Uncategorized – Ovihams

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03/Aug/2024

Wellness is more than the absence of illness; it is a proactive process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. A holistic approach to wellness addresses the mind, body, and spirit, recognizing the interconnectedness of these aspects. This blog will explore key components of a wellness journey and how you can incorporate them into your daily life.

Physical Wellness: Building a Strong Foundation

Regular Exercise

Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy body. Exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, enhances flexibility, and boosts mood. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. This can include activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga.

Balanced Nutrition

Nutrition plays a vital role in overall wellness. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats provides the necessary nutrients for optimal body function. Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Quality Sleep

Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and make your sleep environment comfortable and free from distractions. Proper sleep supports memory, mood, and cognitive function.

Mental Wellness: Cultivating a Healthy Mind

Stress Management

Chronic stress can negatively impact both physical and mental health. Developing effective stress management techniques is crucial for wellness. Practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and journaling can help reduce stress levels. Regular physical activity and hobbies also contribute to stress relief.

Positive Thinking

A positive mindset can significantly influence overall well-being. Practice gratitude by acknowledging the good things in your life. Reframe negative thoughts and focus on solutions rather than problems. Surround yourself with positive influences and engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.

Lifelong Learning

Continuously challenging your mind through learning new skills or acquiring knowledge keeps the brain active and engaged. Whether it’s reading, taking up a new hobby, or attending workshops, lifelong learning promotes mental agility and can enhance overall happiness.

Emotional Wellness: Connecting with Yourself and Others

Healthy Relationships

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is essential for emotional wellness. Foster connections with family, friends, and your community. Practice effective communication, show empathy, and be supportive. Strong relationships provide emotional support, increase feelings of belonging, and contribute to overall happiness.

Self-Care

Prioritizing self-care is vital for emotional health. Take time to engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax. This could include hobbies, spending time in nature, or simply taking a break when needed. Self-care helps to recharge and maintain a positive outlook on life.

Emotional Awareness

Understanding and managing your emotions is a key aspect of emotional wellness. Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your feelings. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment and find healthy ways to express them. Seeking professional help, such as therapy or counseling, can also be beneficial in managing emotions.

Spiritual Wellness: Finding Purpose and Meaning

Connection to a Higher Power

Spiritual wellness involves having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. This can be achieved through religious beliefs, meditation, or other forms of spiritual practice. Connecting with a higher power or your inner self provides guidance, strength, and a sense of peace.

Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful tool for enhancing spiritual wellness. Regularly reflecting on the things you are thankful for can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant in your life. This practice fosters a positive outlook and a deeper appreciation for life’s experiences.

Volunteering and Acts of Kindness

Engaging in acts of kindness and volunteering not only benefits others but also enhances your own spiritual well-being. Helping others creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It fosters a sense of community and connection, reinforcing the idea that we are all part of something larger than ourselves.

Embracing a holistic approach to wellness involves nurturing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. By making conscious choices to incorporate these practices into your daily life, you can embark on a fulfilling journey toward overall well-being. Remember, wellness is a continuous process, and small, consistent steps can lead to significant, long-term benefits.

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Ovihams

03/Aug/2024

Introduction to Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including how people think, feel, and act. By exploring these areas, psychologists aim to understand the complexities of human behavior and mental processes, providing insights that can help improve individuals’ well-being and societal functioning.

The Roots of Psychology

The roots of psychology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle pondered the nature of the human mind. However, psychology as a scientific discipline emerged in the late 19th century with the establishment of the first psychology laboratory by Wilhelm Wundt in 1879. This marked the beginning of psychology as an experimental and empirical science.

Major Branches of Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, families, and groups to address issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. They use various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic approaches.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognitive psychologists investigate how people acquire, process, and store information. This branch has significant implications for areas such as education, artificial intelligence, and cognitive therapy.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology examines how people grow and change throughout their lifespan. This field explores physical, cognitive, and social development from infancy to old age. Understanding developmental stages helps in creating age-appropriate educational programs and addressing developmental disorders.

Social Psychology

Social psychology explores how individuals are influenced by their social environment and interactions with others. It examines topics such as group behavior, social perception, leadership, and aggression. Social psychologists study how societal norms and relationships impact individual behavior.

The Importance of Psychological Research

Psychological research is vital for advancing our understanding of the human mind and behavior. Researchers use various methods, including experiments, surveys, and observational studies, to gather data and test hypotheses. The findings from psychological research can lead to evidence-based practices and interventions that enhance mental health and well-being.

Applications of Psychology in Everyday Life

Psychology has numerous practical applications that can improve everyday life. In education, psychological principles are used to develop effective teaching strategies and learning environments. In the workplace, organizational psychology helps enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction. In healthcare, psychology plays a crucial role in understanding and treating mental health conditions.

Conclusion

Psychology is a diverse and dynamic field that offers valuable insights into the human mind and behavior. By exploring the various branches and applications of psychology, we can better understand ourselves and others, leading to improved mental health and well-being. As research continues to advance, the impact of psychology on society will only continue to grow, making it an essential discipline for addressing the challenges of the modern world.

Ovihams

03/Aug/2024

Homeopathy is a holistic approach to medicine that has garnered attention for its natural remedies and individualized treatment plans. Rooted in the principle of “like cures like,” homeopathy offers an alternative path to healing that contrasts with conventional medical practices. This blog delves into the origins, principles, benefits, and controversies

Origins of Homeopathy

The Birth of Homeopathy

Homeopathy was founded in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician dissatisfied with the harsh medical practices of his time. He developed the concept that a substance causing symptoms in a healthy person could treat similar symptoms in a sick person when administered in tiny doses.

Early Developments and Spread

Hahnemann’s ideas quickly gained traction across Europe and eventually spread to other parts of the world. The development of homeopathic hospitals, pharmacies, and educational institutions in the 19th century marked the formal establishment of homeopathy as a distinct medical system.

Core Principles of Homeopathy

The Law of Similars

At the heart of homeopathy is the Law of Similars, which posits that substances that produce symptoms in a healthy individual can cure similar symptoms in a sick person. This principle is the foundation for selecting homeopathic remedies.

The Principle of Minimum Dose

Homeopathy advocates for the use of highly diluted substances, with the belief that lower doses increase the remedy’s effectiveness while minimizing side effects. This concept is often met with skepticism from the conventional medical community, which questions the efficacy of such dilutions.

Individualized Treatment

Homeopathy emphasizes treating the individual as a whole rather than merely addressing specific symptoms. Homeopaths consider a patient’s physical, emotional, and mental states to tailor treatments uniquely suited to each person.

Homeopathic Remedies and Preparation

Sources of Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are derived from various natural sources, including plants, minerals, and animal products. These substances undergo a meticulous process of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) to enhance their healing properties.

Potency and Dilution

The potency of homeopathic remedies is indicated by a numerical scale, with higher numbers representing greater dilution. For instance, a 30C potency means the substance has been diluted 1 part in 100, thirty times. Critics argue that such extreme dilutions render the remedies ineffective, while proponents believe they harness the “memory” of the original substance.

Benefits of Homeopathy

Holistic Approach to Health

Homeopathy’s holistic approach addresses the underlying causes of illness rather than merely alleviating symptoms. This can lead to long-term health improvements and a better overall sense of well-being.

Minimal Side Effects

Due to the highly diluted nature of homeopathic remedies, they are generally considered safe and free from the side effects commonly associated with conventional medications. This makes homeopathy an attractive option for individuals seeking gentle and natural treatments.

Personalized Care

The individualized treatment approach ensures that patients receive care tailored to their specific needs. This can enhance the therapeutic relationship between the patient and practitioner, fostering a deeper understanding of the patient’s health.

Controversies and Criticisms

Scientific Skepticism

Homeopathy faces significant criticism from the scientific community, which argues that its principles lack empirical support and that its remedies are no more effective than placebos. Rigorous clinical trials often fail to demonstrate the efficacy of homeopathic treatments beyond the placebo effect.

Regulatory Challenges

The regulation of homeopathic products varies widely across countries, leading to debates about their safety, efficacy, and labeling. Some countries have stringent regulations, while others offer more lenient guidelines, causing inconsistency in quality and availability.

Public Perception

Despite controversies, homeopathy enjoys a dedicated following among those who have experienced positive outcomes. Advocates argue that conventional medicine does not always provide satisfactory solutions, and homeopathy offers a viable alternative for chronic and acute conditions.

Integrating Homeopathy with Conventional Medicine

Complementary Use

Many practitioners and patients view homeopathy as a complementary therapy rather than a replacement for conventional medicine. It can be used alongside standard treatments to enhance overall health and well-being.

Bridging the Gap

Efforts are being made to bridge the gap between homeopathy and conventional medicine. Integrative healthcare models aim to combine the strengths of both approaches, offering patients a more comprehensive range of treatment options.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

It is that time of the year again when most of the students would be burning the night lamps to complete their course and prepare for the approaching examinations at different educational levels. Such a time can be stressful for both children and parents alike.

Parents often find it hard to cope with the increased irritability, demotivation and disconnectedness in their children prior to and during exam time. Here are a few TIPS that may help parents deal with their child’s anxieties during exams:

Remain Calm and Relax: The best way you can help your child is to remain to calm yourself! It’s very important not to transfer any additional anxiety onto your kids. This can happen unintentionally, especially if you’ve had a mixed experience of exams yourself. Keep reminding yourself it’s not about you.
Reinforce the positives: It is extremely important for parents to appreciate their children for every little success they achieve. Encourage them to look at failures as natural and opportunities to learn and grow. Praise your child’s effort and perseverance, rather than focusing on results. Listen to them, give support and avoid comparing him/her to other kids. Encouraging messages, cards, or even tight hugs can be extremely motivational.

Strike a Balance: Encourage your child to take breaks while studying. Even during exams, some time should be set aside for playing outside, listening to music or engaging in any other preferred activity of choice. Eating regular and nutritious meals and a good night’s sleep is absolutely necessary.

Keep the environment-friendly: Help your child prepare a schedule according to his own realistic standards and leave him to follow it in his own way. Assist them in arranging their tables and study material properly. A clutter free desk breeds healthy learning. The entire family should take care of minimizing noise and distractions during exam time.

Some TIPS for the students as well; as they are the ones who’ll actually be facing the challenge:-

Structure your day (plan out a routine). Ascertain if you are a day or a night person; best/ most comfortable time of the day for studying.

Take short breaks (2-5 mins) every 35-40 mins and start with a quick revision of the previous session.

Make notes or flashcards for yourself. Make mnemonics (like VIBGYOR for the seven colours of the rainbow where each letter represents the subsequent colour starting with Violet and ending with Red as in the actual rainbow)

A balanced diet, regular exercise, yoga and adequate sleep (at least 6 hrs)

Reducing distractions to the minimal in the study environment, especially mobiles.

Work on the table; use your bed only for sleeping and not for studying, as the bed is associated with sleep and when you sit and study on the bed, it confuses the brain as to whether to study or to sleep. This, in turn, starts interfering with the normal sleep pattern also.

Positive attitude and faith in your own abilities.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

When we talk of “Personality” people usually think of someone who is good looking, smart, charming and even influential to some extent. In this post, we look at what is meant by personality, different characteristics of personality, and an introduction to Personality Disorders. As there are various types of Personality Disorders, and each requires an in-depth understanding of the dynamics, they are being covered separately in our e-Newsletters under the Mind the MIND section.

Characteristics of Personality

Persistent and enduring – Even though we all modify our beliefs and behaviours during our lifetime, our core personality traits tend to remain stable over time.
Early emergence – Our stable personality traits begin to manifest in adolescence, somewhere at the age of 15-16 years.
Combination of traits – Personality is dynamic in nature as it is an amalgamation of different of ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving and responding to the environment.
It also involves how we relate to self and others. Thus, it involves both the interpersonal and intrapersonal relations.

Personality Disorders

As mentioned above, our personality comprises of several traits and not all of them are necessarily healthy and adaptive. Some of these traits are bound to be problematic. Personality disorder is a mental disorder in which the person has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. It represents an extreme or significant variation in personal functioning, a deviation from the way an average individual in a given culture thinks, feels, behaves, perceives, and relates to others. This causes significant problems and limitations in interpersonal relations, social activities, work productivity, and overall functioning.

Types of Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder. It’s not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed.

TREATMENT

People who suffer from Personality Disorders are unlikely to seek treatment voluntarily as they may blame others and circumstances for their plight. If at all they do, it’s for associated conditions like depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress, strong feelings that others do not understand them, etc. A combination of Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy works best for such cases.

Psychotherapy – This is the most promising method of treatment for people with Personality Disorders. Intense and long-term therapy is required as there may be deep-rooted problems with interpersonal functioning. A strong therapist-client relationship offers the most benefit to people with such problems, yet is extremely difficult to establish due to the dramatic skepticism and inadequate coping skills of patients with such conditions.

Establishing rapport is the most challenging task for the therapist, yet the professional seeks to work around it to help the individual see things from a different perspective. There are different types, schools, and techniques of therapy. Depending on the nature of problems and its manifestation, the psychotherapist decides what would be more applicable as it is an individualistic treatment that caters to the needs and uniqueness of each individual.

In addition to psychotherapy, Psychological Assessments also form a significant part of the treatment process as through testing the therapist gets a better understanding of the inner dynamics of the individual’s personality which strengthens the case formulation and subsequent treatment plan.

Medicines – As mentioned above, prescribing medicines for the comorbid problems can work well which would also help in improving the overall functioning of the individual. A Psychiatrist prescribes such medicines.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Overview

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety spectrum disorder which is chiefly characterised by the occurrence of unwanted and intrusive (interfering) obsessive thoughts or distressing images usually accompanied by compulsive behaviours performed to neutralize the obsessive thoughts or images or to prevent some dreaded event or situation.

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

DOS	DON’Ts
Let the thought/image/impluse come and let them go.	Do not try to stop the thought/image/impulse as it has a paradoxical effect.
Be with the anxiety	Do not avoid the thought/image/impulse
Accept that these thoughts/images/impulses are not from your own mind, but because of OCD	Do not try to control the thought/image/impulse
A thought is just a thought, and not reality. Just observe it as an audience without engaging with them.	Do not distract yourself as it will provide provide relief but only temporarily.

Another important point worth noting is that guilt is the best friend of OCD; whenever there is guilt attached to obsessions, it will exacerbate the problem. Hence, it is important for the person to understand that simply having an obsessive thought (for instance – sexual images) is not equivalent to having actually done that in reality. We all experience such unpleasant or unwanted thoughts, impulses or images almost everyday and so there is nothing abnormal in it. It is just a thought and has no relevance till the time we attach some meaning to it or in case of OCD, there is anxiety due to the increased sense of responsibility. OCD can be an extremely debilitating and distressful illness for the person suffering from it as it hampers the functioning in various aspects. But there is hope as it is definitely a treatable illness with a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. Homoepathic medicines are very efficient in treating OCD in combination with psychotherapy.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

TOWARDS A HEALTHY MIND

We all engage in different exercises or activities to shape up and build our physical strength, but we often ignore our governing system; our mind or brain! Dumbbells are good for building up muscles but what about the mind? There aren’t any gyms for mental training or strengthening. It is often said that A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, but it is also true that A healthy mind often precedes a healthy body. Only if we have the peace of mind and are able to take good decisions efficiently can we grow in all aspects of life.

Mental health is an imperative but often ignored aspect of our lives. Through this article, I am making an attempt to encourage you to pay more attention to your mental health. The daily hassles, frustrations, anger, disappointments and unexpected situations we face in our lives pose great risk for our mental health. We need to train and strengthen our mind to adjust and adapt to such challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community”. It is not just the absence of mental illness. Having talked about what mental health is and why we need to be more serious about it, let’s now look at some of the ways that various studies all over the world propose to be efficient in helping us to train or strengthen our brain/mind.

Engage in brain stimulating activities like playing Sudoku, solving puzzles or crosswords.
Regular exercises, yoga and meditation in the proper way.
Learning to Let Go!!
Spending some significant amount of time doing your hobbies or anything that gives you happiness. As kids, we all had at least one such activity that gave us immense pleasure and we were always ready to do it with full enthusiasm.
Don’t let the child in you die out.
Keep in touch with your friends and family. Meet them often. Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with whomever you feel comfortable or have that rapport with.
Experience your emotions; even if negative let the feeling run its course. It is important that you process the emotion appropriately. Blocking it is no solution.
Learn to be patient. It is a virtue that very few possess in today’s world but it is a very important ingredient for your success.
Be stable and balanced in your approach.
Get adequate amount of sleep everyday (6-8 hrs) and take a healthy, balanced diet.
Avoid the use of harmful substances like alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs that have the potential of causing havoc in your brain.
Believe in yourself and work towards your goals or dreams.

‘Mental Health…is not a destination but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.’ Noam Shpancer

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Imagine walking down the road and noticing a group of people talking amongst themselves, and you know for sure that they are planning to kill you, or imagine someone commenting on every move you make, you can hear the fine details of your own actions distinctly, or what if the others could somehow get to know exactly what you are thinking at every moment while you are awake. How does it make you feel? Scary right?!
This is just a small glimpse of what a person suffering with schizophrenia has to put up with because of the illness. Add to this the rejection, discrimination and feelings of helplessness arising from not being understood by your own loved ones. They seem to have a world of their own which is different from the real life but it forms the person’s “Reality” and so he/she responds accordingly. More often than not a person with schizophrenia cannot understand that his “Reality” is not for real and thus lives in complete denial of having an illness.

According to the ICD-10 classificatory system, schizophrenia is characterised in general by fundamental and characteristic distortions of thinking (Delusions) and perception (Hallucinations), and by inappropriate or blunted affect. The prevalence rate of schizophrenia is almost equal in males and females, and begins in the age range of 16-35 years.
Like any other psychological disorder, the aetiology of schizophrenia can also be understood in terms of biopsychosocial aspects. Though the findings are not conclusive, studies suggest an increased level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in people with schizophrenia. It also has strong heritability with a prevalence of upto 50% in identical twins as compared to 1% in the general population. Psychological factors like faulty thinking processes and low stress tolerance have been seen in people with schizophrenia. Studies also suggest that a home environment that is highly critical, hostile or emotional can be a contributing factor in a person who is already vulnerable for developing schizophrenia. In some cases, extreme levels of stress also can trigger the illness in people who are predisposed for schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a very debilitating illness that can significantly hamper a person’s personal, social and occupational functioning. Early identification and treatment can ensure good recovery. It even limits the extent of cognitive impairment due to the illness. Schizophrenia is not curable but definitely a treatable condition. Specific anti-psychotic medicines and psychotherapeutic techniques have been developed that have proven to be efficient in the treatment of schizophrenia.

If you observe any of the following in your loved ones for a period of 1-2 weeks, it is advised you seek mental health professional’s help at the earliest:-

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

The process of breathing symbolises the philosophy of a happy life itself; taking in from the surrounding, staying in the here and now, and eventually letting go off it to live on. It’s a smooth, rhythmic, simple, almost effortless process that happens on its own mostly. Although we can get some control over it, it tends to be involuntary for most part of our lives. However, there are many of us who wish to experience such a feeling more often.

Respiratory problems are on the rise, mainly due to increasing pollution levels, erratic weather conditions, and poor air quality all over the world. No one seems immune to these drastic changes as people of all ages, belonging to different socio-economic backgrounds are suffering with various respiratory problems. Even though there are physical reasons for such problems, psychological and emotional factors like – personality traits, temperament, early childhood experiences, coping abilities, and stress management mechanisms can exacerbate or even trigger problems like asthma. Studies suggest a high comorbidity of anxiety disorders, panic attack and even depression in patients suffering from respiratory problems that mostly go unnoticed and eventually affect the overall Quality of Life (QOL) of the individual. The role of psychological factors like misinterpretation of bodily symptoms can be explained through the “Breathlessness-Anxiety-Breathlessness Cycle”. Feeling or an anticipation of breathlessness can make you feel anxious, which in turn would affect the rate of breathing and can be misinterpreted as a sign of some serious respiratory problem which further makes you feel scared and can lead to a faulty coping of avoiding such situations in the future. Thus, the person gets caught in this vicious cycle that hampers his/her QOL significantly.

What to do?

In addition to the ongoing treatment with your physician, seek professional help from a Clinical Psychologist as they are trained to identify and assist you in dealing with such issues more efficiently.
Through psychotherapy, the underlying issues that are interfering with the overall healthy functioning of the patient are identified and worked upon using various techniques and strategies.
Faulty thought processes like “Catastrophisation”, “Misinterpretation of bodily symptoms”, “Attributional biases”, etc. are identified, challenged and eventually modified through psychotherapeutic techniques that help in better handling of the problems.
Relaxation training and deep breathing exercises are taught to ensure you are breathing correctly and more efficiently.
Share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust. It is a must for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Use positive imagery to help you feel calmer, relaxed and thus breathe freely.

Physical Wellness: Building a Strong Foundation

Regular Exercise

Balanced Nutrition

Quality Sleep

Mental Wellness: Cultivating a Healthy Mind

Stress Management

Positive Thinking

Lifelong Learning

Emotional Wellness: Connecting with Yourself and Others

Healthy Relationships

Self-Care

Emotional Awareness

Spiritual Wellness: Finding Purpose and Meaning

Connection to a Higher Power

Practicing Gratitude

Volunteering and Acts of Kindness

Introduction to Psychology

The Roots of Psychology

Major Branches of Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Social Psychology

The Importance of Psychological Research

Applications of Psychology in Everyday Life

Conclusion

Origins of Homeopathy

The Birth of Homeopathy

Early Developments and Spread

Core Principles of Homeopathy

The Law of Similars

The Principle of Minimum Dose

Individualized Treatment

Homeopathic Remedies and Preparation

Sources of Remedies

Potency and Dilution

Benefits of Homeopathy

Holistic Approach to Health

Minimal Side Effects

Personalized Care

Controversies and Criticisms

Scientific Skepticism

Regulatory Challenges

Public Perception

Integrating Homeopathy with Conventional Medicine

Complementary Use

Bridging the Gap

So all the best to all the students. We hope our advice would serve you well! 🙂

What is personality?

Characteristics of Personality

Personality Disorders

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

Types of Personality Disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Cluster C Personality Disorders

TREATMENT

Overview

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

TOWARDS A HEALTHY MIND

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