Archive for February 12th, 2010
Mental Health Counselling Is A Great Idea
Mental health counselling can be an effective therapy as part of a wider treatment plan for an individual who is suffering from depression or an anxiety related disorder, or for people who have experienced a traumatic event in their lives and are finding it difficult to cope with, or for those who are struggling to deal with specific problems and issues. It is often a doctor who will recommend mental health counselling, however, many individuals will seek the services of a counsellor themselves, either by asking their doctor for advice or by approaching a counsellor directly.
What is counselling
Basically, counselling can be described as a type of talking therapy. It is usually delivered in a safe and private setting so that the individual concerned can relax and talk openly and freely about their particular problems or issues and the emotions or feelings that can accompany them.
It is described as a talking therapy because the counsellor will listen empathetically to an individual in order to understand the situation from the individuals point of view. In doing this a trained counsellor will be able to encourage an individual to see their situation more clearly, perhaps from a different perspective, and will be able to help them identify new ways of coping with their problems or circumstances. Counselling usually does not involve giving advice or telling someone what to do with their lives, it is more about exploring problems, identifying possible solutions and choices and obtaining clarity.
For counselling to be effective, it is essential that an element of trust develops between the counsellor and the person or persons receiving the counselling as only in this way can there be an open and free dialogue. It may take time for a person receiving counselling to lose any initial feelings of distrust, fear and embarrassment so quite often counselling will be offered over several sessions in order for a relationship to develop between the counsellor and the patient or client.
There are several types of mental health counselling services available, each drawing on its own particular theory of human psychology and development. There are also many different types of counsellors, some of who are trained to deal with a particular problem or circumstance. For example bereavement counsellors, counsellors who specialise in eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and counsellors who understand the issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction, as well as many others.
Counselling can take place on a one to one basis, or in group sessions, face to face or over the phone. It can last for just one session, a specific block of sessions or be open ended with no time limit at all. Regardless of the particular type of mental health problem involved, the first step to recovery is recognising that there is a problem in the first place.
When mental health counselling can help
Mental health counselling can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have a tendency to repress feelings like guilt, frustration, anger, resentment, sadness and so on and who find it difficult to cope alone and who for whatever reason, perhaps do not want to discuss how they feel with their friends and family. It can help an individual to gain new insights into their own particular circumstances and problems and to achieve clarity and direction in life. Most of all it can help an individual cope and improve their quality of life.
There are numerous circumstances where someone might seek the services of a mental health counsellor or be referred for counselling by their doctor and these include but are certainly not limited to:
Relationship problems, including separation and divorce
Problems at work or financial worries, dismissal, redundancy
Physical, sexual and/or mental abuse
Bereavement
Depression and anxiety
Post natal depression
Eating disorders
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Alcohol and drug abuse
Phobias
Panic Attacks
Dealing with stress
Post traumatic stress
Finding a counsellor
In order to get the right kind of help it is important that you access the most appropriate type of counselling for you and as there are so many available options, it can be problematic if you decide to go it alone.
In the first instance, it would be advisable to speak to your doctor as he or she will be able to take into consideration your full medical history before recommending any particular type of therapy or counsellor. If you decide to seek the services of a trained counsellor independently, it is up to you to check out the cost and the credentials of any potential counsellor before you start.
Many voluntary organisations have counsellors and there are numerous private counsellors advertising in the press, phone books and on the Internet. However, you can find an accredited counsellor from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy website at bacp or from the National Board for Certified Counsellors at nbcc if you live in the USA.
Simon jones is an expert in depression and related disorders. For more information about depression please come and visit our site http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk
Finding The Right Contact Lenses
If you’ve always wanted to change your eye color, color contact lenses can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels – even patterns and designs. All contact lenses that are correcting must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Among the many types of contact lenses you can buy are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red.
The sales of contact lenses are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) Always buy lenses from a reputable company; you can buy discount contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device, in violation of FTC regulations – that is, selling you lenses without getting a prescription from you.
Extended wear lenses are usually soft contact lenses made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are also a few RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. Some doctors prescribe disposables as planned-replacement lenses, which are removed, disinfected, and reused again before being discarded.
It is important for your eyes to rest without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal. You can mark rigid lenses to show which lens is for which eye; they don’t rip or tear, which makes them easy to handle. Disposable lenses don’t come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, but those labeled specifically for planned replacement do.
There are two general types of contact lenses – soft and rigid gas permeable. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are more durable, resistant to the buildup of deposits and generally give a clearer, crisper vision. Keep in mind contact lenses are often more complicated than they appear to be.
Rigid lenses generally give you a more clear vision. If you live an active lifestyle you can get breatheable lenses that will allow you 30 hours of continuous wear. When buying contacts beware of attempts to substitute a brand that is not the same as the one you want.
Get a feel for how the retailer handles the customer service calls, so you’ll be prepared if you have a problem after your order arrives. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don’t forget that you want to do what is best for your eye health. And always ask what rebates are available.
You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, over the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club, etc. When you place your order make sure your lenses are available and not out of stock, because you’ll want them right away. Buy your contact lenses from a supplier with name familiarity and know is reliable.
Be careful not to wear lenses any longer than they’re prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. Daily-wear lenses are removed each day for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren’t worn during sleep. The FDA has approved extended-wear lenses for use up to seven days before they are to be removed for cleaning; but there are risks with use of extended-wear lenses even for one night.
If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult with your eye care doctor. Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye care professional because they wear out as time goes by. And extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea.
If you’re planning to buy contact lenses, you should buy the best quality possible, even at a higher price; you don’t want to skimp on quality when it comes to your precious eyes. And ordering contact lenses online has never been simpler, with or without, a credit card. If you lead a very active lifestyle, contact lenses can provide you with almost natural vision.
For more information on color contact lenses and where to buy discount contact lenses visit http://www.VisionNurse.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s popular website which offers tips, advice and resources, including information on LASIK eye surgery, sunglasses, eyeglasses and affordable quality contact lenses
Side Effects of Flolan Treatment
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a serious condition, and the drugs that are used to treat it (such as Flolan and Tracleer) are effective, but do have some potentially serious side effects and symptoms to watch out for. Some of these side effects may be unpleasant to live with, however leaving Primary Pulmonary Hypertension untreated has much more severe consequences.
Minor Side Effects of Flolan
Minor side effects include the following symptoms. These side effects are fairly common in patients being treated with Flolan (note that some of these symptoms are caused by Flolan being administered intravenously rather than by the drug itself).
Some of these side effects are commonly experienced by individuals who are beginning treatment, and the symptoms may subside as the medication dosage is adjusted to optimal levels. If you experience any of these side effects, see your doctor for advice; especially if they become persistent or particularly irritating or painful.
* Abnormal sensations on the skin (such as a “crawling” feeling) or an altered ability to feel sensations
* Anxiety, agitation, or nervousness
* Pain, swelling or redness at the site of injection
* Back pain
* Stomach pain, stomach upset, or diarrhea
* Headache, dizziness, or nausea
* Pain in the jaw or muscles
* Sweating
* Vomiting
Serious Side Effects of Flolan
The following side effects are considered more serious, these include a possible allergic reaction to the drug as well as side effects caused by the drug itself. If you experience any of these side effects, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Do not substitute reading this article for medical advice, and please consult your doctor for a more complete list of side effects.
Symptoms of severe allergic reaction include a rash or hives on the skin, itching of the skin, shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and swelling of the tongue or facial features. Any of these symptoms indicate that a dangerous allergic reaction is occurring, and immediate medical attention should be sought.
Other serious side effects of Flolan include:
* Chest pain
* Irregular or fast heartbeat
* Headache, muscle pain or bone pain
* Swelling in the abdominal area
* Unusual or unexplained bruising, or a tendency to bruise easily
* Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
* A feeling of general weakness
In addition, you should also watch out for any signs of infection at the injection site. These may include symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness or bleeding. Any signs of infection, including sudden fever, should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
As you can see, some of these side effects can be considered both minor and serious, depending on the circumstances. For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice whenever any of these symptoms are experienced. Only your doctor will know for sure if these symptoms are a cause for alarm.
Not all of these side effects are serious in themselves (a bleeding nose is not in itself life-threatening) but some of these side effects may indicate that your Flolan treatment dosage needs to be adjusted, or that your body may be responding to your PPH treatment in an unexpected way.
If you have any unexplained symptoms that are not on these lists, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Any unexplained effects should be monitored to make sure they are not serious or life-threatening.
Drug Interactions
Flolan is known to interact with a wide variety of prescription medications as well as some over-the-counter medicines, and the list of such medications is much too long to include here. If you are taking any other medications (including prescription and over-the counter medications and supplements) in addition to Flolan it is vital to make sure your doctor is aware of these.
Even commonly-used medications such as Tylenol and many forms of Aspirin can reduce the effectiveness of Flolan, so it is also important to seek medical advice before taking any other medications while you are using Flolan for PPH treatment.
Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.jbclawfirm.com


