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	<title>&#187; Mental Health</title>
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		<title>All you need to know about nosebleeds</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/all-you-need-to-know-about-nosebleeds</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/all-you-need-to-know-about-nosebleeds#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:40:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nosebleeds]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=470</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nosebleeds are common for most of us and usually the sight is more frightening than the cause. Most nosebleeds can be cured at home however in some situations it is advisable to visit a doctor. The nosebleeds that need looking into are those caused by no visible external or internal injury. At these times it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nosebleeds are common for most of us and usually the sight is more frightening than the cause. Most nosebleeds can be cured at home however in some situations it is advisable to visit a doctor. The nosebleeds that need looking into are those caused by no visible external or internal injury. At these times it is best to go in for a medical check up to determine the cause.</p>
<p>Nosebleeds occurring due to internal causes could be due to the inability of the body to clot blood. Sometimes our blood thins because of medication or some liver related problems and in these cases, if the body is unable to clot the blood it will result in nosebleeds. A nasal cancer or leukemia could also be the reason behind nosebleeds and sometimes bleeding is caused if a blood vessel in your nose bursts. When nosebleeds stem from the vessels at the end of your nose it can be dangerous. This type of nosebleed is more common with the elderly due to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or bleeding disorders.</p>
<p>In case of a nosebleed, sit down while leaning forward. By keeping you head above the heart can stop or at least slow the bleeding. Leaning forward will ensure than the blood is expelled through your nose since if lean back, the blood may flow through your throat and to your stomach. Next squeeze the soft portion of your nose with your thumb and index finger. The soft portion is located at between the end of your nose and the bridge of your nose.</p>
<p>For the normal nosebleeds, you can follow a few tips to avoid it. If nosebleeds are frequent and severe the best strategy for you would be to have a medical examination to find out the cause and if it is serious.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How you can relieve a pinched nerve</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/how-you-can-relieve-a-pinched-nerve</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/how-you-can-relieve-a-pinched-nerve#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:29:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Advise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nerve Problems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trapped Nerves]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=451</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A pinched nerve can be a big problem and botheration for someone suffering from it, because the nerve begins to feel compressed and one will definitely feel uncomfortable with this kind of a condition. A pinched nerve is caused by a “misalignment” of the body that can lead to a complication in the nervous system [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/nerve-9.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="180" />A pinched nerve can be a big problem and botheration for someone suffering from it, because the nerve begins to feel compressed and one will definitely feel uncomfortable with this kind of a condition. A pinched nerve is caused by a “misalignment” of the body that can lead to a complication in the nervous system that can cause a nerve to inflame. The inflammation of the nerve is what causes the sensation of a pinched nerve.</p>
<p>It is believed and many patients who have undergone such an experience might also be able to agree that treatment of a pinched nerve or an inflamed nerve is done best by an experienced chiropractor. As mentioned before, the most obvious cause ailment that leads to the nerve to pinch is the misalignment of the body that can best be fixed by a variety of chiropractic adjustments and treatments.</p>
<p>Not only are adjustments to the arms and neck and spine etc made, but usually for such a situation where you are suffering from a pinched nerve, a chiropractor also advises his or her patient to regularly exercise and undergo physiotherapy. Their therapy often also involves the use of ultrasound methods and electrotherapy treatments to lend a lot of relief to the area of the body where your nerve has been affected. However, with such a condition you cannot expect the inflammation of the nerve and therefore the pinched nerve feeling to go away very easily with only one sitting, you will have to visit your chiropractor more number of times than that to be completely relieved of any kind of problems that were caused to your nervous system due to the misalignment of your body.</p>
<p>The three best things that one such person can do to keep your body from being misaligned too often and then developing pinched nerves to trouble you all the time is to make sure that your diet is a healthy one, also that you are maintaining a healthy weight so that you are neither under weight or over weight and also that you are an active person. However, if you have such a tendency because of your body structure or any other similar reason, you will need an ongoing care from your chiropractor so that you do not develop such nervous affliction again.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects women</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/475</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/475#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:51:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Womens Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Womens Health Advice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=475</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[PMS is a burden that all women must share and though the intensity may be different for different women it is a curse we wish we could pass it onto men. The symptoms usually begin up to 14 days before your cycle begins and stop a few days after it ends. The causes of PMS [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.drh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bully.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1530" title="Teen Angst" src="http://www.drh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bully-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>PMS is a burden that all women must share and though the intensity may be different for different women it is a curse we wish we could pass it onto men. The symptoms usually begin up to 14 days before your cycle begins and stop a few days after it ends. The causes of PMS lack a solid, scientific base though most evidence points towards the interaction between sex hormones and brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Symptoms of PMS include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Depression</li>
<li>Anxiety</li>
<li>Irritability</li>
<li>Mood swings</li>
<li>Trouble sleeping</li>
<li>Changes in appetite and food cravings</li>
<li>Hot flashes</li>
<li>Joint aches</li>
<li>Headaches</li>
<li>Back pain</li>
<li>Acne</li>
<li>Bloating of abdomen</li>
<li>Tiredness</li>
<li>Increase in heartbeat</li>
<li>Swollen and tender breasts</li>
<li>Weight gain</li>
</ul>
<p>PMS for many women is also accompanied with menstrual cramps that can range from mild to severe. Severe menstrual cramps can be so severe that it may interfere with a woman’s daily activities for several days.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there is no cure for PMS but maintaining a healthy diet, exercise and taking pills may help. Be careful about the medicine you take since not all will suit you. The medicines can be over-the-counter or in some cases, require a doctor’s prescription. Doctor’s may also prescribe anti-depressants or birth control pills as anti-depressants may reduce irritability and depression while birth control pills help by evening out your hormone levels.</p>
<p>There are a few steps you can follow to ease your symptoms and make sure each month goes a little more smoothly. These are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Keeping a regular schedule of meals, exercise and sleep.</li>
<li>Eating 6 small meals instead of 3 heavy ones.</li>
<li>Avoid salt during your period as salt bloats you up and increases fluid retention</li>
<li>Cut back on caffeine to reduce soreness of breasts</li>
<li>Cut back on alcohol to reduce depression, anxiety and irritability</li>
<li>Eat complex carbs such as cereals and whole grain products.</li>
<li>Also eat lots of fiber, protein and food high on iron content</li>
<li>Sleep well for at least 8 hours.</li>
<li>Take vitamin and other supplements such as calcium</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, do consult your doctor especially regarding the vitamins and additional supplements as they may ending doing you more harm if not taken in the right proportion.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Psychotherapy</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/psychotherapy</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/psychotherapy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 11:25:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Therapy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=149</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Psychotherapy is an intentional interpersonal relationship used by trained psychotherapists to aid a patient in problems of living. It aims to increase the individual&#8217;s sense of well-being and reduce their subjective sense of discomfort. Psychotherapists employ a range of techniques based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behaviour change and that are designed to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psychotherapy is an intentional interpersonal relationship used by trained psychotherapists to aid a patient in problems of living. It aims to increase the individual&#8217;s sense of well-being and reduce their subjective sense of discomfort. Psychotherapists employ a range of techniques based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behaviour change and that are designed to improve the mental health of a client or patient, or to improve group relationships (such as in a family). Psychotherapy may be performed by practitioners with a number of different qualifications, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licenced clinical social workers, counsellors, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists.</p>
<p><span lang="EN">Most forms of <strong><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">psychotherapy</span></span></strong> use spoken conversation. Some also use various other forms of communication such as the written word, artwork, drama, narrative story or music. Psychotherapy occurs within a structured encounter between a trained<span> </span>therapist and client(s). Purposeful, theoretically based psychotherapy began in the 19th century with psychoanalysis; since then, scores of other approaches have been developed and continue to be created.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Therapy is generally employed in response to a variety of specific or non-specific manifestations of clinically diagnosable and/or existential crises. Treatment of everyday problems is more often referred to as<span> </span>councelling. However, the term counselling is sometimes used interchangeably with &#8220;psychotherapy&#8221;. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Whilst some psychotherapeutic interventions are designed to treat the patient employing the medical model, many psychotherapeutic approaches do not adhere to the symptom-based model of &#8220;illness/cure&#8221;. Some practitioners, such as humanistic therapists, see themselves more in a facilitative/helper role. As sensitive and deeply personal topics are often discussed during psychotherapy, therapists are expected, and usually legally bound, to respect client or patient confidentiality. The critical importance of confidentiality is enshrined in the regulatory psychotherapeutic organisations&#8217; codes of ethical practice.</span></p>
<p><!--EndFragment--></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Psychotherapy Models</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/psychotherapy-models</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/psychotherapy-models#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 11:01:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy Models]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=147</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are several main broad systems of psychotherapy: Psychoanalysis &#8211; the first practice to be called a psychotherapy. It encourages the verbalisation of all the patient&#8217;s thoughts, including free associations, fantasies, and dreams, from which the analyst formulates the nature of the unconscious conflicts which are causing the patient&#8217;s symptoms and character problems. Cognitive Behavioural [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are several main broad systems of psychotherapy:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Psychoanalysis &#8211; the first practice to be called a psychotherapy. It      encourages the verbalisation of all the patient&#8217;s thoughts, including free      associations, fantasies, and dreams, from which the analyst formulates the      nature of the unconscious conflicts which are causing the patient&#8217;s      symptoms and character problems. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Cognitive Behavioural &#8211; generally seeks by different methodologies to      identify and transcend maladaptive cognitions, appraisal, beliefs and      reactions with the aim of influencing destructive negative emotions and      problematic dysfunctional behaviors. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Psychodynamic &#8211; is a form of depth psychology, the primary focus of      which is to reveal the unconscious content of a client&#8217;s psyche in an      effort to alleviate psychic tension. Although it has its roots in      psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy tends to be briefer and less      intensive than traditional psychoanalysis. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Existential &#8211; is based on the existential belief that human beings are      alone in the world. This aloneness leads to feelings of meaninglessness      which can be overcome only by creating one&#8217;s own values and meanings. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Humanistic &#8211; emerged in reaction to both behaviourism and      psychoanalysis and is therefore known as the Third Force in the      development of psychology. It is explicitly concerned with the human      context of the development of the individual with an emphasis on      subjective meaning, a rejection of determinism, and a concern for positive      growth rather than pathology. It posits an inherent human capacity to      maximise potential, &#8216;the self-actualing tendency&#8217;. The task of Humanistic      therapy is to create a relational environment where this tendency might      flourish. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Brief Therapy &#8211; is an umbrella term for a variety of approaches to      psychotherapy. It differs from other schools of therapy in that it      emphasizes (1) a focus on a specific problem and (2) direct intervention.      It is solution-based rather than problem-oriented. It is less concerned      with how a problem arose than with the current factors sustaining it and      preventing change. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Systemic Therapy &#8211; seeks to address people not at an individual level,      as is often the focus of other forms of therapy, but as people in      relationship, dealing with the interactions of groups, their patterns and      dynamics (includes family therapy and marriage counselling). </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Transpersonal Therapy &#8211; addresses the client in the context of a      spiritual understanding of consciousness. </span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">There are hundreds of psychotherapeutic approaches or schools of thought. By 1980 there were more than 250. By 1996 there were more than 450. The development of new and hybrid approaches continues around the wide variety of theoretical backgrounds. Many practitioners use several approaches in their work and alter their approach based on client need.</span></p>
<p><!--EndFragment--></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Exercise Addiction</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/exercise-addiction</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/exercise-addiction#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 10:59:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Exercise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exercise Addiction]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=145</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some athletes suffer from a subtle form of eating disorder that results in excessive and addictive exercise in an attempt to control or lose weight. Addictive exercisers may use extreme training as one way to expend calories and maintain or lose body weight in the attempt to improve performance or achieve a desired body shape [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some athletes suffer from a subtle form of eating disorder that results in excessive and addictive exercise in an attempt to control or lose weight. Addictive exercisers may use extreme training as one way to expend calories and maintain or lose body weight in the attempt to improve performance or achieve a desired body shape or weight, these problems can be solved through psychotherapy. They often justify their behaviour by believing a serious athlete can never work too hard or too long at their sport. Discomfort, pain or even injury will not keep an exercise addict from training.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>When confronted about this excessive exercise, they may insist that if they didn&#8217;t work this hard, their performance would suffer. They also tend to cling to the false belief that even the smallest break from training will make them gain weight and unable to compete at the same level. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Many compulsive exercisers have behaviours similar to drug addicts. The athlete no longer finds pleasure in exercise, but feels it is necessary. It is no longer a choice; it has become an obligation. While exercise may provide a temporary feeling of well-being or euphoria, the athlete requires more and more exercise to reach this state. If he is forced to miss a workout, he will report overwhelming feelings of guilt and anxiety, similar to withdrawal symptoms. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>While some researchers report that excessive exercise causes the body to produce endorphins (hormones secreted by the pituitary gland that block pain, decrease anxiety and create feelings of euphoria) there is still debate about whether one can become physiologically addicted to exercise. Endorphins are, however, chemically similar to the highly addictive drug morphine, so addiction to exercise is not beyond the realm of possibility. For many athletes, compulsive exercise appears to be psychologically addictive. Such athletes report that reducing their amount of exercise suddenly often results in bouts of severe depression. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Warning Signs of a Compulsive Exerciser</span></strong><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You suffer symptoms of overtraining syndrome. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You force yourself to exercise even if you don&#8217;t feel well. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You almost never exercise for fun </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>Every time you exercise, you go as fast or hard as you can. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You experience severe stress and anxiety if you miss a workout. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You miss family obligations because you have to exercise. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You calculate how much to exercise based on how much you eat. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You would rather exercise than get together with friends. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span>You can&#8217;t relax because you think you&#8217;re not burning calories.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Compulsive exercise is as dangerous as food restriction, binging and purging, and the use of diet pills and laxatives. Compulsive exercise can quickly lead to more serious types of eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia as well as a number of serious physical dangers including kidney failure, heart attack and death. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Compulsive exercise is a serious health concern that often requires the intervention of someone close to the athlete such as a coach, teammate or family member who recognizes these warning signs and seeks professional help. If you suspect someone close to you is exercising compulsively you can help by learning more about this condition and talking openly with the athlete about getting appropriate professional help.</span></p>
<p><!--EndFragment--></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Mental Health</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/mental-health</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/mental-health#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 10:50:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Therapy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=143</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mental health can be seen as a contunuum, where an individual&#8217;s mental health may have many different possible values. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, such that a person can reach enhanced levels of mental health, even if they do not have any diagnosable mental health condition. This definition of mental health [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment-->Mental health can be seen as a contunuum, where an individual&#8217;s mental health may have many different possible values. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, such that a person can reach enhanced levels of mental health, even if they do not have any diagnosable mental health condition. This definition of mental health highlights emotional well-being, the capacity to live a full and creative life, and the flexibility to deal with life&#8217;s inevitable challenges. Many therapeutic systems and self-help books offer methods and philosophies espousing strategies and techniques vaunted as effective for further improving the mental wellness of otherwise healthy people. Positive psychotherapy is increasingly prominent in mental health.</p>
<p><span lang="EN">Mental health can also be defined as an absence of a major mental health condition (for example, one of the diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, IV) though recent evidence stemming from positive psychology suggests mental health is more than the mere absence of a mental disorder or illness. Therefore the impact of social, cultural, physical and education can all affect someone&#8217;s mental health.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Mental health can be socially constructed and socially defined; that is, different professions, communities, societies and cultures have very different ways of conceptualizing its nature and causes, determining what is mentally healthy, and deciding what interventions are appropriate. Thus, different professionals will have different cultural and religious backgrounds and experiences, which may impact the methodology applied during treatment.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Many mental health professionals are beginning to, or already understand, the importance of competency in religious diversity and spirituality. A person is the sum of all his/her experiences as well as their biological inheritence. Therefore, psychotherapy should look at all these aspects of a persons life in order to understand the background to the issues that a patient presents.</span></p>
<p><!--EndFragment--></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Couples Counselling</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/couples-counselling</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/couples-counselling#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 10:30:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couple Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=135</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Relationship counseling is the process of counselling the parties of a relationship in an effort to recognise and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of distress. The relationship involved may be between members of a family or a couple, employees or employers in a workplace, or between a professional and a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN">Relationship counseling</span><span lang="EN"> is the process of counselling the parties of a relationship in an effort to recognise and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of distress. The relationship involved may be between members of a family or a couple, employees or employers in a workplace, or between a professional and a client.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Couples therapy</span><span lang="EN"> is a related and different process which can help couples with relationship difficulties. It may differ from relationship counseling in duration. Short term counselling may be between 1 to 3 sessions whereas short term couples therapy may be between 12 and 24 sessions. An exception being<span> </span>&#8216;brief&#8217; or &#8216;solution focussed&#8217; couples therapy. In addition, counselling tends to be more &#8216;here and now&#8217; and developing new coping strategies. Couples therapy is more about seemingly intractable problems with a relationship history, where emotions are the target and the agent of change.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Before the relationships between the individuals can begin to be understood, it is important for all to recognise and acknowledge that everyone involved has a unique personality, perception, set of values and history. Sometimes the individuals in the relationship adhere to different value systems. Institutional and societal variables (like the social, religious, group and other collective factors) which shape a person&#8217;s nature, and behaviour must be recognised. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Most relationships will get strained at some time, resulting in their not functioning optimally and producing self-reinforcing, maladaptive patterns. These patterns may be called negative interaction cycles. There are many possible reasons for this, including insecure attachment, ego, arrogance, jealousy, anger, greed, psychotherapy, poor communication/understanding or problem solving, ill health, third parties and so on.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">Changes in situations like financial state, physical health, and the influence of other family members can have a profound influence on the conduct, responses and actions of the individuals in a relationship. Often it is an interaction between two or more factors, and frequently it is not just one of the people who are involved that exhibit such traits. Relationship influences are reciprocal, it takes each person involved to make and manage problems.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN">A viable solution to the problem and setting these relationships back on track may be to reorient the individuals&#8217; perceptions and emotions, how one looks at or responds to situations and feels about them. Perceptions of and emotional responses to a relationship are contained in a mental map or a love maps. These can be explored collaboratively and discussed openly. The core values they comprise can then be understood and respected or changed when no longer appropriate. This implies that each person takes equal responsibility for awareness of the problem as it arises, awareness of their own contribution to the problem and making some fundamental changes in thought and feeling.</span></p>
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		<title>Anorexia</title>
		<link>http://www.drh.org.uk/anorexia</link>
		<comments>http://www.drh.org.uk/anorexia#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 09:58:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anorexia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eating Disorders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drh.org.uk/?p=132</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an irrational dread of becoming fat coupled with a relentless pursuit of thinness. People with the eating disorder anorexia go to extremes to reach and maintain a dangerously low body weight. But no matter how much weight is lost, no matter how emaciated they become, it’s never enough. The more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an irrational dread of becoming fat coupled with a relentless pursuit of thinness. People with the eating disorder anorexia go to extremes to reach and maintain a dangerously low body weight. But no matter how much weight is lost, no matter how emaciated they become, it’s never enough. The more the scale dips, the more obsessed they become with food, dieting, and weight loss. The key features of anorexia nervosa are:</p>
<p>•<span> </span>Refusal to sustain a minimally normal body weight</p>
<p>•<span> </span>Intense fear of gaining weight, despite being underweight</p>
<p>•<span> </span>Distorted view of one’s body or weight, or denial of the dangers of one’s low weight</p>
<p>There are two types of anorexia. In the restricting type, weight loss is achieved by restricting calories. Restricting anorexics follow drastic diets, go on fasts, and exercise to excess. In the purging type, people get rid of calories they’ve consumed by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics.  Anorexia is most common in adolescent girls and young women, with a typical age of onset between the ages of 13 and 20.</p>
<p><strong>The difference between dieting and anorexia</strong></p>
<p>Many factors influence this destructive progression from healthy dieting to full-blown anorexia. For many anorexics, self-starvation is a way to feel in control. People with anorexia may feel powerless in their everyday lives, but they can control what they eat. Restricting food is a way to cope with painful feelings such as anger, shame, and self-loathing. Saying “no” to food, getting the best of hunger, and controlling the number on the scale make them feel strong and successful—at least for a short while.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this boost to self-esteem is short-lived. Anorexics believe that their lives will be better—that they’ll finally feel good about themselves—if they lose more weight. But no amount of dieting or weight loss can repair the negative self-image at the heart of anorexia. In the end, anorexia only leads to greater emotional pain, isolation, and physical damage. Therapy helps explore the underlying feelings of low self esteem through psychotherapy, their origins and how the person perpetuates negative beliefs about them self.</p>
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