I was depressed and suicidal: Springsteen

An idol for millions around the globe and popularly known as The Boss by his followers,Bruce Springsteen has sprung a shocker on his fans by revealing he was once so depressed that he contemplated suicide.The Born To Run singer plummeted into dark emotional depths during the 80s when he was at the height of his success.Struggling to find balance with his blue collar upbringing in New Jersey,with suddenly being a millionaire rock star,Bruce wanted to take his own life in 1982 when he finished writing his acoustic masterpiece,Nebraska.My issues werent as obvious as drugs, Springsteen revealed.Mine were different,they were quieter just as problematic,but quieter.With all artists,because of the undertow of history and self-loathing,there is a tremendous push toward selfobliteration that occurs on stage.You cannot underestimate the fine power of self-loathing in all of this.You think,I dont like anything Im seeing,I dont like anything Im doing,but I need to change myself,I need to transform myself, he added.Bruce began seeing a psychotherapist in 1982 and has stuck with therapy for the past 30 years,which has helped him deal with tragedies in his life.

(TIMES OF INDIA, 26-07-2012)

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com

Happy Ramzan

Wishing you All a very Happy, auspicious and God-filled month of Ramzan.

A very good Muslim friend, philosopher and guide of mine.. helped me understand the meaning of this sacred month. I share with you:

Ramadan or Ramzan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days according to the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths.
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root “ramida” or “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat or dryness.
It is the Muslim month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from dawn until sunset from eating, drinking, and sexual relations.

Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran states:

The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days.
Allah desires for you ease, He desires not hardship for you and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.

The month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the months of the lunar Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.

(This information has been taken from wikipedia)


My friend and guru added to this:
1. the meaning of "ramida" - dryness, symbolizes one has to learn detachment from materialistic desires and learn to attach his/her mind into god. Henceforth its derived from "dryness".

2. Fasting is nor a punishment nor obligatory.. The meaning behind fasting is to have 12-14hrs of active conscious self, where you remember Allah as a guiding force for your own soul and body.
It's supposed to be a form of self-reflection and inner connect.

3. It happens in the 9th month, because the number 9 is a very powerful number. When multiplied with any number, it leads to a sum of numbers that equal 9. Hence Allah tells his followers that in this month if you connect with me, you and me will be one.

4. The Quran is a way of life to attain supreme bliss through connect with Allah. When you connect with the world on a daily basis, you forget it or only remember those parts of it which satisfy your ego, identity, or desires. This is a month where you can understand the true meaning of it.

RAMZAN IS NOT JUST A MONTH FOR ISLAMIC FOLLOWERS... ITS A MONTH OF UNITY AND PEACE FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
"RAM" IS PART OF RAMZAN... BE YOU MUSLIM, HINDU, CHRISTIAN, SIKH, BUDDHIST... TAKE THIS MONTH AS A MONTH OF PEACE... A MONTH WHERE YOU SHED THE NEGATIVITY OF RELIGION, CASTE, MONEY, GENDER... A MONTH WHERE YOU SPREAD LOVE

DR.HEMANT MITTAL

Are you worried about how you look?

Are you a Perfectionist about your Body - then you might be having Body Dysmorphic disorder.


What is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)?
Body dysmorphic disorder is a serious mental illness in which you can't stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance — a flaw that is either minor or imagined. But to you, your appearance seems so shameful that you don't want to be seen by anyone. Body dysmorphic disorder has sometimes been called "imagined ugliness."

When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely obsess over your appearance and body image, often for many hours a day.


What are the common parts which one obsesses about?
You may obsess over any part of your body, but common features people may obsess about include:

1. Nose
2. Hair
3. Skin
4. Complexion
5. Wrinkles
6. Acne and blemishes
7. Baldness
8. Breast size
9. Muscle size
10. Genitalia


What are the symptoms?
7 or more of the following when present, indicate towards the presence of BDD

1. Hours of Preoccupation with your physical appearance
2. Strong belief that you have an abnormality or defect in your appearance that makes you ugly
3. Frequent examination of yourself in the mirror or, conversely, avoidance of mirrors altogether
4. Belief that others take special notice of your appearance in a negative way
5. The need to seek reassurance about your appearance from others
6. Excessive grooming or spending excess money on grooming products every month.
7. Extreme self-consciousness
8. Refusal to appear in pictures the days you feel ugly about yourself.. and overtly enthusiased to take photos when you feel beautiful.
9. Skin picking
10. Comparison of your appearance with that of others
11. Avoidance of social situations
12. The need to wear excessive makeup or clothing to camouflage perceived flaws


What is the treatment?

1. Medications. - Non-addictive, non-sedative medicines that decrease the obsessive and compulsive behaviors, can help within 15-20 days of starting treatment.
2.Cognitive behavioral therapy. - counseling can take upto 6months to show results.

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

HOMOSEXUALITY - A social reality.

HOMOSEXUALITY - A social reality.

“ My parents want to get me married to a girl of their choice. The problem is that I have homosexual preferences. What should I do?” –  25yr, Businessman.

“I am ashamed doctor. My son has disgraced my family. 5 months ago we got him married.  For so long he never touched his wife. Yesterday we found out he is gay!!!  My son’s gay!!!! I am shattered!!! My name in the society is all gone now!!!” – 58yrs govt. Employee

“I got married 3yrs ago, but have never been happy with my husband. I am into a relationship with a building friend of mine. She and me are like soul-mates, now my husband wants to move away, I am so fearful of losing her” – 25yrs, Housewife

“Hello doctor, I have a dark secret which I haven’t shared with anyone. I am gay. I don’t know how I got this disease. Please help me” –  24yrs, Executive in MNC.

These are real life examples of individuals I have met in my clinic over the last few years.. Few out of the hundreds people who have consulted me secretly because they emotionally fail to battle the social stigma attached with their sexual orientation.

The Indian society is one that is evolving.
Thou over the years we have managed to battle many of our “illogical” orthodox belief systems, same-sex relationships are probably the biggest barrier that “neo” thinkers and social reformist face.

Science has already proved homosexuality to be a personal choice that doesn’t account for any mental illness.
BUT IS THIS ENTIRELY TRUE????
ARE WE READY TO ACCEPT SCIENCE... or ARE IS THE AGE OLD MYTH A REALITY??


What is homosexuality?
Medically - Homosexuality is a emotional and behavioural pattern defined by sexual, romantic or affectional  attraction between members of the same sex/gender.

Popular view - Its one of the greatest sins one can create.


Is homosexuality more common in men?
Medically - Homosexuality is equally present in men and women.

Popular view - people only concentrate on male homosexuality, forgetting about female behavior.


Is it a disease or mental disorder?
Medically - No It’s nor a disease nor a disorder in case of pure homosexuals.
But in many it can be a psychological adaptation due to the environment.
Thousands of psychological studies,  CT-scan, MRI-scans have proven that homosexuality is not a disease or disorder.

Popular view- Yes


How does one become homosexual?
Homosexuality is a personal choice, but how has the choice come into effect makes difference in entire profile of an individual.

1. Genetics – A pure homosexual individual, is one who is born with genetic code which directs the brain to follow homosexual relationships.

2. Childhood experience – sexual abuse or multiple episodes of same sex sexual interactions in childhood can condition the mind to favour same sex relationships.

3. Adolescence Curiosity – curiosity might lead an individual to read or watch materials related to homosexuality. This might leave an impact on the mind, creating a source of never ending thoughts related to the same. Constantly thinking about the same might ignite desire to experiment.

4.Living or Working Environment – an environment which is devoid of contact with the opposite sex makes expression of normal sexual desires difficult.
Single sex dominated environments like boys/girls Hostels, closed enclosures, working places (ships, oil rigs, military, construction), etc.

Even Peer group pressure  for same sex relationship is observed.

5.Failed relationships – A major failed relationship might imprint hatred against the opposite sex. Same sex relationships are seen as more comforting and understanding.
 
6. Poor Heterosexual sexual experience – Sexual intercourse is closely linked to the ego of an individual. Fear to perform, a poor or painful sexual intercourse with the opposite sex, might create extreme fear within an individual. This fear might promote an individual to go for same sex relationships.


We need the society to understand that Homosexuality is a sexual preference.
That doesn’t make a person different from any other individual.  He/She has the same emotions and physical desires as any other person.


Dr.Hemant Mittal - (MBBS,PGDPM, MBPS, MD(mindmantra))
Email Consultation- eksoch@gmail.com
(www.mindmantra.in )

Left Brain vs Right Brain

Have you ever heard people say that they tend to be more of a right-brain or left-brain thinker? From books to television programs, you've probably heard the phrase mentioned numerous times or perhaps you've even taken an online test to determine which type best describes you.

 

What Is Left Brain - Right Brain Theory?

According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, while a person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective.
In psychology, the theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain function. So does one side of the brain really control specific functions? Are people either left-brained or right-brained? Like many popular psychology myths, this one has a basis in fact that has been dramatically distorted and exaggerated.
The right brain-left brain theory grew out of the work of Roger W. Sperry, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1981. While studying the effects of epilepsy, Sperry discovered that cutting the corpus collosum (the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain) could reduce or eliminate seizures.
However, these patients also experienced other symptoms after the communication pathway between the two sides of the brain was cut. For example, many split-brain patients found themselves unable to name objects that were processed by the right side of the brain, but were able to name objects that were processed by the left-side of the brain. Based on this information, Sperry suggested that language was controlled by the left-side of the brain.
Later research has shown that the brain is not nearly as dichotomous as once thought. For example, recent research has shown that abilities in subjects such as math are actually strongest when both halves of the brain work together.

 

The Right Brain

According to the left-brain, right-brain dominance theory, the right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Some of the abilities that are popularly associated with the right side of the brain include:

• Recognizing faces
• Expressing emotions
• Music
• Reading emotions
• Color
• Images
• Intuition
• Creativity

 

The Left Brain

The left-side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The left-brain is often described as being better at:

• Language
• Logic
• Critical thinking
• Numbers
• Reasoning

 

The Uses of Right-Brain, Left-Brain Theory

While often over-generalized and overstated by popular psychology and self-help texts, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in certain areas can help you develop better ways to learn and study. For example, students who have a difficult time following verbal instructions (often cited as a right-brain characteristic) can benefit from writing down directions and developing better organizational skills.


Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in 

HOW TO SILENCE YOU INNER CRITIC?

1. Monitor your thoughts.
Jotting down your self-critical judgments — I’m a loser, I’m stupid, I’m ugly — in a journal or a personal-digital assistant is the first step to mastering them: That process alone may decrease the intensity and frequency. Also note the situations in which these feelings occur and see if you can spot patterns.


2. Evaluate your judgments.
Define your terms and examine whether your standards are arbitrary or fair. If you think you’re a “bad person,” are you a bad person all the time? Are there times when you are adequate?
Psychiatrists says patients often find that their views are internally inconsistent. “I’ll ask, ‘What does a loser look like to you?’ The patient is picturing a guy in sweatpants sitting around the house drinking beer. I say, ‘Is that what you did yesterday?’ And he’ll say, ‘Well, no.’ ”


3. Collect objective data.
Challenge negative thoughts with hard facts. Keep a short list of your achievements on a note card and pull it out when your self-criticism threatens to overwhelm you. Or look back at your own CV and review what you’ve accomplished.

4. Conviction or condemnation?
Recognize the difference between thoughts that are critical and those that are constructive, suggest Psychologists.
If you overeat at a picnic, thinking “I am a fat pig” is a condemnation, they say, whereas thinking “I’ll try to start eating better tomorrow” is a conviction.
“Your goal should be improvement, rather than putting yourself down.”

5. Re-evaluate your values.
Make sure that whatever you are beating yourself up about is worth striving for. Some goals, like kindness, integrity, and being self-disciplined, enhance the meaning and quality of life, whereas others only feed into your sense of defectiveness.


Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

15 GREAT THOUGHTS BY CHANAKYA

1) "Learn from the mistakes of others... you can't live long enough to make them all yourselves!!"

2)"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first."

3)"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."

4)"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."

5)" Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."

6)"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."

7)"The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman."

8)"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."

9)"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."

10)"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple."

11) "A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

12) "Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness."

13) "Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends."

14) "Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person."

15) "Education is the Best Friend. An Educated Person is Respected Everywhere. Education beats the Beauty and the Youth."

brought to you by:

Dr.Hemant Mittal

Motivator - Neuro-Psychiatrist - Wellness Expert

email - eksoch@gmail.com

website - www.mindmantra.in

I saw a Ghost... I feel someone para-normal presence around me?

I saw a Ghost... I feel someone para-normal presence around me?

One of the most common symptoms that I get to see at the clinic is individuals who feel being haunted by a ghost... or feel as if someone is observing them.

Keeping aside the age old battle between modern science and popular belief systems..

Those in emotional distress affected by these symptom complain of one or more of the following:
1. feel someone has done some black magic over them. - In majority cases the suspicion is upon a family member, friend, colleague or known person.
these commonly include:
a. their thoughts and actions are being controlled
b. bodily harm
c. the occurrence of diseases which were earlier not present.

2. Those who feel that a ghost is troubling them. - its one or more of the following:
a. they can feel someone following them.
b. someone who can read their mind.
c. someone inside their mind, who continuously talks to them
d. are able to see people, animals who only they can interact with.
e. their thoughts are being controlled
f. unusual experiences of touch, smell that others cannot feel.

3. those who take the help of tantriks, black-magic experts, etc to solve their problem.
These people have extreme restlessness. Their mind is not calm. A great majority feels guilty of using such services, as it clashes with their socio-cultural beliefs, but find it impossible to control themselves from indulging in the same as fulfillment of desire is essential.
the purposes for the same are:
a. extreme negativity against a specific individual or group of individual. Looking to cause some harm, without anyone coming to know they have done it.
b. trying to get back a loved one or trying to control a loved one, without he/she knowing you are doing it.
c. extreme restlessness regarding lack of fulfillment of desires.

The scientific explanation behind this behavior is extremely high Mental restlessness.

Its a proven fact that 90% people affected with the above issues are infact suffering from this extreme clinical levels of mental restlessness.
This makes them emotionally weak and their brain starts to play tricks with them.

There is no instant or magical cure for Mental Restlessness... Mental Restlessness is an emotional, biological and psychological issue...
It affects your way of thinking,
it changes the blood circulation in the brain leading to chemcial and hormonal changes.
its a medical condition, that requires treatment.

90% reading this post, who suffer from uncontrollable thoughts and a restless mind, must already have consulted one or more pundits, astrologers or tantriks.
If your problem is still not cured, why not consult a good psychiatrist.
Even without tranquilizing medications... you can find a complete cure for the same.

feel free to contact me at -
Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

ANDROID APP.

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN,  I PRESENT TO YOU -
THE MIND MANTRA ANDROID APP. FOR YOUR CELL PHONE.

Its completely FREE .. DOWNLOAD IT TODAY.


GET ALL MIND POWER MANTRAS ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE

Type "Mind Mantras" in google play store and you will get it.
its the one with a red cross symbol.

The link for the same is:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsbar.MindMantras136075

Pain - The acting school of life

The majority of us love to watch movies. Actors are treated like gods in our society.

Take a moment to look into your inner-self. You will be surprised to see all the shah rukh khans, salman khan, aamir khans, madhuri dixits, kareena kapoors, ajay devgans and kajols inside you.

Pain is the greatest acting school that the great university of life teaches us.

As a neuro-psychiatrist specializing in emotional issues, Its my job to deal with emotions on a daily basis. I feel honored with each and everyone I meet at the clinic, as they teach me 3 very important things:

a. they have been battling pain for a long time.
b. they have learnt to hide their pain better than what anyone can think.
c. after battling pain for so long they finally have learnt to love themselves, thats why they are not brave enough to seek professional help.

Pain is an amazing teacher...It teaches you to conceal your inner self and act out.

The better the act, the more the pain.

Few days ago during a shoot, I met a yesteryear Bollywood actress. She would be sad, depressed, angry, irritated.. but as soon as the director shouted action, she would support a million dollar smile, talk to politely and behave as if she is the happiest person in the world.

Never judge a person... he/she who you think are the happiest, might actually be the saddest.

TRY YOUR BEST TO HELP THEM!!!


Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

CAN DIFFERENT BELIEFS AFFECT YOU MARRIAGE

It may sound like a classroom debate if or rather how much issues pertaining to religious beliefs affect a couple’s compatibility quotient. However, the most recent high profiled celebrity break-up of actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, apparently based solely on Tom’s firm faith in scientology, makes it very much believable.

Psychologist and relationship therapist share their insight. “Of course, different beliefs — be it political or religious — serve as major benchmarks to determine whether or not a couple is well-matched,”

“The more interests and ideas you have in common with your partner, the stronger your relationship is likely to be.” However,  that it is not always a thumb rule.
Adds, “If you can respect your partner’s different believes, and if you’re okay to put in efforts to make it work, you can manage to have a strong relationship. But if you talk about the Tom-Katie issue, it is essential to keep in mind that after a point of time, it is possible that the couples may have their resources (their efforts to keep the marriage going) exhausted. And at that point separation is inevitable!”

Psychiatrist Hemant Mittal scrutinises this faith conflict. “Religion is a major element of one’s personality, it gives you a sense of belonging,” Hemant emphasises, as he further delves into it.

“When you adopt another faith after marriage for whatever reasons, there is a re-learning process involved — which requires a lot of determination and will power,” he continues, “If you talk about the Tom-Katie issue, Tom is fanatic about scientology and even though Katie had convertedfrom her faith, it doesn’t necessarily mean she had embraced it and started believing in it herself.” Hemant further adds, “Look at the successfully married couple — Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan. Both of them are still going strong despite the different faiths because they have accommodated each other’s believes without being fanatical about their beliefs.”


ARTICLE FROM TODAY'S (16/07/2012), from national newspaper DNA, written by Shreya Badola, with inputs from myself.


Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

SEXTING - A REALITY that can DESTROY you!!!

As a psychiatrist over the last few years I have seen an increased risk in cases of individuals suffering from addiction of sexting and many suffering from effects of sexting.

what is "sexting"?
This is a new rage where teens/adults are sharing sexually loaded messages and/or nude pictures of themselves or others via text or on-line.

This is a very dangerous psychological disorder growing extremely fast among teens and young adults.

While most people involved know this is a wrong behavior, still they dont stop. So Why are teen's/adults involved in sexting?
1. most teenagers reported - Peer pressure and the need to feel "cool" as the reason for this behavior.

2. In adults its because of perversion, sexual adventurism.

3. Emotional fools!! - recently parents of a girl approached me. She was in severe nervous breakdown. Crying whole day, fainting, not eating.
A few months ago her boyfriend had asked for a proof of love. Using all emotional language, she managed to convience her to send a nude photo of hers. After their breakup, Today that photo was leaked to all close friends.

Being in love is not being stupid. Taking care of self is first, but teens, young adults dont understand it.


Purpose or Aim of Sexting?
Its New way to Sexually connect. Sexting is a new psychological behavior whose subconscious aim is sexual intercourse.
While sexual arousal is achieved through sending sexually loaded texts and images, the ultimate goal is to have fun among the sheets


Legal?
As per indian penal law, Sexting is illegal. And can land a person into jail.

How common it is?
30-40% of Teens,
30% of young adults have addimitted to be participating in the same.

this is just a tip of the ice-berg data.


Why is it a dangerous psychological behavior?
1. it is very highly addictive. Hence making the sender and receiver both prone to it.
2. it very socially and personally damaging.
3. it can introduce dangerous sexual behavior.
4. sexual experimentation at younger ages is possible.


Important advice For Parents

1. Talk to teens about inappropriate and appropriate use of modern technology. One way is to outline your expectations by creating a computer/cell phone contract with your teen.

2. Know who your teen is hanging out with both online and offline.

3.  Make sure your teens on-line profiles don't have private or personal identifying information (e.g., phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

4. Randomly, have your teen share with you any photos in their phone and computer gallery.  Also, make them make you a friend on Face Book or share their username and password with you to any of their social networking sites.  This way you can periodically check to make sure everything their posting is acceptable.

5. Talk and  Teach your teen to not respond impulsively to anything on-line or via text.  Filtering can help a trigger happy teen from making a permanent, potentially life altering mistake.  Encourage your teen to evaluate the consequences of posting their thoughts or pictures before hitting the send button.

6.   Make sure your teen understands that once pictures are out there, there's no way of getting them back, even if they're deleted from their phone or computer.  This is a scary reality about operating on-line.  Let your teens know that www not only stands for "World Wide Web" it also stands for "Whole World's Watching."

7.  Most importantly, encourage an open dialogue between you and your teen.  Set aside some time each day to just listen and talk with your teen about what's going on in their life.

for further information, contact me
Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

Headaches - All you need to know about them

WHAT IS A HEADACHE?
A headache is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The pain is caused by disturbance of the pain-sensitive structures around the brain.

TYPES OF HEADACHES:
1. Tension headache
Chronic tension-type headaches may be the result of stress or fatigue, psychological issues, or depression
Chronic tension-type headaches affect both men and women, but women do have a greater incidence of them.

Physical Symptoms

- The muscles between your head and neck contract for hours or days.
- You experience tightness around your neck or even feel as if your head and neck were in a cast, and only certain positions seem to provide relief. (A "stiff" neck might be symptomatic of a more serious disorder.)
- You may feel soreness, a tightening band around your head, a pulling, or pressure sensations.
- For most of you, the pain is continuous and annoying
- Your headache primarily occurs in your forehead, temples or the back of your head and/or neck.

2. Migraine
Its one type of headache that can put your life "on hold" for a few hours or several days. Migraine is responsible for more job absenteeism and disrupted family life than any other headache type
Women experience migraines at least three times more often than men do, and this may be due to hormonal influences.

Cause of Migraine
Migraine is considered a vascular headache because it is associated with changes in the size of the arteries in and outside of the brain. Prompted by biochemical changes in the brain, one of the larger nerve branches (the trigeminal nerve) in your head triggers a chain reaction: the changes in serotonin in the blood vessels and the brain lead to shifts of blood flow, bypassing the capillaries and going through shunts to the veins. The increase in size of these blood vessels contributes to the pain of migraine. The nerves around the blood vessels release chemicals which cause a sterile inflammation eliciting pain signals into the brain.
Symptoms
1. migraine often begins as a dull ache and then develops into a constant, throbbing and pulsating pain that you may feel at the temples,
2. It’s present at the front or back of one side of the head.
3. The pain is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.
4. The two most prevalent types of migraine are migraine with aura (formerly referred to as classic migraine) and migraine without aura (formerly referred to as common migraine).

3. Cluster headache
They are called cluster headaches because the attacks come in groups.
The pain arrives with little, if any, warning, and it has been described as the most severe and intense of any headache type.
It generally lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, although it might persist for several hours before it disappears.
It can reoccur later in the day. Most sufferers experience one to four headaches a day during a cluster period.
Cluster headaches frequently surface during the morning or late at night; the cluster cycle can last weeks or months and then can disappear for months or years.
Clusters often occur during spring or autumn
Symptoms
- The headache is usually
- You might feel the pain begin around one eye, "like a nail or knife stabbing or piercing" your eye, or as if someone "were pulling out" your eye;
- It may be accompanied by a tearing or bloodshot eye and a runny nose on the side of the headache.
- It can radiate from the eye to the forehead, temple and cheek on the same side.
- The pain of a cluster headache has been described as piercing, burning, throbbing, pulsating, and so excruciating that most victims cannot sit still and feel compelled to rock in a chair, walk back and forth, or bang their heads against something.

4. Menstrual Migraine
Symptoms
The menstrual migraine's symptoms are similar to migraine. It begins as a one-sided, throbbing headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to bright lights and sounds. An aura may precede the menstrual migraine.

5. Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) Headaches
The PMS headache occurs before your period and is associated with a variety of symptoms that distinguish it from the typical menstrual headache. The symptoms include headache pain accompanied by fatigue, acne, joint pain, decreased urination, constipation and lack of coordination. You may also experience an increase in appetite and a craving for chocolate, salt, or alcohol.
PMS sufferers may also complain of fear, panic attacks, decreased sexual desire, impaired judgment or memory, sensitivity to rejection and even paranoia. These symptoms usually disappear when menstruation begins.

6. Oral Contraceptives
Migraine headaches are the most common side effect reported by women taking birth control pills, and many women stop taking them because of the headaches. The birth control pill tends to increase the frequency, duration, severity, and complications of migraine by intensifying the fluctuations of female hormones in the body.

7. Menopause
Menopause — the complete ending of ovulation and menstruation — does not happen in one day. Your body may undergo changes for months or even years before and after this natural phenomenon, and some women do not notice any changes, except that their periods stop. About half of all women do experience slight physical or emotional changes as they progress through menopause. Another 25 percent may suffer irregular heartbeat, joint pains, flushing in the upper torso, and headaches.

8. Organic headache
An organic headache is the result of an abnormality in the brain or skull. It can be caused by a benign or malignant brain tumour, a brain aneurysm, hematoma, meningitis, brain abscess, brain infection, cerebral haemorrhage, or encephalitis.

TREATMENTS FOR HEADACHES

1. Self-Help Treatments

Counselling/Psychotherapy
Relaxation Training
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Guided Imagery

2. Consult a Neuro-psychiatrist for complete check-up for the cause of headache.

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

The Invisible Hurt - Emotional Pain

THE INVISIBLE HURT

Psychological pain is the one hurt that no one can see except your own self.
He who can read your eyes, can get a gateway into the extreme pain you might be feeling.

Here are 20 simple question, which will let you analyse the pain behind your eyes.
Answer only in yes or no.

1. Do you have difficulty falling asleep most of the nights in past 2 week?
2. Do you feel tired and worn out for major part of the day, for most days in past 2 weeks?
3. In the last six months, have you gained a lot of weight or lost a lot (not due to dieting)?
4. Has your sex drive decreased?
5. Has a parent or sibling have depression or any other emotional/behavioral problems?
6. Do you often feel that life is not worth living?
7. Do you have medium or high levels of stress on most days in past 2 weeks?
8. Do you have mood swings, which are not under your control?
9. Are you in a unhealthy or troublesome relationship?
10. Do you "put on a happy face" to hide feelings of sadness?
11. Can you count the number of times you have been happy in the last 2 weeks?
12. Do you sometimes feel out of control and lose all good judgement?
13. Have you lost your self-esteem, confidence for more than often in last 2 weeks?
14. Do you have problem concentrating or remembering things?
15. In last 1 year, Have you been though a traumatic event, such as broken relationship or divorce, family feud, death of a loved one, or losing your job?
16. Do you have any children and always worried about them?
17. Do you try to avoid dealing with other people?
18. Have you lost interest in things that you used to enjoy?
19. Do you have any constant pains, headaches, etc. that you have done all medical tests for still not come to know of the cause?
20. Do you have periods during which you feel unusually confident and ambitious and followed by periods extremely low and lonely?

If the answers are more than 12 "yes" it means you need Help.
Your brain is battling a very high level of emotional pain. Pain which your closed ones might see, but feel helpless while trying to help you.
Counseling, meditation and exercises might stop working as balm on your hurt.

The pain is constantly in an emotional loop where you keep coming back to square one again and again, feeling trapped and wanting to move out.

Your mind effect on the physical brain can be problematic for your neurological and physical self. Its time to protect your neurological system.

If you are among the 5% progressive and intelligent people in the society, that Consulting a good neuro-psychiatrist in your area could be one of the most healthy steps you take to PROTECT YOUR BRAIN.

If you are within the 95% who are fearful of meeting a psychiatrist. Who are ignorant about what a psychiatrist actually does, and still label them as "mad man doctor", then make sure you increase your psychological defenses by surrounding yourself with loving friends/family, eating healthy, following a completely regulated life and above all loving yourself both practically and psychologically.


you can email me at - eksoch@gmail.com

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

facts about alcoholism

Alcohol Addiction few facts -

1. alcohol addiction  is a  psychiatric illness. It doesn't mean you are mad, it just means your brain-mind-body complex cannot sustain without intake of the substance.

2. alcohol addiction can destroy the brain and lead to madness. this doesn't happen to only those who are drinking for 25-30years, it can happen to anyone at anytime.

3. alcohol addiction is curable and there are medications that can help keep an alcoholic away from it.

4. an alcoholic will always try to leave alcohol for few months, only to pick it up again.

5. alcoholics also become professional liars and are very good at emotionally fooling people.

6. alcoholics at emotional and psychological level only love alcohol. they don't care much about other relationshisps.

7. The biggest culprits for alcoholism to spread are the family members of alcoholics, who always rely on HOPE THAT ONE DAY THEY WILL CHANGE... that day will never come.

Don't live in Shadows, come out and seek help..

for any further information you can email me at eksoch@gmail.com

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email - eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in

LOOSE POST-PREGNANCY WEIGHT?

Over-indulgence is one quality triggered by the human mind, which leads to serious physical implications.
Every Woman gains “Weight” post-pregnancy then why is it important?
Post- Pregnancy Weight gain is one of the most Emotional, Psychologically and Sexually difficult battles that a woman has to go through.
1. The mirror doesn’t lie. Every morning looking at yourself in the morning create a negative self image and can decrease confidence.
2. The pressures of motherhood, being a good wife, of being socially active puts “self-care” on the back burner. Leading to self-sacrificing nature which might trigger hopelessness about self.
3. Increased weight, makes it tougher to do work and therefore create emotional issues.
4. Lack of “sexual appeal” to attract partner, might decrease the feeling of being loved by the husband.
5. Increased weight, leads to decreased sexual enjoyment. Henceforth, leading the husband to complain about the same.


HOW SOON SHOULD ONE START A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM.
1. Woman can start weight loss program within the 1st month after pregnancy.
2. The tip from leading gynaecologists is – after 9months of over-eating and lack of energy, its time to slowly condition your body to weight loss. While you don’t need to hit the gym with a vengeance immediately, the trick is to permit yourself to do what your body allows you. It can be anything from a brisk walk or a light jog.
During lactation the female body is already within a higher Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). So its best to make use of this natural adaptation and decrease weight.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT ARE YOU ALLOWED TO GAIN.
Gaining around 12 kgs is healthy in a normal pregnancy.The maximum amount of weight one can put on would be 15 kgs,nothing more.
If a patient is already obese or on the healthier side – 6kgs should be the limit.


Myth “Eating for two during a pregnancy “?

One of the common myths surrounding pregnancy is people suggesting a pregnant woman “to eat for two”...
For gynaecologist this myth is as idiotic as calling a psychiatrist a mad-persons doctor. Nobody really  knows from where this erroneous concept came, but has done more harm to female health than any other.
Under the pretext of eating for two, women indulge into calorie-rich, fat-rich food. Once your body has been exposed to 9months of eating such food –
a.    Addiction to high calorie food develops
b.    Emotional eating as a disorder sets in – whereby the mind only seeks refugee in eating  as a way to calm down restlessness, anger, irritation.
Anytime exposed to any restless thought, the body is compelled to eat something fatty, sweet, sugary or chocolate.
c.    Fat deposits around the blood vessels and other parts of the body leading to Hypertension, increased cholesterol and chances of diabetes.
So the destruction of the future healthy self is started.
d.    “If Indian woman learnt to diet responsibly instead of believing the loads of bull-shit their mothers, mother-in-laws, friends, etc tell them, the only time they would need to visit ALL stores or buy XXL size would be for curtains not clothes”. – Says a gynaecologist friend of mind

Solutions?

1. The earlier you  start weight loss, the better.
2. If you have thyroid issues or suffering from PCOD, it might be difficult to immediately lose weight.
3. Pregnancy is the time when many woman desperately seek to be centre-of-attention, just to feel loved.
 After delivery their mind is addicted to the same, when they don’t get the same from their husbands/family they search for it in their child. Slowly they use the child as an excuse to escape or delay all activities.
4. Gynecologists recommend that every woman should start brisk walks within first 10days.
Work-outs at the gym can be started within 30-40days of delivery.
It’s essential to have a good and healthy diet.  And its even more important to understand that healthy diet doesn’t mean rich in fats, carbohydrates, sweet or chocolate.
5. Don’t indulge into crash diets.
6. Don’t over work out
7. Dont’ stop breast feeding

BEWARE OF MYTHS THAT WILL HARM YOU

1.  You don’t need to eat for two (and bloat up to resemble an elephant and give any more mileage to those annoying old wives' tales).

2. You don’t need to eat for two even after your baby is born. Your baby is only going to need about 500 calories per day, which you can easily make up for with a healthy diet.

3.  During pregnancy must keep your body in motion. Consult your gynaecologist for advice on the types of exercises to be followed.
4 . The loose skin and fat after pregnancy can be reduced by exercise but might require specialized treatment

(inspired from an article in Times of India, 2/7/2012)

Dr.Hemant Mittal
email – eksoch@gmail.com
www.mindmantra.in