Understanding Anxiety DisordersWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Anxiety disorders are most common psychiatric conditions affecting people today. Both children and adults today are susceptible to these conditions. In US, approximately 19 million adults suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. These conditions affect people’s lives on a daily basis, restricting their ability to work, relax, eat, and even sleep. Anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and they can grow progressively worse if not treated. Here’s a closer look at some common anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Also called GAD, this is a common anxiety disorder characterized by chronic episodes of “free floating" anxiety or apprehension that are not linked to a specific cause or situation. These episodes of GAD may last for six months or more. Stressful life events, such as moving, changing jobs, losing a loved one, or suffering a financial hardship can trigger or contribute to anxiety. Muscle tension, sweating, difficulty swallowing, edginess, nausea, trembling, insomnia, abdominal upsets, dizziness, and irritability are common physical symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected by this condition. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: OCD is commonly joked about in movies and television programs. Jack Nicholson's character in As Good as It Gets suffered from obsessive compulsive anxiety disorder. However, sufferers of condition, and their loved ones, don't find it to be a joking matter. With this condition, individuals are plagued by constant thoughts or obsessions that create fear and anxiety. For instance, a sufferer of obsessive-compulsive disorder might constantly fear being contaminated by germs or burning down house. These obsessions compel person to compulsively complete a routine or series of routines (such as washing hands or checking toaster) to relieve anxiety. Over one third of individuals who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder began to demonstrate signs of disease in childhood. Panic Disorder: A panic disorder is characterized by intense attacks that cause sufferer to experience such symptoms as heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, feeling of choking, fear of dying, fear of losing control, and loss of touch with reality. People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. They can't predict when an attack will occur, and many develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where next one will strike. These attacks may be triggered by a stressful event or they may come on for no discernible reason. People who suffer from panic attacks are often uncomfortable in new or unfamiliar environments since they may be unsure of how they will get themselves to safety if an attack should occur. For this reason, panic disorders often occur with agoraphobia, in which people are afraid of any strange places. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from a panic disorder.
| | Facial Skin CareWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Because of exposure it receives, skin on your face is most delicate skin on your body. Your facial skin needs special care to stay young, healthy, and beautiful.1.Clean Your Face Gently Toothpaste can be very irritating to skin around mouth. So brush your teeth before cleansing your face to remove any toothpaste residue that may be left on your lips and cheeks (You should use a natural toothpaste free from toxic Flouride- “Jasons” brand works well. Next, splash your face with lukewarm water and smooth about a quarter-size amount of a mild, natural cleanser over your face. You may use a washcloth or facial cloth if you wish, but fingertips are gentler on skin. Use circular strokes to lightly massage cleanser into your skin. Rinse soap from your face with lukewarm water, and blot your skin dry with a clean, soft towel. 2.Use Toner Sparingly Skin toning products often contain drying products, such as alcohol or acetone, that can be irritating to sensitive skin. Avoid using a skin toner if your skin has become dry and delicate over years. However, a natural skin toner like product “Oxy-Skin” will bind water to skin and provide extra cleansing and moisture. This product would be useful for someone with dry or oily skin. Use skin toner on freshly cleansed skin. Apply toner to a cotton tissue rather than a cotton ball as a tissue is less absorbent and you will end up using less toner on your face. Gently smooth tissue over your face and allow toner to dry. 3.Apply Eye Cream The skin under your eyes is more delicate and sensitive than skin on rest of your face. It is first part of your face to show signs of aging. An natural eye cream or serum can help to protect this fragile skin, even out skin tone, minimize dark under eye circles, and even temporarily tighten fine lines. Use a pea-sized amount of eye cream (Parfait Visage) and apply to your skin with your middle finger. This finger will apply less pressure than your index finger. In a clockwise motion, smooth cream from center of undereye area to browbone and over your lids. 4.Moisturize Liberally A good moisturizer is one of foundations of an effective skin care routine. Use a moisturizer right after bathing to seal moisture into your skin. A moisturizing product that is not made especially for face may be too heavy and it may leave face looking and feeling greasy. Creams and lotions usually are facial moisturizers of choice for a couple of reasons, as they contain some water and are lighter on face. And many creams and lotions are humectants, an oil-free class of moisturizer that binds water to skin so its effects are longer lasting.
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