Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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Developing a Healthy Eating Habit at an Early Stage
Almost all underlying and evident habits that an adult have in his days have come from his childhood experiences. That is why the best time to develop a good and lasting eating habit for a person is in his childhood. So give your child a big favor by guiding him to a healthy eating habit.
It is indeed a big challenge keep your toddler’s focus on his eating. It takes a whole new approach to make it fitting for children. It is really easy. Here are some of the ways:
First and foremost, make your meals and snacks as healthy and balanced as possible
Take advantage of being the one who would decide what you and your child will have for meals and snacks by choosing balanced and healthy meals.
Present your child with variety of healthy food choices.
There will be days that your child will have some occasional ‘food jags’ in which he will only eat one kind of food. Don’t get disturbed at this because it will just pass. Continue to offer him new choices because eventually your child’s curiosity will catch up and may try the new thing you’re offering. Another way is to serve every meal the food your child likes along with something new. Encourage him to taste what you’re serving and he’ll just figure out eventually to try it if he wants to eat more.
Teach by Example
Of course we all know that what adults are doing is always right in a child’s eyes. That is why it will help much to have a healthy eating habit yourself. You don’t want your child to question why you eat fatty fast foods while they can only eat vegetables.
Eat as a family
Never underestimate the benefits of eating as a family. Make your children get into a habit of thinking that meals are not only about food but also about eating with the ones you love. Eating as a family gives you some time to impart your wisdom to your children and it actually helps them prefer to eat healthy foods over unhealthy fast foods or junk foods.
Don’t give your child a chance to sneak out for ‘unhealthy’ treats
It is less likely for your child to go on a ninja mode if you don’t keep some junk foods or any unhealthy treats anywhere in your house at all. You may only serve them sometimes in special occasions so that they will understand that those are meant for moderation and so that you would not have to impose a total ban of some foods for them (which would arouse their curiosity and will eventually disobey you).
Remember that children are not pets
If your child has done anything good, do not try to offer them food as rewards because it might develop in them an emotional attachment towards food. Give them a hug or a kiss instead. It’s priceless, sugar-free and lovely.
Be watchful of their juice and milk intake
Milk and juice are healthy parts of your child’s diet but too much of a good thing is also bad. Don’t let them drink more than 16 to 24 ounces of milk and more than six ounces of juice in a day so that they will not become too hungry to eat other healthy foods. Instead you may offer them plenty of water.
Teach your child to recognize when he feels hungry
It will actually help more not to regulate every bite your child takes because he may learn not to pay attention to the signals of his body and may soon develop into an eating disorder when he grows up and you need a eating disorder treatment . Some days your child eats like a hungry bear, some like a fasting monk. But don’t worry. If he does not finish what is on his plate, regulate your serving and tell him to ask you if he still wants more.
For More visit:
Philippe Jacquet & Associates – Colchester
35 W Stockwell St, Colchester CO1 1HR, United Kingdom
+44 7809 668193
philippejacquet@rocketmail.com
When To Schedule An Appointment With A Harley Street Psychotherapist
It is a positive change in society at large that that mental health issues are no longer kept secret or hidden from friends, family, and coworkers. Thanks to many celebrities and leaders speaking out about issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and addictions, more people in the United Kingdom are reaching out online or in person to psychotherapists in Harley Street to address these challenges.
Knowing when to schedule an appointment with a Harley Street psychotherapist is the first step. It is not uncommon for people to make assumptions about psychotherapy that may put off getting the mental health treatment they need. Recognising the main symptoms or signs that psychotherapy is needed allows the individual to get help, support, and effective treatment.
Inability to Live Life
Mental health issues that negatively impact the individual’s ability to live their life is a significant issue. Only about 40% of people with mental health conditions seek therapy, and many only get into therapy after some type of negative event brings their situation to the attention of family, friends, or sometimes social workers or medical doctors.
When an individual is no longer able to go to work or sustain employment, or if they cannot go to school due to feelings of depression, anxiety, overwhelm, or despondency, mental health treatment from a Harley Street psychotherapist can both identify the cause of the problem and help to develop effective and positive coping skills.
Chronic Distress
Mental health issues can become chronic, meaning they become a part of that individual’s behaviour and thought processes. When negative thoughts are pervasive or occur on a daily basis, seeking treatment helps to break this cycle.
Chronic types of mental health disorders, including trauma, grief, depression and anxiety can all have a physical effect on the body. It is not uncommon for these individuals to have problems with extreme fatigue, insomnia, irritability and anger, increased illness, headaches, body aches and digestive problems. Weight loss or weight gain may also occur.
Attempts to self-medicate using alcohol or drugs can become an additional problem. In fact, psychotherapy is often the best option in the treatment of any type of substance abuse or addiction, as it addresses the underlying issues.
Loss of Enjoyment
Issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, addiction and even extended grief and bereavement lead to a loss of enjoyment of life. Things that were once fun and entertaining are now bland and uninteresting, or sometimes too painful to think about or to do. Activities that involve being around family and friends are often avoided, further limiting any joy and sense of connection to the world around the individual.
Talking to a Harley Street psychotherapist when these types of changes and issues occur in life is the first step in seeking help. The psychotherapist works closely with each individual, developing a customised treatment plan that includes different types of therapeutic approaches. Through talk therapy, the individual and the psychotherapist explore the cause of the problem and then create an effective treatment plan to address issues.
Strategies To Reduce Anxiety and depression Around COVID-19
It is very common for people to experience mild to moderate anxiety during challenging times and changes in life. The sudden onset and the dramatic changes that the COVID-19 pandemic certainly meet the definition of uncertainty and challenge.
While there is anxiety about the spread of the disease and the risk for self, family members, friends, colleagues, and loved ones, there is also anxiety about the future. Many households are struggling with financial issues, managing children and working from home, as well as the very real impact of social isolation or social distancing. These changes, and the uncertainty as to future changes or the duration of the current protocols, add to the levels of anxiety most people experience.
Reaching out to speak with a therapist or a counsellor about anxiety and stress is a very beneficial option. Top psychotherapists and counsellors, including the professionals at Philippe Jacquet & Associates, had already introduced Skype sessions for remote clients. It is now possible to transition this service to people living both locally in London, as well as those outside of the area or outside of the UK.
There are also strategies that anyone can use to address anxiety and to stay calm and focused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first step is to recognise the signs of anxiety related to COVID-19. This can include:
- Preoccupation about your health at a more significant level than normal
- Fear about the safety and well-being of yourself and those you care about
- Difficulty in focus, concentration, or the ability to work
- Eating and sleep changes
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, even over-the-counter medications
- Feelings of emotional numbness, depression, stress, or fear
To limit anxiety around the COVID-19 pandemic, the following strategies are recommended by Depression Counselling professionals:
- Limit watching the news – constant listening too or watching the news heightens the sense of anxiety. It is important to stay informed, but consider choosing one news programme that offers a balanced and non-opinion focused approach and limiting your exposure to sensationalised types of journalism.
- Use social media with caution – social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family. However, it can also be a source of inflated and inaccurate information about the pandemic. Consider putting people on hold or removing them from your feed if they are posting information that is disturbing or creates feelings of anxiety.
- Get into a routine – routines are a form of structure. Many people feel anxious when they do not have a routine, so creating your daily plan is extremely important. Get up at a set time, work, eat, and take breaks at set times throughout the day, and be sure to follow a healthy bedtime routine to get at least 8 hours of sleep.
- Exercise and diet – regular exercise, including a brisk walk, is necessary for your body and your mind. Get outdoors and enjoy the weather or take walking tours to explore your local neighbourhood, all while maintaining social distancing requirements. Eat healthy, balanced meals and snacks to give your body and brain the energy and fuel they require.
- Practice mindfulness – find time to be present in the moment throughout the day. What can you feel, hear, see, smell, or sense? Mediation is a form of mindfulness, and there are lots of free mediation exercises online or through a variety of apps.
Finally, find at least one thing to be grateful for each day. Focusing on what is good and positive in your life is a simple way to stay grounded and to create calm and well-being on a personal level.
Preventing A Relapse For Those With An Eating Disorder
Philippe Jacquet & Associates specialises in treating mayfair eating disorders in their central London office. Eating disorders are always a challenge for the individual as abstinence from the object of the disorder is not a possibility during treatment and beyond.
Unlike addictions to alcohol or drugs, food is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. For those with an eating disorder, finding a way to address the root of the disorder is critical in a long-term, sustained healthy lifestyle. While complex, eating disorders can be effectively treated. For many, this includes exploring, in a safe, therapeutic environment, the origins of the eating disorder. Often the standard types of eating disorder recovery programmes do not provide the necessary focus on the underlying issues. Unlike psychotherapy for eating disorders in a central London office, these programmes tend to focus on generalised issues and changing behaviours. While this can be effective, it does not lead to an understanding of the root of the problem, potentially setting up the individual to relapse if specific triggers are encountered.
What is a Relapse in an Eating Disorder?
In any eating disorder recovery, there will be times that pressures, triggers, and issues occur that result in a return to harmful behaviours around food and eating. Eating disorders are often developed over years, and it is not reasonable to expect them to be treated and completely managed without difficulties and challenges.
For those in recovery from eating disorders, ongoing work with a psychotherapist or counselor specializing in food addiction and eating disorder treatment is crucial. These professionals act as an essential part of the support network, helping to address triggers and stressors and create effective, healthy, coping mechanisms and relapse prevention plans.
Relapses often occur due to stressors and events in life. This could be a change in a close relationship, financial stress, the loss of a loved one, the end of a marriage or partnership, or issues with your career. Having an outlet to discuss these issues and to deal with them on an emotional level reduces the risk of falling back into unhealthy behaviours around food.
Tips for Preventing Relapse
Therapists who treat eating disorders in their central London office work with clients to develop a strategy to implement across their life and throughout different environments.
A key component to preventing relapse is in discovering and understanding the client’s individual triggers. For example, if an individual finds overwhelming situations to trigger the eating disorder, early recognition of becoming emotionally overwhelmed is a key factor in preventing relapse. When the client senses a higher level of negative emotional energy, knowing what to do to internally diffuse the situation removes the trigger, reducing the risk of a relapse.
Developing a list of effective coping strategies is the next step. Once the trigger is recognised, the individual can choose the best coping strategy. This could be to call and talk to the therapists, to reach out to someone in the support network, or to address the underlying emotional factor. Having several options to cope with triggers allows for situational flexibility and adaptation for any type of event or trigger.
Planning for the potential of a relapse gives the client confidence she or he can manage the situation. This self-confidence is essential and provides a lifelong plan to avoid falling back into problematic thoughts and behaviours.
Finding Help For Depression Counselling Near Me
One of the most common reasons people stop seeing a psychotherapist or counselor is difficulty in getting to appointments. This makes finding a way to get help for depression counselling near me an important part of the task of choosing the best therapist or counselor.
Before starting your online search for treatment services for depression near me, it is essential to consider what you require from the treatment. Not all therapists and counsellors offer the same types of treatment modes and options, and not all offer customised services for each client.
Consider Professional Accreditation
Professionals in the mental health field in the United Kingdom may be voluntarily accredited. Offices and professionals that go through this process must demonstrate their experience and expertise. They must also agree to uphold all professional and ethical standards that are required by the specific accrediting body. These professional and ethical standards include confidentiality, training requirements, the use of best practices, and compliance with all mental health regulations and guidelines.
In the UK, several governing bodies voluntarily accredit psychotherapists and counsellors. The Health Professionals Council and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy are two such groups. For specialised types of treatments, psychotherapists and counsellors may also be accredited by the British Association of Art Therapists.
Areas of Expertise
A quick search for treatment of depression near me throughout London and the surrounding areas results in thousands of results. While most therapists will treat people with depression, they may not specialise in this treatment. Take the time to review the website, learn about the areas of treatment provided, and also read about the treatment modes and methods used by the professionals in the practice.
One essential factor to consider when comparing the expertise of different therapists is their years with direct treatment of patients. Experienced psychotherapists often have a greater range of treatment options and modes, and they are more likely to work from a holistic or whole-person perspective rather than just treating the symptoms.
Generalised types of psychotherapy may not provide the answers needed to treat the cause of the depression. Highly specialised Jungian psychotherapists can often assist people when other forms of therapy are only limited in their success.
Referrals to a Psychotherapist
Choosing a therapist by asking a trusted person for a referral is also a wise choice. Your physician, health specialist, religious leader, or a professional organisation can be a very effective way to find an experienced psychotherapist or counsellor to assist in the treatment of depression.
Keep in mind, it is possible that other issues may arise during the treatment. In choosing an experienced, highly-rated professional, treating other issues that may come to the surface during appointments is never a problem and allows the client to work with one professional.
Call and schedule an appointment and attend the first session with the therapist. Choose a psychotherapist or counsellor that makes you feel at ease and creates a safe, comfortable environment to express yourself and to work through what can be difficult areas of thought and focus.
For depression counselling visit Philippe Jacquet & Associates in London, UK
Philippe Jacquet & Associates – Colchester
35 W Stockwell St, Colchester CO1 1HR, United Kingdom
philippejacquet.co.uk
+44 7809 668193
Addiction: Gambling Their Life Away
Many people use gambling for fun and for socializing with their peers. Gambling
is harmless until it develops into a problem. Addiction to gambling can cause harm not only to the person directly, but also to the people around him/her. It is believed to attract a variety of social ill that may cause damage to the society. It can be a compulsive habit that can destroy the lives of people who fall into large debts due to gambling away their personal savings or family wealth. His/her relationships with other people can also be compromised because of one’s addiction to gambling. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals refer severe problems in gambling as pathological gambling. Pathological gambling is a behaviour disorder that causes an individual to become progressively unable to resist the impulse of gambling. Compulsive gamblers usually have the traits of being hardworking, competitive, and bright. They are also addicted to the activity of gambling. They also show little interest in passive game of chance such as lotteries.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth
Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) pathological gambling is
A. persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour as indicated by five
(or more) of the following:
(1) Too preoccupied or spending too much time with gambling
(2) Needs to gamble with an increasing amount of money or bet. This is in order
to achieve the desired excitement
(3) Has repeated unsuccessful efforts or acts to control, cut back, or stop the
gambling
(4) Is becoming restless or irritable when they attempt to cut down or stop
gambling
(5) Gambles as a way to escape from their problems or to relieve a dysphoric
mood
(6) After losing money, gamblers often returns another day to get even
(7) Lies to family members, therapist, and/or others to hide the extent of
involvement with gambling
(8) Can commit illegal acts or break the law to finance gambling
(9) The ability to jeopardized or lose a significant relationship, job, educational or
career opportunity because of gambling
(10) Relies on others to provide finances in order to relieve a desperate
financial situation caused by gambling habit
B. The behaviour itself (gambling) is not better accounted for as a Manic
Episode.
Gambling is thought by many to be just a form of socializing and form of
enjoyment by other people. What these people fail to recognize is that there is such a thing as pathological gambling. This form of Impulse-Control Disorder, not classified elsewhere, has already caused so many broken families, financial bankruptcy, and many other broken relationships. Just like substance addiction, pathological gambling started with a single trial and error experiment. These people who are addicted used to think that they had complete control over themselves, that trying it once in a while and/or using it as something fun won’t cause any harm to them or to anyone but they need Mayfair addiction. But little do they know, just like drugs, once they get addicted to gambling, they have to increase the dosage (bet) in order for them to feel the same excitement or rush that they want to achieve. People with gambling problems need help. They should not just be tolerated and left out in the dark and fight this battle alone. People with gambling problems should be helped.
Philippe Jacquet & Associates – Harley Street
1 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 9QD, United Kingdom
+44 20 7206 2438
Know All About Cannabis
What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant used often times as a recreational drug. Even if it is used also in some medical environments (allopathic and homeopathic medicine as well), in most of the countries around the world this is a legally prohibited drug.
There are 3 types of cannabis plants: sativa, indica and ruderalis. When it comes to cannabis consumption, most of the people name the drug marijuana. The principal psychoactive constituent of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but there are other 400 cannabinoids compounds in the plant besides THC.
The use of marijuana as a recreational drug or even as spiritual enhancer seems to go back as far as human behavior has been recorded, with data confirming marijuana consumption fur such purposes even 3 millennium BC (Rudgley, 1998). Nowadays, even if incriminated by the law, marijuana is widely used and, according to a United Nations report from 2006, around 22 million people smoke it on a daily basis.
The unprocessed flowers and leaves from the cannabis female plant are usually smoked and this is the most popular way of use. Cannabis can also be processed and hashish or kief or even hash oil are other forms of cannabis products that some users prefer. The administration of the drug is done on many routes: cigars, small pipes, bong or vaporizer. The fresh plant can be consumed orally or it can be combined with high-proof spirits resulting in special tinctures. Cooking the plant is another way of getting high on marijuana, like making tea of the plant or preparing special cakes containing it.
What effects does cannabis produce?
The mechanism of marijuana action is still researched but, from the actual data, it seems that THC impacts the cannabinoid receptors in the brain (CB1 & CB2) and the main effects are the increase of dopamine release and the apparition of psychotropic effects. Even though the effect seems to last for a few hours, THC stays in the body for several weeks due to the high lipid-solubility of cannabinoids.
Here are some of the effects of marijuana use on the psychic, as stated by Earlywine (2002):
- Perception: time slows, space appears more vast, senses appear enhanced;
- Emotions: euphoria feelings, increased relaxation, fear increases at high doses and feelings in general seem stronger;
- Thoughts: a tendency to focus on the present; forgetfulness increases;
- Sexuality: enhances the experience of orgasm and responsiveness of the body to sexual stimulation;
- Spirituality: increase of the sense of the divine and the openness to spiritual experience.
Other effects: Short-term memory is affected, concentration seems impaired, depersonalization can also occur. Physical signs such as reddened eyes, lack of moisture in the mouth, dehydration and appetite variations are correlated with cannabis use.
What are the risks associated with cannabis consumption?
Even if cannabis is not a strong drug and an overdose is difficult to reach, consuming it implies certain risks for one’s life, such as developing psychological addiction to the drug and physical health issues if used habitually for extensive periods of time. According to a report of Kalant (2004) based on the most important studies about marijuana use that have been performed during the last decades, it seems there are many health risks associated with this drug use. For example, chronic inflammatory and precancerous changes in the airways have been demonstrated in cannabis smokers. An epidemiological link between cannabis use and schizophrenia onset or relapse is sustained by some studies. Even weaker, a link between cannabis and depression has been stated too. Cognitive impairments of various types appear at heavy users of the drug. Permanent effects on memory, information processing and executive functions in the children of women who use cannabis during pregnancy are possible. Of course, one of the main risks is developing an addiction to cannabis, with 7-10% of the people who use it daily becoming dependent on the drug.
Ask for help
If you feel you cannot function normally anymore without smoking a joint or having fun is impossible if there’s nothing more than the company of a few good friends and good chit-chat, some questions should pop-up into your mind. Talking to your personal practitioner or to someone in your family could help you to realize the type of problem you might be facing. Remember that using drugs can harm your health, professional and social life for a long time. Don’t waste beautiful years with being “high” while here, on earth, life is slipping through your fingers! 12 steps programs as well as individual psychotherapy in mayfair might work for you. It’s never too late or too early to ask yourself if the road you’re walking on at the moment is the road that would take you to your true self and to your real aims in life.
Reference
- Earlywine, M. (2002). Understanding Marijuana – A new look at the scientific evidence. NY: University Press.
- Kalant, H. (2004) Adverse effects of cannabis on health: An update of the literature since 1996. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 28(5), p. 849-863. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.05.027
- Rudgley, R. (1998). Lost Civilisations of the Stone Age. New York: Free Press.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2006) (PDF). Cannabis: Why We Should Care.. 1. S.l.: United Nations. p. 14.
Kickboxing: The Perfect Workout for You
Are you looking for a high impact workout? Enjoy activities that leave you breathless? Nothing beats the feeling of sweating and panting after a good workout because it makes you fulfilled especially with hopes to shed of pounds of your body. Kickboxing is one of the weight loss exercises that will allow you to remove inches from body in the quickest possible way. How? Well, after burning an average of a
thousand calories in every workout, you will definitely lose weight! Compared to all other weight loss exercises, kickboxing can make you burn more calories than any other cardiovascular activity you can think of.
Kickboxing helps you burn calories because it puts together various movements of the arms and legs like the jab, uppercut, and roundhouse. You will definitely burn even more with the stretching and calisthenics activities before the actual workout begins. This prepares the body for the whole body workout and also develops the flexibility of a person.
This type of workout has several advantages compared to other movement activities. Of course, it helps burn a big bulk of the calories each time, but it also gives you the benefits of both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The strength of the body is also developed, as well as the confidence as you perfect every movement. For those who undergo a lot of stress, kickboxing will also relieve you from these
because of the intense moves that will take your mind off your concerns.
Most of the time, diets work to help you look and feel lighter. But, the common problems that many individuals have after dieting include loose and saggy skin, as well as the fear of gaining back the weight after the diet program comes to a halt. Finding perfect weight loss exercises to assist you in keeping the weight off completely is important because this will make you feel contented and continuously rewarded with the figure that you see in the mirror.
A workout just like kickboxing does not only make you sweat but it also build muscles to strengthen the body. With more muscles, you can surely be able to keep in shape even if you stop limiting the food you consume. So at the end of your diet program, you can still enjoy the figure that you have developed. However, you might be surprised to see that weight has increased slightly while your body has continued to trim down. Because of the muscles are slightly heavier than fats, you become a little heavier with more of these in your body. But, do not to worry because this is an indication that your body is stronger and ready for more challenging weight loss exercises and more strenuous activities.
Philippe Jacquet & Associates – Colchester
35 W Stockwell St, Colchester CO1 1HR, United Kingdom
+44 7809 668193
philippejacquet@rocketmail.com
Give Me 10 Minutes, I’ll Give You The Truth About Workaholism
The term workaholic has been coined in 1971 by Wayne Oates, in his story “Confessions of a workaholic”(Oates, online). Later, the term grew in popularity and was adopted by the masses, being used today either to describe in a humorous fashion and in a partly sarcastic manner a person that is over passionate about his/her work or to describe somebody who “gradually becomes emotionally crippled and addicted to control and power in a compulsive drive to gain approval and success” (Killinger, 1997, p. 6)
Workaholism is not in itself a condition recognized by the medical world, but it is a typical symptom in various mental disorders (obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress, neurotic addictions etc).
Causes
Causes can be related to both the individual and the social and cultural context in which the individual lives. Today’s society, being geared towards production and consumption, massively promotes the idea of overwork and over achievement. Robinson (2007) claims that work is this century’s cocaine, backing up this bold statement with the fact that sixty, eighty and even one hundred work hours per week have become the normal quota for law companies and corporations. Even though workaholics have a good income and their families seem to be provided for, things are in reality quite different for their interior life, all the family members having to suffer due to a constant physical and emotional absence of the person who spends most of his/her time working.
On the other hand, an obsession for work can only be developed under certain conditions related to the individual’s psychological structure and life history. Following 20 years of research in the field, Robinson (2007) reached the conclusion that workaholic individuals usually come from “ill” families. Having alcoholic parents, some with mood disorders or coming from families with financial difficulties, present day workaholics have been obligated ever since childhood to become “little adults”. With this abrupt shift, they took on several responsibilities prematurely and forgot the pleasures of childhood, such as the mere act of playing.
Symptoms
According to the WA World Services Organization (2009), people suffering from workaholism manifest the following:
- an inability to relax
- a lack of ability to realize how they would enjoy spending their time since they are always used to doing what their work requires; feelings of resentment generated by this
- self esteem depends on professional performance
- they care about authority and lack the courage to ever challenge it, even when they feel wronged by the powers to be
- they enjoy always being in control, especially over their feelings
- oftentimes they work excessively because they can’t cope without having the full appreciation of a boss or of fellow colleagues
- they are not always honest regarding their professional success and sometimes tend to exaggerate their accomplishments due to low self esteem
- they feel inner pain
Consequences
There are several negative consequences that accompany work addiction. According to Smith (2007), workaholism has similar consequences to other addictions and compulsions. One’s social, emotional and spiritual life and even one’s physical health are jeopardized.
By spending most of their time with their work, the family is being neglected, friends are being ignored and interpersonal communication is invariably affected. The more interpersonal relations deteriorate, the deeper will the workaholic sink into his work. Emotionally, workaholics are constantly under an affective fluctuation, reaching at times states of depression, anxiety or paranoia. They can frequently resort to addictive behaviors, such as drugs and alcohol consumption, binge eating etc.
Due to the emotional pain, their whole conception of the world and life in general is affected, oftentimes making them doubt their life’s direction, the world’s meaning or God’s existence. Last but not least, they are affected in a physical way, with numerous reports of cases of exhaustion, stress management in london, lack of sleep, lack of appetite, migraine headaches, ulcer, high blood pressure, immunity disorders and even death if the physical symptoms are all together ignored.
What can be done?
As with any addictions, specialized help is required. There are numerous rehabilitation programs available, different therapeutic approaches meant to help the workaholic in getting back to a normal way of functioning. 12 steps programs are also available, in which people are being taught to prioritize their tasks, to listen, to live outside the limitations of a schedule, to play, relax, ask questions, learn from other people’s experience and, most importantly, to live in the present moment.
If you feel that your job occupies your whole life and you feel more connected to your office than to your family, friends and hobbies, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help. Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy!
References:
Killinger, B. (1997). Workaholics: The Respectable Addicts. US: FireFly Books Ltd.
Oates, W. (1971). Confessions of a Workaholic retrieved from http://oates.org/cos/oateslibrary/books/confessions/weo-coaw-00a.html
Robinson, B. E. (2007). Chained to the Desk: A Guidebook for Workaholics, Their Partners and Children, and the Clinicians Who Treat Them, NY: New York University Press
Smith, B. (2007). Stroking the compulsion: Workaholism, US: AuthorHouse.
WA World Services Organization (2009), The Workaholics Anonymous Book of Recovery, retrieved from http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1
For More visit us at
Philippe Jacquet & Associates – Harley Street
1 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 9QD, United Kingdom
+44 20 7206 2438
+44 7809 668193
philippejacquet@rocketmail.com
Alcoholism
Before 1987, when psychiatrists were talking about alcoholism, they usually referred to “alcohol abuse” and “alcohol dependence”. After that year, DSM-III presented alcoholism as a form of addiction and preferred the term “alcohol dependence” when referring to this disorder.
Currently, DSM-IV defines alcohol dependence in a person as a combination between alcohol abuse on one hand and tolerance and withdrawal, on the other hand, while the person has an uncontrollable drive to drink.
Alcohol abuse is a dangerous practice that implies iterative use of alcohol even though adverse consequences are faced by the individual who embraces it.
Symptoms of alcohol dependence
The phase model proposed by Jellinek is one of the most popular models when explaining the mechanism behind this disorder. Jellinek’s model (1962) is a biologist one and it talks about alcohol dependence in terms of 4 phases (Self, 1989, p. 32):
- Prealcoholic symptomatic phase: the individual passes from occasionally drinking to drinking on a daily basis; he/she perpetuates that drinking habit in order to relieve tension; this is the phase in which alcohol tolerance is rising;
- Prodromal phase: the specific mark of this phase is represented by the presence of blackouts. The person has memory loss and, even if she/he can perform difficult activities, remembering them the next day is oftentimes an impossible task;
- Crucial phase: control over drinking is lost; even though the drinker can decide if he/she has a glass, once he/she had it, it is impossible to stop drinking many others;
- Chronic phase: drinking and getting alcohol intoxicated becomes routine; phobia, tremors, psychomotor problems, difficulties in thinking and verbalization, as well as loss of tolerance are the most common landmarks of this phase.
Causes
As it often happens with many addiction disorders, there is no universal answer about what causes alcoholism. A very interesting theory states that heredity might have an important word to say in alcohol addiction disorder. However, a study of Slutske, True, Scherrer, Heath, Bucholz, Eisen et al. (1999) performed on more than 3000 twin male pairs revealed that it is impossible to exactly devise determinant factors in alcoholism onset.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine and The National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence enclose psychosocial and environmental factors with the genetic ones: poverty, shyness, social isolation, as well as certain medical conditions (schizophrenia, depression or anxiety disorders) also count in developing alcoholism.
Treatment
Socially stable problem drinkers who wish to decrease the amount of drinking can benefit from brief interventions and short-term Alcohol Counseling, according to Fleming & Manwell (1999). Still, alcohol dependence is a sinuous problem and many of the patients relapse. Therefore, a long-term strategy for curing alcoholism is usually used in therapy. There are 12 steps programs (Alcoholics Anonymous program, for example), but also other psychotherapeutic approaches. According to Enoch & Goldman (2002), the major steps that have to be taken when curing alcoholism should target physiologic dependence, psychological dependence and habit. Usually, the stages of curing are withdrawal and detoxification, followed by therapeutic procedures that encourage abstinence.
Recently, medication that reinforces psychosocial therapies has proved itself to be effective on the long run for patients facing alcohol abuse, therefore opening the road for a combined approach to healing alcohol addiction (Finney, Hahn & Moos, 1996).
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Revised 4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Enoch, M. A. & Goldman, D. (2002). Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Family Physician, 65 (3), p. 441-449.
Finney, J. W, Hahn, A. C. & Moos, R. H (1996). The effectiveness of inpatient and outpatient alcohol abuse: the need to focus on mediators and moderators of setting effects. Addiction, 91, p. 1773–96.
Fleming, M. & Manwell, L. B. (1999). Brief intervention in primary care settings. A primary treatment method for at-risk, problem, and dependent drinkers. Alcohol Res Health, 23, p.128–37.
Self, D. R. (1989). Alcoholism Treatment Marketing, Beyond T.V. Ads and Speeches, US: The Haworth Press.
Slutske, True, Scherrer, Heath, Bucholz, Eisen et al. (1999), The Heritability of Alcoholism Symptoms: “Indicators of Genetic and Environmental Influence in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals”, Alcoholism, 23(5), p. 759-769.
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