The Dangers of Adderall

The cover story in this weeks’ Sunday New York Times is titled Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions.  It’s a tragic story about a young man, a good student and president of his college class, who recently committed suicide after becoming addicted to Adderall, an A.D.H.D. medication.  Richard did not have A.D.H.D. but was easily able to procure prescriptions for Adderall from several different doctors.  I read the article and was shocked to learn how simple it was for Richard to get prescriptions for a medication that treated a condition he did not have. 

 

Wow!  I guess I’m pretty darn naïve.  Yesterday afternoon I spoke about this article with the Mother of two college students.  She informed me that her daughters tell her  “many kids take drugs meant for A.D.H.D.” Apparently these drugs make it easy to stay up all night to study. 

 

A clinical neuropsychologist, named DeAnsin Parker, made the following statement in reference to Adderall.  “Stimulants will help anyone focus better.  And a lot of young people like or value that feeling, especially those who are driven and ambitious.  We have to realize that these are potential addicts—drug addicts don’t look like they used to.”

 

To be ambitious is OK.  As a matter of fact, most people consider ambition and competiveness to be desirable traits.  Don’t we all feel happier if we perceive that we are reaching our potential?  It’s been said that work should be to adults what play is to children. We should enjoy our work and wish to do well at it. Parents want their kids to achieve and kids want to make their parents happy. If an ambitious and driven kid feels blocked or thwarted she is going to look for a solution.  What a tragedy that too often the solution is medications.

 

In our book Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way Sandra and I write about the incredible benefits of physiological balance.  When the mind-body-spirit is balanced potential is more easily reached.  Understanding the essence of physiological balance and suggestions on reaching this desirable state are offered in our book.  One of the interventions we suggest, and the one I wish to write about today, is the Transcendental Meditation technique.

 

Increased inner control, decreased anxiety, relief from insomnia, improved job performance and increased job satisfaction are only a few of the myriad positive benefits gleaned from practice of the TM technique.  Increased well being and improved grades are also reported after learning this meditative technique. TM is a positive solution for the competitive kid who feels thwarted.  Drugs are not!

 

Millions of people worldwide practice the TM technique but word needs to get out to millions more.  If you know of someone who is using a stimulant to stay up all night and study, someone who doesn’t have A.D.H.D., but who just simply wants to do well——-please tell her to get online and click on TM.org——–do that first and then click on Amazon and order copy of Healing Depression the Mind- Body Way.  Non-drug solutions do exist!

 

As always, Sandra and I wish you perfect health and happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

Will Natural Treatments for Depression Also Work as Effective Treatments for Anxiety?

For several years newspapers, magazines, and TV talk shows were chock full of “depression-talk.”

The rates of depression were, and still are, rising propitiously and conversation about the phenomenon of depression and possible cures for this malady were discussed endlessly.

 

I haven’t  noticed as much “depression-discussion” in recent weeks.  The conversation has shifted to discussion of anxiety.  Now it seems as if newspapers, magazines, and TV talk shows are chock full of “anxiety-talk.”

 

I wonder why this shift occurred. One reason could be that  research has shown the anti-depressant medications to work, in most cases, no better than placebos. Discussion of a problem, when it is believed that no strategy for solution can be offered might, perhaps, block the discussion.

 

It is my hope that discussion about depression will be renewed and will focus on the good news that solutions do exist! Natural medicine and natural solutions definitely work as effective treatments and cures. For the majority of people drugs have been shown to be ineffectual and, therefore, not needed.   We do not need to collectively grieve over this news. Instead we can turn our attention in a different direction and find viable natural  treatments which empower and enhance overall health.

 

In our book Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way Sandra and I describe how depression is created and we offer seven anti-depressant strategies, coming from Ayurveda, the oldest form of natural medicine.

 

And here is some exciting news—–the same strategies that effectively treat depression work also for the treatment and cure of anxiety!  You see, neither anxiety nor depression are isolated conditions.  These maladies are tied to the overall health of the entire seamless energetic system that is YOU and understanding how to process matter and digest life is curative. Ayurveda offers an instruction manual on how to accomplish this; how to attain physiological balance and to deter the problems of both anxiety and depression.

 

We’ve written a lot about depression.  Today I want to focus on anxiety and offer one specific strategy to alleviate this disorder.

 

Anxiety is truly our enemy.  It gets in the way of nurturing relationships.  We can become detached or revved up because of anxiety.  Either way makes true connection impossible. Anxiety makes focus on our work difficult and sleep impossible.  Because we each possess a unique nervous system, anxiety is displayed differently by different people.  Some people shut down while others fly about, eating on the run, moving from thing to thing like a jack rabbit on steroids.  When anxiety overwhelms, panic attacks or phobias can occur.  All of us suffer occasionally from a degree of generalized anxiety.  Those who experience phobias, such as hypochondria or agoraphobia have severe anxiety.

 

What is the basis of anxiety?   It is, in most cases, triggered by a depleted nervous system.  Our physiology is in an ongoing energetic exchange with both its immediate environment and with the universe at large. In other words—we are affected by our expectations of ourselves and others and by everything and everyone around us.  Staying in balance is necessary if we are to keep our equilibrium.  Life is often filled with obstacles and challenges which profoundly effect our mind-body. We need strategies helping us to maintain physiological balance and relieve stress.

 

We need to effectively treat anxiety because this disorder can make our life miserable.  Nothing that happens to us is as bad as the anxiety which can  accompany the event.  Anxiety is so uncomfortable that oftentimes individuals become fearful of its presence.  This fear creates a tension which insures the occurrence of a subsequent attack. Whether you suffer from generalized anxiety, anxiety about the occurrence of anxiety, panic attacks or phobias, simple, breathing techniques can be helpful.  Breathing techniques are powerful medicine but guess what—-the breath is free medicine. No expense occurs!  And there are no troublesome side effects.

 

Breathing techniques are potent.  Integrating the performance of our respiratory tract with that of our nervous system has an impact on our digestive, immune, circulatory, and endocrine functioning.  When used properly and on a regular basis breathing techniques help us to exert voluntary control over our mental and emotional states.  The oxygen that meets your nose is a medicine that can effectively treat anxiety disorders.  No kidding!

 

Our breath mirrors our moods.  When we become anxious shortness of breath ensues.  Choppy, irregular breathing causes an inadequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which in turn causes the heart to pump faster to oxygenate the blood.  Such an increase in heart rate enhances the experience of anxiety.  When your hear pumps wildly, your thoughts race, your emotions are bound to be out of control and vitality will evaporate.

 

Begin to train your nervous system to function in a calm and healing mode by focusing on nose breathing.  Mouth breathing has the same effect as gasping for air:  it sends a message to the brain that the physiology is in a state of stress; the physiology then responds by going into overdrive.

 

When air enters through the nose, it affects the part of the brain that sends a message of relaxation to the nervous system.  A deep full breath through the nose also ensures that oxygen is being delivered to the lower lobes of the lungs.  As the lower lobes expand to accept the gush of air, stretch receptors are activated. These receptors trigger the release of biochemicals that ground one’s mental torrents yet invigorate the physiology.  Putting the breath under your voluntary control is a great antidote for a physiology that is overcome with anxiety and exhaustion.That’s why so many people advise, “Take a deep breath” when the going gets rough or when things get tense—–because it works!

 

Breathing techniques are but one of the solutions Ayurveda offers for the treatment of anxiety.

If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder we hope you will utilize your breath as a free and effective treatment and that you will come to Ayurveda to learn about other interventions!  There are many and the good news is this—they work!

 

As always, Sandra and I wish you health, happiness, and—– an anxiety free day.

 

What is the Difference between Depression and Sadness?

Last Sunday, CBS Sunday Morning did a segment on depression.  Wow!  It was depressing.

 

One in every 10 Americans is depressed.  More people (30 million) take anti-depressant medications than go to the movies every week. And this is just what is known:  it is assumed that many others, perhaps millions, are among the walking wounded, depressed people who have not received medical attention. People with deep depression tend not to see their physician about the problem and people who are mildly depressed are put on medications that don’t work for them.

 

Millions of people are confused by their depression.  They believe that they should only feel bad if “something” is wrong in their lives.  In other words, they believe externals not physiological holistic health, is the cause of depression.

 

Dr. Jerome Wakefield from the New York University School of Social Work informed the listeners that what causes depression is a “big mystery.”  Dr. Wakefield said that no one knows what happens in a depressed person’s brain.  By these words he reinforced the idea that depression is the result of the “broken brain.”  This was, I thought unfortunate, because as long as our culture is stuck thinking that depression is only about a chemical imbalance in the brain, there will be no cure or plan of prevention in sight.

 

Depression is about more than a “broken brain” (a chemical imbalance.) It is a condition that intimately involves many facets of being.  It affects the physical being as well the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual self.  It is much more than a broken brain yet is often successfully addressed by changes in lifestyle and by natural interventions.

 

Dr. Wakefield put forth a strong argument against the idea that rates of depression are going up.  I found his argument to be intriguing.  He believes that through television the pharmaceutical companies have succeeded in changing our cultural view of how we should feel. Based on the plethora of ads for anti-depressants, consumers feel it is no longer acceptable to feel sad.  They believe they are depressed when what they are really experiencing is simple normal sadness.

 

I wonder if Dr. Wakefield is right about this.  I think he might well be.  Although, on the other hand, if chronic sadness is affecting millions of Americans that is certainly a problem that needs to be addressed.  Sadness is an aspect of everyone’s life, but it should not be chronic.  To counter chronic sadness Ayurveda offers strategies that help to generate a vibrant life force.  Sandra and I discuss these in depth in Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way.

 

The  CBS broadcast repeated the message we have often delivered, the that anti-depressants do not have any effect for most people who take them.  Western medicine is now accepting this as fact.  However, millions of people continue to take the pills because they do not know of another solution.  I do wish these millions of people would pick up a copy of Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way. Besides the fact that the pills do not have a positive effect, their side effects can be extremely troublesome.

 

Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way offers a holistic view of depression. It screams out the good news that happiness is our birthright and if our physiology is in balance and healthy we will experience this emotion.  At the same time, we will always have access to the full depth and breath of emotions.  It is inevitable that at times sadness will come to us.  But happiness can and should be a backdrop and accessible the majority of the time.

 

It is personally empowering to know that we hold our health and happiness in our own hands.  Sandra and I wish this empowerment for each of you!  We hope that your physiology is filled with the vitality that wards off depression and ensures good health and happiness!

 

East Meets West—-in Medical Schools

Most of the top medical schools in the U.S. now have programs in Integrated Medicine. These programs focus primarily on how Lifestyle influences health.  The goal is for the student to have access to the knowledge of eastern medical systems (prevention) as well as western (curing disease).  There are many reasons this knowledge is important but following are a few facts to consider:

• Integrated Medicine is primarily concerned with prevention and western medicine concerned with curing disease.  Both aspects of medical theory are exceedingly important.
• 80% of all disease is directly caused by Lifestyle factors.
• Nutrition influences the expression of genes.
• 50% of Americans suffer from a chronic disease:  these statistics are constantly rising as the population ages.
• There are 250,000 deaths annually because of the deleterious side-effects of pharmaceuticals
• Costs are spiraling out of control.  Health care cost 2.4 trillion in 2009. We need to prevent illness!
• The incidence of depression is rising and current research shows the anti-depressants work (in most cases) no better than the placebos.
• 40% of the world’s population uses alternative therapies and Americans spent 27 billion out-of-pocket dollars last year on alternative therapies.
• Eight states have laws giving well-trained alternative practitioners the license to practice.

Until recently the major lack in western medicine was a focus on prevention.  The western definition of health has traditionally been the absence of disease.  Presently our population is becoming re-educated and we are learning that health exists on a continuum.  In other words, through prevention we can maximize our physical health and in so doing increase mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

The word Ayur is a Sanskrit word meaning “health” and the word Veda is also Sanskrit.  It means “knowledge.”  We say “everything that works is Ayurvedic!”  This ancient practice of medicine teaches us how to live our lives vibrantly by creating good health every step of the way.  It is the world’s oldest form of natural medicine. It is the tree of knowledge from which many popularized therapeutic interventions have grown.

Ayurveda defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.  Health is not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.  This ancient science offers the epitome of a holistic approach to living life with zing.  We can think of Ayurveda as Mother Nature’s spokesperson, giving instructions on how to weave threads (our daily actions) into a vibrant tapestry (our physiology).  Ayurvedic precepts form the basis for Integrated Medicine.

We are rapidly approaching a major change in how medicine is practiced in our country.  Hospitals and doctors have begun and will continue to employ consultants who are well-trained in prevention.

Prevention is never one-size fits all.  Each of us is unique and the specifics on how we prevent illness from knocking at our door must be personalized.  Patients will have the privilege of receiving individual assessments and recommendations which are unique to them.

In our book Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way Sandra and I write about how to achieve and maintain wellness.  Our book is replete with questionnaires to help you to determine your particular imbalances and suggestions for Lifestyle changes which might be helpful to you.  We think you would enjoy reading our book even if depression is not an issue you struggle with.  Depression is but one symptom showing that health is not optimal.  Perhaps you have a different symptom.  You can still profit from reading Healing Depression.  This book is about achieving perfect health.  Can’t we all do a little bit better in that area?

Our health is in our own hands.  This is an exciting and empowering concept.  The top medical schools now recognize the influence of Lifestyle on health and are training their students to be aware.  Prevention is where it is at!  We hope you pick up a copy of Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way as it will help you to enhance your education about prevention, health and happiness.