Bullying is one form of harassment inflicted by an abuser of more physical andor social power and dominance than the victim. Bullying is often done with clear intentions of harming the target through different means. These means may include verbal harassment, physical assault, emotional blackmail, or other more subtle methods of coercion such as manipulation.

Bullies are often characterized as having authoritarian personalities. They also feel a strong need to control or dominate anything, be it a weaker person, a stronger person, or a situation. They have also been noted to display deficiency in terms of social skills and possess a prejudice against subordinates. A lot of studies show that most bullies have envy and resentment as motives for bullying, Researchers have identified other risk factors such as quickness to anger and use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviors, mistaking others’ actions as hostile, concern with preserving self image, and engaging in obsessive or rigid actions.

Bullying exists in any setting of inevitable social interaction, like schools, workplaces, inside the home, and around the neighbourhood. This may even occur between different social groups, social classes and even between countries. Like any kind of abusive behavior, bullying is a repetitive act done to gain power or control over another person, race, or country.

Bullying is generally classified into
Direct bullying. The bully displays physical aggression in the form of shoving and poking, throwing things, slapping, choking, punching and kicking, and beating.
Indirect bullying. Also called social aggression, the victim is forced into social isolation. This is usually done by bad mouthing the victim, refusing to socialize with the victim, name calling, mocking the victim, forcing other people to avoid socializing with the victim as well, and other forms of manipulation.

But why do bullies act this way? Some studies have shown that some bullies do it to be thought of as popular or tough, or sometimes just to get attention. Bullies are said to also do it out of jealousy or they may simply be acting out because they themselves were bullied earlier in their life. Some bullies are noted to have come from abusive families and neighborhoods.

Being submitted to bullying often may contribute to developing inferiority complex, which is a feeling of being inferior to others in one way or another. Constantly being mocked or criticized in a negative way by bullies may force a person to start believing those lies and lose faith in themselves. Victims may also be more prone to developing stress related mental conditions such as anxiety from oftentimes being bullied.

Victims should know that theyre not the problem, the bullies are. Victims should not start second-guessing themselves just because bullies telling them they’re no good. Being different shouldn’t rob you of your right to security. Don’t be ashamed of your difference. It’s not your fault you are unique. A good way to avoid being bullied is to go out in a group, it would make it difficult for bullies to single you out. If it doesn’t work, it would help to tell someone you trust that someone is bullying you. Having someone mediate for you does not make you a coward. Remember, keeping yourself safe should matter more than what others think.

Awareness of mental health illnesses can occasionally become the critical factor in whether or not someone gets the proper treatment in time. Most psychological conditions take time to form and often need time to become fully embedded into the psyche, barring trauma or other similar experiences. As a result, provided that people are aware of what is going on, most psychological illnesses can be treated in time. Most people assume that with the hectic schedules and the extreme stress, people in an urban environment are more liable to develop mental illnesses. This is an understandable assumption, but one must also factor in that in an urban environment, there are numerous places one can go to for help.

The case is different when one enters the rural environment, however. Small towns, out-of-the-way villages, and semi-isolated communities are far more prevalent than big cities. Surprisingly, those are the places where people are far more likely to break down and succumb to psychiatric problems than urban dwellers. There is still a lot of research being conducted on this discovery, with previous studies having yielded inconclusive results. Research has also been focused on discovering whether the list of common problems reflect those found in urban environments or not. In particular, some experts are trying to spot if depression, anxiety, and panic disorders are as common in rural communities as they are in urban ones.

Some have speculated that the problem might stem from the lack of awareness of psychiatric or psychological illnesses in rural areas. Most people there, according to recent findings and surveys, attribute the symptoms of psychosis to supernatural causes. Demonic possession appears to be among the more frequent causes of the problem. While currently undetermined, there has been some speculation that the stigma of having a family member be possessed can force loved ones to keep the afflicted person hidden from the rest of society, rather than seek some form of help. This can only aggravate the situation because it not only cuts off the patient from much-needed therapy and counseling, it can also make any illnesses already present much more severe and difficult to treat.

Another factor to be considered here is that, statistically speaking, there are simply not that many people with psychiatric or psychological training in rural environments. There might be some people that have an understanding, but it is rare to find a small town with a fully-equipped hospital designed to deal with patients with psychological problems. Even for such locations, the asylum often has a highly negative stigma as the place where psychotic serial killers and crazed middle-aged men that skin little girls alive are locked up. This only makes the common and prevalent perception of the mentally ill as being criminally inclined much worse in such communities. The lack of facilities and the distance needed to travel to even find psychiatric help can combine to make it nearly impossible to find help in isolated rural towns.

There are also quite a few that surmise that the environment is an equally important factor. The urban environment places pressure on people at an early age, with even children learning the basic principles of cutthroat competition. It is possible that people who have lived in urban environments all their lives simply have psychological make-ups that are better suited for the harsh business world, whereas rural citizens are less likely to have to encounter such situations.

Everyone experiences anxiety. In fact, being unable

to do so can be a sign of a serious psychological

problem. In our hazardous world, anxiety is a

strategy the body uses to help the mind recognize

danger and keep well out of its way. As with most

mental illnesses, it’s not the presence of anxiety

alone that creates problems. It is more about how

severe it is and how much it gets in ones way of

life or quality of living.
Most people feel anxious at some time in their lives.

However, only about five per cent of people

experience severe anxiety and rarely seek

professional help. Anxiety is a mixture of physical

and mental symptoms. They are part of what

psychologists call the fight or flight response.

When the body is under threat it automatically

prepares either to defend itself or run.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one

deal with a tense situation in the office, study

harder for an exam, or remain focused on an important

speech. In general, it helps one cope with the tasks

and demands of everyday life. But when anxiety

becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday

situations, it can become a disabling disorder.
Fortunately, effective treatments for anxiety

disorders are available, and research is yielding new

and improved therapies that can help most people with

anxiety disorders lead productive and fulfilling

lives.
However, studies have shown that having a healthy

diet may reduce signs and symptoms of anxiety.

Although food can’t cure an anxiety disorder,

consider some diet changes and that would benefit a

severely anxious person
Avoid or limit caffeine intake as much as

possible. Caffeine is present in many soft drinks,

not just in tea and coffee and it can set up its own

vicious cycle. It can speed up heart rate and disrupt

sleep — which later on become prevailing signs of

anxiety. Trying to overcome tiredness by drinking

more caffeine only makes the long-term problem worse.
Avoid too much alcohol. Similarly, alcohol

can worsen the symptoms of anxiety, and disrupt

sleep. Many people reach for a drink to calm their

nerves, but the consequences of overindulgence can

outweigh the benefits of initial relaxation. For

some, a hangover, insomnia, and dehydration make one

feel worse than before one had a drink. In excessive

amounts, alcohol can actually act as a depressant,

making the drinker feel sluggish or more anxious.

Alcohol, like a simple sugar, is rapidly absorbed by

the body. Like other sugars, alcohol increases

hypoglycemia symptoms. It also causes mood swings.

Eat complex carbohydrates, also known as

carbs. During anxious times, turn to comforting

carbs. These foods act as a mild tranquilizer by

increasing the amount of serotonin, a calming

neurotransmitter in the brain. Complex carbs such as

potatoes, wholewheat bread, and pasta take longer to

digest than sugary simple carbs like white bread.

That way, one can stay fuller longer and blood sugar

is likely to stay steady, eliminating stress and

anxiety.
Be sure to drink eight or more glasses of

water a day. Dehydration can lead to fatigue,

headaches and stress. One should be well-hydrated and

drinking lots of water a day can decrease symptoms of

anxiety.
Take multivitamins and mineral supplements. B

vitamins, whose role is to unlock the energy in food,

are crucial. Vitamin B-6 helps manufacture serotonin

in the brain. Choose a daily supplement that supplies

100 per cent of the daily recommendation of all

vitamins and minerals.
Although tension and daily stresses are unavoidable,

one can relieve tension and manage stress and anxiety

better by watching out for what one eats and what one

does not eat. Remember that a healthy body and a

healthy mind are often one and the same thing.

There are several subgroups of Anxiety Disorders, with different causes and treatement.

Anxiety disorders are a serious social and financial concern to American business, since they cost the country more than 42 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to “The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders,” a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

More than 22.84 billion is spent on healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for emotional distress and physical symptoms.

Sufferers are 300 to 500 percent more likely to go to the doctor and 600 percent more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than non-sufferers.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illness and affect both children and adults. They develop from an interaction of numerous risk factors, including personality, genetics, brain chemistry, and life stress.

Approximately 19 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from them receive treatment.

The main feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is excessive, unrealistic and uncontrollable worry about everyday events. This constant worry affects daily functioning and brings physical symptoms.

GAD can occur with other anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or substance abuse. It can be misdiagnosed because it lacks some of the dramatic symptoms, such as unprovoked attacks of panic, that are seen with other anxiety disorders.

For a diagnosis to be made, uncontrollable worrying occur more days than not for at least 6 months.

The focus of GAD is fluid, shifting unpredictably from job issues, finances, health of both self and family, and smaller issues such as chores, car repairs and being late for appointments.

The intensity, duration and frequency of the worry are disproportionate to the issue and interferes with the sufferer’s daily life.

Physical symptoms can include muscle tension, sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea andor nausea, cold and clammy palms, the feeling of having a “lump in the throat” and difficulty swallowing. Sufferers are irritable and complain about feeling on edge, tire easily tired and have trouble sleeping.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by persistent, recurring thoughts obsessions that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears; typical obsessions include worry about being contaminated or fears of behaving improperly or acting violently.

The obsessions may cause the individual to perform a rituals or routines to relieve the anxiety, such as excessive handwashing, checking appliances, repeating phrases or hoarding.

People with Panic Disorder suffer severe acute attacks of panic for no apparant reason, which may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack or cause them to feel they are losing their minds. Symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, feeling of choking, fear of dying, fear of losing control, and feelings of unreality.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by agoraphobia, in which people are afraid of having a panic attack in a public place, so they become afraid to leave the safety of their controlled home environment. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can follow a traumatic event such as a sexual or physical assault,
witnessing a death, the unexpected death of a loved one, or natural disaster.

There are three main symptoms associated with PTSD “reliving” of the traumatic event such as flashbacks and nightmares; avoidance behaviors such as avoiding places and other reminders related to the trauma and emotional numbing detachment from others; and physiological arousal such difficulty sleeping, irritability or poor concentration.

Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by severe anxiety about being judged by others or behaving in a way that might bring ridicule or embarrassment.

This intense anxiety may lead to extreme shyness and avoidance of social situations. Physical symptoms associated with this disorder include faintness, heart palpitations, blushing and profuse sweating.

Anxiety disorders also include Specific Phobias, an intense and unreasonable fear of specific objects or situations, such as spiders, dogs, or heights. The disproportionate level of fear is recognized by the sufferer as being irrational.

It can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations. Patients often have more than one anxiety disorder, and sometimes other illness as well such as depression or substance abuse.

Treatment of anxiety disorders includes support groups, cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy. Drugs therapy used to treat anxiety disorders includes benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs and beta-blockers.

Often a combination of the two therapies is more useful than one exclusively. Up to 90 percent of patients will show improvement of their symptom from medical treatment.

Worried you havent been getting any action lately? Are you always too tired to make love to your partner? Scared that your

partner might leave you because of it? You may be experiencing sexual dysfunction.

Low libido, or hypoactive sexual drive disorder, is a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual

activity. This is considered a disorder if it causes problems for the patient or problems in the patient’s relationships. In

a recent study in the United States, about 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men have admitted having sexual difficulty

in one way or another. Lack of libido occurs more in women than in men. Men who have erectile dysfunction do not

necessarily have low libido.

How often does low sexual drive occur?
The American Medical Association has estimated that several million US women suffer from what doctors there call’female

sexual arousal disorder’ FSAD. In the UK, family planning clinics and related clinics see quite large numbers of women who

complain of low libido. Our estimate is that several hundred thousand women in Britain are troubled by lack of sex drive.

Low libido in men is far less common than erectile dysfunction. One study showed that for every fifteen men who reported

having erectile dysfunction, only one of them had low sexual desire. Most men with lack of libido can still achieve

erections, but have lost only the desire to have sex.

What causes low libido?

.For both men and women, causes are divided into physical and psychological concerns.
Physical causes include

.Anemia. This more commonly affects women because of iron loss during periods.

.Alcoholism.

.Drug abuse.

.Major diseases such as diabetes.

.Obesity

.Hyperprolactinaemia. This is a rare disorder where the pituitary gland produces too much of the hormone prolactin.

.Post-partum. This is the loss of libido that often starts after childbirth. It is almost certainly linked to hormonal

changes that occur at this time. The general stress and trauma of childbirth also plays a part.

.Prescribed drugs, particularly tranquillisers.

.Other hormone abnormalities.

.Low testosterone level – contrary to what many people think, this is rare.

Psychological causes include

.Depression
.stress and overwork
.anxiety
.hang-ups from childhood
.past sexual abuse or rape
.latent homosexuality
.serious relationship problems with the partner
.difficult living conditions

Here are some tips to recover your lost urge.

.Leave work stress at the office. Dont bring it with you at home. Time at home should be spent resting and relaxing.

.Avoid engaging in vices like smoking, drinking, and using drugs. Not only will it benefit your sex life, itll improve your

overall health.

.Relax yourself before engaging in sexual activities.

.Family counseling helps for couples undergoing serious relationship problems.

.Consult your doctor if natural interventions fail. They will be more qualified to give you prescriptions or safe

suggestions on what to do in this case.

Now that we understand the underlying causes the affects both men & womens sexual health and have pointed out ways to

replenish your lost sexual drive. Try them and see what works for you.

Whenever we feel confused or we don’t understand what is going on, and when we feel that we are getting overwhelmed by the turn of events that we almost lose a grip on reality… we tend to think that we may be going nuts or getting crazy.
Insanity, or madness, is a behavior caused by mental instability. Merriam-Webster defines it as a deranged state of the mind or lack of understanding. Insanity can be considered as poor health of the mind, not necessarily of the brain as an organ, which can affect mental health. People who go insane suffer from a defect in their mental processes or functions such as reasoning.
The term insanity encompasses mental disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. These mental disorders are characterized by social withdrawal, deterioration of personal care, inability to perceive oneself as a separate entity, rapid shifting of thought and topic, autistic absorption, hallucinatory symptoms, delusions and often depersonalization. Symptoms can be singular or combined with a wide variation among sufferers. Motor activity is generally reduced and appearance become bizarre while perceptual and conversational distortions are evident.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic symptom which continue for at least six months coupled with the deterioration of occupational and social functioning. During a psychotic episode a person is confused about reality and often experiences delusions andor hallucinations.
Delusions are described as false, inaccurate beliefs that the person holds onto even when he or she is presented with accurate information. When a persons belief about one’s importance or station in life is grossly out of proportion to what is really true, the person is experiencing grandiose delusion. A perfect example is someone who claims to being Jesus Christ, or anybody who is an important figure and well-known. On the other hand, when a person believes that there is a conspiracy to harass, punish, or attack him or her, the person is having persecutory delusion. Usually, the person might also believe that the group to which one belongs is being harassed or punished.
Hallucinations are internal sensory perceptions of sights and sounds that are not actually present. People with visual hallucinations may see the image of something that is not real, such as another person. People who have auditory hallucinations hear something that is not really present, such as hearing a voice calling.
Mental health is a concern too often neglected by many of us. Thanks to the Internet, today, there are various websites that you can check which offer online quizzes designed to assess aspects of your mental health, including your risk for depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders. Sanity tests, which may take up to 15 minutes, are based on scientifically validated mental health assessments. Questionnaires are similar with those that a mental health professional might ask about mood and eating and sleeping habits. According to Dr. John Grohol, a psychologist who has created his own sanity site, the score is a numerical expression of your overall emotional health.
However, the mental health community has not officially sanctioned any test to measure one’s sanity. Therefore, one should not make any drastic health decisions based on these results. Still, the insight into your state of mind may offer self-awareness and could prompt you an overdue discussion with your doctor regarding appropriate therapy. Seeking professional advice to help sort out your mental health concerns and identifying areas of mental stress is always necessary.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders develop due to an interplay between enviromnental and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic drugs.

However, many patients prefer a natural approach or dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there are many non-prescription supplements available to help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns and get a general checkup from your doctor. Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias.

However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety disorder, the following supplements may be of help, and often have fewer side effects than commercial pharmaceutical products.

Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile leaves, 12 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can be added to water. Chamomile capsules are convenient to take along to work, and don’t take as long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Damiana Turnera diffusa is a nerve tonic which also has a restorative adaptogenic property. It has a calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Kava Kava Piper methysticum has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system and causes an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

The usual dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and while it has been used safely by Polynesians for centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing it. Ask a health care professional before use if you have a history of liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin.

Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or if pregnantbreastfeeding. Do not combine with alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks without consulting a health care provider. Take frequent breaks from use.

Passionflower Passiflora incarnata is most often used for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is often included in European formulas for heart palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills.

Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule concentrations of compounds to “nudge” the body into healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are no toxic side effects.

Scullcup Scutellaria lateriflora is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep inducing, but it is rarely habituating.

St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum is commonly used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely between brands; it is best to buy a product standardized to contain 3-5 hyperforin and 0.3 hypericin. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if also taking prescription antidepressants.

Valerian Valeriana officinalis has been used since Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; while another theory holds that valerian contains GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect on the brain, or else influences the brain’s natural production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac.

If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 times daily to help stress and anxiety. The recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg.

Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities while using valerian, and do not combine it with other sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be habituating.

Verbena Verbena officinalis is a relaxing nervous system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant.

Withania Withania somnifera is an ayurvedic herb sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily.

Very few people are attuned with their spiritual health which has a significant effect in the over-all wellness of the mind and body. Spirituality is unique to each individual. It can be equated with traditional religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, or Buddhism. It could also be manifested in the level of growth that one experiences in personal relationships, or in simply being at peace with nature.
Those who are not in touch with their spiritual needs usually experience deep sadness, depression, intense anger, fear, anxiety, and grief. These negative feelings can create the environment for emotional, physical, and mental health dysfunction. People who suffer from repeated physical and emotional abuse carries a wounded and broken heart, as if perpetually tormented by life’s difficulties and pains. They do not realize that their heavy-heart influences their well-being or quality of life. Denial of the depth of distress will only aggravate the situation and may lead to serious heart conditions and illnesses.
Recent studies have shown the connection between depression and anxiety, and the development of heart diseases. They are considered risk factors equal to high cholesterol and diabetes. According to research, patients going through depression are twice as likely to die from the complications of a heart attack, compared with people who don’t have depression. Some experts even suggest that depression and anxiety should be classified as new risk factors for the development of heart disease.
People who are alone and friendless tend to be more sickly, with greater chances of developing heart disease and a shorter life expectancy, than those blessed with a wide circle of friends and other relationships that provide emotional and moral support. There seems to be a direct connection between illness and lack of love as documented in research studies conducted by Dean Ornish, M.D., a respected cardiologist from the University of California in San Francisco.
A few years ago, scientists have discovered that inflammation of the coronary arteries plays a role in the arteries becoming clogged with cholesterol. Two of the most successful heart medications, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, work at the hormonal level, reducing the influence of adrenaline released when we are upset, nervous, or experiencing stress and fear. These drugs have been nothing short of miraculous, reducing incidence of death by 30 percent.
However, there are many patients who do not respond well to drugs because of emotional as well as physical ailments. This is where alternative healing, such as meditation, prayer, or psychotherapy, comes in.
One such meditative therapy is called Sufism, or Practicing Remembrance — an ancient spiritual practice that originated in Islam, and best known in the West through the poetry of Rumi. Sufism focuses its many practical and effective methods of healing on the heart with a simple but miraculous way of opening a person to the healing rays of love.

Practicing Remembrance is a time-honored method of healing that makes use of a combination of breathing and sounds to open the heart to greater love. What you will be remembering when you utilize this technique is the concept of love. To many spiritual groups, the concept of love and God are interchangeable. For Sufis, the Practice of Remembrance is the repetition of God’s name in a number of succession or cycles. Each time the name of God is repeated, love flows into the heart. It is this continuous process of repetition that has the power to cleanse the heart of all the negative vibrations and the heaviness it carries. But it is important to visualize love or the spirit entering the heart when the sound is being repeated.
Spiritual wellness is discovering a sense of meaning in your life, and living out the reason and purpose of your existence.

People have high regard for individuals whose pain tolerance exceed beyond expectations. The Guinness Book of World Records has a long list of personalities who have defied different forms of pain that come from bee and scorpion stings, snake bites, as well as pain from car crashes, fire accidents, and the like.
Pain tolerance is defined as the duration or intensity of pain that a person is willing to endure at any given time. Based on observation, tolerance for pain varies from person to person, and may even fluctuate depending on the severity of the pain. A number of factors such as sex, age, race and ethnicity, motivation to endure pain, past experiences with pain, coping skills, and energy level — all influence a person’s pain tolerance.
The point at which a person feels pain is called pain threshold. People don’t experience the same intensity of pain from the same stimuli, and no uniform relationship exists between tissue damage and pain. Pain intensity, duration, and other characteristics can vary among patients who’ve undergone the same procedure.
Most people have the misconception that past experiences with pain increases pain tolerance. On the contrary, repeated experience with pain can make a person be aware of how severe a pain can become and how difficult it is to get a relief. Therefore, it is possible that someone who has repeated experiences with pain may have a higher level of anxiety and less pain tolerance.
Society has always expected men to be tough in the face of danger. Indeed, a man’s higher tolerance for pain is not just about machismo and male chauvinism, but has a physiological basis. Research shows that difference in sexgender influence pain perception, where women usually display lower pain tolerance than men. However, it is unknown whether the mechanisms underlying these differences are hormonal, genetic or psychosocial in origin. According to some researchers, men can be more motivated to express a tolerance for pain due to masculine stereotyping, while feminine stereotyping encourages pain expression and lower pain tolerance. In a number of studies, racial and ethnic differences in pain sensitivity and pain response found out that African-Americans and Hispanics tend to have lower thresholds of pain tolerance. In similar experiments, pain-study participants from Nepal and India had higher pain tolerance than their Western counterparts.
These findings suggest that something in the brains pain-processing and pain-killing systems may vary by race and ethnicity. Theres much we still dont understand about why these health disparities based upon race and ethnicity exist, so more research is needed. We hope our work will increase awareness of this issue among patients and providers alike, said lead author Carmen R. Green, M.D., an Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist at the University of Michigan Health System. Green chairs the APS Special Interest Group on racial and ethnic disparities in pain.
Different studies have different claims on age as a factor affecting pain tolerance. One study suggested that pain tolerance decreases with age. In another study, children of all ages tend to perceive more pain than adults which meant that as people grow older, pain tolerance increases. It appears that, with increasing age, tolerance to cutaneous pain increases and tolerance to deep pain decreases.
An experiment on motivation to endure pain with monetary incentive was conducted by Roger B. Fillingim, Ph.D., of the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of Florida and the Gainesville VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla.
According to Fillingim, the monetary incentive did not influence pain responses, but the relationship between cardiovascular measures and pain responses was influenced by the incentive manipulation. Specifically, low incentive subjects with higher blood pressure at the start of the study period tended to tolerate pain better. However, this association was not found in the high incentive subjects. For the high incentive subjects, a leap in blood pressure, which is a sign of being engaged in a task, was associated with having higher pain tolerance.
Additional research is needed to replicate these findings and to further elucidate the relationships among motivation, gender roles, and pain responses, he concluded.
Understanding the detrimental effects of unrelieved pain, such as depressed immune function, decreased subcutaneous oxygenation leading to infection, and respiratory dysfunction have resulted to pain management to minimize, if not totally avoid, enduring as much pain as possible. Such pain management emphasizes establishing a comfortfunction goal with people suffering from pain, making it easier to perform important activities, such as coughing and deep breathing postoperatively.
A patient may become distressed if expectation of pain tolerance is not met. Reassuring the patient can help ease the distress. Patients should be encouraged to use pain relief medications and treatments to reduce their pain to the level that makes it easy for them to function.

It’s not an inherited trait but a learned skill. Anyone can possess high self-esteem if they really want to, but for some, building positive thoughts about oneself is often difficult. Most people feel bad about themselves from time to time. Feelings of low self-esteem may be triggered by being treated poorly by someone else recently or in the past, or by a persons own judgments of him or herself. This is normal. However, low self-esteem is a constant companion for too many people, especially those who experience depression, anxiety, phobias, psychosis, delusional thinking, or people who suffer from a lingering illness or disability. If you are one of these people, you may go through life feeling bad about yourself needlessly. Low self-esteem keeps you from enjoying life. It hinders you from doing the things you want to do. It blocks your path towards achieving personal goals.
Everyone has the right to feel good about themselves. But sometimes, it can be very difficult to feel good about oneself when one is under stress. It can be especially challenging when one faces situations that are hard to manage. One can hardly muster a smile or find anything positive in life when a person is deeply burdened by a physical disability, financial woes, a troubled relationship, or any other emotional upheaval. When a person faces a grave situation, it is easy to be drawn into a downward spiral of lower self-esteem.
Feeling good about oneself is important not only for one’s psychological or emotional health. It is also a necessary factor in improving physical health. Self-esteem is based on how you see your abilities and your worth as a person. People with low self-esteem are often shy, full of anxiety, and often battle depression. They are negative about themselves and their abilities. Because they don’t feel worthwhile, they are more likely to do things that are not good for their health, such as going on starvation diets and smoking.
People with high self-esteem tend to be secure and confident. They see themselves and their abilities positively. Because they know it is important to take care of themselves, they are more likely to eat well and to have a healthy lifestyle.
Contrary to common opinion, gaining self-esteem is not that hard or complicated. All steps, big and small, towards gaining self-esteem fall into two main categories Avoid the negative and accentuate the positive. Here are some steps to improve self-esteem
Be positive about yourself and accept compliments that point out your strengths and abilities.
Be realistic about what you can do. Trying to be perfect and comparing yourself with other people can damage your self-esteem.
Recognize that everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, do not put yourself down. Learn from your mistakes.
Listen carefully to others, without judging.
Respect people’s differences. Recognize their strengths and accomplishments. Acknowledge the things others do that help your family, your workplace and your community.
Support and encourage other people’s efforts to learn new things.
Give people in your family unconditional love.
Spend time with people who make you feel good. Do things that make you feel worthwhile.
But, most of all, exercise can be a practical choice to help one improve self-esteem. It’s hard to feel negative when all those endorphins are all pumped up. Plus, anytime you feel as though you are doing something positive for yourself; you strengthen your self-esteem.