Findings offer new clues into the addicted brain

The Times of India -Psypost

What drives addicts to repeatedly choose drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, overeating, gambling or kleptomania, despite the risks involved?

Neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have pinpointed the exact locations in the brain where calculations are made that can result in addictive and compulsive behavior.

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Do you think that compulsive overeating is the same as other addictions?

Using a Holistic Approach to Treat Clients with Complex Co-Occurring Disorders

By Guy Oberwise, LCSW, Mood Disorders Coordinator at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center in Lemont, Ill. Guy is also a primary therapist and Clinical Training Coordinator at TK.

April 1, 2011

Complex co-occurring disorders- three or more diagnosable addictions or disorders-occur regularly in clients, causing them continued struggle with finding a meaningful life. This article will discuss how to effectively treat those clients that come to our offices, hospitals or residential treatment centers with complex co-occurring disorders.

It is imperative for treatment professionals to understand how to holistically treat clients who have complex co-occurring disorders. These types of clients, for example, have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, substance dependence, major depression, impulse control (self harm behaviors) and post traumatic stress disorder and/or anxiety disorder. They have spent many years trying to live a life battling these mental disorders and addictive diseases. Not until the mid 1980s did programs begin using the terms "co-occurring disorders" and "dual diagnosis" while attempting to treat co-morbid mood, thought and addictive disorders. These more comprehensive approaches address the whole person from a biopsycho-spiritual approach (Stillman-Corbitt, 2009).

As a social work professional, it is essential to arm clients with key recovery tools, allowing them to have hope for the future and an understanding of how to manage these disorders and addictions. "The treatment field is now confronted with an equally daunting challenge: a skyrocketing degree of acuity and complexity seen in outpatient and inpatient settings alike. Individuals presenting for care with a simple history of alcohol dependence and depression are a rare find." (Stillman-Corbitt, 2009)

After over 25 years treating clients in a variety of settings, it was only in the last five years that there was a realization of the importance of treating clients with a holistic approach. There are several key tools available to clients that can provide the recovery structure they will need to lead them on a path of recovery..finish reading article

Why people eat bad food out of habit

The Times of India

A study has revealed why people eat bad food out of habit, and how they can combat mindless eating.

In an ingenious experiment, USC researchers gave people about to enter a movie theatre a bucket of either just-popped, fresh popcorn or stale, week-old popcorn.

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Do you know of any similar examples where people eat food out of habit?

Is anorexia eating you up?

ANURADHA KHER, TNN Times of India

While being treated for severe malnutrition, Simran, 34, presented a four year history of reduced appetite, severe weight loss and avoidance of food.

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What is the strongest factor that impacts anorexia? Is it reduced appetite, avoidance of food...?

Bulimia (Binge-Eating Syndrome)

MedConnect India Psychiatry

description

An eating disorder. It involves bingeing (uncontrolled overeating) and purging (getting rid of unwanted food in the body). Bulimia affects both sexes (women much more than men). It often starts in the teen years.

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Do you think that purging is related to binging or do you think they should be looked at separately?

‘Food addiction’ plays major role in obesity epidemic

The Times of India

Food addiction is a reality in some individuals and should be considered as a major factor while managing the obesity epidemic, according to a new study.

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what can we do to avoid having a food addiction and what can we do to recover from one healthily?

India in grip of obesity epidemic

The Times of India
Kounteya Sinha, TNN

NEW DELHI: India is now in the grip of an obesity epidemic and the trend needs to be immediately arrested by taxing junk food, restricting food ads and making food labelling clearer, according to a study.

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Some research says ED are on the rise, do you think its more obesity related ED's or Anorexia ED's?

EATING DISORDERS IN INDIA

T.N.SRINIVASAN, T.R.SURESH, VASANTHA JAYARAM, M.PETER FERNANDEZ
Indian J. Psychiat

Data on the nature and extent of major eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia is lacking in non-white, native populations of the developing world, leaving a gap in understanding the determinants of these disorders.

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Eating disorders are on the rise. Do you think they are merely on the rise in white populations or are they on the rise everywhere?

Some girls are born to be anorexic: Study

Express India

London A new study has busted decades of belief that anorexia is mainly caused by social factors, after researchers have found some girls are born to be anorexic.

Read The Article
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Do you think anorexia is genetic?

All about body image and eating disorders

The Times of India
Monami K. Thakur, Health Me Up

A growing issue among women of all age groups is various types of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. From an average body-conscious teenage girl to a working professional; almost everyone is obsessed with their perception of an ideal body image.

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Why do you think that eating disorders are on the rise in women?

‘Depressed’ Tevez suffered eating disorder during ‘personal crisis’

Indian Express

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that he suffered from depression and developed an eating disorder this summer after he failed to secure a move to Italian giants Inter Milan.

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Do you think its beneficial to those suffering from eating disorders to hear about people who have and are suffering from ED themselves?

‘Food addiction’ plays major role in obesity epidemic

The Times of India

Food addiction is a reality in some individuals and should be considered as a major factor while managing the obesity epidemic, according to a new study.

Read More
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Do you think their is a bigger increase in obesity or a bigger increase in ED such as anorexia?

Eating disorder needs to be addressed

India Today
CHEENU PRASHAR Consulting Dietician, Max Healthcare, Delhi

Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterised by a refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight ( defined as 15 per cent below average weight for height), voluntary self-starvation and an intense fear of becoming fat. These individuals achieve abnormally low weight by severely dieting, fasting and often by exercising compulsively. Most cases (90 per cent) are female, coming from the upper or middle class.

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Do you think it is more or less difficult to help someone from India coping with an ED? Does research from other parts of the world help or hinder this recovery?

Eating disorders, abuse history lead to pregnancy-related depression

India News Portal

June 17 (ANI) Washington: Researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified that pregnancy-related depression is linked to eating disorders and history of physical or sexual abuse.

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Do you think that these relationships are bidirectional. Are people more likely to get depression if they have eating disorders?

CBT Development India

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences

Deemed University

a multidisciplinary academic, research and health care institute in
Brain - Mind - Behavior axis in India

Behavioural Medicine Unit:

Medicine Unit began in the early 1970’s with the three- fold aim of providing behaviour therapy services, training post graduates and carrying out research in the field. The unit is a unique center, the only one of its kind in the country to offer integrated cognitive and behaviour therapies, training and research. Today, the unit offers cognitive behavioural therapies for a wide range of emotional and physical problems.

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Do you think that India's doctors and therapist should focus on one type of therapy (such as CBT) or should they learn a broad amount of skills?

a multidisciplinary academic, research and health care institute in
Brain - Mind - Behavior axis in India