Other Health Issues

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Gambling as a human activity predates recorded history. There are descriptions of compulsive gambling in many cultures. Gambling is today recognised as an addiction and is often called "The drugless addiction" but clinical studies have shown high levels of Noradrenaline in pathological gamblers and it could be that gamblers are addicted to the natural high this hormone produces. Gambling addiction can be as destructive as any other addiction.

If you have lied about the amount you are gambling or winning, borrowed money in order to gamble, or doubted whether you can stop gambling, then you may well have a gambling problem. Treatment of gambling addiction is just as successful as treatment of alcohol or drugs (to which half of all pathological gamblers also have an addiction) so if you think your gambling habit is out of control, there is hope. Call LawCare on 0800 279 6888, or Gambler's Anonymous (or Gam-anon for families of gamblers) which are both on 020 7384 3040.

Eating Disorders

What is an Eating Disorder?

"Eating Disorders" is a generic term which can include a whole range of conditions involving obsession with food, appearance and weight to the extent that someone's health, relationships and daily activities are adversely affected. They usually affect women although around 5% of reported eating disorders involve men. It is thought the figure for men has more than doubled in the last ten years and many cases are probably still unreported.

It should always be remembered that eating disorders are usually symptoms and not the actual problem. They frequently develop as a means of dealing with emotional pain, low self esteem, depression, stress or trauma or family problems.

What causes eating disorders?

Usually a number of factors will combine to place someone at risk. Some of these are as follows:

Stressful life situations accompanied by a lack of adequate coping skills.
Sensitivity to life changes or separation from the family.
Social or cultural factors such as preoccupation about weight and appearance, especially from magazines or television.
Possible biological or genetic predisposition.
Domestic problems

What are the warning signs?

Preoccupation with food and weight.
Claims of feeling fat when weight is actually normal or possibly even low.
Not wanting to eat in front of other people.
Guilt and shame about eating.
Evidence of binge eating or hoarding of food and the use of laxatives, diuretics and emetics.
A preoccupation with exercise, particularly exercising to lose weight rather than to get fit.
Emotional changes and mood swings, depression, irritability and social withdrawal.

Specific signs of Anorexia Nervosa.

Noticeable weight loss unrelated to a specific illness.
Noticeable reduction in eating accompanied by the statement "I am not hungry".
Dieting when not overweight.
Signs of starvation.
Unusual eating habits such as preference for foods of a certain colour or texture, or unusual mixtures of food.

Specific signs of Bulimia Nervosa.

Evidence of binge eating. This can be actual observation or can be noticed by large amounts of food going missing, the stealing of money or food itself.
Frequent weight fluctuations.
Evidence of vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, frequent fasting or excessive exercise.
Frequent and unusual dental problems.

Treatment of eating disorders.

Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa are curable disorders, particularly if they are identified early, treated by trained therapists and supplemented by support groups for the suffering individual or for the family and friends of the individual.

If you think that you have an eating disorder or you know someone who you think has one please do not hesitate to contact LawCare in complete confidence. We can refer you to trained therapists and treatment centres and in many cases can arrange a free initial assessment.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a result of an imbalance of carbon dioxide in the body. Panic attack symptoms (based on the American DSM IV) are as follows:

Shortage of breath and smothering sensations
Choking, either actually or emotionally
Palpitations and/or accelerated heart rate
Chest discomfort and/or pain
Sweating and/or feelings of heat
Dizziness, unsteady feelings and faintness
Nausea or abdominal distress
Depersonalisation – a feeling of being out of the body
Derealisation – a feeling of unreality
Numbness or tingling sensations
Flushes/chills
Trembling/shaking
Fear of dying or having a heart attack
Fear of going crazy or doing something uncontrollable.

Any four of these symptoms together constitute a panic attack.

IMPORTANT

It is absolutely vital to get a medical checkup and diagnosis before starting treatment for panic attack. This is especially so where the major symptom is chest pain.

A quick way of stopping a panic attack or reducing its severity is to adopt the Ratio Breathing Technique

Stop what you are doing and close your mouth (stop hyperventilating).
Place your hands over your face (or you can use a paper bag if you have one handy).
Breathe in for a count of six
- Hold your breath for a count of six
- Breathe out for a count of six
Then for ten or twelve times
- Breathe in for a count of three
- Breathe out for a count of six
Be sure to keep your mouth closed at all times.

Then repeat the process again. After this the symptoms of the panic attack will have been removed.

If you suffer from panic attacks there are other things you can do, as well as learning to control your breathing, to deal with these frightening episodes and prevent them happening in the future.

Discover The Power of Positive Thinking

As a panic attack develops it is often made worse by your thoughts. “My heart is racing – I’m going to die!” “What’s wrong with me – am I going crazy?” These “negative predictions” have a strong influence on your body by bringing about an adrenaline rush and making the attack worse.

To combat this, focus on calming positive thoughts, like “I’m learning to deal with this” and “These feelings are uncomfortable but they won’t last forever.” Concentrate on the Ratio Breathing Technique or distract yourself by doing something relaxing which you enjoy – perhaps gardening or chatting to a friend on the phone. Reassure yourself with the following facts:

A panic attack cannot cause heart failure or a heart attack
A panic attack cannot cause you to stop breathing
A panic attack cannot cause you to faint
A panic attack cannot cause you to “go crazy”
A panic attack cannot cause you to lose control of yourself.

Imagine yourself somewhere where you are truly happy and peaceful. Perhaps lazing on a beach at your favourite holiday spot, or in a warm Jacuzzi, or walking through beautiful countryside. Feel the sensations, smell the flowers, enjoy the warm sun and let your mental imagery relax you.

Another relaxation technique is to scan your entire body, tensing and relaxing each muscle in turn, feeling the tension flood away as your muscles relax. Don’t forget your facial muscles – open your mouth and eyes wide, stick out your tongue as far as it will go – and then laugh at yourself!

Change your habits

If you are prone to panic attacks then it may help to look at your daily routine. Perhaps adding some exercise will help you to burn off excess tension. Try cutting out caffeine, which is a stimulant, and sugar. Give up smoking and be wary of relying on alcohol to relax you.

Are you someone who bottles up your feelings? Learn to acknowledge your emotions and perhaps even talk about them with a trusted friend, or just write them down in a journal.

Breathe in for a count of three

If you suffer from panic attacks there are other things you can do, as well as learning to control your breathing, to deal with these frightening episodes and prevent them happening in the future.

Discover The Power of Positive Thinking

Change your habits