depressed and lonely. Dave had graduated from college two years before and felt he couldn't make friends or feel like anyone was interested in hanging out with him. In college, he had a few people he would do things with, but he never felt they reached out to him or that they cared one way or another about being with him. Dave told me that he would observe them carefully to try and figure out what they liked and what was important to them so he could be like them. He thought that might get them to be more interested in him. This didn't seem to work in college and it wasn't working with people he met through work. There were a couple of people he socialized with on occasion now, but not very frequently. He couldn't figure out why they weren't more responsive to him since he tried so hard to please them. For example, he knew they liked baseball so he bought tickets and told them he had gotten them for free and would they like to go to a game? They accepted, but that didn't make them more sociable with him. He tried to organize people getting together at a bar he overheard them saying they liked and a few people from work did show up. But he knew this same group went out to bars and never invited him.

Dave couldn't figure out what he was doing wrong and why people didn't respond more positively to him: "I try to do all the things I think they will like, but no one ever invites me anywhere." I asked Dave what things he would invite them to that are of interest to him, not them.

He looked puzzled by my question and then said "I guess I don't know. I never really thought about what I want or like. It has always seemed that the way to be liked and to get people interested in me was to do what they liked or be like them." I pointed out to Dave that this wasn't working. I also asked him if there had ever been a time in his life when this did seem to work.

Dave thought a while and said he thought in the first years of elementary school, he had some friends. He recalled being worried that nobody wanted play dates with him. He also remembered his mom telling him that if he wanted the other kids to want to be with him, he would have to do the things they wanted to do. Dave remembered that he loved to draw and paint and do art related projects, but his school friends were into action figures and sports. He said his mom encouraged him to put away his art stuff and get more involved in the activities his friends enjoyed. He did this for a number of years, but by fifth grade, even though he kept trying to figure out what his peers liked to do, they seemed less interested in him. I asked him what he enjoyed doing in the later grades of elementary school. He couldn't remember any interests after stopping his art work. He said he never thought about what he wanted to do. He just kept trying to figure out what to be interested in so his peers would want to be with him.

I could see that Dave had developed a pattern where he had been neglecting the development of his self. He was not familiar with his own thoughts, feelings and desires. It is hard to feel good about oneself, to feel self confidence and self worth, when one has not developed their own unique self. Dave needed to allow himself to discover his unique self and begin to cope with the anxiety of revealing that self to the world. As he did this, I believed he would find that people would be responding to him in positive ways and would wish to develop social relationships with him. When this occurred, I felt that Dave's depression would lesson and he would develop greater self esteem and self confidence.

©Copyright 2011 by Beverly Amsel, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

I have been a psychotherapist in private practice for over 25 years and work with adult as well as older adolescent individuals. My practice includes group therapy, couples therapy and marriage counseling. I specialize in a wide range of issues including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, relationship and marriage problems. I have a particular interest in working with people who have concerns about individuating from their families. I work with problems about intimacy and developing long-term relationships, separation anxiety, parenting, creative blocks, empty nest syndrome, chronic pain and family and work conflicts.

Although the idea of starting therapy can be scary, it can also be exciting. Therapy is a process of discovery about you which can help you create the life and relationships that really work. It is a process where I help you to talk and learn about your thoughts and feelings. As we focus on the issues you bring to therapy, our talks will affect the ways in which you relate to the world and the impact the world has on you.

My clinical approach is not based on one particular theory. I don't see what I do as "one size fits all." As I get to know you, the theoretical approach or approaches I take will evolve from our work together. I recognize and respect how different we all are. This means I make a particular effort to work without judgment.

I work in my office on the Upper West Side of New York and I do sessions by phone for those people who travel or are not in New York.

You can learn more from my website: http://www.beverlyamselphd.com/

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My Journey Into Darkness

It has been my personal observation that most of us don't have a clear idea regarding how to manage our stress. My tools from early high school were positive thinking and just being tough. I felt do whatever I set out to do and could get through any difficult circumstance. I would not allow myself to get angry. I did not even know what the emotion of anxiety was. No one could hurt me.

I now recall, as I am writing this, that my first wife while I was dating her in medical school, used to refer to me as "the brick". I could put a wall around anything. I knew at the time from her perspective it was not complimentary. However, I took it somewhat as a perverse compliment.

Every summer and breaks though medical school I worked in the construction field. I spent most of the time framing, pouring and finishing concrete slabs, and doing some finish carpentry. One summer afternoon I was framing on a hot day in Napa valley. I had not had much sleep the night before. It was one on my personal challenges to consistently sink a 16-penny nail with two swings of the hammer and occasionally one. I was bent over holding a stud against the floor plate. I took a full swing with my 28-ounce framing hammer. On the way down it glanced off an upright piece of plastic plumbing. The hammer landed squarely on my left thumb. My boss was standing about ten feet to my right. The pain was so intense I almost passed out. I stood up, looked at my mangled thumb from the serrations on the hammer, wrapped it up in a rag, and went back to work without a word. My boss thought I was out of my mind. In retrospect I probably was. I was really tough.

Being tough, however, in the big picture of life does not yield a full satisfying life and there is a price to pay. Being tough is actually a variant of positive thinking. I will discuss later in detail that positive thinking is not a good solution to life's stresses. It is similar to pushing a rock up an endless hill. Eventually, you just get worn out. It is particularly true in the presence of chronic pain.

With the combination of positive thinking, suppressing negative thinking, and being programmed that material possessions will make us happy we become focused on the positive side of stress management. We either don't or choose not to look at the open drain of anxiety and anger.

In 1988, I started to go into a depression, although I did not recognize it at the time. By 1990, I started to develop severe anxiety reactions that progressed into full-blown panic attacks. I partially pulled out of it around 1993 but under severe stress, I relapsed around early 1996. By 1997, I had progressed into full obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is the ultimate anxiety disorder. By 2001 I was seriously suicidal. I did not survive the ordeal because I had any ray of hope. My darkness was complete. I had two physician friends whose fathers had committed suicide during their teenage years and their lives were severely impacted. I simply made a decision not to abandon my son. By 2003 I had pulled out of it in a dramatic way and I have been given a second chance at a life at a level that I could not visualize prior to that time. Everything I am sharing with you I have learned through an extremely harsh experience.

I feel strongly that if I had been taught these stress management principles in high school or college, that my life would have been dramatically different. They do represent a dramatic paradigm shift and I am committed to helping you make that shift.

David A. Hanscom, M.D., is an orthopedic spine surgeon. His focus is on the surgical treatment of complex spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis. Other conditions he treats include degenerative disorders, fractures, tumors, and infections of all areas of the spine. He has expertise with those who have had multiple failed surgeries. As many revision procedures are complicated he works with a team to optimize nutrition, mental approach, medications, physical conditioning, and overall health as part of the process. Surgery at our deformity center is always performed the context of a sustained pre and postoperative rehabilitation program. http://www.drdavidhanscom.com/

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