Tag Archives: psychiatry

Myths Surrounding The Scourge Of Excessive Sweating

As people go about their daily lives, there’s a common but hidden scourge: excessive sweating.  In fact, a national survey conducted by the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHhS)—the scholars of sweat—shows multiple millions suffer from extreme, uncomfortable, embarrassing, debilitating, and emotionally-devastating sweating. This type of sweating is a serious medical condition known as hyperhidrosis and nearly 367 million people of all ages struggle with it on their hands, feet, face, underarms, or body.

Hyperhidrosis can be particularly devastating. While many attempt to hide their sweating problems and suffer in silence, the impacts are often hard to cover up. Dramatic sweating in the presence of peers at work, or in extracurricular or social environments, can cause severe embarrassment, stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues. Even when people are alone, away from potential judgements, hyperhidrosis often takes a heavy toll—adversely impacting one’s productivity in a myriad of ways.

Those with hyperhidrosis struggle with disproportionate and random sweating that may drench clothing, ruin papers, damage technology tools, make playing sports and musical instruments impossible, promote hiding and isolation behaviors, degrade self-esteem, and prompt bullying at any age—among kids and adults. The holistic effect on life—workplace, marital, social and otherwise—is thus profound. In fact, research published in Archives of Dermatological Research indicates that the majority of those with excessive sweating confirm the condition has negative impacts on their social life, well-being, and emotional as well as mental health.

Lisa J Pieretti, Executive Director of IHhS, notes, “Excessive sweating is a dermatological disorder that can cause an otherwise healthy person to produce up to five times more sweat than is normal or necessary. The pressures of dealing with a ‘sweating problem’ around peers can be catastrophic to self-esteem and more. Too often, people become anxious about attending work or school, socializing with friends, or being out in public in general. But when those with hyperhidrosis receive support, understanding, and appropriate treatment, their lives can be dramatically changed.”

To that point, IHhS co-founder Dr. David Pariser urges that, while hyperhidrosis is the number one dermatological disease in terms of negatively affecting a person’s quality-of-life, it’s also number one in having the most positive impact when treated. “When hyperhidrosis is caught early, a person’s life can be transformed for the better in a multitude of ways,” he says.

With that in mind, the first step toward providing solutions for those who sweat excessively is to bust some common myths and misconceptions with facts from the experts at the IHhS, including these:

Myth: Sweaty people are out-of-shape, nervous or have hygiene issues.

Truth: The average person has 2 to 4 million sweat glands. Sweat is essential to human survival and serves as the body’s coolant, protecting it from overheating. Many athletes actually sweat more than other people because their bodies have become very efficient at keeping cool. Meanwhile, people with hyperhidrosis (which causes overactive sweat glands) sweat excessively regardless of mood, weather, or activity level—often producing 4 or 5 times more sweat than is considered “normal”.

Myth: Those with hyperhidrosis don’t suffer with workplace-specific activities.

Truth: In a recent 2017 study, 63% of those with hyperhidrosis reported interference in the performance of tasks at work or school due to their condition.

Myth: To have hyperhidrosis, one must be dripping and saturated with sweat.

Truth: Excess sweating can range from severe dripping to moderate moisture. Symptoms of hyperhidrosis can manifest differently and personally. But, what is consistent is the impact on life depending on areas affected. This can include damaged clothing, paperwork and shoes; obvious, embarrassing sweat marks on clothing; unappealing cold wet hands; discomfort due to dripping sweat or constant dampness; and skin slipperiness that gets in the way of sports, music, and day-to-day tasks. Excess sweating of the armpits, hands, feet, face, chest, back, or groin can result in substantial impairment, including limitations at work, in social and physical activities, and during hobbies. Emotional and psychological distress is also common.

Myth: People will grow out of hyperhidrosis.

Truth: Contrary to popular belief, research shows that hyperhidrosis does not go away or decrease with age. In fact, in one recent IHhS study, 88% of respondents said their excessive sweating had gotten worse or stayed the same over time. This was consistent across all the different age groups, from youngsters to older adults.

image: wyldraven-deviantart.com

Myth: Hyperhidrosis is “just” a summer thing, or it’s at least worse during the hot summer months.
Truth:
Research from the IHhS also shows that profuse sweating is not simply dictated by the time of year. The majority of patients in one survey indicated that their sweating bothers them equally, no matter the season.

Myth: Kids and young adults are “resilient” and can deal with sweating a lot.
Truth:
Medical journal citations substantiate that young people are known to be significantly impacted by emotional sequelae accompanying dermatologic disease and that psychiatric issues inherently accompany dermatologic disease in children and adolescents. Studies further show that most patients with hyperhidrosis—characterized  by excessive, spontaneous sweating beyond physiologic, thermal, or stress-reaction body requirements—describe their lives as “bad” or “very bad” due to the disorder.

Myth: Antiperspirants are for underarms only.
Truth: Think outside the pits! You can glide, stick, spray, and roll-on nearly anywhere that sweating is a problem (think hands, feet, face, back, chest, and even groin.)  Be smart and talk to your dermatologist first before applying an antiperspirant to sensitive areas and test new products on small areas of skin first.

Myth: Like caffeine, antiperspirants are best used in the morning.
Truth: Pick a p.m. perk! Skip the bedtime espresso but do use your antiperspirant in the evening as well as in the morning. Sweat production is at its lowest at night, giving the active ingredients in antiperspirants a better chance to get into your pores and block perspiration when the sun comes up and you really get moving.

Myth: Excessive sweating is less debilitating than other skin conditions people have to deal with.
Truth:
According to Dr. Pariser, hyperhidrosis has the greatest impact of any dermatological disease. In fact, various investigations show the impact of hyperhidrosis on quality-of-life is equal or greater than that of in-patient psoriasis, severe acne, Darier disease, Hailey-Hailey disease, vitiligo, and chronic pruritus.

The extreme level of sweat production experienced with hyperhidrosis can disrupt all aspects of a person’s life, from academic performance, recreational activities and relationships, to self-image and overall emotional well-being. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are helpful resources available to help people with hyperhidrosis to not just “know sweat,” but to also achieve a more comfortable and happier life.  For the Silo, Merilee Kern.

Branding and consumer product trends pundit Merilee Kern, MBA is a wellness industry veteran, health advocate and influential media voice. Her ground-breaking, award-winning “Kids Making Healthy Choices” Smartphone APP for children, parents/caregivers and educators (iTunes) is based on her award-winning, illustrated fictional children’s book, “Making Healthy Choices – A Story to Inspire Fit, Weight-Wise Kids” (Amazon). She may be reached online at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

Appetite For Failing Public Figures Continues To Be Satiated

Yes this post’s title bears repeating. The public’s appetite for failing public figures continues to be satiated.  But beyond the face value of these stories, should the public have deeper concerns about their causes and what could they be indicative of beyond sexual obsession? According to Dr. David M. Reiss, what is more pertinent to analyze is the self-defeating, self-sabotage aspect of these actions, and essentially the unconscious self-hatred and hatred of anyone who cares for them (i.e., humiliation of a wife).

According to Reiss, “We are getting away from one on the true critical issue — masochism.  It is the acting out of the self-hatred by politicians through their legislation and power that is actually infinitely more dangerous to the public than any particular sexual activities.  What more don’t we know about their behaviors behind the scenes and what else may manifest?”

In addition, the so-called treatment for someone is nothing more than a publicity play to help “fix” the problem in the public eye.  The idea of his going into an “intensive treatment program” for two weeks is a joke. Especially at age 70, with decades of this type of behavior, a program like that can’t do anything but perhaps a diagnostic evaluation and set a course for ongoing therapy – with a poor prognosis. Otherwise, it’s an insult to the idea of therapy to think that two weeks could be of any significant effect.

Dr. Reis maintains a busy travel and lecturing schedule including Oct 4 - 7: Presentation at "Psychology of the Other" Conference, Cambridge, MA

David M. Reiss is a practicing psychiatrist for 30 years and recognized internationally for his expertise in character and personality dynamics. He has performed more than 10,000 psychiatric evaluations; evaluated and treated patients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, and from every occupational field.  He is an in-demand lecturer and has been published and covered in academic journals as well and general consumer media. For the Silo, Alyssa LaManna.

International UFO Symposium Landing in Brantford, Ontario June 24-26

Osie

As a young child living in rural Newfoundland on the outskirts of Grand Falls, Osie woke up screaming every night from her terrible UFO nightmares.

She believes she was abducted as a child – and is still being abducted today – by aliens, who have been doing medical procedures to her for her entire life.

At this summer’s Alien Cosmic Expo, June 24-26, in Brantford, Ontario, at Best Western Brant Park Inn-  Osie will discuss how her life dramatically changed only a few years ago when she discovered she not only had psychic powers but how becoming a medium paved the way for her understanding what was happening to her during her nightmare.

Osie revealed her story for the first time as one of the Experiencers interviewed in Brantford author Bob Mitchell’s book, “What if? Close Encounters of the Unusual Kind.”

Interestingly, Josie never had any interest in UFOs or aliens until her nightmares returned in 2015 and she began having very vivid out of body experiences that led to horrific encounters with other worldly beings.

Initially, she never saw the beings although she could hear them telepathically and knew they were around her.

“I saw shadows, outlines and they’re above me,” she explained. “I know they were doing stuff to me because I was screaming.

“There was so much pain. I didn’t hear any sounds. All I know is that I didn’t want to be there. I felt as if I was passing out and coming to again.”

Osie will also be on hand at ACE for Friday’s Experiencer Day where ticket holders can wander and ask questions of several invited guests.

Experiencer Day

How many of you have ever seen a UFO or encountered an alien being and never had the courage to tell anybody about the incredible experience?

What if you’ve been abducted? Who do you talk to? Can you trust even your family or closest friend with your darkest secret?

You’re not alone.

Take a read of this excerpt from “Forbidden Knowledge-Revelations of a multi-dimensional time traveler” co-written by Experiencer Jason Quitt and Brantford author Bob Mitchell.

Jason often had a difficult time keeping these topics bottled inside of him. One night his father noticed he was distressed about something.

“Unable to hold it in anymore I burst out in tears and emotion,” Jason said.

Jason told him what had been happening to him and how he was able to have out of body experiences.

“I also told him about the beings,” Jason said. “He was stunned. He tried to calm me down. But he really didn’t say too much to me.”

But his father begged him to see a psychiatrist.

“I flatly refused and was actually quite hurt and insulted by this suggestion,” Jason said. “But looking back I see how from his perspective why he wanted this for me.”

A few days later Jason was back at his father’s house and was using his computer when he noticed his father had bookmarked many pages dealing with schizophrenia.

“I knew then that I couldn’t share these experiences again with people who didn’t have a solid background in this subject,” Jason said.

“It really made me think of how Experiencers are treated in this society. I can only imagine an Experiencer sharing their story with their parents and the next thing they know they’re on heavy medication and told something is wrong with them or that the devil is influencing them.

Indeed, you’re not alone.

People throughout the world are struggling with this dilemma every moment of their lives.

But on Friday, June 24 at the opening day of the Alien Cosmic Expo in Brantford, Ontario you’ll be able to unburden yourself to people, who know exactly what you have and are continuing to go through.

Several Experiencers, including a few who will be telling their story on stage throughout the weekend will be participating in “Experiencer Day.”

It’s your chance to share your stories with them and ask the questions you have been seeking answers for in safe and comfortable surroundings without fear of being ridiculed or judged.

“When I read that passage from “Forbidden Knowledge” it really struck a nerve with me,” said Jo-Anne Eadie, organizer of the Alien Cosmic Expo. “I actually became very emotional. I understood what Experiencers must be going through.

“It’s why a feel so strongly that we need to able to talk about these events in a safe environment such as Experience Day.”

Confirmed Experiencers so far include Joanna L Ross, Sherry Wilde, Grant Cameron, Janet Lessin and Dr. Sasha Lessin, Barry Strohm, Osie, and Elizabeth April.

The cost for Friday’s “Experiencer Day” is $99 and includes a special Friday night dinner featuring Travis Walton, one of the most recognized abductees in the world. You’ll also watch a screening of his documentary “Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton” – a documentary by Onwinges Productions.

Walton is also expected to make an appearance during the day at the Experiencer event.

The cost for just attending Friday night’s dinner and show is $45.00 + tax 

Barry Strohm

Barry Strohm has learned the history of humanity from a unique source – the spirit of an alien named Mou.

On Friday, June 25, Strohm will be among the Experiencers on hand for Experiencer Day as the Alien Cosmic Expo opens its weekend run in Brantford, Ontario.

As an author and channeler, Strohm had been communicating and receiving information from Mou and he will reveal what he has learned during his lecture on Sunday, June 26. His incredible experience is told in his book “Aliens Among Us,” which those attending ACE will also be able to purchase. In his book, Strohm takes readers on a journey that explores humanity’s past and present connection to other worldly species. Strohm, owner of Golden Lane Antique Gallery in New Oxford, Pa (one of the most haunted places in the U.S.) has discovered that aliens are able to communicate through psychic channeling and explain many of Earth’s mysteries, including what really happened at Roswell, Rendlesham Forest, Biblical alien references and how extraterrestrials have and continue to influence mankind. His wife Connie has also been abducted and the alien spirit connected to Barry has explained why and what happened during her encounter.

Strohm has also met a Reptilian. He is also known for making predictions about future events, Perhaps he will make some while at ACE.

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This acclaimed 3 day event will be jam-packed with international researchers, authors and lecturers including Stanton Friedman, Richard Dolan, the Honorable Paul Hellyer, Grant Cameron and many more. To view the full line-up and to make note of all events please visit our friends at Alien Cosmic Expo.

 

 

North American Society A Madhouse Says Former US State Hospital Doctor

deranged "Joker" killer James Holmes
According to reports, deranged “Joker” killer James Holmes (in this July 2012 courtroom photo courtesy of thesun.co.uk) still believed that he was the fictional comic book and film character The Joker.

“Insane” has a clear meaning when we can look at it next to “sane” in the real world. Unfortunately, that has become more and more difficult to do, says Mike Bartos, former chief of staff at an American state psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane.

“It’s not just because the media rely so much now on bizarre behavior to entertain their audiences,” says Bartos, author of “BASH” – Bay Area  State Hospital – (www.mikebartos.com), a fast-paced tongue-in-cheek novel that stems from his decades of experience as a mentalhealth-care professional.

“Take a look at what have become the ‘normal’ problems in modern America – some of them could be textbook examples of psychological dysfunction.”

Case – or rather, cases – in point:

Obesity epidemic: Denial, compulsion, addiction and sublimation are just a few mechanisms at work in the psychology of a largely obese population. Sublimation is the mature defense activity perpetrated when socially unacceptable impulses, such as sexuality, are redirected, in this case to the consumption of salty, fatty and sugary food. With more than two thirds of the U.S. population and almost two thirds of the Canadian population [http://tinyurl.com/78o9z66 CP] either overweight or obese, there is nothing sane about this health crisis.

Banking: The financial crisis that changed the world in 2008 can be largely owed to a cluster of “too big to fail” U.S. banks and their employees who thought they could continuously repackage terrible debt loans. Meanwhile, unqualified customers snatched up properties they couldn’t afford. This was an undiagnosed mega-scale gambling addiction. Many in the financial world knew it simply could not be sustained but the players continued to ante up.

Climate change: Denial, denial, denial. The raw data from objective scientists overwhelmingly tells us man is largely responsible for warming global temperatures, yet we continue to use fossil fuels and to fill landfills with methane-producing waste. It’s a classic case; we completely ignore symptoms and evidence to maintain the status quo.

What the Bradley Report had to say about Rush Limbaugh's much-publicized addiction to oxycontin
What the Bradley Report had to say about Rush Limbaugh’s much-publicized addiction to oxycontin

A drugged nation: Marijuana, a natural relaxant, is outlawed in most states while tobacco and alcohol – responsible for incalculable violence and sickness, as well as tens of thousands of accidents and deaths each year – are lucrative and legal vice industries.  Meanwhile, some pharmaceutical companies and physicians encourage substance abuse and chemical dependency by promoting pills to ease the inevitable emotional and physical pains that come with life.

“Many of my psychiatric patients suffered from addiction to both legal and illegal drugs. Sometimes it was hard to tell which came first, the addiction or the other mental health issues,” Bartos says.

“The legal or illegal status of certain drugs seems to be completely arbitrary — much like the behavior of a patient suffering psychosis,” he says.

 

photo: usrecallnews.com
photo: usrecallnews.com

 

Spoiled-brat adults: Narcissistic Personality Disorder isn’t only now accepted in society, it’s widely encouraged and celebrated, Bartos says. Reckless driving and road-rage are just two examples in which individuals are so self-absorbed, they believe their time and sense of entitlement are more important than the lives and safety of others. Throw on top of that our obsession with plastic surgery, need for constant attention on social media, and pre-occupation with consumer brands and we have pandemic megalomania.

War: America [with on again -off again support from allies such as Canada,England and NATO allies CP] has been at war for 10 years now, and leaders cannot say with any precision what the US is doing with its current campaign in Afghanistan, nor what was accomplished with the last one in Iraq. It’s as if government leaders have a masochistic, sociopathic relationship with one percent of the U.S. population – the military, and their families. Young men are shipped off in the prime of their health, and often return physically or mentally damaged, if they come back at all.

“Is this sane?” Bartos asks.

Mike Bartos is currently in private psychiatric practice in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his wife Jody.  He has several decades of experience in the mental health field, including serving as chief of staff at a state hospital for mentally ill patients convicted of violent crimes, where he focused on forensic psychiatry. Bartos is a former radio show host and newspaper columnist. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.

Supplemental- Oxycontin and the opium epidemic of the 21st century