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Why Being With The Right Person Makes You A Better Version of Yourself

January 11, 2021 by Power of Positivity

True love awakens the heart. It puts a spring in your step, and it makes you strive to be better. It’s that feeling when you’ve found the right person that you’re home safe and sound where you belong.

Finding a soul mate is something that many people dream about, but many doubt it will ever happen to them. Some say love is an emotion, while others believe it’s a choice. You wake up each day and choose to be faithful to care and support this person and be there through the ups and downs of life.

Regardless of how you view love, most people will tell you that being in a good relationship brings out your best self. Love is not all about laughter and kisses, as that is merely a sign of emotional bonding. However, true love is when two halves of a whole unite. When two lost souls find their way to each other, they feel that all is right in this world.

Nine Ways That Love Changes You for The Better

You can’t expect to change someone when you fall in love, but love does change you effortlessly. You can’t help but alter who you are because this association makes you a better person.

So what kind of power does love have on you that can make you your best self? Here are nine ways that you become better when you’re with the right person.

1. You Put Others Before Yourself

One of the most beautiful things about being with the right person is how it changes your priorities. While you once put your wants, needs, and desires ahead of everything else, now, you have another person to consider.

It’s about giving up that weekend with buddies or girlfriends because your partner is sick and needs you. You become selfless because their needs are just as important to you as yours. Part of the changes that occur when you fall in love with the right one is that you want to be better for them.

You the right person in almost every decision you make. You give up the extra slice of cake because you know they want it, and you don’t mind getting up early to make sure their car is nice and warm on a cold, snowy day.

Thankfully, this selflessness will transfer and grow as it alters your view of the world around you. It’s as if love increases your generosity and causes you to be a better human being.

2. Communication Skills Are Enhanced

Communication is essential, but when you are with someone who makes the sunshine in the morning, you can’t wait to tell them about your day. They are the first person you text on your lunch break at work, and they’re the last voice you want to hear before you close your eyes at night.

You learn that you’re not a party of one anymore. You have someone there who values your opinion and wants to hear what you have to say. The good communication skills you learn with your partner can help you at work and other aspects of your life.

3. You Learn the Value of The Truth

It’s good to never tell a lie, but white lies are commonplace in society. You say to the bill collector the check is in the mail, or you tell your relatives the reason why you’re late to dinner is that you had to work over. When you enter a committed relationship, you learn to value the truth more than ever before.

An excellent partner is always truthful, even when it hurts. They’re the one that knows you inside and out, and they can see in your eyes if you say something deceptive. They know you so well that they can almost gauge what you’re doing and where you’ve been.

Some say that it’s an intuitive nature that couples have towards each other. Why do so many wives feel that their spouse is cheating on them before they have any proof? It’s because the connection you have with your soulmate is built on honesty, and when someone breaks that trust, the other person suffers.

You learn in a relationship that even the white lies can be hurtful and damaging, and you quickly learn candor. Truth is always the answer at all costs.

4. Loneliness is Not an Issue

There’s nothing worse than loneliness. What’s Valentine’s Day without someone to buy roses and chocolates for? How does one get through Christmas or Hanukkah without someone to eat a feast and snuggle in on a cold winter’s morn?

Having someone beside you through the holidays and all the other essential seasons in life is priceless. You understand quickly how those who have no one to share their experiences with feels, and you become more sensitive to lonely people’s needs.

It’s no fun being alone, even for one night, and having the right person by your side makes even the most trying days better.

5. Fears of the Future Dissipate

Fears and anxiety about the future are commonplace, especially when you don’t have someone to share your responsibilities. You worry about having money to pay your bills, funds for retirement, and having a job that provides good health benefits.

When you’re with the right person, they help shoulder that burden. They help to ease your stress as you now have someone else that can help. It opens your eyes to what single people around you must struggle with as they have no one to help them through those dark financial periods and fears of their future.

6. Teamwork Becomes Common

If you’ve always been a person who prefers to work alone, you will soon learn that it’s all about teamwork in a relationship. Thankfully, the skills you use working as a team at home can spill over into the job. You learn that having someone to helps is valuable and a better way than always doing things solo.

You become your best self when you realize that you can’t do everything in this life on your own. Sometimes, it’s okay to ask for help and to get assistance from others.

7. You Learn the Power of Intimacy

Intimacy is something that alters you and your views for life. Anyone can have sexual relationships, but when you have real closeness, it makes you feel desired. Being wanted can boost your self-esteem and make you walk with a bounce in your step.

Intimate moments include things like playing a song and singing it to the other person on an instrument or having someone hold you when you cry over a loss. It’s a closeness that comes during private moments, and it’s the observation and knowledge of the other person.

Intimacy can change your views on the world around you because you know how it feels to have someone who cares about you on such a deep level. Sexual encounters last but for a few minutes. However, real intimacy with the right person can enhance your world indefinitely.

8. You’ll Live Longer

If you want to be your best self, it helps to be happy, healthy, and alive. A study found that married people or those in a committed relationship live longer than those who are divorced or single. The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health posted the study.

The shocking fact is that 40 percent of married people live longer lives than others. It shows that there’s truly something unique and magical about having the right person in your life that gives you the desire to keep fighting to live another day.

9. You Keep Going Even When You Don’t Think You Can

There are many times in this life when you will want to throw in the towel. It may be all you can do to get out of bed in the morning because you didn’t sleep the night before. No matter how you feel or what’s going on at work, you get up and keep going because you have someone else that depends on you.

Quitting isn’t an option when you know that it could mean everything to the other person if you stop. The drive and instincts to keep going during the toughest adversities in this life will help you in all avenues.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Right Person to Complete Your Soul

A recent Marist poll found that 73 percent of the population believes that they have a soul mate out there waiting. Is there something to this belief that one person can make you happier, healthier, and give you the ability to live a longer life?

No matter how many articles you read, websites you explore, or people you ask, love is about taking risks. As the old saying goes, you may kiss a few frogs before you find your true prince (or princess).

If you want that someone that makes you go weak at the knees and makes you a better person, then you must be willing to take risks. There is someone for everyone, and the right person is waiting for you.

10 Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal (and How to Stop It)

January 11, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that caffeine is a drug that is used the same as many dangerous stimulant medications? It’s shocking when you dive into the science behind this substance what it can do to your body, which is why you experience withdrawals when you stop consuming it. Yet, you can become addicted to this “drug” by drinking soda, coffee, chocolate, or even ice cream.

According to Coffee and Health, caffeine is an alkaloid substance that occurs in over 60 plants naturally. The most recognized plants with this substance are coffee beans and tea leaves, but it’s also found in things like guarana berries and kola nuts.

Drinking just one cup of Joe contains an average of 75-100mg of caffeine. Now, what if you have a supersized cup of Java to get you going in the morning? The Mayo Clinic states that you can consume around 400 milligrams of caffeine each day safely. However, if you consume larger amounts, it can cause all sorts of issues in your body, similar to a drug overdose. Here are the most common signs of caffeine overdose:

•Irregular heartbeat

•Heart palpitations

•Headaches

•Confusion

•Vomiting

•Nausea

•Diarrhea

•Feeling faint

•Anxiety or jitters

•Shortness of breath

•Death (extreme cases)

Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

It’s easy to see that many people in today’s world think that caffeine helps keep them awake or stimulate them to get through the day. However, you can become just as addicted to it as you would cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. The withdrawal issues are the real problem.

Trying to come off caffeine can make you extremely sick, and it can take a few days or even a week to get over the symptoms of stopping this drug. It depends on how much pop, soda, or tea you drank regularly and how it will affect you. Here are the most common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal and what you can do to combat it.

1. Mood Fluctuations

One of the most common things that people experience when kicking the caffeine habit is mood fluctuations. Habitual caffeine consumers are the ones that are most affected by this concerning problem. According to the National Library of Medicine, they can trace caffeine withdrawals back more than 170 years, which means this isn’t a new problem as many suspects.

They also published a study regarding side effects from those who are ceasing their consumption. Shockingly, irritability was found to be one of the top complaints from the nine survey studies. It stands to reason when you cut something out that affects the brain to alter your mood.

2. Fatigue

It’s not uncommon for you to have problems getting things done when you quit coffee or soda. The focus and energy levels you once had are altered due to the lack of stimulation. It’s been proven that stopping this substance can cause you to be sleepy.

Astonishingly, a study was conducted using truck drivers and their coffee consumption. During this case-control study by BMJ, they found that those who regularly consumed coffee had a 63 percent reduction in their chances of having an accident. It’s kind of scary when you consider the number of truckers on the road and the need for stimulation to stay awake. What about those that don’t drink anything caffeinated?

3. Low Energy Levels

Low energy levels go along with fatigue. The only difference is that you might not be sleepy, but you don’t have the energy to do what you need to do. Your life can significantly suffer when it doesn’t have the stimulation it’s become accustomed to.

It will take time for your brain to adjust to the lack of coffee/tea/soda that has helped you wake up and face the day.

4. Flu-Like Symptoms

It’s shocking to think that withdrawing from caffeine can give you flu-like symptoms. Many people experience aches and pains, typical of what comes along with the common flu. They have muscle stiffness and nausea too.

Keep in mind that a person who drinks one soda a day will probably not have as severe issues stopping caffeine as someone who drinks a pot of coffee to get going. Additionally, each body is different, so you never know which symptoms you may experience.

5. Headache

Headaches are the number one complaint of someone trying to get rid of their caffeine addiction. In fact, a study found that 50 percent of people complain of this symptom. The severity of the headaches is also all over the board.

Some report that they have a mild nuisance, while others say their head pangs are entirely debilitating.

6. Depression

You can become both physically and psychologically dependent on this substance. Though it sounds silly to someone who has never experienced it, going through any withdrawal symptoms can be very depressing. Once you kick your body’s cravings for it, you must also kick your psychological dependency.

7. Anxiety

Anxiety can come from psychological disturbances, or it can come from feeling that there’s something wrong in your body. However, it’s noted that once the thing that gets you up and going is gone, you struggle with the reality that you don’t have this crutch to lean on.

You may feel anxious about starting your day without your cup of coffee or soda, and you need to learn a new routine. Plus, the lack of having the substance helping you each day can also take a toll.

8. Mental Fog

Mental fog is described very differently by everyone. Some say it’s a lack of focus, while others state that they don’t have a clear mind as there is much noise. Brain fog is a common complaint after withdrawing from caffeine.

You may find that you’re a bit confused, forgetful, and can even be disorganized. Did you know that brain fog and headaches are the common reasons why people start drinking caffeine again?

9. Shaking/Tremors

Some people are more apt to tremors and shaking than others. Consequently, those who consume high caffeine levels each day may notice that they have an unsteady hand or tremors as the substance leaves their body. Thankfully, these jittery feelings don’t last long and should go away as soon as you’re done with the withdrawal process.

10. Concentration Issues

Did you know that many people use caffeine to medicate ADHD and other concentration issues? Some people would rather drink coffee than take some of the dangerous stimulant medications. So, when you remove the thing that keeps you going in life, you may have a hard time concentrating.

Self-medicating with any substance can be dangerous, and you can learn effective ways to enhance your focus without taking anything that can be harmful. Additionally, many herbs can help with your attention, such as ashwagandha or Ginkgo Biloba.

Tapering or Quitting Cold Turkey

If you want to avoid all these issues while coming off caffeine, there is an easier way to do it. Many people want to stop cold turkey and be done with the habit, which is great if you can do it that way. However, for those who drink upwards of 400 milligrams of this stimulant each day, you should taper as it’s safer.

Start by slowly reducing your intake even by one cup or can of soda each day. Do this for one week. Then the following week, reduce it by another cup or soda. Keep doing this until you no longer need the substance to function.

It’s also worth mentioning that you may need to seek help if you’re medicating an underlying medical condition. Things like chronic fatigue can cause you problems, and you may be masking those issues by self-medicating.

Adult ADHD is not uncommon. While some children grow out of this issue, many carry it on into their adult life. It’s one of the top reasons people consume caffeine to help them focus and accomplish their daily tasks.

Final Thoughts on the Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal

Slow and steady is the best way to rid your caffeine habit. However, many people are faced with situations where they must quit immediately, such as being in the hospital or heart problems. While caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in many plants, so is opiates.

Just because it came from the poppy flower doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume. While caffeine is not as damaging, caution must be used when turning to natural things for help. If you’re sipping between 300-400 mg each day, then you’re getting remarkably close to the peak allowance.

Now, those who have an occasional soda or cup of coffee are not going to be addicted. Thankfully, the caffeine withdrawal process usually takes about three days on average, but it can take up to a week. It’s the psychological dependence that may be harder to conquer.

Many people drink soda, coffee, and tea because they like how it tastes and what it does to them. For most, the psychological aspects seem the hardest to overcome. Thankfully, you don’t need soda or coffee to live, and you can learn that water is much more refreshing and beneficial for your body.

Researchers Reveal How Loneliness Manifests in the Brain

January 11, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study discovered a certain type of signature in the brains of those who experience frequent feelings of loneliness. This signature makes them stand out from others who don’t feel lonely as often. In lonely people, researchers noticed variations in the volume of certain brain regions and differences in how those regions communicate with one another. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications on December 15, 2020.

Researchers analyzed the MRI data, genetics, and self-reported psychological assessments of around 40,000 middle-aged and older adults for the study. They volunteered to have this information stored in the UK Biobank, an open-access database that health scientists worldwide have access to. Then, they compared the MRI data of the volunteers who experienced frequent feelings of loneliness to those who did not.

Researchers discovered a few key differences upon further investigation. Most of the differences occurred in the default network within the brain. This region of the brain processes thoughts such as future planning, reminiscing, imagining, and thinking about others.

Key differences in the brains of those who experienced loneliness

The default networks of lonely people had stronger connections and higher grey matter volume in these regions.
Loneliness also manifested itself in the fornix. That is a bundle of nerve fibers carrying signals from the hippocampus to the default network. Lonely people had a more well-preserved fornix than those who didn’t experience loneliness.

The brain’s default network helps us remember the past, plan our future, or imagine a desired situation in the present. Researchers believe that the default network correlates with loneliness because lonely people use this area of the brain more often. For example, to cope with their feelings of isolation, they may dwell on the past or focus intently on the future. They may also find comfort in daydreaming or imagining ideal social situations in the present.

“In the absence of desired social experiences, lonely individuals may be biased towards internally-directed thoughts such as reminiscing or imagining social experiences. We know the default network brain regions mediate these cognitive abilities,” says Nathan Spreng from The Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital of McGill University, and the study’s lead author. “So this heightened focus on self-reflection, and possibly imagined social experiences, would naturally engage the memory-based functions of the default network.”

More people feel lonely in today’s world than ever, and our fast-paced, individualized lifestyles may be to blame. We evolved in small groups to help one another survive, so not everyone feels included in our modern world. With so many different groups, belief systems, and ways of living, some people feel they don’t belong. This causes them to withdraw from social groups, which only worsens the underlying problem.

How loneliness affects mental and physical health

Not only does loneliness take a toll on the mind, but it can also lead to serious physical health problems. Earlier studies have shown that older people who feel lonely have a heightened risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Loneliness can also result in earlier death, hypertension, weakened immune system, and a higher risk of suicide. In the modern world, researchers estimate that loneliness affects about 10-20% of adults who lack companionship and feel left out or isolated from others.

Previous studies have shown that feeling lonely can have a similar effect on obesity or smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. People experiencing loneliness usually have worse mental health, a higher likelihood of developing severe psychiatric disorders, and cognitive decline. They also have a heightened risk of dementia as a result of the neuropathological burden of loneliness. Lonely older adults have nearly double the risk of developing dementia than non-lonely people, even after accounting for mental health factors.

Because humans have evolved to work together in groups to survive, we naturally crave social connections. We actually need them for survival as well as emotional and physical safety. If we can’t cooperate in groups or form bonds with others safely, we start to isolate ourselves due to self-preservation instincts.

Being lonely in society today

Modern society keeps our bodies in constant fight-or-flight mode, as we haven’t yet evolved to process so many stimuli. Our minds may sense a threat around every street corner because they can’t differentiate between emotional and physical stress. Many people work online or from home in today’s world, making the loneliness epidemic even more pervasive.

Of course, not everyone who spends the majority of their time alone feels lonely. Some people feel perfectly content to spend all their time alone, while others crave social connections. It really comes down to individual preferences and personality types. However, for those who have unmet social needs, the feelings of loneliness can become crippling.

In the study, researchers focused on chronic feelings of isolation due to these unmet social needs, which they call ‘trait loneliness.’ This concept differs from the amount of time spent alone or how often a person socializes. As we said above, a person may have very few socialization opportunities and not feel lonely at all. The study aimed to understand the correlation between changes in brain structure and perceived feelings of loneliness.

Says Danilo Bzdok, a researcher at The Neuro and the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the study’s senior author:

“We are just beginning to understand the impact of loneliness on the brain. Expanding our knowledge in this area will help us to better appreciate the urgency of reducing loneliness in today’s society.”

Final thoughts: Loneliness affects people in different ways, but it can have severe consequences

Not everyone who spends a lot of time alone feels isolated or lonely, but it can be debilitating for those who do. Loneliness can make a person hyperaware of their environment because they don’t know who to trust or reach. It can cause them to withdraw from society completely, putting a severe strain on their mental and physical health. If you see someone who seems lonely, never hesitate to reach out – you may save their life.

Psychology Reveals Why Emotionally Vulnerable People Are So Attractive

January 11, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Do you have a mental list of the characteristics they find most attractive in a partner? You want to fall in love with a kind, honest, loyal, hardworking, generous person who has a great sense of humor. However, would you think of adding vulnerable people to your list?

How would you define vulnerability? Would you say that it’s exposing your weaknesses and taking the risk of being hurt? According to an article published by Global Leadership Network, Dr. Brené Brown has spent years researching and writing about the subject.

The article shares excerpts from her book, Dare Greatly. Brown says that vulnerability can’t be strictly defined as good or bad, light or dark. She explains it as the essence of feeling and where our deepest emotions are born.

For Brown, states the article, being vulnerable means that you take the uncertain risk of emotional exposure. Maybe that’s why you may find vulnerable folks attractive. Perhaps it’s their willingness to put their hearts in jeopardy that’s so enduring.

Don’t Mistake Vulnerability for Weakness

Some people have the misconception that vulnerability equals cowardice, which is far from reality. It takes someone strong and courageous to allow another to see their weaknesses. Taking risks for love is not for the faint of heart.

On the other hand, those who lack courage refuse to show their feelings. They often don’t have satisfying, healthy relationships because their hearts are chained and locked solidly. Vulnerable people close their eyes, hand over the key to their heart, and hope for the best.

What Are Some Common Things Vulnerable People Do?

Do you recognize that feeling of isolation and loneliness when you were a new kid at school? Belonging is a basic human need, just like the need for shelter, love, and nutrition. An article published by Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc, states that our need to belong is fundamental to our health and well-being.

People who aren’t afraid or ashamed of showing their vulnerability often are the first to express their feelings. If you’re in a relationship, these expressions can be attractive. Here are some of the everyday things they may do before you:

•Say, “I love you.”

•Say how much they care about something

•Disclose the joys and pain of their past

•Being real with their emotions

•Trusting again after they’ve been hurt

•Being honest about themselves and others

•Sincerely apologize for mistakes and shortcomings

•Refer to your relationship as “we” instead of “you” and “I.”

Since these are also things that a genuine person would do, it’s no wonder that they would be so attractive. Being vulnerable frees people from the notion that self-disclosure and expressing your feelings are signs of weakness.

Top Reasons that Make Vulnerable People Attractive

Are you attracted to a vulnerable person? Here are some of the most endearing qualities that make them so irresistible.

1. They Are Genuine

In a world filled with “fake” people, it’s attractive to find those who are the real deal. Vulnerable people know that they have flaws and aren’t trying to hide anything. They are people that are comfortable in their skin.

When you ask their opinion, you know that they will be honest with you, even if it stings a bit. They are just as loyal to you as they are to themselves, which is an essential trait in a partner. What you see is what you get, and that’s something you can appreciate about them.

As an authentic person, they don’t hide secrets. Although they can be trusted with confidential information, they won’t do things behind your back and keep it from you. Vulnerable folks are usually an open book.

These individuals aren’t overly concerned with what people think of them. They know who they are and aren’t going to change just to be liked. People who are vulnerable also usually accept others for who they are without an ulterior motive.

2. They Know That Trust is Important

Do you value trustworthiness in your significant other? According to an article published by Simply Psychology, humans begin learning how to trust as newborns. The report cites Dr. Erik Erikson’s groundbreaking work, who theorized that babies gain trust from their primary caregivers.

So, learning how to trust is a life-long endeavor, especially in a relationship. If your partner has enough trust in you to expose their vulnerability, it shows that your relationship is maturing. People who are vulnerable value trust because they know it’s the only thing that keeps them from being hurt.

3. They Are Excellent Communicators

It’s almost impossible to have a satisfying relationship without communication. It’s the way you and your lover express your thoughts, needs, and feelings. Unless you are talking and listening to each other, your bond isn’t going to last.

A vulnerable mate knows how essential communication is, and they know how to use it. They aren’t afraid to tell you what’s going on in their lives and the things that matter to them. As excellent communicators, they excel in active listening and want to listen to what’s on your heart and mind.

4. They Are Naturally Empathetic

There’s a big difference between sympathy and empathy. If a friend is going through a difficult time, you can be sympathetic or “feel sorry” for them. However, empathy takes the emotion a step further. If you empathize with your friend’s pain, you feel the raw emotion right along with them.

Vulnerable people use hurts and disappointments in their lives to empathize with others. They can use the most painful memories as an empathetic bond between them and those they love. If your significant other has a vulnerability, they will be the first to embrace you in the dark and unsettling times.

You needn’t worry that your significant other will scoff at your feelings. Instead, your vulnerability makes you even more attractive to them. It’s the law of attraction at its best.

5. They Focus on Emotional and Spiritual Growth

Nobody in their right mind wants to suffer or be hurt. However, it takes both good and bad experiences in life to make us grow emotionally and spiritually. Vulnerable people understand that they are taking risks when forming relationships.

Unfortunately, not every relationship works, and some can be toxic. Some of these broken relationships can leave scars that can last a lifetime. But vulnerable individuals often feel that finding love is worth the risks.

Instead of ruminating over past hurts and failures, they have learned to embrace them as tools for growth. The scars on their hearts prove that they aren’t afraid of love and are willing to take chances. It’s one of the beautiful qualities of these folks.

6. They Own Their Mistakes

Nothing is more frustrating than to have a lover who refuses to own up to mistakes and shortcomings. Even worse is when they try to shift the blame to you or someone else. Vulnerable people are in touch with their feelings, and they can admit when they’ve messed up.

They don’t like to hurt others, and they will be the first to apologize and try to make amends. Bitterness isn’t their style, so they are often quick to forgive. It doesn’t mean that they will be a doormat for everyone, but they are willing to give you another chance.

7. They Bring Out the Best in You

Do you have a problem expressing your emotions, even if it makes you feel vulnerable? Maybe you were raised with the idea that stoicism equals strength and that being emotional equals weakness. It may be attractive to you when you meet someone who isn’t afraid to show their vulnerable side.

It’s a beautiful lesson you can learn from them. They appreciate the support you give them, and they are your greatest cheerleader. When your heart feels exposed, they are empathetic, and you can trust that they have your best interests in mind.

They are also sincere and specific when complimenting you. As you learn to be more emotionally expressive, they lovingly validate your feelings. They are a living example of how to be true to yourself and each other.

8. They Know How to be a Team Player

People who are comfortable with their vulnerability realize that they can’t do everything on their own. They have evaluated their strengths and weaknesses and aren’t afraid to ask for help. It makes them even more attractive because they value your input and are grateful that you’re there for them.

While they still know how to maintain their individuality, a vulnerable partner cherishes your togetherness. It makes them even more attractive in your eyes because you balance each other. Each of you has strengths and weaknesses that complement the relationship.

Final Thoughts on Why Vulnerable People Are So Attractive

There’s an intense magnetism that draws people who are comfortable with their vulnerability. Their capability to be open with their feelings is one of their greatest strengths. When you fall in love with a person who can be real with you, it can cultivate a relationship that can last for years to come.

10 Signs That Reveal You May Be Sugar Intolerant

January 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Sugar intolerance is a digestive problem that affects many people. It could be due to a digestive problem such as Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS) or celiac disease. These conditions cause problems digesting some types of sugar. Lactose intolerance is also another form of sugar intolerance. The primary symptoms of a sugar intolerance are pretty clear. Here are 10 common symptoms that could indicate you have a sugar intolerant.

Are you sugar intolerant?

1 – Gas

Flatulence or gas is a common symptom of sugar intolerance. This could mean you have lactose intolerance, IBS, or celiac disease. Pay attention to what you are eating if you’re having a lot of flatulence. It’s not only a physical problem, but flatulence is embarrassing. It can affect your work and social life. See if you notice that you have gas after eating or drinking things like

Milk products: You may get gas after eating foods like ice cream, cheese, or regular milk
Alcohol: Alcohol has a lot of sugar. If you get gas after having a beer or glass of wine, it could be a sugar intolerance.
Certain carbs: Desserts, candy, or refined carbs can be the culprit of having flatulence
Diet foods and drinks: Artificial sweeteners are in many diet foods and drinks. These are common sources of flatulence.

2 – Bloating

A swollen belly after you eat is called bloating. It can happen after eating a big meal or certain foods with a lot of sugar. Natural sweeteners added to food can also cause bloating. These include

High fructose corn syrup
Brown sugar
Agave
Honey

3 – Belching

Belching or burping may not be a big deal, but if you’re constantly burping after you eat, it could indicate you have developed a sugar intolerance. You may not realize this is a problem until your partner mentions how much you burp. Try keeping a food journal to see what foods cause you to belch. Good chance a pattern will emerge that you have a sugar intolerance.

4 – Abdomen pain

Stomach pain after eating is no fun. This can lead to weight loss and getting adequate nutrition. Plus, it’s embarrassing to have to decline invites to eat out with friends and family. You may not realize you have a sugar intolerance but assume you ate something weird. But gut pain is often the first symptom of sugar intolerance, so don’t ignore this symptom.

5 – Diarrhea

If you’re suffering from a sugar intolerance, it means your body processes sugar too quickly. The food you eat moves too quickly through your body and into your small intestine, causing diarrhea. This is often a symptom of lactose intolerance or Celica disease, both of which are examples of sugar intolerance. Keep track of what you eat and when you eat. Determine what foods are causing this symptom. Try eliminating it from your diet if possible. You may find some relief.

6 – Crave sweets

This is a confusing symptom to have, but craving sweets could mean you struggle with sugar intolerance. Certain sugars cause hormonal increases, which set off the cravings. This can lead to obesity if you respond to these cravings by eating overly refined sugary foods like carbohydrates.

7 – Stomach cramps

Digestive problems are typically the first indicators that you have a sugar intolerance. Stomach cramps cause pain in your gut and often show up after eating sugary fruits like apples, mangos, or watermelon or high carb, starchy foods like rice or pasta. Stomach cramps can lead to diarrhea as your body tries to metabolize the sugary foods.

8 – Nausea

Many foods have hidden sugars. There is sugar in so many food products. Unless you read the label, you may not realize how much sugar you’re eating. Here is a list of common foods you eat that contain sugar:

Coffee creamers
Salad dressings
Ketchup
Sauces
Cereal
Granola bars
Yogurt
Juices
Alcoholic drinks
Sports drinks
Dried fruits

9 – Dizziness after eating sugar

This happens when food moves too quickly through your digestive system to the small part of your intestine. When this happens, your digestive tract releases too many hormones. The extra hormones and movement of fluids into your small intestine cause dumping syndrome. The extra hormones may also cause your pancreas to make too much insulin leading to low blood glucose anywhere from one to three hours after eating. Symptoms include the following:

Feeling shaky
Tired
Irregular heartbeat
Sweating
Weakness

10 – You tend to overeat

Eating too much sugar may cause you to be overweight, but it’s because of your brain. In one study, researchers used MRI to see how parts of the brain react to fructose and glucose. Fructose is used as a food sweetener, and it’s thought that a diet with too much high-fructose can lead to obesity. Fructose is sweeter than glucose, and it doesn’t cause your body to release insulin, which increases your appetite. In fact, mice that were given extra fructose ate more than those who were given glucose.

There’s a test to see if you are sugar intolerant.

If you think you could have a sugar intolerance, talk to your doctor. They can do a hydrogen breath test to determine if your body is absorbing sugar properly. Sugar intolerance and gastrointestinal disorders go hand in hand. They are common in both kids and adults.

Sugar allergy or intolerance?

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, a sugar intolerance is an enzyme deficiency in your intestine. Your body can’t properly break down lactose, maltose, or sucrose resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms. A sugar allergy is controversial and hasn’t been proven in scientific studies.

A difference of opinion on carb intolerance

The medical community is also at odds over the issue of sugar intolerance due to carbohydrate intolerance.

One school of thought suggests that eating many carbohydrate-rich foods, even the healthy ones of over 100 grams of sugar, can cause sugar intolerance. They say that you become intolerant is when your blood sugars don’t go back to normal after two hours of eating. They stay higher, which some say can trigger insulin resistance so that your body needs more insulin to remove the sugar from your bloodstream.

A second opinion says scientifically there is no cause and effect between carbohydrates and insulin resistance, although there can be connections between eating a lot of sugar and illnesses. These scientists suggest that other factors should be considered when talking about carbohydrate or sugar intolerant, like their activity levels, genetics, and overall diet.

The concern is that people will think of all carbohydrates as bad and avoid even eating healthy whole carbohydrates that their body needs.

How’s your diet?

A study analysis done by the National Institute of Health found that Americans are getting as much as 50% of their calories from poor quality carbs and saturated fats.

The biggest mistakes were eating the wrong foods, including

Eating white rice and white flour instead of whole-grain choices like whole brown rice, wheat flour, or quinoa.
Eating saturated fats found in processed and red meats.
Not eating enough fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, or seeds.
Too much salt

How much sugar should you eat?

The American Heart Association recommends that male adults should eat no more than 150 calories of added sugar per day, and female adults should eat no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day.

How to cut down on sugar

Besides eating a nutrition-dense diet, there are other things you can do to cut down on your sugar intake.

Don’t add sugar to your cereals, coffee, or foods: Adding sugars like honey, brown sugar, or syrup can cause gut problems, sugar intolerance, or weight gain. This means you learn to eat your oatmeal without a sweet topping. Substitute walnuts instead. This adds crunch without the sugar.
Avoid sugary juices, alcohol, and sports drinks: Learn to drink water when you’re thirsty instead of a sugar alternative. It’s surprising how much-hidden sugar is in juices and sports drinks, which seem so healthy.
Choose to eat or frozen fresh fruits: Eat fresh fruits. Stay away from fruits in syrups or sweeteners.
Read food labels: You’d be surprised how many foods contain sugar. Read food labels before you buy.
Smaller servings: Everybody needs a sweet treat once in a while. You can still eat a dessert now and then by halving the servings of sweets. So eat half cookie or brownie for dessert. This way, you can participate in birthdays or holidays without feeling deprived.
Use spices as substitutes for sugar: Shake some cinnamon in your coffee for a sweetener or add pumpkin spice to your morning oatmeal Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, ginger, and cloves can add flavor to your foods, so you don’t need sugar.

Final thoughts on being sugar intolerant

Sugar intolerances are common. Many people find they have a milk sugar intolerance, IBS, or celiac disease, causing their bodies not to process sugar correctly. Typically, a sugar intolerance is going to show up as a gastro problem. If you have excessive burping, flatulence, nausea, or diarrhea, it could mean that you have developed a sugar intolerance.

Weird cravings for sugar can also be a big indicator of sugar intolerance. Once you’ve figured out the pattern of what’s causing these symptoms, you can begin to eliminate or cut back on the sugary foods that are causing you problems. Change your diet to fresh veggies, whole grains, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, and low-fat meats. Keep an eye on food labels for those hidden sugars that make their way into so many of our foods.

Eating less sugar can give your back your good health and energy to do the things you look forward to with those you love.

15 Behaviors That Reveal Someone is Neurotic

January 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Are you neurotic, or does someone you know have characteristics of being afflicted by neurosis? Shockingly, this term has been used since the early 1700s to describe a person that tends to be a bit irrational or mental. The crux of this issue is that the individual is trying to manage an underlying anxiety disorder that is raging out of control.

Neurotic folks are the ones that tend to worry too much, overthink everything, and they don’t have the ability to let things go. They are always concerned about their health, getting fired from their job, or what their friends and family members think of them. No one is perfect, and everyone on the planet has little quirks that they need to overcome.

Nevertheless, a neurotic person lets their anxieties interfere with relationships, job, and overall well-being. Calling someone neurotic is often a derogatory term, but it’s a real mental health concern that can be managed effectively with behavioral therapy. Someone who manifested such behaviors in the past was diagnosed with neuroticism, but this is no longer a mental health diagnosis.

Rather, someone with these behaviors might have these descriptors added to their official diagnosis. Therefore, it’s almost always the sign of another or multiple underlying mental health issues. It’s the anxious temperament that’s driving this condition, which means it could indicate a general anxiety disorder.

The sad thing is that this person is critical of their actions, but they are also critical of those around them, making their relationships with others suffer greatly.

Fifteen Examples of Neurotic Behavior

It’s possible that the person suffering from neurotic tendencies doesn’t recognize it. Additionally, some may have a milder form than others. Here are 15 behaviors that someone with neurosis might display, and perhaps, you have some of these behaviors and need help acknowledging the issues.

1. Excessively Aware of Their Psychological Difficulties

Oddly, folks may be fully aware that they’re having symptoms of irrational behaviors but make no effort to change. When they become preoccupied with their mental health, it can drive their anxiety to a dangerous level.

Analyzing everything you say or do will wear on you. Having a preoccupation with your mental health can drive you up a wall.

2. Ruminating About Problems

Compulsive ruminating about your problems is not only unhealthy, but it can also cause you to be depressed. When you frequently ponder your mistakes and issues in your life, then you open the gate for other types of phobic actions to follow.

3. Troubles Getting Along with Others

An individual with neurosis typically has trouble getting along with others. These folks tend to be needy, whiny, helpless, or confrontational. These behaviors take a toll on business relationships and keep them from reaching their true career potential.

4. Resentful Conduct

Individuals who display neuroticism usually have problems with jealousy. It’s hard to be happy for anyone else because you feel that the material possessions they have should be yours.

These folks often engage in damaging behaviors, and they won’t have a problem begging others to give them what they want. Sadly, some of them will even resort to stealing to get what they feel they’re entitled to.

5. Exhibiting Emotional Unpredictability

Since this person is easily thrown off-kilter by even the smallest of things, they’re unstable. You may feel like everything is sunshine and roses one minute, but the next, you’re so sad you’re sobbing with grief.

The problem is that any relationships you have may suffer because people have learned that they can’t count on you. Your emotions dictate your life, and it pushes others away.

6. Perfectionism

It’s okay to want to be the best in all you do. However, those with neurosis often feel that everything must be perfect or else their world falls apart. Perfectionists typically spend a great deal more time on their tasks because their results must be flawless.

7. Trouble Taking Care of Essential Needs

Neurosis can prevent you from caring for your basic needs. Completing routine personal care chores, such as taking a bath, may be difficult. Forget committing to eating healthy or getting enough rest at night. Your anxiety is so high that you are stressed and overwhelmed most of the time.

8. Acting Like A “Drama Queen”

The derogatory phrase “drama queen” is very prevalent these days. A drama queen is someone who lives for controversy, and they like to make a big production from the smallest of things. This person can be male or female, and they make themselves miserable and those around them.

9. Road Rage

Have you ever thought that folks who have constant road rage are displaying neurotic behaviors? There is no perfect driver, and you will probably have at least one accident in your lifetime.

However, after an incident occurs, you shake yourself a bit and get back behind the wheel. The neurotic person blows a gasket at the smallest of mistakes on the roadways, and they are eager to honk their horn at others and yell obscenities too.

10. Freaking Out Over Non-Threatening Circumstances

When you’re faced with a threatening situation, it’s normal to freak out a bit. Your body kicks your adrenaline and cortisol into overdrive during the fight-or-flight response. Nevertheless, someone who suffers from neurosis may go into overdrive even when it’s unnecessary. The smallest of events sends their anxiety to the point of a total meltdown.

11. Guilty Conduct

Folks who are susceptible to neurosis often display signs of excessive guilt, and this can be regarding things that are out of their control. They may also act guilty when they do something so small that it slipped under the radar. They tend to apologize profusely, and their guilt makes eye-contact difficult.

12. Unnecessary Sadness Over Small Incidents

When you experience a significant loss, it’s normal to be sad. However, life is full of small setbacks that you can’t let get you down. To the person suffering from neurosis, they go into hysterics with the smallest of incidents.

For instance, if they lost their favorite pen and were about to sign some papers, they may feel sad, hopeless, and cry over such a trivial loss. The situation may qualify for a moment of sadness, but it’s certainly nothing that should ruin your day. The person with these irrational behaviors often allows things to impair their functioning or temperament.

13. General Irritability

The legendary crabby neighbor is exhibiting irrational conduct when they regularly complain about trivial issues. These are the folks that are continuously bothering you to be quiet, avoid their property, and to keep your kid’s toys off their lawn.

14. Dependence

When you become co-dependant on someone for your basic needs, it can cause many irrational behaviors. Rather than taking the trash out yourself, you whine and complain about it until someone else takes care of it.

There are many things that this person can and should be doing for themselves in life, but they would rather be clingy and irresponsible, wanting others to wait on them hand and foot.

15. Nervousness About Your Child’s Welfare

Parental fixations over the ordinary risks that kids encounter are often displayed as “helicopter parenting.” Sure, every parent wants their kids to be safe, but this parent doesn’t allow their kids to have a normal childhood. Being obsessed with safety causes children and parents to be unhappy, fearful, and self-conscious.

How to Calm Neuroticism?

Here are some ways that you can stop the irrational behaviors, calm your anxiety, and go about everyday life:

•Work on tasks that help you to build your self-esteem.

•Try doing things for yourself rather than waiting on others.

•Give yourself daily responsibilities that you can handle. Remember that you need to take baby steps.

•You must learn to count your blessings and to be thankful for all you have.

•You should practice good self-care, even when you don’t feel up to it.

•Learn to let the small stuff go and never get in a big uproar about trivial things.

•You may be unable to change your “drama queen” ways by yourself, so you may need to get a counselor to help you with coping mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most successful types for dealing with this common mental health concern.

Final Thoughts on Identifying When Someone Displays Neurotic Behaviors

If you went through this list in its entirety, you might notice some character flaws you possess. Remember, the basis of this mental health issue is anxiety, and anxiety can cause you to act or behave in many odd ways. Since this is not an official diagnosis anymore, it’s almost always indicative of an underlying mental issue.

Thankfully, you can learn to control your life by learning coping skills to help you with these actions. Everyone has a few neurotic behaviors, but it’s when it takes over and interrupts daily life that you can truly suffer.

Science Reveals 15 Habits for Better Digestion

January 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Your digestive system is busy all day, every day. If your digestion is unhealthy, your entire body can be affected. Many things impact your gut health. Here are 15 simple habits you can incorporate into your life for better digestion and overall good health.

Why is your digestive system so important?

Your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) includes your entire digestive system. Every part of this system works together to break down foods into small nutrients like proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water that get absorbed into your blood systems and send to your cells to use growth repair and energy. The National Institute of Health reports that approximately 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from digestives diseases.

What affects your digestion?

Although constructed in the same way as other people’s digestive systems, your digestive system is unique to you. Many things impact your digestion. Some of these things include:

Your body build
Your genes
How you deal with stress
Your family
What you eat

Habits for better digestion

Try adopting these ten healthy eating habits to improve your discomfort.

1 – Routine schedule of eating

Life gets busy. In the midst of your busyness, it’s important to keep a consistent schedule of eating to help your digestion. If you don’t eat consistently, it can make your stomach overwork, so you get bloated and have indigestion. At least every 3 to 4 hours, eating regular meals sets your body’s internal clock, so your digestive system works regularly.

2 – Eat a healthy diet

Back in 1826, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin first wrote, “Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you what you are.” Years later, Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach expanded on this thought, saying, “ Man is what he eats.” But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the phrase most people are familiar with came into use when nutritionist Victor Lindlahr wrote, “You are what you eat.” It’s no secret that eating a healthy diet is essential for good digestion.

Including many vegetables and fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds give you the best overall health. What you eat can hurt or help your digestion and impact how you feel. Steer clear of processed foods, fatty foods, and refined grains and sugars. These are low in fiber and contribute to bloating, gas, and constipation.

3 – Exercise

Like healthy eating, exercise impacts your gut health. Exercise helps increase the important microbes in your digestive system. When you work out, it raises your core temperature, which slows down blood flow to your intestines. This improves your gut microbes. Researchers also believe there could be a link between good gut microbes and good mental health. One study found that people who struggle with depression had lower levels of certain gut bacteria. Exercise could be the key to a healthier gut and a healthier mind.

4 – Eat smaller meals

When you eat a large meal, it overloads your digestive system. At first, your blood sugar rises, but then quickly falls during digestion. You’ll have lower energy and feel foggy-brained. Eating smaller meals can stop this and allow your body to function more efficiently throughout the day. Besides having more energy and feeling mentally better, smaller meals help keep the fatty acids in your blood stable.

5 – Eat frequent meals

You’ve probably been told your entire life to not snack between meals. Still, nutritionists are finding that people who are grazers when it comes to eating are healthier than individuals who follow the more traditional three meals a day. Eating less fat and more whole-grain carbohydrates, as well as lots of fruits and veggies, is the key to better digestive health.

They also found that people who graze have higher vitamins and minerals in their body, plus lower body fat. Of course, you don’t need to give up your evening meals as a family. Just be sure not to overeat during these meals if you’ve been grazing all day.

6 – Get enough sleep

Did you know that getting enough sleep helps you have better digestion? There’s a connection between your gut microbes and good sleep. Your gut has an abundance of microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The more diverse these organisms, the better for your overall gut health. Sleep improves your gut health because when you’re in deep REM sleep, your brain is busy “taking out the trash,” so to speak, which allows your brain and gut to communicate.

What is the gut microbiome?

7 – Eat more fiber

Another healthy habit to aid your digestion includes eating lots of fiber. If you don’t get daily fiber, you can end up with chronic gassiness and bloating to don’t feel your best. Aim to eat for at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day to avoid getting constipated.

Spread your fiber out through your day in small amounts. Try small servings so you won’t feel discomfort.

Here is a shortlist of rich sources of fiber you can include in your daily diet:

Whole grains: Oatmeal, whole-wheat pasta, or brown rice are great sources of whole grains.
Beans: Black beans, lentils, and pinto beans are examples of high protein, high-fiber foods.
Nuts and seeds: Walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pistachios, and sunflower seeds
Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn drizzled with olive oil and a dash of sea salt is healthiest.
Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries are powerful antioxidants as well as high in fiber. Include these in your smoothies, in your baking, or eat them fresh for a snack.
Cereals: Look for cereals with at least 5 grams or more of fiber.
Crunchy veggies: Carrots, broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, celery, green beans, and cauliflower are high in fiber. Space out eating these veggies because if you eat too many at once, they can cause you bloating, gas, and belching.

8 – Control your stress

Stress adversely affects your gut. When your body is feeling stressed, it slows down digestion causing indigestion or nausea and even diarrhea. When you’re under stress, you may be tempted to eat poorly, grabbing comforting sugary processed foods instead of healthy whole foods. Yoga, running, swimming, and walking are helpful exercises to reduce your stress.

Some people turn to their faith to find relief from stress-related life circumstances. If you’re constantly under stress, it can affect your entire body, making you prone to certain conditions or diseases. Seek out help from a counselor, your pastor, or a friend who is a good listener. Having someone to talk to can help you feel like you’re not alone.

9 – Probiotics do your gut great good

Probiotics are tiny bacteria and yeasts that naturally live in your gut. These healthy bacteria and other organisms keep the proper balance of gut flora for good digestion. Probiotics fight off bad bacteria in your gut.

For the past decade, over-the-counter probiotics have been encouraged to help your gut. But a recent 2020 study found that taking a high amount of probiotic bacteria in the form of supplements, probiotic drinks, and yogurts may not be that healthy. Plus, researchers aren’t totally convinced that probiotic supplements can tolerate the acids and bile in your stomach. Overall, researchers are beginning to have doubts about the effectiveness of taking any supplemental probiotics. In the end, the best way to keep the probiotics in your gut healthy is to eat a healthy diet with a variety of whole grains, fresh produce, and lean meats.

10 – Drink water

Because you lose water throughout the day from regular breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to drink lots of water. Water is naturally the best choice to replenish your body fluids. Depending upon your age, activity level, and time of year, you need different water amounts. Recommendations suggest that men drink 3.7 liters of fluids a day, while women should drink 2.7 liters of fluids a day. Some of your fluids will come from your foods, but much of your fluid intake should come from water. Drink water throughout your day. Also, drinking water at meals aids your digestion. Just be sure not to drink too much water during meals since it can cause bloating.

Two common digestive problems

Digestive problems are a common problem for many Americans. This is due to genetics and environmental conditions, but many digestive problems are due to poor lifestyle choices such as a bad diet and lack of exercise. Whatever the cause, there is a growing number of digestive problems, many of which doctors are uncertain of the cause. Here are two of the most common digestive problems.

1 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

According to the Cleveland Clinic, GERD occurs when your stomach’s acid backs up in your esophagus or throat. This causes pain and indigestion.

2 – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a condition with many symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, and flatulence.

Final thoughts on how you can enjoy better digestion

Your busy digestive system works hard to digest your food. You can practice these habits for better digestion and good gut health. Whether you choose to eat small frequent meals, exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and control your stress, all these things will benefit your gut, so you have better overall digestion.

Counselors Explain 14 Signs of a Troubled Teen to Never Ignore

January 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

The teen years can be a tumultuous time for both kids and parents. There are normal teenage behaviors and problems that all kids struggle with during this season, but some kids display deeper problems. Here’s a list of 15 common signs of a troubled teen.

What is the typical teenage behavior?

Obviously, no two teens are alike, but there are common teenage behaviors. As a parent, you may wonder if what your child is going through is typical for their age. Common teenage struggles include these things:

Mood swings: Teenage mood swings may seem irrational and petty to a parent. The highs and lows of this season are normal for a teen.
Peers become very important: Most teens want to hang out with friends more than their family. Studies find that during this period of life, teens have a heightened sensitivity to social evaluations and approval of others. It’s like their brain is overloaded, busy assigning values to social information more than it will in any other time of their life.
Strong desire for independence and freedom: Kids at this age crave freedom. They desire to do what they want rather than be told what to do all the time. Ironically, too much freedom at this age can scare a teen.

School counselors explain how to tell if your child faces peer pressure.

Parenting reactions to troubled teens

As a parent, it’s difficult to watch your child struggle through things. You may be tempted to either overreact or under-react when your child is having a hard time. Here are the two reactions parents display when they realize their child is displaying signs of trouble.

Fearful, reactionary

Parenting a teen can feel like an out-of-control experience, especially if your child is having trouble. It’s confusing and frustrating. You may not know what to do. It’s easy to give in to fear and stress out about everything your child does. You may overreact to even normal behavior assuming the worst-case scenario.

Ignoring the obvious signs

When their teen is having trouble, they refuse to believe it’s a big deal for other parents. They ignore warning signs, hoping their teen will grow out of it. They chalk everything up to normal teen behavior when there are blaring signs in front of them that their teen needs help.

As a parent, you hope your child will never struggle with trouble, but it’s important if this happens, you don’t overreact or under-react to them.

Signs of a troubled teen

You feel like you know your child. After all, you’ve raised them since they were infants. But if your teen is troubled, you may feel like you have a stranger living in your home. It can be hard to understand what they’re going through, but it’s important to keep an open eye on these signs as a parent. Here are some common signs of a troubled teen never to ignore.

1 – Suddenly secretive and deceitful

If your child is normally open and talkative but suddenly starts lying to you and hiding things, you should be concerned. Teens can struggle to share their feelings with their parents, but secretive, deceitful behavior isn’t healthy. They could be involved with drugs or other behavior that causes them to react this way.

2 – Sleeping all the time

Teens need extra sleep. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says that teenagers aged 13 to 18 should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep every 24 hours. But if your teen is sleeping all the time, they could be struggling with depression.

3 – Sudden failing grades

A teen that is a good student but suddenly starts showing disinterest in school or failing grades could be struggling. It’s important to get to the root of the problem. NIH indicates that this behavior may indicate a troubled teen or depression.

4 – Sudden change in appetite or eating patterns

Skipping meals, avoiding food, binge eating, or emotional eating are all signs of trouble. Parents sometimes miss these signs assuming all kids go through this, but if these eating patterns last for several months, it should be a cause for concern. Your child could be smoking pot, fasting, binge eating, or struggling with anorexia, which causes them to avoid food.

5 – Excessive isolation

Teens often like to hang out in their room by themselves, but if your teen refuses to join the family for meals, outings, or conversations, it could be a sign there’s more going on for them.

A 2020 article in BMC Psychiatry notes that once someone becomes withdrawn, they slip into a cycle of reduced mental health that’s hard to break. This is an easy sign to miss since it’s easy to lose track of how much time they’re spending alone. They could be struggling with depression, shame, or fear. Don’t ignore this sign.

Other common signs to a troubled teen include the following behaviors:

Stealing
Promiscuity
Ignoring personal hygiene
Skipping school
Aggressive behavior
Withdrawal from things they normally love such as sport, music, or extra-curricular activities
Body image issue
Self-harm like cutting, wanting to hurt themselves, and self-loathing
Bullying

If your teen is displaying any of these signs, it may be time to get some help. These could be signs of a drug or alcohol problem, mental illness, abuse issues, or an eating disorder.

Getting help from a therapist

If your teen is struggling, it may be wise to find a good therapist to help your teen. Many therapists work solely with teens. Here are some things you should think about when you’re looking for a therapist for your teen.

Find a therapist that has experience working with teenagers. Please find out how long they’ve been working with teens. Get referrals, if possible, from someone who knows this therapist and their work with teenagers.
If you’re looking online in your area, read the reviews on their website. Learn everything you can about this therapist and their practice. If it’s not specific enough for you, call their practice and ask questions.
Check to see if they are a licensed therapist in your state. Even religious therapists should have a license. That’s not to say you shouldn’t use other resources besides the therapist for support like your pastor, youth minister, or school counselor.
Research to see if your insurance company will pay for therapist sessions. This is important since therapy can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket when insurances don’t cover the costs.
Understand what type of therapy they use. Please get familiar with the different types of therapy and understand why they’re using this therapy in this situation.
What qualities do you wish for in a therapist? Will your teen respond better to someone who is more straight to the point? Will your teen be more comfortable with a woman or a man? Finally, will they do better with an older person or a younger person?

How to support your struggling teen?

When you have a troubled teen, life can feel heavy. You may feel like you don’t know what to do to help them. Here are some simple ways to support your teen during this difficult season.

Encourage them to share their feelings with you.

Even if they’re avoiding you and don’t want to talk, make an effort to talk to them. Check-in with them daily. Ask about their day. What was hardest about the day? Invite them out to lunch or to join you while making dinner. They may not want to be around you, but reaching out makes a difference. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Remind them you’re always there for them, and you want to help them. You may feel like your words are falling on deaf ears, but they’re listening.

Be understanding

Try to remember what it was like to be a teenager: the social pressure, peer pressure, and all the questions about life. When your teen does share, don’t wax philosophical, but listen. You can say something like, “That sounds hard.” or “I understand, that must be hard for you.”

Notice when they’re doing good

It’s easy to focus on all the problems your teen is going through, but when they’re doing something good, point it out to them. Saying something like, “Thanks for playing with your little brother. I know it means a lot to him.”

Work through conflicts when possible.

Listen to your teenager’s views on things. If you have a conflict, try to sort out your differences or at least agree to disagree. Your teen may feel strongly about something today, but in a week, a month, or a year, they may feel totally different. Remember, you are on a journey with your teen, and things don’t get solved overnight. Be true to your convictions, without belittling what they believe. Try to avoid getting angry at your teenager. It won’t help your relationship with them. Don’t get into power struggles with your teen. Of course, there are some things worth fighting for, but for the most part, pick your battles with them.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

It’s stressful for parents when their teen is showing signs of trouble. Your life can turn into sleepless nights, never-ending conflicts with your teenager, and agonizing decisions about how to help them. The turmoil can get to you, causing you to feel anxious. Here are some ways you can take care of yourself.

Find someone to talk to: You must find a friend to talk to during this stressful time. Don’t try to go it alone. Talking can help relieve stress rather than internalizing everything. Choose someone you trust who will listen and give good advice.
Get exercise: Exercise helps reduce stress. Your mind and body need an outlet during stressful times with your teenagers.
Eat a nutritious diet: Eating a healthy diet is critical to help you through stressful times. Junk food is comforting, but it will make you feel sluggish.
Keep a journal: Writing down all your thoughts and concerns is therapeutic during stressful times.

Final thoughts on identifying and helping your troubled teen

The teen years can be tough on kids and their parents. Most kids go through moodiness, peer pressure, and a craving for independence. These are typical behaviors for the teenage years, but some kids struggle beyond this, leading to troubling signs that parents should never ignore. If your child shows signs of troubling behavior, don’t overreact or under-react. Take the necessary steps to help your teen through their difficulties.

Researchers Find a Mutation That Causes Early Onset Dementia

January 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

By now, most people are familiar with early onset dementia and the fact that it’s incurable and has little to no treatment options available. If you’ve ever had a loved one who had dementia, you know how devastating the disorder can be. If you haven’t, thank your lucky stars.

Early onset dementia is, no doubt, a tough disorder on the afflicted person and those around them. Researchers have been feverishly working to understand more about it in hopes of finding something to combat the disorder.

That’s why this discovery from researchers at Trinity College Dublin is so exciting – it’s an important breakthrough that can lead the charge to some effective treatment. It’s important not to put the cart before the horse on this one, but the research is undoubtedly a significant advance in scientists’ understanding of early onset dementia.

What is Early Onset Dementia?

Early onset dementia is, as the name describes – dementia that occurs earlier in life than dementia should (not that it should occur at all). Many people interchange the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. While they are related, they aren’t the same thing.

Dementia is a blanket term that describes a disorder that causes significant cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia, just as early onset is a type of dementia.

Many people associate dementia with memory loss. While memory loss is a part of dementia, it’s merely a symptom. Dementia occurs when a person’s brain cells stop functioning, stop connecting with other cells, and dies. This leads to many impaired functions besides memory. This includes problem-solving, decision-making, language and speech interpretation issues, emotional issues, and even personality changes.

While most people over the age of 80 have some mild form of dementia, getting it at a younger age leads to severe suffering as the brain has a longer time to decline than a person in their 80s. It’s a disorder that can make a person you’ve known all your life unrecognizable.

Terms and Information to Know

Before diving into the research, there are a few terms and some information you’ll need to be familiar with to understand it. The first one is the cerebrovascular pathologies. This refers to cerebrovascular diseases, which is essentially a blanket term for conditions that block blood flow to the brain. The word pathology refers to the cause and effects of a disease. For the research, think of the term cerebrovascular pathologies as meaning the causes of limited blood flow to the brain.

The second thing you need to know is that cerebrovascular pathologies lead to strokes, and strokes lead to dementia. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), cerebrovascular disease is the most prevalent life-threatening neurological occurrence in the United States, and stroke is the third leading cause of death.

Another term you’ll come across is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a protective barrier that is extremely selective in what passes from the blood to the brain. In fact, it’s so protective that it’s been hard for scientists to create drugs that bypass this barrier. Neurological disorders and cerebrovascular disorders cause a breakdown in the BBB, resulting in central nervous system (CNS) degeneration that can lead to conditions such as dementia.

Other terms you should be familiar with are:

Gene – a short section of DNA that contains instructions on how your body looks and operates.
Alleles – a variant form of a gene, located in the same position as the gene on a chromosome. In humans, genes have two alleles (one from each parent).
White Matter – a type of brain tissue that contains axons (nerve fibers).
Tau – a protein found in abundance in the CNS. This protein is responsible for the stability of axons.
ALSP – stands for adult‐onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia. This is a rare form of dementia that is characterized by a breakdown of white matter.
Macrophage – cells responsible for seeking out and destroying harmful bacteria, cells, and other harmful organisms.
Amyloid‐β – a peptide (building blocks of amino acids) normally helps with neural growth and repair.

So far, all this information might make you feel like you’re in a college-level biology class. Don’t despair – being familiar with this information will make the rest of the article much easier to understand. The next section dives into the Trinity College Dublin research.

The Groundbreaking Research from Trinity College Dublin

Neurological diseases are almost impossible to treat because of the difficulty in creating pathologies for them. However, the team at Trinity College Dublin didn’t let this stop them as they have discovered a mutation that can cause a rare form of early onset dementia, ALSP. Led by Dr. Connor Delaney and Professor Matthew Campbell, this discovery is one of the most significant discoveries this decade.

Mutations cause ALSP in the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) gene. The mutation is what breaks down white matter in the brain. This breakdown leads to severe cognitive decline as early as the third or fourth decade of life (instead of more common forms of dementia, which generally hit people in their 60s).

Scientists had theorized that the cause of ALSP was due to overactive microglia cells in the brain. However, researchers used data obtained from patient samples and clinical trials to identify that dysfunctional white blood cells are responsible for the mutated CSF1R genes.

How the Process Works

The whole process is a bit complicated, but the bad white blood cells set off a chain reaction in the body that eventually leads to early onset dementia. The CSF1R is made up of alleles, like all human genes. These bad white blood cells cause at least one of the alleles to mutate and cause cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). CAA is a harmful rise in the production of the amyloid protein.

The amyloid protein then harms the body’s macrophages, leading to a reduced ability to fight harmful cells and substances. One of those substances, amyloid‐β, is normally healthy for people, but it blocks blood flow to the brain in abundance. Without macrophages being able to clear the access amyloid‐β, a person is at risk for strokes, which will lead to dementia.

Why Microglia Is Vindicated

Do you remember earlier in the article where it was stated that scientists originally theorized that a breakdown in microglia was the culprit behind early onset dementia? Microglia is one type of microphage. However, the team’s research revealed that only CSF1R mutations from bone-marrow derived microphages are to blame. Microglia are found in the CNS (the brain).

How the Research Will Impact the Future

A big reason that no cure or effective treatment is available against dementia is that scientists didn’t understand the disorder’s cause. Sure, scientists were familiar with amyloid‐β being a big contributor, but that was general knowledge without much of an answer to why the disorder happens and progresses the way it does.

Research over the decades hasn’t been fruitless. Scientists continued to learn more and more, leading to the ability to understand what dementia patients go through. Because of this, stages of dementia have been established, and caregivers know what to expect in each stage. This allows dementia patients to receive the best level of care that they need for each stage.

This discovery changes the dark void that hovered over the answer to why – at least for this rare version of dementia. Being able to pinpoint the disorder’s exact origin means that they can focus more on a plausible cure or maybe even a way to prevent it altogether.

Of course, this lone research won’t be enough to eradicate ALSP, but it does give scientists some starting point. It also opens a theory to the cause of other forms of dementia. The hope is that scientists can take this discovery and expand it exponentially for more insight into the disorder.

Final Thoughts on Early Onset Dementia

This disorder is one that is devastating to a person and their family. It’s unfair because it significantly reduces the number of prime years of a person’s life.

It’s scary, and there will be plenty of times when you feel helpless, especially when you know nothing, you can do to change things or make things better. Sometimes, even the strongest of people face the hardships that the disease brings.

Discoveries like the one made by the scientists at Trinity College Dublin may not be enough to save people who are currently suffering from the disorder. However, it offers a glimpse of hope for people in the future. Knowing that the world is one step closer to a solution is a breath of fresh air for anyone dealing with a loved one suffering from dementia.

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