Wise words for parents of ADHD children

Dr. John Breeding, professor, author and Ph.D. psychologist, calmly discusses Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the decade's diagnosis-du-jour, in this YouTube video. ADHD is the diagnosis that results in the medicating of millions of children who are prescribed mood-altering psychiatric drugs in the United States every year.

He has some wise words for parents and other adults concerned about their children's behavior: look at these children not as strange or pathological but as talented, energetic and zestful. He also says:

"Your child needs you to be relaxed and confident."

And:

"Remember to see your child through the eyes of delight."

Breeding is author of the "The Wildest Colts Make the Best Horses" and frequently speaks out about the overuse of psychiatric medication. His site offers an alternative perspective to the bio-psychiatric industry, and to the millions of psychotropic prescriptions written for children and adults.

Although there certainly is value in psychiatric medications, I tell the people who I work that that they should be first resort only in a dire emergency and more frequently, last resort -- after counseling, lifestyle changes and serious self exploration -- when there is no emergency. Breeding speaks for the natural, built-in ways of psychological healing and maintains that with attention and adequate resources anyone can reemerge from even the greatest distress and most extreme states of mind.

What we eat affects our mental health too

Eat Right Racine gave a beautiful gift to our community on Wednesday night – the chance to learn about healthy food.

This a very important project for our community. Congratulations to the three energetic women with the vision to put this program together and the many, many others who lent their time and skills.

What we consume not only affects the quality of our physical health, it also affects the quality of our mental health. It has now been shown that foods and beverages impact our brain and nervous system and ability to learn and retain information – as well as our memory and our ability to think clearly. We can also experience depression, anxiety, mood swings, PMS, and addictive cravings related to what we eat and drink.

For more information, see Elizabeth Somer’s newly updated Food and Mood: The Complete Guide To Eating Well and Feeling Your Best and Barbara Stitt’s Food and Behavior: A Natural Connection who actually relates certain foods to criminal behavior.

I suggest both books to my clients who come with depression and anxiety and don’t want to start with medications to address their mood swings or cravings. Also, check out Eat Right Racine for more ways to learn and get involved.

Publishers Weekly said this about Somer’s book:

"What at first glance would appear to be yet another look at the relationships of food with emotional state is, instead, an extremely well-researched probe of what a good diet can mean to both body and mind. Somer, editor of Nutrition Report, dispels many of the myths about specific foods and diet patterns, putting in their place scientific studies showing the links between mood and diet. Among the topics she discusses are food cravings, stress and diet, food allergies and intolerances, eating disorders, premenstrual syndrome and how food can affect sleep patterns. More than 100 tables, charts and worksheets help readers evaluate their diets and make appropriate changes. Menus and recipes are also included, and the need for supplements is discussed. Readers will appreciate Somer's no-nonsense style and the absence of contrived anecdotes to make important dietary points. Although some may find that the book gets off to a slow start, those who stick with it will find a valuable nutritional sourcebook."

12 reasons why people don't have health care

I was pleased to participate in Friday’s noon march and rally for health care changes in Racine. (See picture at top originally published in the Racine Post with accompanying story.) There are many reasons why people are not able to receive quality health care. As a practicing health care professional, I have observed and discussed all of these reasons:

They have lost their jobs, due to plant closings, business layoffs, downsizing and other factors relating to our current economy.

They have depended on receiving benefits from a spouse’s health care plan and the spouse has lost his or her job due to plant closings, business layoffs, downsizing and other factors relating to our current economy.

They have a job, but it does not provide health care benefits. They must pay for all health benefits out of pocket.

They are in transition – just graduated from high school or college, for instance, and are hunting for a job. Or they may have moved with a spouse to a new area and are still job hunting. Or they may have moved home to care for the needs of an elderly relative which they consider their unpaid “job.”

They have depended on receiving benefits from a spouse’s health care plan, and the spouse is abusive (physically, emotionally, sexually) to themselves, their children or both. They must leave the relationship to maintain their safety, sanity or their lives. Once they are divorced, benefits are no longer available.

They have health care benefits but the insurance policy has a very high deductible ($4,000 or more) and they cannot use any benefits until that annual deductible is met.

They have health care benefits but cannot afford the fees that are out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pay charges, medication charges and the like.

They have health care benefits but the benefits are very limited and do not cover certain procedures or kinds of care. Strangely enough, one benefit that is not covered by some insurance policies is treatment for nicotine addiction, which as we know, brings or exacerbates multiple serious physical health problems – high blood pressure, heart attacks, respiratory difficulties and the like.

Their health care plan does not provide for pre-existing conditions. This means that if you have a medical problem which exists at the time you enroll in or purchase your health insurance, the insurance company will deny all claims pertaining to this medical problem for a certain period of time. In other words, a person facing an emergency situaton may have to wait 12 to 18 months to receive treatment -- at which time the siutuation could deteriorate.

Certain parts of their health care plan are limited to a specific number of sessions, perhaps just six or 10 sessions a year. This is common with certain policies relating to mental health treatment. While some issues are able to be addressed in that amount of time, other serious conditions may need much more time to treat and resolve.

Their health care plan does not provide for treatment from certain hospitals, clinics, physicians, dentists or practitioners. They are extremely limited in the care they can receive and from whom – even if they would be better served by the practitioner or clinic of their own choice.

Their health care needs can be resolved – often easily and more affordably – from a practitioner who uses complementary or alternative medicine, such as an acupuncturist, massage therapist, naturopathic physician or another professional in a similar field. Their insurance policy does not recognize the value of these fields, nor does it reimburse for such treatments.

Education to prevent disease, reduce stress (which is often the precursor for physical and mental health problems), high levels of training for practitioners and changes in certain lifestyle habits that contribute to illness are also important, of course, but not a substitute for good health care.

Relax with Reiki and build your vital energy

Helene Hellesen’s June special with Reiki turned out so fabulously that she’s extended the offer through August 2009. Here it is:

Book a session or buy gift certificates during July and August and mention this offer for a $45 (regularly $60) session for Reiki, Reiki-ssage or a Reiki-reflex session.

These 50-minute sessions great gift idea for birthdays, stress relief, weddings, showers, new mothers, and yourself - and Helene will give you a pretty gift certificate, too. I like to refer to this amazingly calming modality for people experiencing stress, anxiety, racing thoughts and difficulty sleeping, among other difficulties.

The Reiki technique involves a Reiki practitioner focusing energy on the client, either through direct hands-on contact or with the hands several inches away from the client's body. The universal energy may be directed to an area of the body or it is simply "allowed" to flow to where it seeks a balance.

Watch a demonstration of a treatment by well-known Reiki instructor John Harvey Gray here, one of many excellent examples on the Web, where he tells how the method raises general physical vitality:

Reiki is a positive form of energy and cannot cause any harm. It does not have any side effects and it only serves for the highest good of the person who is receiving it.

People who receive Reiki-ssage are finding better results than with traditional massage or pure energy work. They describe the benefits as "a massage that keeps going for days" or "refreshing - like waking up from a 10-year sleep."

Reiki-ssage is much more than just another technique. It is blended within a complete philosophy and approach to healing that can support and strengthen any other modality of healing. Reiki-reflex blends together concepts from Reiki, Reflexology and Zone Therapy. Working on the feet, shoes and socks are removed. The session begins with the client laying on his or her back on a massage table or sitting comfortably in a reflexology chair.

Reiki-reflex cannot make any condition worse. It helps nature normalize body functions. A session relaxes the stress that can affect your health safely and effectively -- and who doesn't need that right now!

Reiki-reflex is blissfully relaxing for the client, and lasts about 45 - 55 minutes. Call Helene Hellesen, Certified Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and Certified Reiki-ssage Practitioner, at (262) 880-7594 to order your certificates.

A powerful health care video by Community For Change

Here’s a moving and important video from the folks at Community For Change, a grassroots organization in Racine that is creatively exploring how to promote equity and choice within our health care system.

Be sure to join the members of Community for Change for the upcoming “Community Conversation on Healthcare Reform” and accompanying Expo on from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at the Masonic Center, 1012 Main St., Racine. The event is is free and open to the public. Watch for Lake House’s exhibit table where you can learn about the options at our center and sign up for our free e-mail newsletter.

Find more videos like this on Yes We Can Racine

Healthy energizing ideas -- without caffiene or sugar!

As a psychotherapist – including having done work with addicted people – there is a great need for information about learning how to find ways to become more energetic without caffeine and sugar.

Here are ideas that you may wish to try:

Start with yoga and especially the classic yogic breathing activity called, “The Breath of Fire,” which involves very fast breathing in and out of the nose – pant like a dog, some say. You can observe a teaching demonstration of this technique at YouTube.

• Eating foods that are whole foods, rather than processed foods, including quality protein. Quality protein includes lean meats, fish, small portions of nuts, peanut butter -- no sugar is better -- whole cheese rather than processed, and combinations of beans and rice.
• Therapeutic-grade essential oils – a number of oils are especially energizing to the brain, including basil, rosemary, orange, peppermint and lemon.
• Practice qigong, a meditative Asian exercise that is similar to – but much easier – than tai chi. Tai chi is also very good for balancing and giving energy.
• Reduce use of computer, especially at night before bedtime.
• CD guided meditations and imageries, or imageries on your own. When I’m not creating my own imageries for my clients, I suggest the wonderful CDs from Health Journeys.
• Bioenergetic exercises, which are body exercises that are often amazingly simple and easy, can change your mood very quickly. One exercise, simply stamping your feet (left, right, left, right), can reduce anger, lift mood and give energy.
• Rest.
• Drink water. When plants don’t get enough water, they wilt. You will feel like wilting too, when you don’t give your body enough. And drink water, not tea, soda, so-called “energy drinks” or alcohol.
• Spend time with people you like, people who are positive, caring, fun and supportive.
  

Healing trauma is possible -- just not always easy

I’m just finishing a four-session group on recovery from trauma at Lake House. One of the questions that has been asked is:

“Do people who have experienced trauma ever really heal?”

And one of the counter-questions that survivors often hear is:

“Can’t you just get over it?”

Both of these questions have value, and both of these questions are, in fact, entwined. Survivors of trauma are often eager to get “over” the trauma but find they can’t get past it despite their best efforts. Other people who cannot understand their reality often experience impatience, confusion and misunderstanding.

For people directly affected by traumatic experiences, there still may be tears, pain, confusion and the continuing reminder of someone who is beloved who is gone. For the community at large, there may be lingering shock that something so awful could happen in a community they love, just a glance from their own back yard, and questions about how this cycle of pain can be changed. In today's world, there is increasing human-made violence that is causing all sorts of extra trauma, such as school violence, gang crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault, terrorism like Sept. 11 and war.

Although some people believe there's no way that anyone could recover from such personal devastation, healing is possible. Many people do recover, even finding themselves with a greater sense of personal resilience and wisdom -- strong at the broken places.

Here are some things to know about trauma:

Experiencing trauma -- by definition, an experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope -- is a natural part of being human. Unexpected loss, natural catastrophes, illness, great pain and accidents are part of the normal human condition. At some point in each person's life, he or she will experience some kind of situation that we now call trauma. There is no shame about this.

Trauma destroys trust -- the trust of one’s own capabilities, the trust of others and the trust of the goodness and predictability of the universe. Because the person cannot seem to feel safe, even with himself or herself, there is constant stress, vigilance and suspicion.

When we have been traumatized, we naturally seek to feel a sense of power again. Many people seek to regain this power in unhealthy ways, including drugs, alcohol, disordered eating and compulsive behavior. Some become perpetrators, hurting others to continue the cycle of violence.

Healing is possible.

First, you must open your eyes and be able to label the traumatic experiences and violence you and others in your families and communities have experienced. This is the first step to recovery. Break the cycle of silence, and trauma can begin to be healed. Tell someone what you feel, what has happened to you. It is OK to talk to someone safe.

Secondly, you have to be willing to experience the pain of the trauma, rather than avoid it. Typically we avoid pain in many ways -- drinking, using drugs, overeating, denial or simply fantasizing that we can return to "normal," the way it was before the trauma happened. However, the real healing comes with your willingness to let yourself be confused and angry and sad during what may be an extended period of time. There is power in being able to identify and express feelings. At some point, it may be appropriate to acknowledge any responsibility you might have had in the incident yourself, but only so you can forgive yourself and move on, not so you can wallow in guilt and shame.

If the pain is so great that you cannot imagine that it would be possible to feel it or contain it, seek out additional help rather than think that you can do it alone. You will want to begin to find people who can accept and listen to your pain. These people and places may be family members, friends, teachers, counselors, pastors, support groups, churches and other palces of worship, Twelve-Step meetings, --anyone who is willing to listen, learn more and can understand.

Advances in technology has made it possible for us to measure how the brain changes from overwhelming stress and violence. This has profound implications for treatment and recovery. Talk therapy manages symptoms. You can learn how to identify what reminds you of a trauma in the past and how it is affecting you in the present. Then you can make sense of the nonverbal, emotional symptoms of PTSD for yourself or others close to you. Experiential, body-oriented and action therapies directly treat the nonverbal, emotional symptoms of PTSD and provide immediate empowerment for people and communities.

Although recovery is possible, do not expect things to go back to "normal." The reality is that life will be different. Life will never be the same as they were before the "thing" happened, but if you go bravely through the grieving process, you can come out the other side better than you were before, rather than worse, and learn how to attend to reminders of your pain in healthy ways.

It's doubtful that you'll actually be happy that the event happened, but you may be surprised that you can actually feel respect or gratitude for difficulties and tragedies that take you to higher levels of personal development. By active grieving and recovery, you transform the event into something helpful and beneficial, rather than letting the event transform you into something broken and hopeless.

Anti-smoking drugs may cause other problems

Two popular anti-smoking drugs -- Chantix and Zyban -- will now carry warnings about the risk of severe mental health problems, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday. This is important news, with Wisconsin public places going smoke-free one year from now in July 2010.

Read more here to learn about this research.

I predict this news will encourage smokers to reconsider and research more natural means of stopping smoking -- including hypnosis, self-help groups like Nicotine Anonymous, Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture.