About Women Health, Sexology, Psychology, Pregnancy

Ignoring, use kisses several times a day - blowing us, touch our parents' cheeks with our lips, beat the noses of our favorite toys, but this can not be compared with real kiss between two adult people. Here comes the interesting part - complexes and fears about our inability to kiss. I'm going to reveal a secret - many adults and experienced people have the same fears. We are all unique, what appeals to one person may unattractive to another; Therefore, the art of kissing is a long-term study.

What is the most important in the art of kissing thing? Whichever way you see, there is only one answer - feel the responses of the partner. Even with a complete lack of skill, touched, if shy to please the lips of his beloved for the first time, his desire to the heavenly joy of opening a kiss. Gently touching and velvet of his lips on the cheeks, the corners of the mouth and other settings you show your partner quickly. And do not try to do something as important as the use of hands and the words forgotten - tender strokes hair and shoulders and brushed soft kisses her neck and arms complement and help set the deepest emotions of the soul.

For first kiss mastering techniques is worth to draw your attention to the movies there. Set aside the horror and detective stories, and go to melodramatic tearjerker, based on how the main characters kiss. Try to put in place, the feeling touches the skin of another person. While in a dream, it is possible to imagine that your loved one and "test" them kisses. No use in creating patterns of individual behavior, and in the future, reactions to improvise on their partners need.

After the scientific approach, we can take taken a look at the classification of kissing a French sexologist Gérard Leleu. In his view, a quiet kiss when the lips in contact with the skin almost without sound. It is best to start your practice with this light kisses lip contact, gently leading partners of the request, the kiss further. After that, it is advisable to slowly kiss stimulate more difficult when the pressure is higher, the sound is louder, but the breathing is not interrupted. If it's a kiss on the lips, the mouth opens slightly on the tongue let loose and enrich pleasant feelings with their soft touches. It is almost a French kiss with an open mouth and a penetration of the tongue in her. You should be very careful here - clean and fresh breath you keep your teeth. In this case only, your parnter is also keen to smooth teeth to dry with her tongue to tease her lips to take you to the highest levels of lust.

Another type of kiss is a kiss when the lips nibbling pinch the skin of the couples - help to find the erogenous zones as gentle movements. Sucking A kiss is familiar to anyone who has been absorbed in it so, love bites, small bruises left on the skin of the couple. Have your lips, a part of the skin and suck the presentation of the sensation of heat. When using a kiss all your attention tickle to a specific erogenous zone focusing is tickled and teased her lips, stimulation of receptors in particular. When appointed a kiss from Gérard Leleu met a pan Her lips are on the skin of the couple drawing the teaching of all counseling centers, often emphasizes the tenderness of touch with his hot tongue. The last type of a kiss is a kiss ranking tracking when the lips of a closed or open mouth keeps skin at a different pressure.

If we go further and call the popular "Kama Sutra", we are much more kissing techniques with his lips and tongue to find. Meanwhile, a kiss is not just a mouth is limited because all movements of the body, hands and even touches the skin receptors influence on the atmosphere and mood of the couple.

So do not even think of yourself as a master of kissing, you can always study something new, especially if you are willing to support your loved one their unusual, such as the use of ice during the experiments kisses. But it's a different story.

How do I know if a psychologist is right for me?

Make sure to find a good "fit" between you and your psychologist.  If you feel comfortable with a psychologist, you may be able to share important information more easily and work together more productively.  When you first contact the psychologist by phone, you can get an initial impression by asking a few questions such as:

•    Are you accepting new clients?

•    How much experience do you have helping people with my problem? What are your      qualifications? Are you registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario?

•    What special techniques do you use?

•    What does a typical session look like?

•    What are your hours?

•    What are your fees?

If you feel that you can only form an impression by meeting a psychologist in person, ask him or her if you can come by for about 20 minutes to get acquainted. Some clients prefer to interview a few psychologists in person before making a choice. It is important that you feel comfortable so you can follow your treatment plan and suceed

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/rightforme

Who pays for psychological treatment?

In Ontario, psychologists are paid by a variety of sources.  The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not pay for psychological services. However, psychological services may be available through government funded services in hospitals, primary care clinics, schools, jails and prisons, social welfare agencies etc. Some clients pay their own fees theselves while other have options for funding and reimbursement.  

Suggested Hourly Rate Extended Health Plans		At its November 2012 board meeting,  the Ontario Psychological Association Board of Directors passed a resolution that the 2013 hourly rate remain at $220 per hour. Many people have extended health-care coverage through an employer. Many of these health-care plans pay all or a portion of the costs of seeing a Registered Psychologist. Read the booklet describing your benefits or talk to your insurance company to find out about your coverage. Coverage for psychologists varies from around $300 to $1000 per year for most plans. Typically, you will pay the psychologist and then be reimbursed by the insurance company.
Employee Assistance  Programs (EAPs)		Some employers have EAPs to help employees deal with mental-health concerns. You may be able to see a psychologist through your EAP.  Psychologists who work in EAPs are bound by the same codes of privacy and confidentiality as other psychologists.
Workplace Safety and  Insurance Board		If you have psychological problems because of an accident or other workplace stress or incident, you may qualify for psychological treatment through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Your claim adjudicator or family physician may be able to help you with this. If your request is declined, you can appeal to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, a board of appeal to which workers and employers bring disputes concerning decisions of the WSIB regarding entitlements to benefits, healthcare and vocational rehabilitation.
Criminal Injuries  Compensation Board http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/who-pays		The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board provides compensation for psychological services to eligible applicants who experience psychological problems as a result of being a victim of crime.

What is involved in psychological treatment?

During treatment sessions, your psychologist works to help you gain a greater understanding of your problem and to solve or manage them better. Specifically, your psychologist helps you to explore your problem-related thoughts, feelings and behaviours as they relate to relationships, work, family, kids etc. During this process, you will be encouraged to develop your own set of goals and methods of successfully achieving these goals. There is more than one way to challenge a psychological problem. Your psychologist's choice of special procedures or techniques will depend on the psychologist's training and orientation, available clinical research and best practices, on your nature and preferences, and on your problem itself. 

Some practical guidelines:  A psychological treatment session typically lasts about 50 minutes but may vary depending on the individual psychologist, your needs, and the kind of activity being done. Psychological treatment may take place over a very short or a lengthy period of time, depending on your individual needs and preferences, evidence-based practices and the problem being addressed.

Similarly, psychological treatment may vary in approach. The most common forms of treatment include individual, couples, family and group therapy. Couples and family therapy methods attempt in every session to provide benefits for everyone affected by the problem. This is especially helpful when identifying and correcting unhelpful communication and role patterns. The benefits and drawbacks of individual versus group therapy are more complicated. Whether individual or group therapy is better depends more on the person, the problem, and the availability of help. You may want to consult with a psychologist about the approach that might be  best for you.

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/whats-involved-in-psychological-treatment

What is involved in a psychological assessment?

Depending on the problem, a psychological assessment usually begins with an initial intake interview, but may go beyond to include psychological tests or questionnaires, available file review, collaboration or consultation with other care providers, etc. If you, your child, or others in your family are to be assessed, the psychologist will tell you how much time this particular assessment is likely to take. It could be as little as a couple of hours or take place over two or more days, or weeks depending on  complexity and the number of people involved.

A psychological assessment is not a case of "one size fits all." A Psychologist's experience helps guide the choice of questions and psychological tests to best understand the presenting problem.  Different psychological tests and questionnaires are designed to explore specific aspects of human experience such as mood, personality characteristics, concentration and memory, alcohol and substance use, anger, relationship problems, coping, parenting, and educational strengths and weaknesses, to name a few.

Once testing is complete, the psychologist combines information gathered from interviews, tests and questionnaires and available file information, to arrive at a conceptualization or diagnosis of your particular problem. Finally, the psychologist will review the results of the assessment with you and discuss how to use the assessment to develop a treatment plan.

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/assessment

What happens on my first visit to a psychologist?

During your first appointment(s), your psychologist will typically ask you why you have come.  You will be asked to describe your problem in as much detail as possible. The psychologist's questions will likely include:

•	When did the problem start?
•	Under what circumstances does it occur?
•	How long does it last?
•	Has it occurred before?
•	What makes it worse or better?
The psychologist may also ask how the problem has affected your life in terms of personal distress, interpersonal and family relationships, employment, finances, recreation, and so on, in other words, the activities of daily living. As background in exploring your current ("presenting") problem, the psychologist may also take a detailed personal and family history. Similarly, the psychologist may also ask about your medical history, medication use, and use of alcohol or street drugs. By gathering all this information, the psychologist can comprehensively evaluate the problem and understand how it affects your well-being. This phase of gathering information can take one or more sessions; it may be supplemented by the use of psychological tests. Psychological tests are extremely well researched tools. They help the psychologist to understand more about you by comparing your performance on the test with the performance of others. The tests assess a number of skills and behaviours (e.g. thinking (cognitions), emotions, relationships, achievement, neurological functioning). Often other professionals (e.g.family physicians, psychiatrists, teachers) and services (e.g. workers rehabilitation programs) refer patients to psychologists for evaluation through psychological tests.   Finally, the psychologist will work with you to determine how he or she can help you manage or overcome your problem and its impact on your life.  Then, you will carry out this plan together to ensure your success. http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/first-visit

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists and psychiatrists both undertake about the same number of years of education and training. Some of the training is similar (e.g. diagnosis) and some is quite different.

Psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology and specialize in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of human emotion, thought and behaviour. They have advanced training in psychotherapy and the science of behaviour change. Although they may be trained in the use of medication to treat mental illness, in Ontario they are not as yet licensed to prescribe medications. Psychologists are the only professionals qualified to use certain kinds of psychological tests to assess intelligence as well as emotional and behavioural problems and neuropsychological dysfunction.

The fees of psychologists in Ontario are covered by private payment, extended medical plans, employee assistance programs, and/or government services and agencies or other special programs. They are licensed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

When you choose a psychologist, you can be assured that this professional has received extensive formal training and supervision in her or his area of expertise, will adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards, and is governed and regulated by the College of Psychologists.

Psychiatrists, like your family physician, have degrees in medicine which is quite different than degrees in psychology with additional specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. In Ontario, psychiatrists tend to focus on the biological aspects of mental health while psychologists tend to focus on the cognitive, emotional and behavioural. Psychiatrists are licensed by the Government to prescribe medication.  The practice of most psychiatrists in Ontario is focused on prescribing medications and consulting with family physicians, psychologists and other health professionals. In fact, psychologists and psychiatrists are colleagues and often work closely together.

In Ontario, the fees of psychiatrists are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Like psychologists, you can be assured that psychiatrists have received extensive formal training and supervision in her or his area of expertise and will adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards. Psychiatrists are governed and regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are regulated health professionals.  Other mental and behavioural health professionals might not be regulated and might not be trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues. 

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/psychologistpsychiatrist

Why see a regulated professional psychologist?

Psychologists are regulated health service providers, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario to practice psychology within the framework of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). The College is given the responsibility by the Government of Ontario with setting the standards psychologists must follow when providing psychological services in the province. The purpose of regulation is to ensure the public receives high quality services and is protected from unprofessional and unethical conduct. Only those registered by the College are allowed by law to call themselves psychologists or to offer psychological services. 

Regulation protects the public by ensuring that psychologists:

• are well trained

• stay well trained through continuing education

• obey provincial laws, regulations and a code of ethics to ensure patients are safe and recieve excellent services

• are answerable to consumer complaints to the College of Psychologists of Ontario

Regulated health professionals also protect the public by ensuring that their personal information remains private. 

People who call themselves counselors or family therapists, unless they are licensed psychologists, are not currently regulated health professionals covered by the Regulated Health Professions Act.

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/regulated-psychologist

Should my child see a psychologist?

Sometimes it's hard to know when children need professional help.  Some people get help when family members are not getting along.  Others seek help when they find it hard to manage or parent their children.  You might also consult a psychologist if your child:

•	is having difficulties at school
•	has learning difficulties
•	seems to be developing differently or slower than others
•	is wetting the bed beyond the usual age
•	seems socially immature
•	has poor eating and sleeping habits
•	is overly active or has difficulty paying attention
•	is aggressive and destructive or has difficulty with other children
•	is lying or stealing
•	seems anxious or depressed
•	has difficulty with drugs or alcohol
•	has an eating disorder
•	is adjusting poorly to change such as a move, divorce, or separation

How would a psychologist help? Initially, a psychologist will talk to parents to help them identify and clarify their concerns about their child.  Often the child will be included in this initial session; the psychologist will let you know.  Psychological assessments and tests provide the psychologist and parents with helpful information about the child.  The psychologist may see the child alone or involve the whole family. The psychologist may want to collect information from teachers and the family physician and others people who know your child. They will only do this with your permission. The psychologist may want to have you and/or the teacher fill our some questionnaires about the child's behaviour or give her/him some psychological tests. These can be very helpful and will not be done without your permission. If you feel your child could use the help of a psychologist, please use our Online Referral Service to find a child psychologist in your area. http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/child

What do psychologists do?

Just like other health care providers such as family physicians, medical specialists and nurses, psychologists are regulated health professionals. They see people of all ages, working with them as individuals, in couples or in families. Psychologists also work with groups, organizations, companies and government agencies.

Although many psychologists both assess and treat psychological problems, some provide only specialized assessment services. When working with individuals, psychologists use psychological tests and informed discussion to help clients and patients identify problems or issues and to work on solutions. They also work with groups and organizations to assess individuals and foster behaviour change. Most psychologists work in their own offices or in clinics, schools, or institutional settings such as hospitals, prisons or places of business.

Some of the specialized areas in which psychologists work include, in alphabetical order:

  

Child Psychology

Behavioural, emotional and other related issues of childhood and adolescence

 

 

Clinical and Counselling Psychology:

Behavioural, emotional, personality and relationship issues

 

 

Educational Psychology

Concerns and disabilities related to learning and the education system

 

 

Forensic Psychology

Issues associated with criminal behaviour and the justice system

 

 

Gerontological Psychology

Behavioural, emotional and other issues associated with aging

 

 

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Personnel selection and training, work and job design, staff development, managing organizational change,

consumer behaviour, relocation counselling

 

 

Neuropsychology

Dysfunctions associated with the brain and central nervous system

 

 

Rehabilitation Psychology

Behavioural and emotional issues associated with and mental physical disabilities

http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/what-do

Why see a psychologist?

Although many people get professional help for personal problems, it can be hard to get started, to recognize when you or your loved ones need help.  A problem does not have to be overwhelming or a crisis for you to benefit from psychological help. You may need to talk to a psychologist to analyse and understand the problem, to develop healthy strategies, and to make the changes you need to make.

Don't wait to be overwhelmed:  Waiting may cause needless suffering and result in a problem getting worse over time.

 

As you can see by the partial list of reasons below, challenges at home, work or school can happen to anyone.  Could you, or someone you know, be on this list?  If the answer is "yes," please consider speaking with a psychologist soon.

•	You have been a victim of abuse or violence.
•	You have been involved in a traumatic incident, such as a life-threatening accident.
•	You are using too much alcohol, prescription medicatons or streed drugs or gambling is getting you into trouble..
•	You have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, compulsive over-eating).
•	You are anxious and/or depressed a lot of the time. Perhaps you are having suicidal thoughts.
•	You suffer from phobias. In other words, you are too afraid of certain things such as insects, going outside, talking to others or certain foods.
•	You suffer from chronic pain and/or chronic illness.
•	You suspect you or someone close to you has a learning disability or is doing poorly in school and you need an assessment.
•	You have had a brain injury and been unable to fully recover.
•	You or someone you love has become chronically ill or disabled.
•	You are suffering from a strong and persistent reaction to a tragic event such as the death of a loved one, a separation or divorce, the loss of a job, etc.
•	You have difficulty getting along with your partner, family members, or co-workers.
•	You are faced with a major life change.
•	You are overwhelmed or "burned out" by stress at home, work or both.
•	You are having problems with parenting your kids or your loved one, often a parent, is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
•	You need an assessment regarding child custody and/or access.
•	You need an assessment to support claims for personal injury.
•	You are faced with a career change and need vocational advice and assessment. http://opajoomla.knowledge4you.ca/index.php/getting-help-faq/why-see

How do I know when it is time to see a psychologist?

Everyone goes through ups and downs. It is the nature of life to have joys mixed with problems in living. But sometimes the troubles of life can start to interfere with how a person carries on from day to day.
Usually, people use their own "internal thermometer" to decide when it is time to get help, or sometimes they get encouragement from family or friends. Some try to struggle through it alone. Others may look to supportive family, friends, or clergy. Some people may feel nervous about asking for help or setting up an appointment to see a psychologist. They may worry about how others will perceive them ("What if the psychologist thinks my problem is stupid? What if they say I am crazy? What if my friends find out I am seeing a psychologist? Will people think I am weak if I can't handle this myself?")
Although each person makes their own decision, there are some "flags" that people can watch out for that may be signs that it is time to consult with a psychologist:

• Do you feel sad most days?
• Is there a problem in your life that bothers you so much that you think about it almost all the time? 
• Do your troubles distract you at work, or do you find yourself "spacing out" when talking to people or driving?
• Have you gotten stuck in troubling relationships over and over and can't figure out why the same pattern keeps happening? 
• Are you getting more and more irritable with people close to you?
• Have you started to have trouble sleeping? Or do you feel like sleeping all the time because you are so low in energy . . . or because you would rather avoid your troubles?
• Have you lost interest or pleasure in your daily life--in things you used to enjoy?
• Are you troubled by conflicts with your spouse or partner?
• Are you trying to cope with terribly hurtful experiences from the past that are hard to talk about?
• Do you think you have been using alcohol too much?
• Are you using drugs?
• Do people you care about tell you that they worry about your alcohol or drug use?
• Have you gotten into problems because of your temper?
• Have you thought about suicide?
• Have you gotten so nervous or panicky that you thought you were going to pass out or have a heart attack, but you weren't sure what you were scared about?
• Do you have disturbing, intrusive thoughts or images or illusions that you can't explain or control?
• Are you having problems with your children? Are your children having problems in school or getting along with others?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may want to consider setting up a consultation with a psychologist.

http://www.cornerstonebh.com/seepsyc.htm

Post-traumatic stress disorder

It's natural to be afraid when you're in danger. It's natural to be upset when something bad happens to you or someone you know. But if you feel afraid and upset weeks or months later, it's time to talk with your doctor. You might have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include:

• Being a victim of or seeing violence
• The death or serious illness of a loved one
• War or combat
• Car accidents and plane crashes
• Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires
• Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting

There are many other things that can cause PTSD. Talk to your doctor if you are troubled by something that happened to you or someone you care about. Your doctor can help you find out if you have PTSD. Call your doctor if you have any of these problems:

• Bad dreams
• Flashbacks, or feeling like the scary event is happening again
• Scary thoughts you can't control
• Staying away from places and things that remind you of what happened
• Feeling worried, guilty, or sad
• Feeling alone
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling on edge
• Angry outbursts
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others

PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later.

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Treatment

PTSD can be treated. A doctor or mental health professional who has experience in treating people with PTSD can help you. Treatment may include "talk" therapy, medication, or both.

Treatment might take 6 to 12 weeks. For some people, it takes longer. Treatment is not the same for everyone. What works for you might not work for someone else. Drinking alcohol or using other drugs will not help PTSD go away, and may even make it worse.

http://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html

divider line Eating disorders

A woman with an eating disorder eats too much, too little, or causes herself to throw up food. Eating disorders can include:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder

Depression

When a person has a depressive disorder, it hurts their daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who have it need treatment to get better.

Different kinds of depression include:

• Major depressive disorder.  Also called major depression, this is a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities.
• Dysthymic disorder. Also called dysthymia, this kind of depression lasts for a long time (two years or longer).  The symptoms are less severe than major depression but can prevent one from living normally or feeling well.

Some forms of depressive disorder exhibit slightly different characteristics than those described above, or they may develop under unique circumstances. However, not all scientists agree on how to characterize and define these forms of depression. They include:

• Psychotic depression, which occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.
• Postpartum depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not get better, even with treatment

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Treatment

Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The sooner treatment begins, the more effective it is.

The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor. Certain medications, and some medical conditions (such as viruses or a thyroid disorder), can cause the same symptoms as depression. A doctor can rule out these possibilities with a physical exam, by asking questions, and lab tests. If the doctor can rule out a medical condition as a cause, he or she should conduct a psychological exam or refer the patient to a mental health professional.

The doctor or mental health professional will conduct a complete diagnostic exam. He or she should discuss any family history of depression, and get a complete history of symptoms. He or she should also ask if the patient is using alcohol or drugs, and whether the patient is thinking about death or suicide.

The most common treatments for depression are medication (antidepressants) and psychotherapy.

http://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/depression.html

Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness. It causes a person's moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior to be unstable. This hurts family and work life, long-term planning, and the person's sense of self-identity. BPD is more common than both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, affecting 2 percent of adults, mostly young women.

A person with BPD may experience intense times of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last only hours, or, at most, a day. A person with BPD may also be aggressive, hurt herself, and abuse drugs or alcohol. She may often change long-term goals, career plans, jobs, friendships, gender identity, and values. Sometimes people with BPD view themselves as fundamentally bad, or unworthy. They may feel unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, bored, empty, and have little idea who they are.

People with BPD are often impulsive. They may spend too much money, binge eat, and have risky sex. BPD often occurs together with other mental health illnesses, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders,substance abuse, and other personality disorders.

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Treatment

Treatments for BPD have improved in recent years. Medication and/or therapy are at least somewhat effective for many patients.

http://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/borderline-personality-disorder.html

Bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness)

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious medical illness that causes shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years. At least half of all cases start before age 25. Some people have their first symptoms during childhood, while others may develop symptoms late in life.

A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:

Mood Changes A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired" Behavioral Changes Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts Being easily distracted Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects Being restless Sleeping little Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable, high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments

Mood Changes A long period of feeling worried or empty Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex Behavioral Changes Feeling tired or "slowed down" Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions Being restless or irritable Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide

There is no cure for bipolar disorder. But proper treatment helps most people with bipolar disorder gain better control of their mood swings and related symptoms. This is also true for people with the most severe forms of the illness.Treatment

Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, people with the disorder need long-term treatment to keep control of bipolar symptoms. Treatment for bipolar disorder includes medication and psychotherapy.

http://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/bipolar-disorder.html

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with children, but it can affect adults as well. It makes it hard for a person to focus and pay attention. Many adults have ADHD and don't know they have it. Like ADHD in children and teens, ADHD in adults can make life challenging. ADHD can make it hard for adults to feel organized, stick with a job, or get to work on time. Adults with ADHD may have trouble in relationships. The disorder can also make adults feel restless.

To be diagnosed with the condition, an adult must have ADHD symptoms that began in childhood and continued throughout adulthood. Health professionals use certain rating scales to determine if an adult has ADHD. The mental health professional also will look at the person's history of childhood behavior and school experiences, and will interview spouses or partners, parents, close friends, and other associates. The person will also have a physical exam and some psychological tests.

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Treatment

ADHD in adults can be diagnosed and treated. Medication and therapy, alone or in combination, are used to treat ADHD. Treatments can relieve many of the disorder's symptoms, but there is no cure. For some adults, finding out they have ADHD can be a big relief. Being able to connect ADHD to longtime problems helps adults understand that they can get better. If you're an adult and think you may have ADHD symptoms, call your doctor.

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More information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Explore other publications and websites

• AD/HD and Adults (Copyright © Mental Health America) — Many symptoms of attention deficit hpyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can continue into adulthood. This publication discusses ADHD in adults, including information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — This detailed booklet describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It also provides information on getting help and coping.
• Employees With Learning Disabilities (Copyright © Job Accommodation Network) — This publication provides basic information for employers on how to accommodate an employee with a learning disability. It also provides examples of workplace accommodations for employees with various types of learning disabilities.
• NINDS Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Information Page — This online publication explains ADHD, available treatments, prognosis, and current research being conducted.
• NINDS Learning Disabilities Information Page — This online publication defines learning disabilities and provides information on treatment, prognosis, and current research. It also provides resources and organizations.

http://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/illnesses/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder.html