ScienceDaily (2009-03-22) — Researchers have discovered that convulsive seizures in a form of severe epilepsy are generated, not on the brain’s surface as expected, but from within the memory-forming hippocampus. The scientists hope that their findings — based on a mouse model of severe epilepsy — may someday pave the way for improved treatments of childhood epilepsy, which affects more than two percent of children worldwide.
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ScienceDaily (2009-03-21) — Romance does not have to fizzle out in long-term relationships and progress into a companionship/friendship-type love, a new study has found. Romantic love can last a lifetime and lead to happier, healthier relationships.
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“Anxiety” – a term that enters our lives more and more via television, radio or newspapers and magazines. Even the overuse of this word can cause uneasiness or increase one’s worries. But what is anxiety anyway and how can we manage it?
The psychological state of mind characterized by unpleasant feelings such as fear, excessive worries and dread is called anxiety. Although it seems there’s nothing to be desirable about it, anxiety’s influence upon our lives can be both positive and negative. How can that be? We start from the point where we accept that anxiety is a part of our lives, our normal lives. It is a reaction to stress that enables us to deal with difficult situations and avoid danger. Basically it helps us cope with tense situations, such as exams, public speeches, problems at work. This is the positive anxiety, which comes into action when real danger or problems occur. When the state of fear and dread is present even in the absence of external dangerous stimuli, we talk about a “negative anxiety” that can influence our daily activities. Being constantly afraid and worried, thinking about all the bad things that could happen and letting this thoughts escalade into unrealistic fears: these are the main characteristics of a person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder or GAD. Usually, these persons also present the symptoms of other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder (often panic attacks), post traumatic stress disorder, phobias or depression.
The cause of generalized anxiety disorder is not exactly known, but studies have shown that factors like genetics, brain chemistry or environment can influence the development of the disorder. Regarding genetics, this means that the tendency to develop GAD can be transmitted in families. Lack of balance in the levels of neurotransmitters can cause messages in the brain not to travel properly, which may also mean the appearance of anxiety. As for the environmental factors, they include traumatic events, sudden changes in life, the loss of a loved one, the use or withdrawal of addictive substances (such as nicotine or alcohol). All of these can worsen the symptoms of anxiety.
Who can suffer from generalized anxiety disorder?
Basically, anyone can develop an anxiety disorder but it is more likely for it to begin during childhood or adolescence and it’s more common in women than men.
When to ask for professional help?
Worrying and feeling overwhelmed in certain moments of our lives is perfectly normal. However, if symptoms like excessive worry, unrealistic fears, palpitations, insomnia, nightmares or recurrent episodes of panic attacks persist and interfere with your everyday activities, a therapist can guide you to discover the root and help you in order to overcome these unpleasant moments. One should also know that anxiety in its various forms affects an increasing number of subjects every year and that talking to your medical doctor or therapist about it means a huge step towards regaining your happy life.
Depending on the root of the anxiety, different methods of treatment can be used. If the cause is a physical one (Example: Overactive thyroid gland), it is important to eliminate the ailment. When the cause is psychological, it is very important to discover the factors that produce the symptoms and try to control them. For example, if we are talking about anxiety attacks that occur rarely, before an exam or a public speech, the treatment can involve relaxation techniques, positive thinking or other methods, things that you can do on your own, at home. If the cause is a deeper one, the symptoms persist for a long time (usually over 6 months) and your daily activities are disturbed by them, cognitive-behavioral therapy or other type of psychotherapy can provide the needed support. Changing the irrational thoughts and beliefs that maintain the unrealistic fears will ameliorate the symptoms. Medication is also used in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
One of the most important steps in order to manage anxiety and diminish the influence it has upon a person’s life is to recognize the symptoms and seek professional help.
And keep in mind that you also have the power to choose the feelings you will have. So why plunge into unpleasant thoughts when there is a huge pool with positive ones just waiting for you?
Article by Lucia Grosaru
ScienceDaily (2009-03-15) — A piece of the brain’s hypothalamus is key to animals’ fear of territorial rivals and predators, according to a new study. Without it, animals lose all sense of caution.
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For more information please visit this link:
The European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP)
