Posts Tagged ‘affect’

Motivation’s Effect On Mental And Physical Health

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

By Dr. Isaac Schumann

Many studies have been done to research the effects of motivation and mental health. As the implications of helping those with negative self-esteem, depression and anxiety are immense this is certainly an area of research that deserves a great deal of attention.

Psychology Online reports on a study investigating the differences between INTERNAL and EXTERNAL MOTIVATION. The report states that “Although our society is largely extrinsically-motivated by external rewards such as money, fame and power, research has indicated those who are intrinsically-motivated by inner desires for creativity, fulfillment and inner satisfaction are psychologically healthier and happier.”

How can this help you?

The study of health psychology seeks to understand how our ability to cope with stress can help us to prevent illness and promote health. Some of these coping mechanisms are naturally inborn but may be taught to those who lack them. Motivation is one of the tools that researchers are trying to use as a combatant of negative stress reactions.

Motivation is something that we use every day. It’s what enables us to survive – to get food because we’re hungry, to go to work to pay the bills or to educate ourselves in order to pursue a higher goal in life.

How we respond to life’s demands can affect our overall health. How are you classified?

The same report on Psychology Online identified those who respond to life with negativity or anxiety as most likely to deal with the physical affects of anger, guilt, nervousness, frustration and fear. These emotions can cause hypertension and high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Other complications include ulcers, arthritis, asthma and kidney disease.

Some therapists suggest that by using positive self-talk and trying to restructure the WAY we look at events can offset the physical and mental effects of dealing with negative or stressful events in life.

Interestingly, people who tend to focus on themselves as the controller of their fate – in fact ‘self-motivated’ – are more likely to feel a sense of control when stressors affect them. Instead of blaming something or someone else they have the motivation to deal with a problem and look for a reasonable solution. This positive behavior helps them to achieve goals and find personal contentment.

Therapists try to teach patients how to emulate this positive reaction to stress and use their motivation as a source of empowerment. Learning to manage stress and using motivation to set goals, work through a problem or fix it can in turn promote better mental and physical health.

About the Author: Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience in the mental health field
http://www.depressionhelpguides.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=28373&ca=Self+Help

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Mental Health Conditions Affect All Ages

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Mental health conditions are common in all nations of the world. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, about 26 percent of Americans aged over 18 years are diagnosed with a mental disorder every year. This equates to almost 60 million people. The NIMH has also found that about 6 percent of those, have been diagnosed with a serious mental condition, many of which may suffer from two or more mental conditions. Mental illness, has been found to be a major cause of disability amongst people, aged between 15 and 44 years in the US and Canada.

Of course, mental conditions are not confined to the adult person, as people of all ages and genders can be affected by the disorder. Many children and adolescents are diagnosed with mental health problems, and special care is needed to treat them adequately. Mental conditions that affect children are varied and may be of a temporary nature, however, specialized treatment should be sought to help reduce the chances of the disorder becoming long term. NIMH reports indicate that about 5 percent of children in North America suffer from bouts of depression. This figure increases to around 8 percent for the number of teenagers who are suffering from anxiety and depression.

Many teenagers are also affected by eating disorders, which can aggravate bouts of depression and lead to other problems such as, phobia, inhibition and learning difficulties. Teenage girls who may be suffering from anxiety or depression are susceptible to anorexia nervosa, a very serious eating disorder, which can lead to grave health concerns, even death. Mental conditions, such as these, need to be treated by mental health care professionals who can help young people to adjust to the circumstances that have brought about their disorders.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a most severe mental health condition that is more likely to affect young boys. Sufferers of ADHD need specialized professional care as well as added personal attention from their parents. A child suffering from ADHD will display little regard for authority and will engage in a range of continuous physical activities much to the detriment of his fellow students, teachers and parents. Treatment, provided by a mental health care professional, for this type of disorder, may include some form of medication.

Early diagnosis of mental health problems, is essential for the successful treatment of the conditions, and the prevention of long term effects that may result in a lasting disability.

For further information, visit: http://la-healthhunter.com/mental

Trent Consultants News Depressed dads affect kids psychology

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Researchers at University of Oxford said that such kids are more likely to have psychiatric or behavioural disorders.

They also said that boys in particular could be affected if their father had depression or was an alcoholic.

Te peak age for men to be affected by psychiatric disorders is the same as the peak age for becoming a father – between 18 and 35.

Paternal depression during the postnatal period, measured at eight weeks after birth, has been linked to increasing the chance of the child
subsequently developing behavioural and emotional problems from 10 percent to 20 percent.

During the study, researchers found that teenage offspring of depressed fathers also have an increased risk of various psychological problems, including depression and suicidal behaviour.

Researchers said that around 2 percent of men are affected by generalised anxiety disorder, and children whose parents have anxiety disorders have a two-fold increased risk of developing such disorders themselves,

Paternal alcoholism is also linked to an increased risk of mood disorders, depressive symptoms, poor performance at school, low self-esteem and problems forming relationships.

The research team, led by psychiatrist Professor Paul Ramchandani, said more studies were needed on how fathers” psychiatric disorders affect their children’s development.

“Men’s roles in bringing up children have changed significantly over the last century, with many dads now taking on an active ”nurturing role” so it’s important that there is more research into the relationship between fathers” mental health problems and how these may affect their children,” the BBC quoted Emily Wooster, policy and campaign manager for the mental health charity Mind, as saying.

Trent Consultants Psychology Clinic. Dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Trent Consultants has a variety of programs for parents who want to give their children a headstart in life. Trent Consultants website www.trentconsultants.org Email: childcare@trentconsultants.org