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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety).

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Doesn’t time fly? I can hardly believe that once more a querulous cohort of GCSE students are being ushered begrudgingly into sports halls up and down the country with the weight and expectations of their parents resting heavy upon their slender adolescent shoulders.

I remember only vaguely at this vantage point my own GCSE experiences, perhaps it was the heady self assurance of youth, or the lack of expectation from my parents but I don’t remember it being a particularly big deal – but perhaps that is only with the benefit of hindsight. What I do know now is that in the interceding years there has fomented an atmosphere of rank terror and ever mounting pressure. Yes it is true, the students of today stand poised to enter and inherit a very different world and job market than the carefree days of yesteryear but even still the lunacy that accompanies the rhetoric around the importance of exams does perhaps pinpoint quite why we’ve seen the largest surge in diagnoses of anxiety, stress and depression amongst our youth ever.

So this is my antidote to that. All of this, all of the pressure, the expectation, the terror, is white noise, a buzzing fly for the thousands of you for whom these exams represent either the crowning glory of your academic life or a nasty gut punch after toiling for the last two years for what will feel like no good reason.

It may feel like the fate of the universe depends on your GCSE performance, but it really doesn’t. It’s all going to be okay. It’s important to remember that no matter what happens with your GCSEs, it remains a stepping stone and nothing more. A sort of gateway exam as it were. Obviously some of the recent and ongoing changes from alphabetical to numerical have thrown up confused and mixed messages and for many who are possibly university bound, the boundaries that were once so simple differ magnificently from one university to another. Hopefully though this will force schools to look at university entry and offer advice earlier than usual. With certain institutions and courses stipulating what now constitutes a grade C when in old money it was pretty obvious, it may be you’ll need to revise your plans and either do a resit or re-examine where you want to study post A levels. The same is true for certain HNDs, BTECs, Internships etc. who may have minimum requirements in English and Maths but what that shakes out in new money is somewhat subjective.

Your results when they filter through, squatting at the end of the summer holidays like a spectre at a banquet will necessarily impact the choices you make next, but, and it’s an important but – good or bad, nothing is permanent. As much as it feels like the most important thing in the world right now, as long as you’ve done well enough to keep your options open you’ll be just fine. My business partner is one of the smartest people I know, BA from Durham, MA from Warwick, PhD from Columbia, he had lousy GCSE results comparative to his ability and pretty unremarkable A levels if we’re getting into finger pointing. Equally, people I went to school with who performed astonishingly at GCSE level were middle of the pack come A level. As worried as you might be you are only ever really judged on your highest level of accomplishment, so as long as you do well enough to not close down avenues, things will work out just fine if you apply yourself and move forward in a positive fashion.

So no matter whether you’re the big winner or the wooden spooner come results day, try to hold on to the fact that it is, comprehensively, not the end of the road, just a bump in it. You can do resits alongside A levels or BTECs etc, you may need to slightly adjust certain plans to accommodate your new circumstances but you should never submit to feeling like a failure, nor should you be too smug. It all shakes out in the wash and if you know where you want to be, I guarantee if you apply yourself then your GCSEs are just business as usual.

The post Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sports hall (GCSEs are here again, along with depression, stress and anxiety). appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Anxiety Coping Tools

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Anxiety is everywhere these days, we all experience it and some people experience anxiety on a gargantuan level on a regular basis, but it’s a perfectly normal and natural feeling! Anxiety is our body and brain looking after us.

Any feeling you can experience, then of course you can “un-experience” it. I know those of you reading this who have Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or suffer from anxiety often probably think that I’m talking out of my derrière! 

Know this, you were not born with GAD, it’s just learnt behavior or conditioned response you have built into yourself.

I am going to explain a very useful tool that I use daily in my practice to help people to manage those symptoms. Don’t think for one minute that anxiety is going to leave you forever, it is there to help you and to look after you. 

Of course if we are having “anxiety attacks” on a regular basis then this is a problem, a problem that CAN be changed.

It’s often the simple things in life that can be perceived as a threat to us, e.g. an unexpected bill, social situations, a new task at work or being late etc. Even the constant worries of “did I do it right” “is it good enough” can flood the mind of someone with GAD however, you can relax, it’s just anxiety and as I said, it’s completely normal to experience those feelings. 

So “how can I reduce those feelings?” Firstly I want you to understand that this is not YOUR anxiety or as some say, “MY anxiety”, it is simply just anxiety and anyone can use the following when flooded with anxiety to help you reduce those uncomfortable feelings and take control again. 

  1. Think of a time when you felt calm, imagining all those feelings as though you are there, with all the sights, smells and feelings you had when you were calm, hold those feelings. 
  2. Now, with either hand, dig your thumbnail into the flat part of your index finger (as if you were holding a pen), but don’t hurt yourself. Hold this while you think of that calm memory. 
  3. Release, and look around the room. 
  4. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 two more times. 
  5. Repeat steps 1,2 & 3 with the feelings of confidence (three times in total). 
  6. Repeat steps 1,2 & 3 with the feelings of being in control (three times in total). 

What you have just done is “anchor” in these positive feelings with a physical connection. 

We naturally build in anchors to ourselves all the time, like when you smell something and think, “Oh, that reminds me of being back at school” or that song we hear that reminds us of our teenage years, and this is often done when we get anxious over something. 

So how can this anchor help? – When you are experiencing anxiety you can deploy your new anchor skill and those feelings of calm, comfort and being in control will come flooding back and the uncomfortable feelings we begin to reduce. 

Anyone can do this and use it as and when you need to and as often as you need to. What’s more is that you can keep stacking more positives feelings into your current anchor and it is subtle so no one will know you are using it. 

I have one last quick technique that you can use and it uses movement of the eyes. I would suggest that you do not use this if you are wearing contact lenses. 

You can use this while using your anchor and while in a moment of anxiety. 

  1. Look straight ahead. 
  2. Move your eyes from left to right horizontally about 20 times. 

That’s it, only 2 steps, yeah I know, trust me give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

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10 tips for dealing with rage, fear and anxiety about your allergies

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First of all, you are not alone. The first thing you need to do, if you have a diagnosis for a serious life threatening allergy is to arm yourself with all the information you can. Get the best help, get tests done, see a specialist. Easier said than done I know, but don’t give up, if you are not happy with the advice you’ve been given keep on searching.

Find out exactly what you need to know to stay safe. Understand it’s OK to feel like this. It’s alright to feel fear, anxiety and anger. Helplessness, hopelessness and a total lost of control. But you get one chance at this life. Don’t let the fear consume you. Right now I’m not the best advert for that myself but I’m working my through the emotional assault. Don’t suffer in silence.

Word cloud courtesy of Worditout

Here are my tips, the things that have helped me.

  1. Speak to people – Tell your friends and family. Do you know anyone with a similar medical condition? I have found recent allergy focused events, including The Anaphylaxis Campaign Conference and Food Matters Live encouraged me to share and talk to my fellow bloggers, parents of allergic kids and people in the allergy community. It was tough at times and I didn’t hold it together as much as I’d hoped but I came away from both events knowing that it had helps, I was making progress just by sharing.
  2. Contact professional organisations – I have also spoken to Allergy UK and The Anaphylaxis Campaign who both have free helplines which you can phone and also loads of advice and resources. They also have local support groups so you may find one local to you which will help you to attend. The Anaphylaxis Campaign also offer one free referral to a counsellor but do be aware, she is busy. I wasn’t able to get an appointment until 2018 but it’s worth considering as it could help you.
  3. Writing about it – this might not work for everyone, but as a writer and blogger, writing about my recent experience, how it makes me feel and how I plan to use these emotions positively is really helping me. I appreciate that it might not work for others but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. So basically guys, you are my therapy. Whether you like it or not, this blog will be following my journey dealing with this. It’s already helping. And it’s already tough. Bottling it up, my earlier preferred coping mechanism wasn’t working and ultimately you have to deal with emotions and move forward.
  4. Update your Action Plan – One thing I realised after my recent allergic reaction was that my Allergy Action Plan needs updating. It has literally disintegrated with overuse. Having a strict plan and protocol in place can really help you and those who may need to care for you if you have a reaction know what to do. If you don’t have one, write one!
  5. Anger management – Feeling angry isn’t an emotion I’m used to dealing with. I’m far less tolerant and quick to rise, where before I rarely felt anger. It’s almost like a rage building in me Taming a Powerful Emotion by Gary Chapman
  6. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)– If you think counselling might help you to deal with fear and anxiety then CBT is probably the most useful kind of treatment available. There are loads of organisations who can help, from the NHS, Mind and private counsellors. Research what’s available and find a solution that works for you.
  7. Health Minds referral scheme – you can self refer yourself for counselling using the NHS Healthy Minds Self Referral scheme. I have already had the initial assessment and have my first session scheduled for next week. I already feel calmer after just having organised this. The first assessment was gruelling enough and I know this will be tough, but I really think it will help me to talk about how I feel with a neutral person, someone who does not know me and is qualified to help me work through this and find ways of coping with how I’m feeling. This is the most convenient solution for me at the moment because they arrange a phone call with you on a weekly basis at a time convenient to you, which is easier to fit into my life at the moment.
    8. I am, I am, I am by Maggie O'Farrell
    I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell
  8. I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell – this book is beautifully written and covers Maggie’s memoirs; seventeen brushes with death. This may sound macabre and something you definitely shouldn’t be reading when faced with your own near death experiences, but I challenge you. You will finish reading this feeling newly conscious, and determined to make every heart beat count. The final chapter recounts an experience when Maggie’s own daughter has an anaphylactic attack and has to be rushed to hospital. Read this book, if you have allergies or are a mother of allergic kids – I am, I am, I am, by Maggie O’Farrell – it will help you.
  9. Run, Run, Run – Again this might not be for everyone but the sentiment is the same. Find something that you can do that completely takes you out of how you’re feeling. Something that clears your mind. This is running for me. I’m running my brain back to normal. Well maybe not normal, but back to stable. This could be something creative, fundraising, volunteer for a local charity. Anything that gives you new perspective. The latter being something I may look into when I can find more time. Giving something back can really help you feel your worth in society, because you are worth so much.
  10. Wear your Medicalert bracelet – This is really important. In my recent allergic reaction I was unconscious and couldn’t tell anyone what had happened. I had been wearing my Medicalert bracelet but when the reaction took place, that morning I had slipped it into my purse because it was irritating the eczema on my wrist. No one knew this and I was told that the paramedics were searching or one. It has made my realise I need to have more than one option of how to wear mine. I have a necklace too but need to find something softer for when my skin is sensitive. Writing this I realise I have not resolved this one yet!

I hope this helps. It’s not an exhaustive list and I may add to it as I think of other things. But as you can see, there are so many practical steps you take to help you cope.

One thing I am doing a lot of is sleeping. Emotions are exhausting. Be kind to yourself. Let your mind and body heal. Stay safe allergy warriors. Be prepared, never take risks and always, always carry your adrenaline injectors #takethekit

I will leave you with this video. If you know someone with anaphylaxis who does not carry their adrenaline, or even worse, has not been prescribed any, ask them to watch this short but very moving video

Word cloud courtesy of Worditout

nb>If you feel really depressed or have any thoughts that make you really scared, don’t know what to do and just need to speak to someone any time of day, call the Samaritans 116 123 from any phone any time of day or night. Someone will speak to you and just the act of talking could help.

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Researchers confirm that inflammation, histamine, cause anxiety (GAD)

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It’s hardly news to us those of us with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation that inflammation can cause symptoms of anxiety. Now though, the research has finally caught up, with scientists identifying altered pro and anti-inflammatory profiles in patients with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). One of the inflammatory agents is monitored in the study can also be released by mast cells (which can also trigger histamine). 

The study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity provides the first evidence that Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is associated with an imbalance between interferon (IFN-y), interleukin (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a), which is released by mast cells.

The authors found that patients with GAD had high levels of pro-inflammatory IFN-y and TNF-a, but low levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10, compared to healthy control subjects. They believe that an impairment of the tryptophan degrading enzyme leads to degradation of serotonin in patients with GAD.

I’ve long researched the link between histamine, mast cells and anxiety and depression.

You can read about the mast cell-depression link here

And how antihistamines can treat schizophrenia here

Now, with histamine researcher Dr. Janice Joneja once said to me, “Well of course the symptoms are all in the head, histamine is a neurotransmitter!”

You can find my interview with this amazing histamine researcher here

Her comment tickled me immensely given the number of times I was admonished for imagining my symptoms and that it was ridiculous to link what I ate, and how my body felt, to my state of mind.

Read my interview with Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede for more on the histamine-mood link

Read all about how histamine can generate symptoms of anxiety here

It seems that us members of the “permanently inflamed tribe” have been vindicated in linking flushing, palpitations, anxiety, tunnel vision and (in my case) a sense of doom almost like an asteroid was on a collision course with my reality, to histamine and inflammation generally.

I was first diagnosed with anxiety at about fourteen years old, but really I’d been suffering from it since childhood. My brother once commented (ok, way more than once), that I was the most fearful and stressed child he’d known (he’s sixteen years older than me). While it’s true that I’ve had a very tumultuous life, growing up in a war zone, father dead at 40 or so, changing schools and moving country every six months at times, I don’t consider that I had a particularly traumatic life compared with many people. And yet I was shaking like a leaf most days, filled with a sense that something truly catastrophic was about to befall me or my loved ones. I would wake up in the morning with a sense of dread, wondering what awful thing was going to happen. It was almost a relief when something would happen, and hopefully I could go about the rest of my day just a smidge less fearful than I started it.

But things got out of hand at university. Within just a few short years I was diagnosed with GAD, bipolar and unipolar depression, borderline personality and was medicated with pretty much everything on the market, for years. Changing my diet allowed me to come off all psychiatric medications (including daily Xanax/benzodiazepines), within a matter of months, but I was still a mess histamine-wise, till I totally overhauled my life.

You can learn how I transitioned from eating a handful of foods to eating a normal diet here (nutrient dense and from scratch is normal to me!).

Nowadays it takes a major life event to properly phase me. What I’m still not great at is dealing with daily anxiety due to a situation beyond my control, like when my mother fell ill last year and I spent a year flying back and forth to a country on another continent.

But I do my best. The meditation and exercise are a huge help, as is knowing that I may be on edge simply because my histamine level might be elevated. And yes, it does still happen to me. Because like you, I’m human, and I’m constantly pushing the boundaries to see what I can get away with.

It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.

The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.

The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.

Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.

Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes

——–REFERENCES——–

Brain Behav Immun. 2017 Feb 1. pii: S0889-1591(17)30021-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.01.021. [Epub ahead of print]

Peripheral inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Case-controlled study.

Hou R1, Garner M2, Holmes C3, Osmond C4, Teeling J5, Lau L3, Baldwin DS6.

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A is for Anxiety – Atopic Dermatitis ABC

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Anxiety for Parents with Eczema Children

Anxiety – was it the first emotion when Atopic Dermatitis was diagnosed in your baby?

This year’s series is Atopic Dermatitis ABC – a lighthearted, be-there-with-you companion where the ABCs will act as your eczema survival guide. In just 5 minutes, I came up with 15 words that start with A that are related to atopic dermatitis (AD). I disregarded all of them (not because they’re wrong since we’d get to what is atopic dermatitis, autoimmune, allergies and avoidance), but because I remembered when I first learnt of my baby’s eczema, it’s not the medical terms that come to mind. It’s ANXIETY, and it comes from the heart. Your heart, my heart, the hearts of all parents who suddenly find themselves in a challenging situation. Something like this.

Atopic Dermatitis - Anxiety in Parents with Eczema Babies

This needs no caption.

It is normal to feel anxious when something has gone wrong, when something is happening to your baby, and when you’re not sure what that something is (didn’t the delivery hospital say rashes are to be expected? and ok?) and when even when you know what that something is, you can’t cure it and you’re never sure when it would come back? If your heart has started beating faster like mine, it may be that all these feelings and thoughts are anxious ones that come when we’re not in control. And the most paradoxical part is atopic dermatitis is about controlling the eczema, since you can’t quite cure it.

Wait, do you agree with me?

IS THIS ANXIETY EVEN REAL?

Fortunately, we’re not self-deluded. In an October 2016 study published in the Asia Pacific Allergy1 by researchers at Inha University Hospital, South Korea, 78 children with their parents took part in a study to examine the family quality of life (QoL). The mean age of parents was 37 years old (majority 87% mothers), and the mean age of their children was 5+ years old, having atopic dermatitis for about 2 years. The tests included questionnaires (including Satisfaction with Life Scale survey) and using score card to measure eczema severity (SCORAD index).

It was found that a low family quality of life was related to the eczema severity, when the children with atopic dermatitis were girls and the negative emotionality of parents. Parents of children with AD is known to be associated with depression and stress in previous studies.

In another study2 more than a decade earlier, published in British Journal of Dermatology in Feb 2004, researchers examined the psychosocial well-being of parents caring for a young child with AD. Out of 187 parents, it was observed that parents of children with a higher severity of atopic dermatitis reported a significantly higher impact on family functioning and a greater financial burden. The results showed the need to focus on parental well-being and ability to cope with stress and social strain.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE ANXIETY IS REAL, HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD FARE ON THE SATISFACTION WITH LIFE SCALE?

Here’s the test3 that you can take:

Below are five statements that you may agree or disagree with. Using the 1 – 7 scale below, indicate your agreement with each item by placing the appropriate number on the line preceding that item. Please be open and honest in your responding.
7 – Strongly agree
6 – Agree
5 – Slightly agree
4 – Neither agree nor disagree
3 – Slightly disagree
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly disagree

____ In most ways my life is close to my ideal.

____ The conditions of my life are excellent.

____ I am satisfied with my life.

____ So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.

____ If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

31 – 35 Extremely satisfied
26 – 30 Satisfied
21 – 25 Slightly satisfied
20 Neutral
15 – 19 Slightly dissatisfied
10 – 14 Dissatisfied
5 –  9 Extremely dissatisfied

I hope you end up on the satisfied end of the scale, but if not, don’t be anxious – 5 questions are not going to determine your life’s happiness. Your child’s eczema condition is. (One question, in this eczema context).

References:

  1. Jang HJ, Hwang S, Ahn Y, Lim DH, Sohn M, Kim JH. Family quality of life among families of children with atopic dermatitis. Asia Pacific Allergy. 2016;6(4):213-219. doi:10.5415/apallergy.2016.6.4.213.

  2. Warschburger, P., Buchholz, H.TH. and Petermann, F. (2004), Psychological adjustment in parents of young children with atopic dermatitis: which factors predict parental quality of life?. British Journal of Dermatology, 150: 304–311. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05743.x

  3. Ed Diener, Robert A. Emmons, Randy J. Larsen and Sharon Griffin as noted in the 1985 article in the Journal of Personality Assessment

Eczema Blues

International Study Highlights Need To Support Patients With Psoriasis Suffering Feelings Of Isolation, Stigmatisation And Anxiety

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AppId is over the quota AppId is over the quota Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Anxiety / Stress
Article Date: 02 Oct 2012 – 1:00 PST Current ratings for:
International Study Highlights Need To Support Patients With Psoriasis Suffering Feelings Of Isolation, Stigmatisation And Anxiety
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Data from the Burden of Psoriasis patient research were presented this weekend at the 21st EADV Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. The results from the research, which included a quantitative online survey completed by 3,822 patients with psoriasis, showed 73% of patients surveyed scored their psoriasis as having a moderate to high impact on their lives1.

People living with psoriasis experience flare-ups that can result in the appearance of thick, red, scaly skin lesions on any part of their body2. The skin is often sore and itchy2, 3, http://www.eczemablog.net/but the current study emphasizes that the psychological impact of psoriasis can have an even greater impact on patients’ everyday lives1.


Factors analysed in the research included the influence of symptom burden, healthcare professional (HCP) relationships, patient factors and the psychosocial impact of psoriasis on how much the patient’s psoriasis “dictates how they live their life”1. Factors that were most strongly associated dealt with daily activities, stigmatisation, isolation and anxiety. However, diagnosed symptom severity was not a significant indicator1.


Commenting on the research Dr Anthony Bewley, Whipps Cross University Hospital & Barts & the London NHS Trust, UK, said, “The reality for patients is that the reactions of other people, real or perceived, can make life a real struggle. We need to ensure that we actively question our patients about these issues, and modify management accordingly. We plan further analysis of this comprehensive data set, which we believe will help to individualise care”.


“The physical, psychological and social effects of psoriasis can have a serious impact on people’s lives,” said LEO Pharma President and CEO Gitte P. Aabo. “To give people with psoriasis the best chance of improving their quality of life, we need to address the issues that affect them individually. The Burden of Psoriasis patient research will help healthcare professionals learn more about the impact that psoriasis has on peoples’ lives and hence inform and help evolve the way the disease is treated.”

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click ‘references’ tab above for source.
Visit our eczema / psoriasis section for the latest news on this subject. 1 Bewley A, Ersser S, Hansen M, Pevac C. Psychosocial and symptomatic burden of psoriasis for patients in Europe, the USA and Canada. Abstract presented at: EADV Congress, Prague, 27 – 30 September 2012 (ID number PRA12-0920).

2 Basavaraj KH, Navya MA, Rashmi R. Stress and quality of life in psoriasis: an update. Int J Dermatol 2011;50:783-92.


3 A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Psoriasis. (Accessed May, 2012, at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001470/.)


LEO Pharma

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