SPF Sun Protection can cause cancer
April 30, 2008
Did you know that SPF puts an aluminium shield across your skin to deflect the harmful suns rays.
This aluminium shield can allegedly cause certain people to develop skin cancer.
In America USA this is a very big litigation subject. Probably only a matter of time before we get to hear about this.
Many people prefer PABA-free products. PABA stands for Para-Amino Benzoic Acid, which is a suspected carcinogen. Even so, many adult sunscreen lotions contain it. (Isn’t that ironic? Your sunscreen might actually cause cancer!)
Sunscreens formulated specifically for babies and children are PABA-free. They are generally gentler, and they should not sting eyes. Baby sunblock is available in SPF 15, SPF 30, and even SPF 45. Adults may certainly use these products if they wish too. Try to buy sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection.
As Dr. Mark Birch-Machin explained, “As Cancer Research UK’s sunsmart campaign” To stay safe in the sun:
- Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm
- Don’t rely on sunscreen alone
- Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, and a wide-brimmed hat
- Wear sunglasses that block UV light to protect your eyes
- If on the beach, wear sun-protective clothing, including swimsuits and wetsuits
- Remember to take extra care with children’s skin
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more
- Never burn, as sunburn causes permanent damage
Some reports show that eastern statistics (in relation to skin cancer) are much lower than the west. This could be because they do not use SPF protection and probably use natural protection found in ’sweet almond oils’ or ‘grape-seed oils’ and follow the above ’sunsmart’ rules, only without the spf.
It’s worth considering next time you go out in the sun
Let me know your views on this controversial issue.
Meditation helps depression
April 29, 2008
I have long been a fan of meditation and find the whole experience of shutting the body down for 15 to 20 minutes a day an extremly effective way of creating some kind of harmony within our selves.
I came across a meditation technique for the prevention of depression called ‘Compassion meditation.’The method was inspired by Tibetan Buddhists, specifically the Dalai Lama, who is an associate professor at Emory University in Atlanta where the meditation process is being studied.
The idea behind ‘Compassion meditation’ is that “our perceptions of other people are flawed” and that “we tend naturally to see some people as friends and other people as enemies and a whole bunch of people in the middle who are sort of non-entities”. The theory is that those people in the middle become important later on. ‘Dr. Charles Raison,’ of Emory University.
‘Dr. Raison’ also gives an example that “through the process of meditation it is hoped that people can become more equitable toward everyone, which will in turn reduce our chances of having depression.”
Apparently the results of studies are very promising.
Anyone can learn to meditate.
Anger Management Breakthrough
April 28, 2008
Anger management - is it a problem for you?
Is anger destroying your relationships or causing problems at work?
Do people walk on eggshells around you for fear of upsetting you?
Do you want to change but don’t know how to?
Over the past couple of weeks I have been evaluating a service that provides
Online Anger Management Class. The class is extremely helpful and very informative.
Lots of people have difficulty taking responsibilty for their behaviors and are more accepting to making changes to those behaviours in the comfort of their own home. If this sounds likeyou then why not take advantage of this opportunity to self improve.
“My experience has been that many people with anger problems believe they are beyond help. They believe they are ‘just made that way’. Often they have tried anger management classes or counselling with little change. Well I am here to tell you that change IS possible!”
Anger Class Online is a fully online program that you can complete at home, at your own pace. It was developed by anger experts and is suitable for court ordered anger course requirements. In fact acceptance by the court is Guaranteed! You can learn to manage your anger and stop hurting the people you love.
Go on give it a try, what have you got to lose? Online Anger Management Class
Suicide Jokes Help Joan Rivers
April 25, 2008
Dr Pamela Connolly (Pamela Stephenson) better known as the wife of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly is a well established psychiatrist hosting her own TV show called ‘Shrink Rap’ on More4 TV interviewing celebrities, asking probing questions, exploring and presenting a side that we the public do not necessarily get the opportunity to experience.
This week she interviewed the notorious ‘Joan Rivers’. A 74 year old woman of substance, a world-class female stand-up comedian. Joan doesn’t so much overstep the mark as seem unaware there’s a mark at all.
One rich source of jokes is her husband’s suicide. Once her business manager, and as a result of being dropped by the TV company fell into a great depression ending with him taking his own life. Joan was herself having plastic surgery at the time of his death another source of her self ridicule.
Clearly a woman with strength to find such a trauma in life funny. Not everybodies cup of tea I might add but still a very interesting lady.
Which only goes to show that we cannot control what life throws at us but we can control how we react or respond to it.
Doctor Hears Voices
April 24, 2008
Monday nights TV Channel 4. A true story of a young female who suffered schizophrenia yet managed to study to become a doctor.
A disturbing drama which gave a very clear insight into this mental illness. As a junior doctor she began to hear a voice telling her to kill herself and others, she turned to Rufus May, who had himself been diagnosed with schizophrenia . He now works in the NHS as a clinical psychologist, he empathised and with his own unique understanding of the illness. Helped her through without medication.
Ruth told her hospital she was suicidal and was immediately suspended. A disturbing argument that mental illness has such a stigma, that mental illness should be concealed it at all costs.
Ruth conned her way through her first assessment. I admired her nerve : “Shoulders back, good eye contact and, when they ask how you are, say ‘Fine, how are you?”
Ruth’s final assessment was successful…….
What if Ruth was your doctor?
How would you feel?
Let me know your thoughts on this controversial issue
Anxiety Can Take Over Your Life
April 23, 2008
Every day anxiety can cause huge disruptions in people’s lives.
People may feel nervousness about their job or life. There might be concern for a loved one or they might be apprehensive about the future.
Physical symptoms are often an expression of ones anxiety, stress, panic, worries etc…
These feelings are perfectly natural.
However, it can become a real problem when these feelings become the focus of our day to day lives.
We can become fretful, worrying and living in a state of fear.
There is help at hand, and a solution for anxiety can be a simple one.
Here are two programs that you might find helpful.
The EasyCalm Video Coaching Series
Hillary Clintons concerns for LGBT (Lesbian,Gay,Bi-Sexual,Transgender) teens
April 22, 2008
An excellent video of Hillary stating her concerns in relation to issues around the mental health of young LGBT(Lesbian,Gay,Bi-sexual,Transgender) adults.
” Homosexuality is not immoral” Hillary Clinton.
Showing a genuine sense of commitment to gay teens she expresses a clear message of value and self worth conveying acceptance and understanding, supporting the idea of gay teen schools. Hillary talks about global economy for everyone with internet access building assets in every small town. (Dollymix tv)
Better pay for teachers.
’The Human Rights campaign is the voice of Americans and the promise to create a perfect union which is a reality not just a goal’ Hillary Clinton.
Children and Drugs - Unknown effects
April 21, 2008
I came across this interesting article from ‘Dr Charles Parker CorePsycBlog’
Psych meds are often written for children with little appreciation of the overall metabolic issues present in the child. -If we don’t understand the child’s ability to metabolize medications, don’t look adequately for comorbid conditions which can effect metabolic rates, and don’t think about drug metabolism and interactions… there will be problems.
Dr Parker met with Dr Sydney Spiesel, a busy practicing pediatrician and among other things a professor at Yale Medical School, This man has great energy and his intelligence comes across in his balanced views on the state of the medical care that children can and do receive.
Dr Parker and Dr Sydney Spiesel share the same observation generally about psychological medication for children.
How do you view this difficult situation?
Let me know.
Find a Therapist - Top 10
April 17, 2008
Below is a list of 10 find a therapist web sites where you can get help from professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychiatrists.
They will offer help on a number of issues such as addiction, anxiety, depression, food & diet, relationships, stress, sex and career problems.
Therapists orientation will include Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, transpersonal, EMDR, coaching and humanistic.
On some of the websites listed you will find resource sections where you can discover how to choose a therapist, the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, how is they may work with you.
There is a vast array of credentials, licenses and degrees that these professionals have gained and once again some of the sites detail this information.
The top Find a therapist sites to be found throughout the US are as follows:-
- find-a-therapist
- psychologytoday
- findatherapist
- findcounseling
- therapistlocator
- goodtherapy
- 1-800-therapist
- networktherapy
- therapistunlimited
- occupationaltherapist.com/
Your Thoughts are Like a Ride On The Bus
April 16, 2008
We cannot stop automatic thoughts entering into our minds but we can choose how much time and energy we give to them.
Imagine your negative thoughts are like a bus and your mind is the bus terminal.
In other words we choose if we get on the bus or not.
If we do get on the bus we can take control and we can get off if we wish to.
We have the power to choose.
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