Anger Management
Nobody can forget the incidents that took place during this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.
Jade Goody’s reasoning behind her aggression was that she did not know how to show her anger in the right way. She soon checked into The Priory to seek help in managing her anger.
Everyone feels angry sometimes, it is a normal response to some situations.
However, if it is not well managed, it can damage every aspect of everyday life. It is important for people to learn how to express their feelings in healthy way.
Anger is an emotion which can vary intensely; from slight irritation to blind rage. It causes physical changes in the body such as an increase in adrenaline levels and a faster heart rate. Some people can show anger in a constructive way, but others – like Jade Goody – become aggressive.
There are a number of ways to relieve the pent up feelings inside. The first would be to try and calm down. Taking deep breaths is one method, as is counting to ten or repeating a word, such as “relax”, to yourself until the feelings subside. If it is necessary, a person should leave the situation as soon as they can.
It is also important to learn how to express yourself calmly. Think about what it is that is making you angry and what you want to say. Be patient and work out the best way to handle the situation without becoming violent.
Finally, a change in lifestyle could also help. Regular exercise or relaxation methods are a good technique, as is cutting down on the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
Not everybody can control their anger by themselves; in some extreme cases it is necessary to seek outside help such as counselling.
Alcohol Addiction
There are four main symptoms for alcohol dependency. Sufferers have constant cravings for a drink; they find it difficult to stop once they have started a drinking session; they have a physical dependence leading to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and sweating once they have stopped drinking; and their tolerance is increased, so it becomes harder for them to get drunk, leading to more alcohol being consumed.
It is a chronic disease which means that it will last a lifetime. There is no known cure, and even though an addict has been dry for a considerable amount of time, they will always be an alcoholic, so it is recommended that they stay away from drink completely.
It is possible that alcoholism does run in families, although there is no reason to think that because a parent has had a problem, their child will automatically be dependent as well.
Prescription Drugs
On his 33rd birthday, Robbie Williams checked himself into an American rehab clinic. He had decided it was time to tackle his dependency on prescription drugs.
This addiction is not so widely recognised as a problem. As the medications are available over the counter people do not believe that they are harmful. They are considered to be legal drugs. Problems occur when people continue to take the medication when it is no longer necessary for them to do so. In some cases, they believe that they can still feel the pain which causes them to be prescribed the medication in the first place.
There is no one particular group which is most at risk. Any person at any time, no matter what their circumstances, can become reliant on prescription drugs. It can be hard to stop, especially if the doctor is willing to keep providing the prescriptions as they are unaware of the dependency which has built up.
It can become more serious when addicts have their supply cut off, as they go to great lengths to get the drugs – some even resort to taking other peoples medication.
Most people do not realise they are doing anything wrong, as they were prescribed the medication to begin with, and so it can be hard to stop without outside help. Sometimes an intervention is necessary.
Depression
The main symptom of depression is the general feeling of misery. However, it is not the sole symptom.
Patients can suffer mood swings, disturbed sleep, anxiety attacks, tearfulness for no reason and may have a very short temper. They may also feel lethargic and suffer a loss of appetite. Statistics show that up to 12% of men are known to suffer from the affliction, and between 20% and 25% of women may be diagnosed with depression. The higher statistic for females is accounted for with post-natal depression, which can affect women in the first six months after the birth, but can last for a considerable amount of time.
Depression has to be treated by a professional. Both a mental and physical examination is necessary, and the history of any mental health issue in the family may also be studied.
The remedy is tailored to meet the individual’s needs, with the possibility of both medication and therapy being prescribed. It may take up to twelve weeks for the correct pill combination to be discovered and take effect.
There is no known cause for the condition, but it can be a combination of mental and physical factors. It can also occur and reoccur for no apparent reason.
Family history, stress, trauma, and physical illness can all be reasons for why a person becomes depressed.
Drug Dependency
Pete Doherty is not only known for being Mr Kate Moss. The Babyshambles star is also known for his many brushes with the law over his love of illegal drugs.
Drug addiction is seen by many as a strictly social problem. To them, an addict is morally weak and, if not one already, a criminal in the making.
They believe that they should be able to kick the habit whenever they want to.
However, the condition actually represents a major public health problem, and, like prescription drug abuse, it can affect anybody, no matter what their age, class or gender.
At some point during drug use changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into drug addiction. The disease is treatable, but how depends on the person. It is vital that they have a support network.
