What could Forgiveness do for you??

If we are anything alike, you have a garage or attic or basement full of junk--old clothing that doesn’t fit or that are outdated, boxes of children's toys, papers you'll never need or even look at again. We possess sentimental attachments to things that are just taking up space.Perhaps these things are holding you back, they are not. They are surely weighing you down, if not mentally, perhaps expressively. But unless you have a problem with 'collecting' or being a pack rat, then the stuff in your attic might not be that big a deal.Similar to your attic or garage, your mind stores things for you. You've got your memories and knowledge and emotions, you've got images of the best times in your life and remembrances of the gloomy times.I'm going to show you a way to abandon this junk through the simple act of forgiveness.The point of forgiveness is not to help the other person that you're forgiving (although it probably will). The purpose of forgiveness is not to make you an improved person (although it probably will). And the reason of forgiveness is not to make you right with God (although if you believe that it will, it probably will help).Forgiveness has the potential to take away the obstacles that are holding you back plus stopping you from achieving your dreams. By clearing out the unconscious, you figuratively get rid of a huge chunk of negativity.
This is the law of attraction that has become popular recently but has been around forever. You are what you focus on. It's that easy.When we center on the hard parts, the bitterness and challenges, then all day, every day, we bring hard parts, bitterness and challenges. We're here on earth, I think, to gain knowledge from this school called planet earth that we're cable of manifesting precisely what we want in life.Let's split up our unconscious mind into sections and let's say that we can group together every one of our troubles, our problems, our bitterness, our resentments, all into one part of our unconscious. For sake of argument, let's say we've completed that now.What percentage of your unconscious is being consumed by that psychological trash?If we take all of this anger and bitterness and we give it a value in our unconscious mind... Well like; let's say that there is 5% down inside there someplace, even 1%. How would that concern you? It's like Chinese water torture. It's a trickle, trickle, trickle, pain, pain, pain, anguish, anguish, constant problems dripping, dripping, never stopping. If we could somehow root that out, get rid of it, and as a substitute, focus on our universes, what would our life become?

Good Food for Good Mood

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf was on to something: food - and our relationship to it - is our sustenance, our lifeblood. It has the potential to be a source of nourishment and wellbeing or, as is the case for many people, a source of angst and unhappiness.Last month, I wrote about sugar and its impact on our mood, cravings, attention, and energy. I know, based on your notes to me, that many of you resonated with my thoughts, and that many of you struggle with sugar cravings, sugar crashes, and sugar conflicts of your own.This month, I want to extend that conversation to talk in general terms about food and how it affects our biochemistry (mood, cravings, attention, energy, etc. . .). It has become clearer and clearer to me as a therapist and a certified health counselor that everything we eat has a powerful effect on our lives. No, not just our weight (which is what most of us focus on), but on how we feel physically AND emotionally. MORE

Teens And Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are rampant in our society. The more you understand, the better you can cope yourself or help a friend, family member, or loved one! Please forward to friends and family!

Thanks,

Dr. Alice

Mike Herman
As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if you are twenty years of age or older today, you know that the teenage years are full problems, peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure and images from the media, as well as the strong desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most common among teenagers. 1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people think of eating disorders as something that affects girls and young women who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to to loss some weight. While most people only think anorexia and bulimia when it comes to eating disorders, there are less well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person's life. 2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone, middle aged women and even men. It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the United States are affected with some kind of eating disorder. While those with disorders come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. Most disorders first become evident during adolescence and can develop in young children and pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors report eating disorders among men is increasing, it seems to be most common with athletes who want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they are vulnerable to developing a disorder. 3. These disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder. 4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions. These health problems include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases. 5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder. Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com
If you find yourself or anyone around you suffering from an eating disorder and want to know more about the true fact of eating disorders, click on over to Mike Herman's site www.4HealthConcerns.com/EatingDisorders to get my newsletter and FREE ebook in regards to eating disorders to help you and your loved ones.

5 "don'ts" in a relationship

There are many things that can get wrong or from bad to worse in a relationship... it is depressing how many couples split-up because of stupid reasons. If you have the slightest feeling that your relationship is in jeopardy or if you inquire what went wrong in ex-relationships, take a look at the list below.

There are 5 "don'ts" in a relationship.

1. Betrayal of the partner

Absolutely unforgivable-you have seen couples that break up because of this, even families. It is hard to forgive and forget, broken pieces stay broken, this is life.

2. Being a private eye

If you check on your partner continuously, visit unannounced... he/she will get tired of the relationship. Everybody wants freedom, a private space, friends... Love means trust and respect, it is not funny on scrutiny all the time, do not act as a detective, act as a lover.

3. Lack of emotional support and attention

In a relationship mutual support and attention are essential. We are humans and we crave for being with our loved one, for better and for worse... when it doesn’t happen we feel lonely and rejected. If you have such a problem, deal with it, do not avoid it. Stay close to one another.

4. Too many fights

Let’s face it, in every relationship there are fights. Believe it or not, specialists say they clarify things, but do not dramatize, or raise your voice or offend.
Things clarify themselves if you have patience.
In a relationship, when it comes to fights silence is golden and too many of them ruin what you both have built with love and care.

5. Boredom and lack of spontaneity

Do not let boredom to step in, be creative and spontaneous. Think of common hobbies, activities that make both of you happy.
If love is in the air, every day would be a celebration of your relationship.
Even a ride in the park on rollers can be fun, or going to a movie, exhibition, disco, party.

Before doing anything that can affect your relationship, meditate a bit. Is it worth doing it and ending up alone?

Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com


Linda Jones MyLove Agency Dating Service www.myloveagency.com

New information on the Mind and Mood

Thoought you all might enjoy this article!

Dr. Alice

Myths About Mind and Mood Revealed
Mental Health Misperceptions Abound, Psychiatric Experts Say
By LAUREN CAHOONABC News Medical Unit
March 6, 2008 —
For some people, the idea of a mind or mood disorder conjures up visions of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" -- odd characters talking to themselves or spontaneously shouting out nonsense.
The reality is, mind and mood disorders are no different from any physical health problem. They are real, they are treatable and ordinary people can suffer from them.
Hundreds of expert answers to common questions on mind and mood can be found at the ABC News OnCall+ Mind and Mood section, here.
"While we don't always feel comfortable talking about the subject, mind and mood disorders are very common in the U.S.," said ABC News medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson.
Currently in the United States, about one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mind or mood disorder each year. In fact, 14.8 million American adults suffer from depression and 5.7 million suffer from bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Despite the fact that mind and mood disorders are a timeless and widespread problem, stigma and misunderstanding still surround the conditions.
Johnson discussed some common misconceptions and myths on mind and mood disorders on ABC's "Good Morning America" today.
To help contribute to the growing understanding and awareness of mental illness, make sure you know what's true and what's not when it comes to your mind and mood.
Fact or Myth? "I'm in my twenties -- I don't have to worry about getting depression until later in life."
Answer: Myth
Actually, those who are in early adulthood do need to watch out for depression.
"The age of first onset of depression is far younger than we used to believe," said Myrna Weissman, a psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and a participant in the OnCall+ Depression resource section of ABCNEWS.com.
"Major depression has the highest risk of developing between the ages of 15 and 34," Weissman said.
This finding goes against the common school of thought -- that middle-age adults and women going through menopause are most at risk of developing the disease.
However, several large-scale studies found that the most common period of life for depression to develop was the beginning of adulthood, not the middle of it.
Weissman noted that depression can still set in at any age, however.
"There are some people who first get depressed when they're elderly, and they have no history of depression," she said. "And oftentimes there is some other underlying biological cause of that."
In general. people of every age should look out for the tell-tale signs of depression -- ongoing sadness and anxiety, changes in sleep and eating habits -- and seek out professional help.
Fact or Myth? Bullying increases a child's risk of depression.
Answer: Fact
"Bullying is a form of early life trauma," said Charles Nemeroff, a psychiatrist at Emory University and expert for the ABC News OnCall+ Depression section.
While bullying has long been viewed as an inevitable trial of childhood, it can pose significant harm to children who are on the receiving end.
"Bullying not only increases risk for psychiatric disorders including depression in adulthood," said Nemeroff, "but also clearly increases risk for suicide."
In one study of New York state high school students, 9 percent of the students surveyed reported that they were victimized frequently, and the National Institutes of Health reported that bullying affects more than 5 million students in grades six to 11, with one out of seven students reporting being victimized.
Because bullying is such a widespread and potentially harmful behavior, parents should look out for bullying problems and be quick to intervene.
Fact or Myth? Babies born in the winter are more likely to have bipolar disorder.
Answer: Possibly a fact
Although this may sound like an old wives' tale, there may be some truth to the idea that the season in which a child is born contributes to his or her mental health.
"There have been some reports that adults with bipolar disorder are more likely to have been born in the winter than in the summer, spring or fall months," said Kiki Chang, director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders program at Stanford and an expert for ABC News' OnCall+ Bipolar Disorder section.
According to current theories, a type of virus triggers the disorder in people who already have a genetic predisposition toward bipolar disorder. People are more likely to contract the virus during the winter months -- and thus, more winter babies end up with bipolar disorder. Similar research on schizophrenia has also cropped up.
"However one has to be careful when interpreting that kind of data," Chang said. "It doesn't mean that if you were born in the winter you're more likely to develop bipolar disorder. ... The risk that you have by being born in the winter does not increase it greatly enough to be clinically significant."
Fact or Myth? Shock treatment is an outdated and barbaric treatment for mood disorders.
Answer: Myth
Shock treatment -- also known as electroconvulsive therapy -- might evoke horrific scenes from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but the reality is quite different.
"Electroconvulsive therapy has been around since the 1930s and is one of our oldest treatments for depression," said William McDonald, a psychiatrist with the Emory Clinic and participant in ABC News' OnCall+ Depression section.
"And the reasons it's lasted this long is that it's one of the most effective treatments for depression -- particularly for people with depression that haven't responded to the typical medications," McDonald said.
The treatment functions by stimulating the brain to release the same types of transmitters that are released by antidepressant medication. The difference is that electroconvulsive therapy works faster -- a patient can get well in a week rather than the six to eight weeks it would take for medication to take effect.
"Electroconvulsive therapy is also used [on] patients who have tried multiple different medications and not responded very well," McDonald said. He also noted that the therapy can be used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
While it sounds like this therapy would do a number on your brain, "no study to my knowledge has ever shown that you can get permanent brain damage from this treatment if it's used safely," said McDonald.
The biggest side effect is short-term memory loss and doctors will adjust the treatment to deal with that problem, if it happens.
Fact or Myth? The richer you are, the more likely you are to become bipolar.
Answer: Myth
At one point, bipolar disorder seemed to be a disease of the rich and well-to-do; wealthy people were diagnosed with it much more frequently.
As it turns out, more dollars in the bank will not directly give you a mood disorder.
"[It's] likely an artifact of individuals with ... greater economic resources being able to obtain appropriate psychiatric diagnosis and treatment," said William Gilmer, a psychiatrist with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and expert featured on ABC News' OnCall+ Bipolar Disorder resource site.
Gilmer said that poorer people just can't afford to get the right treatment -- and are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Frequently, these undiagnosed or misdiagnosed people end up being incarcerated due to their untreated behavior, whereas a wealthy person with the same condition would get appropriate treatment.
Fact or Myth? If I treat my bipolar disorder, I will lose my creativity.
Answer: Myth
While there is an association between artistic careers and bipolar disorder, it doesn't mean that the condition is the wellspring of creativity.
"While artists may be more likely to suffer from bipolar illness than perhaps certain other groups," Gilmer said, "it could be because the illness in and of itself leads individuals to select work environments [that are] more tolerant of the erratic behaviors or the inconsistency that can go along with the illness."
Gilmer also pointed out that the disorder can harm a person's career potential -- scores of people have lost opportunities and jobs because of the disruptive symptoms of their illness.
"I think the danger is to romanticize a possible association of bipolar illness and creativity," Gilmer said. "In fact, recent studies have demonstrated that treating bipolar illness in no way decreases a person's creative productivity, and in fact will enhance or may increase their productivity."
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures

Changes are in the air at Crescent Hill Counseling

When I first moved into my new office at 2720 Frankfort Avenue, there was an art gallery across the hall. Now that is gone and I basically have the whole building to myself!! Hooray!! As a result, I am hoping to get my healing music classes going again because we can drum and tone and chant and now worry about disturbing anyone.

If you're interested in incorporating music therapy into your current treatment plan, let me know and we'll find a way to do it! Hope to see you soon.

BTW, I'm doing lots of weekend and evening appts. Everything is still by appt though. Just call 502-419-1698.

Alice

Privacy and Confidentiality

Are you considering coming to counseling? Are you at all concerned about confidentiality? My office is in the same building as an art gallery, on the same floor. Walking in and out of that door could just as easily be from visiting the art gallery. If you're suffering from depression, anxiety, marital/couple issues, addictions of any kind or grief and loss issues, please give me a call at 419-1698. I am accepting new patients during Spring of 2008. Most insurances accepted!