|
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS A NATURAL AND HOLISTIC THERAPY APPROACH (For further info on what this alternative, natural therapy is all about please click here and go to the Home Page)
Addictions are not diseases! Addiction consists of learned and habitualized decisions to give in to seemingly overwhelming urges. In addictions - whether work addictions, drug, alcohol, or cigarette and smoking addictions - one wishes to escape from painful feelings and have good ones. One is focused on making the present moment better - this instant, now! The immediate goal of every addiction is to "magically" substitute good feelings of pleasure for one's bad feelings of stress and emotional pain. Most, so-called addicts, are just people who have not learned to let the moment of desire pass. They give in to momentary feelings and give themselves reasons to continue with their addiction. They think: I'll just do it one more time. Now is not the right time to fight the urge. It's too much stress. I'll change tomorrow, etc., etc. **** For those in natural therapy it is easier to let the moment pass because they realize they are on the road to find and practice the naturally induced, self-enhancing and lasting highs of genuine good feelings and genuine well-being. In natural therapy everyone can indeed learn how to accomplish genuine good feelings. One finally realizes that in order to have genuine good feelings, one needs to give up the unnatural, temporary highs of damaging drugs and of destructive living. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION **** The (false) good feelings of the so-called addictions: Why do people decide to pursue the beckoning of the addictive moment? To a large degree because in such moments, often under the influence of others, one decides just to get flooded with good feelings. At such moments one seeks to experience the pleasures and delights of the habitualized, automatic behavior labeled "addiction." In the futile quest of the addiction, one generally "just doesn't care about" the harmful effects of the addictive substance, the addictive situation, or addictive behavior. The serious eventual harm to oneself is denied! And also denied is the serious harm to others, especially the emotional pain and actual damage to those one claims to love. While in the midst of an addictive state, the cessation of one's emotional suffering and spiritual emptiness is all one cares about. And the "good feelings" with which one gets flooded are all that is emphasized and focused on. But all to one's detriment. * * * Also, while in an addicted state, many are convinced that they cannot stop the addictive behavior. And in fact, addicts are convinced that without the addictive behavior life would be completely boring. They are totally unaware of what a natural high is. They just can't imagine what it would be like to be free of the spiritual dependence and actual emotional enslavement to the addiction. And mostly, they choose not to even try to imagine this. And behind this seeming stubbornness of adherence to the tenacious pursuit of the cessation of suffering, there is often rage, fear and terror. In nicotine addiction, for example, one gets essentially caught up in smoking without clear, careful thinking; in alcoholism, one gets caught up in drinking without thinking, and so forth for all the behaviors one feels compelled to continue. One can also get addicted to negative habits and ways of thinking. Though many (for example, those who use heroin, crack, nicotine, certain foods, certain prescription drugs) are often conscious of the long-term harmful effects, they see only worse suffering as the price for stopping the addiction. And most people just have not yet learned the habit of thinking in calm, reflective and critical ways of the physical, psychological negative effects the addiction causes them and others. And most addicts are ignorant of the natural ways of getting high if practice living creatively; they only become aware of that possibility when they start natural psychotherapy. Magical Distractions: While addicted, most get "magically" distracted from what is really negative and destructive in their lives. Temporary analgesic and pleasurable effects are always powerful distractions. And often the addiction, such as a sexual addiction or the seemingly compulsive behavior of a sex offender, is actually a symbolic and metaphoric way to deal with suffering in one's every-day life that one has not dealt with constructively. The addiction thus is an escape, an analgesic that temporarily alleviates suffering. Yet, in the long run addictions compound suffering. And the pleasures fade and disappear. * * * * * Moving from short-lived highs of an addiction to the long-term highs of natural happiness and well-being: To attain a life of continued well-being, one needs to face (almost always with the help of a caring, compassionate and experienced guide and partner such as a natural therapist) one's frightening state of denying the real horrors, the psychological enslavements and lack of self-empowerment one may have gotten into. One certainly does not need some "professional" who will drug one even more - even if the drug is called medication, and even if the urging to become a passive, blindly obedient, complying "patient" is called "treatment." For many the addictive habits seem to be one's only option. And in natural therapy, as in all constructive addiction therapies, one is enabled to start to realize that the addiction can become an escape that leads to Nowhere. A Nowhere of failed personal relationships, work impairment, general psychological or physical deterioration, and even death, of oneself or others. ***** Once that harsh reality of one's addiction is realistically, calmly, responsibly faced and gently thought about, the door is open for natural psychotherapy to be of help making one's life free and happier. One can make a constructive choice: to commit to learn new ways: Ways that lead to the perpetual natural highs of creative well-being. ***** And with a serious addiction, natural therapy may need to be complemented with a concomitant change to an addiction-free living and work environment as well as participation in constructive group support, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. And gradually, in natural therapy, most discover that an addiction-free, naturally happy life can be deeply satisfying - forever. And what does such a "high" empower one to produce? One's own coming fully alive, one's own unique creative and naturally happy life! CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION
ANGER and ANGER MANAGEMENT: The Nature of Anger: When angry, most people desire to hurt someone they feel has wronged them, insulted them or hurt them. And when they just act out their desire for revenge, they can become violent and destructive, belligerent, relentlessly fault-finding, wrathful or bitter. If they suppress or deny the natural reaction of feeling anger, the feeling of anger can simmer and wreak havoc with their psychological and physical well being. If they act out their anger through outbursts of temper and rage it may disturb their physical well-being and health. In fact, it may stir up more anger and escalate into ever-angrier exchanges with others. Natural Anger Management: On the other hand, if people use their feeling of anger, not for more anger-arousing thoughts, nor for angry retaliation, nor as an excuse to resort to alcohol, so-called "medications" or street drugs, they can use their angry feelings constructively. HOW? They can use the feelings of anger as a signal - an important signal to evaluate in a constructive way the nature of the relationships that caused their anger. And then, they can plan what would really be in their best short-term and long-term interest. In other words, they can learn anger management. They can learn how to: (1) manage their feelings of anger so as to improve the quality of their life, (2) manage their thoughts, acts and expressions of anger in order to improve their life. Anger management thus basically is learning how to achieve a happier and more manageable life. It is effective life management for happiness. And in natural therapy this is done by the practice of active and constructive problem solving conversation with the natural therapist. They learn how to become free from anger-arousing situations. They learn the skills to substitute new constructive solutions for their old patterns of anger-arousing blame of others or blame of self. They learn how to free themselves from temper outbursts of anger and rage. They learn and practice how to be themselves. * * * Anger thus is a powerful emotion that can be one's best friend or worst enemy: Anger an enemy if it becomes impulsive acting out. Anger a friend if it is seen a signal, a wake-up call, for constructive planning. * * * Using Feelings of Anger Constructively: Anger is also often generated by frustration in relationships - feelings of disappointment, injustice, deprivation, hopelessness, humiliation, shame, or fear. One can often find intense and long-existing frustration behind one's anger. This is the point at which one can finally free oneself from pervasive anger or rage. How? One can learn how to make intelligent and fully responsible decisions and choices about issues that need to be addressed rather than distracting oneself with angry behaviors and actions. And it is at this point that natural psychotherapy can be of definite help. Natural therapy can help one decide whether the situation can be dealt with realistically, positively and constructively, or not. If not, then one can learn how to let go of it, move on, and not focus on it. If, on the other hand, one can deal with the anger arousing issues calmly and realistically, then one can focus on what one can actually do and what the situation realistically and morally calls for. One can practice how to calmly evaluate and discuss one's angry feelings. One can learn how to refrain from angry actions. Sometimes this new and alternative approach may require dialogue, sometimes self-assertion, sometimes actual force and assertive action, and sometimes avoidance of a relationship or situation. And most often, a combination of these approaches. Then, the impulse to act angry will remain just that - an impulse - and will eventually disappear, over time. Everyone can then truly improve the quality of one's life. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION THE ROLES OF ANGER IN GOOD AND IN POOR RELATIONSHIPS: If the anger is not just an escape and has to do with real issues in one's life, this often means something very specific. In a good relationship it means using the feeling of anger as a signal to talk honestly, constructively - and absolutely without blame. In such conversation with the person who makes one feel angry one can learn, calmly and clearly, to talk about what it was that made us feel so angry. In a relationship that is basically not good this may not be possible. In a situation in which another person doesn't care at all about what we may or may not like, and may in fact be glad that we are angry or that we suffer, something else may be called for. Then it may be important to face that and free oneself from what may have been a harmful, truly damaging, anger-arousing relationship from way back. Though angry and disappointed in such an event, one may also be grateful to finally sees the truth that one's anger correctly points to. The feeling of anger can then help one remove the veil from one's eyes and leave a relationship that regularly disturbs one's equanimity and well-being. In such a damaging situation the truth can really make us free: free to continue self-growth and the development of a joyful and spiritually fulfilling life - a life of natural happiness. However, in any good relationship, whether friendship, work relationship, marital and couples relations, feelings of anger can be used as a signal to assert oneself, to start constructive, non-angry, problem-solving dialogue. In authentic, responsible relationships of good will one can avoid using actions of anger destructively and the anger as signal can truly help. One can learn to avoid expressing anger destructively through actions which hurt others psychologically or physically: temper outbursts, blaming, name-calling, insults, fault-finding, withdrawal, leaving the relationship, compulsive complaining, etc. Using feelings of anger constructively as a signal to think, to calmly evaluate, be responsible and moral are possible, even though experienced as difficult by most. Such a positive approach is probably one of the hardest achievements to attain for some, people, until they actually learn how to do it. And interestingly, they find out in natural psychotherapy, often for the first time, that anger-management is a very necessary skill to have. And possible to learn! And further, people find out that they do not need drugs, alcohol, or "medications" to handle their anger constructively. They find out that anger management skills and better life-management skills can always be acquired through the learning processes of natural psychotherapy! The Nature of Anxiety: What it is and how to get rid of it! Anxiety is simply a warning that something in one's life has gone amiss. It is a signal that a problem has gone unattended, often suppressed from conscious awareness, or just denied. Anxiety is unpleasant, and severe anxiety is most unpleasant and painful. But at the same time anxiety always represents an opportunity to really examine those aspects of one's psychological life that have been left un-addressed. Anxiety - and its intense expression in a panic attack - is a call to pay attention. It is a call to become much more aware. A call to become conscious of problems one needs to deal with constructively. Effective Help for Anxiety and Panic: How to Cure Anxiety and Panic Constructively: Yes, natural and holistic anxiety and panic treatments are the best: It is calming to know that the best treatments and cures of anxiety and panic attacks are holistic psychotherapy. So for treatment and therapy of anxiety and of panic to really work and not just mask symptoms with harmful chemicals and drugs, what can be done? As research shows, the best treatment and cure for anxiety and panic attacks is holistic psychotherapy - psychotherapy without psychiatric drugging or street drugging that is focused on natural and effective problem solving. Remember that natural therapy of anxiety and panic brings relief and cure! Real relief! Relief not only in the present, but also in the long-term cure of the painful anxiety, paralyzing panic and seemingly endless despair and hopelessness. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION on how you can use holistic treatment of anxiety and panic and truly make your life better! Some are dominated by their impulses and others by ideas as to what they "should" and "should not" do, or even think or feel. An Automatic "should" can so dominate one's life that all can appear bleak, boring and depressing. What "should" I do? This is the question a person dominated by the "Tyranny of the Shoulds" asks automatically. And then, many a person will automatically, and without thinking, repeat a learned automatic command, or will automatically obey and carry out whatever he or she has been taught by one's family or culture. Such automatic responses are quite different from a creative response to a more thoughtful question: What do I really deeply desire and want? Here one has to step back before answering: One has to think, evaluate, and then choose: one has to choose what one truly wishes, what one thinks, and what one honestly judges to be in one's best interest.
All bipolar disorders can be treated successfully with natural psychotherapy! In fact, natural and holistic psychotherapy is the best treatment for bipolar disorders;- not only much faster, but also more lasting than attempts at treatment with any psychiatric drugs. PLEASE CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION What is a bipolar disorder? The so-called bipolar disorders are characterized by pervasive and intense moodiness, going to extremes between optimism and pessimism, elation and dejection, manic hopefulness and depressive hopelessness. In such labile emotional states, the constraints of one's social world, one's economic situation, one's socio-cultural and religious ways of life, and consideration of what is prudent, are ignored - often in extreme ways. In the manic phase of a bipolar condition one can become swayed into foolhardy, inappropriate, extremely unacceptable, illegal and self-damaging actions, spurred on by feeling high, powerful, enthusiastic, bold and reckless. In a manic state one feels able to do anything: be adventurous, uninhibited and, for example, spend money wildly, have sexual adventures, travel all over the world, etc. In the depressive phase on the other hand one can feel completely hopeless, dejected, depressed, weak, guilty, and stuck in feeling totally down, lethargic and depleted of all energy. If one has, over time, become habituated to such ups and downs in mood, the socially inappropriate acting out during a "high" has become labeled as manic disorder, and the "low" has come to be labeled as depression, or depressive disorder. But fortunately, with all types of mood disorders, natural therapy can definitely help. * * * * * How can natural therapy help to successfully treat mood disorders and bipolar disorders? Natural therapy's calm and mutually agreed limit setting, in an atmosphere of empathy, care and love, can have dramatic therapeutic effects. In some cases (as in insistent suicidal, homicidal, "manic," or mutilating behaviors) tranquilizing drugs may be necessary on a very temporary basis. Drugs prescribed for a few days often achieve initial calming of the very intense feelings and urges to act out. Thereafter, with the calming of natural psychotherapy, real healing of the inner emotional turmoil resulting from an understanding of the psychological reasons of the very intense emotions, can take place. And does! Thus, if one is committed to natural psychotherapy the following happens: In bipolar treatment you learn how to achieve positive, constructive and lasting resolution of the so-called bipolar disorders, manic disorders, and depressive disorders. In fact, you learn how to rid yourself of the disabling mood swings of all mood disorders. You learn how to bring balance and realistic achievements into your life, your relationships and your work. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION and start on a more balanced, productive, calmer and much happier life.
What every human being wants and needs to give and to receive on a regular basis. When people don't give or get real care and true love they often become angry, sad, suspicious and violent. And natural therapy can always help with that.
The professional and popular literature is filled with references to so-called chemical imbalances. However, empirical research does not at all support the idea that chemical imbalances precede and cause psychological disturbances or disorders. The facts are the opposite: Psychological problems and social situations that are not in balance can cause chemical imbalances and bio-social problems. * * * Thus, any chemical or physiological disturbances or imbalances that exist, do not precede but follow one's psychosocial problems. And, of course, there are no laboratory tests in existence for the so called "chemical imbalances" that are falsely supposed to cause "mental illness." If anyone claims such a lab test exists, get the name of it and send an e-mail with the information to Dr. Riss, and he'll have it checked out by a qualified professional and let you know if such a test has finally been discovered. As of today, none exists! Habits which one feels that one is compelled to do and repeat. Actually, these habits are unconsciously chosen to distract one from solving serious problems one has. Compulsions are often metaphors of one's un-faced and unsolved problems. Once the problems are faced and solved, the compulsions disappear.
The imagination is creative when one lets it be free, playful, bold, original, inventive. It is especially important to use your imagination creatively when focusing on your important life task of discovering, developing and then fulfilling your true self. And, using your creative imagination is deeply satisfying also!
CRYPTIC SYMBOLIZATION AND COMMUNICATION The same with communication: a person can communicate clearly by means of words, concepts and symbols those around her understand, in addition to symbols that need interpretation and analysis. Fortunately this can be learned in natural psychotherapy.
In natural psychotherapy, delusions and hallucinations are regarded as natural adaptational responses. They are not in any way regarded as results of biological "psychiatric diseases" or of "devils" or "gods". Why have they been regarded strange, "crazy," or "supernatural"? They appear these ways because generally their meanings are hidden and cryptic. Their meanings are denied, secret, and mystifying. However, in the safety of a clarifying and self-empowering therapeutic situation all one's hallucinations and delusions can be discussed, explored and gradually understood. They come to be understood as what they are: creative skills and not failings! Strengths of the creative imagination and not mental diseases to be squelched by harmful and damaging psychiatric drugs! In natural psychotherapy delusions and hallucinations are seen as adaptive and imaginative responses that are either expressive and constructive, or both. Delusions are considered as the cognitive, and hallucinations as the perceptive responses by imaginative and creative people to heightened emotions or to overwhelming stress. Both are adaptive expressive responses when, like weeping, temper outbursts or grief reactions they express the emotions that are overwhelming but that are relieved by the emotional release. They are adaptively expressive and constructive when they ameliorate overwhelming painful feelings, as humor, music, drama or religion do, by evoking comforting feelings while clarifying one's very painful problems. Thus, through therapy, even frightening, puzzling, and terrorizing hallucinations or delusions can be understood and used constructively to improve one's life situation. The cognitive aspects of delusions and the perceptual ones of hallucinations are always based on some realistic features of reality and on some illusory ones. In natural psychotherapy both the negative and positive aspects are explored in terms of their psychosocial effects on oneself and on others. And they are further explored in terms of temporal factors - whether they are current responses to intense stress, or whether they are rooted in one's family history. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREATMENT AND CURE OF DEPRESSION Natural Therapy is a treatment for depression that brings effective and lasting results. How? The Depression and Panic Treatment Center of New York always uses holistic, alternative, natural therapy and treatment for depression, panic and anxiety that alleviate suffering. And always, all the therapies used by the Center in its various depression treatments and panic and anxiety treatments are completely constructive and positive. Thus, the Center does not use risky psychiatric drugs or psychiatric electro-shocking. All the techniques of the treatment for depression, panic and anxiety used in Natural Psychotherapy are completely safe and bring healing results that last. * * * * * Depression is conceptualized as what the research evidence shows it to be: a normal biological and psychological alerting reaction to depressing situations. Thus, depression is not a disease but a signal ! Depression is a signal that something constructive and new needs to be done in order to alleviate and treat one's depressing relationships or depressing situations in life. And the sooner one starts constructive remedies, the better. Treatments for Depression that are natural and drug-free always help: 1. Natural and holistic depression treatment without medication and drugs will make you feel much better. 2. Problem-focused treatments for depression will help you function more effectively. 3. Effective depression treatment will always show you how you can develop and have new and fulfilling relationships. 4. With natural treatments for depression you will learn new approaches and acquire new ways of living that will enable you to attain a truly satisfying, creative and productive life.
To start effective depression treatment without medication PLEASE CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION The comforting fact is that although depression is a real and very painful experience, depression can be overcome and completely cured by natural means. Natural therapy for overcoming depression is a consistently effective therapy - a focused, and yet comprehensive, problem-solving treatment for all forms of depression, even the most severe forms of clinical depression. ***** HOW DO NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION WITHOUT DRUGS WORK? To be alleviated and then to be cured, depression must be conceptualized as what the evidence shows it to be. In natural and holistic therapy depression is always conceptualized as a SIGNAL that should be attended to. Thus, in every effective holistic and natural treatment for depression it is always important to get to understand the depressing aspects of one's life situation and one's total environment. Such understanding is empowering and gives hope. WHY? First, understanding the causes of depression is far better than masking depression with drugs. In treating depression it is better to get facts based on valid evidence, rather than seeking quick fixes offered by street drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, or false hopes. * * * * * The scientific evidence now is overwhelming that depression is not a physical, biological disease or illness. Please read the excellent article of what depression really involves: "The bright side of being blue: depression as an adaptation for analyzing complex problems" by Paul W. Andrews and J. Anderson Thomson, Jr. that appeared in: The Psychological Review, 2009, Vol. 116, No. 3, 620-654 ). The false idea that depression is a physical disease is based on illogical thinking: the pervasive, illogical thinking of the psychiatric community. And tragically, this drug and pill pushing is created and fostered by the greed of the pharmaceutical industry. * * * * * UNDERSTANDING and TREATING DEPRESSION: In mild depression one feels down in the dumps, lethargic and blue. In severe depression there is an intense and all-consuming feeling of loss, of lack, of despair, of regret and guilt that one has done something "wrong." One is convinced that one has reached a dead end. Often one believes that one has run out of options - is really sick and deteriorating. Too often severely depressed people feel that the spark of life has gone out. They feel nothing, just lifeless. They feel empty and hopeless! They feel dead! And the meaning behind feeling dead is symbolic of "not being." Depressed people often feel they are "not being." They feel they are not living as the human beings they really are: persons empowered to shape life in meaningful, loving, fulfilling ways. Depression treatment - focused on constructive and positive life changes - can really heal all forms of depression and help depressed people come alive again. Yes, holistic depression treatment truly works: Your life CAN get much better! * * * * * PLEASE CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION * * * * * Natural psychotherapy works for severe depression, moderate depression, or mild depression. Complete recovery from depression is not only possible, but with the use of natural psychotherapy is highly probable. Natural psychotherapy is the ideal alternative depression treatment. No matter how deep the depression and sense of hopelessness are, natural therapy can show you how to overcome your feelings of despair.
* * * * * And as research shows (see the quote by Antonuccio, further down on this page), psychotherapy is the strongest healing medicine available for the treatment of depression. The following are the important facts to remember: Depressed people can learn how to overcome depression naturally. They can learn how to get rid of their depression by patiently learning how "to be." Yes, You can learn how to be reborn, how to come alive through positive acts. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION * * * * * The Role of Anger in Depression: In the throes of a stormy depression or in a depression of passivity there is mostly no awareness of the anger and rage that is often being suppressed, denied, and turned back onto oneself. Suppression of anger frequently occurs in the form of relentless self-blame and guilt. And this is done quite automatically: one generally has no awareness of the unconscious self-destructive agendas at work. * * * * * Why Psychotherapy is the Best Treatment for and Cure of Depression and Why Medication and Electroshock are Not Necessary The current psychiatric view is that with severe depression drugs or electro-shocking is absolutely necessary if one does not want the depression to get worse. However, according to Antonuccio, who has done extensive depression research, the overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that "there is no stronger medicine than psychotherapy in the treatment of depression, even if severe." If you are interested in some of this evidence, I suggest the article by Antonuccio, Danton and DeNelsky that appeared in The American Psychologist, the official journal of the American Psychological Association, in 1995 (see reference on the Readings page), entitled: "Psychotherapy Versus Medication for Depression: Challenging Conventional Wisdom With Data." * * * * * Remember that the unlearning of learned helplessness in a loving atmosphere always helps with the process of overcoming the pervasive resentments underlying your depression. Since natural therapy focuses on self-empowerment, its treatment for depression is especially effective in helping you get rid of your feelings of helplessness. You learn how to stop the ways you have acquired to distract yourself from the constructive actions you need to take. You learn how to focus on the constructive actions that will really help! * * * * * Yes, in the depression treatment of natural therapy you learn how to regularly focus on and use the constructive actions that will enable you to get rid of your feelings of despair, panic and hopelessness. In natural psychotherapy you learn how to treat, and finally be rid of, the various types of depression: Holiday Depression, Seasonal Depression, Early Morning Depression, or just Daily Depression and Despair. Natural therapy for depression consistently helps you help yourself! In natural therapy you acquire new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new techniques to solve your problems. Natural treatment for depression without medication and drugs not only gives you hope for a new start, but truly shows you how to finally eliminate your suffering, your depression, your panic, and your sense of hopelessness! * * * * * To initiate effective treatment for depression and to start now to get rid of your suffering CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION * * * * *
ECT As far as ECT (Electro-Convulsive shock Therapy) is concerned, as one neurologist (Sydney Samant, M.D.) put it: "As a neurologist and electroencephalographer, I have seen many patients after ECT, and I have no doubt that ECT produces effects identical to those of a head injury. After multiple sessions of ECT, a patient has symptoms identical to those of a retired, punch-drunk boxer... After a few sessions of ECT the symptoms are those of moderate cerebral contusion, and further enthusiastic use of ECT may result in the patient functioning at a subhuman level. Electroconvulsive therapy in effect may be defined as a controlled type of brain damage produced by electrical means." Has ECT gotten better and less harmful, as many psychiatrists claim? According to Peter Breggin, M.D. who has strong evidence-based views on this, ECT has become more dangerous since the current doses are larger than those used in earlier clinical and research studies. Let us remember ECT is fundamentally traumatic in nature. ECT produces delirium and global mental dysfunction, memory loss and potentially severe neuropathology and brain damage. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION Genetics is the science and study of the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and variation of biological characteristics. In genetics, to inherit means to come into possession of biological, physical characteristic from an ancestor. It is important to recognize that what is actually inherited is always a physical characteristic, not ever a psychological trait or characteristic. Thus a person may have "high intelligence" if the kinds of brain cells, their structure and capacity for physiological function are of one type, and may have "low intelligence" if of another type. The psychological trait is not inherited. What is inherited is the underlying anatomic structure and the physiological characteristics of a person. They are inherited, and of course, continually modified and influenced in their manifestations by the environment. This is elementary, but often forgotten. When biological psychiatrists speak of schizophrenia, or depression or any of the so called "psychiatric diseases" as being inherited they make the mistake of confusing the physical and biological with a way of life and with the psychological. Actual and observable biological factors could be inherited and it would then have to be investigated to what degree. But the scientific facts are that a way of life cannot be inherited. A way of life is learned and acquired. And it is always and continually modified by, and interactive with, its environment. MENTAL ILLNESS Thomas Szasz has maintained that all so-called "mental illness" is a myth. And before Szasz, Harry Stack Sullivan also regarded what is today falsely labeled a "serious mental illness" like "schizophrenia," as being not a physical disease, but actually being caused by social and psychological "problems in living." Both expressed the conviction in their writings that these very interpersonal and human problems, respond to the interpersonal and human approaches of psychotherapy. And both, doctors of medicine and professors of psychiatry, stressed these very important truths in the many scholarly books and articles they published. (Please see bibliographic section on Sidebar by clicking Readings). The basic concepts of natural psychotherapy are based on their findings, their very extensive experience, and their very logical and carefully thought out conclusions that have been confirmed over and over again since then. Yes, mental illness can be treated and cured by natural psychotherapy alone - without the use of any psychiatric drugs. Facts and Information about the Treatment and Cure of Panic Attacks: It is a relief for anyone who has suffered from panic attacks to know that all panic attacks can be eliminated and gotten rid of -- forever. And, most important, prevention and treatment of panic attacks works very well without the use of any psychiatric chemicals and drugs. HOW? Once Panic Attacks are understood, natural therapy can be used to really help you attain realistic improvements in your life. A panic attack is a severe sudden experience of intense fear and anxiety. It is a strong feeling of impending danger or doom. In natural psychotherapy panic attacks are not regarded as medical disorders. The Panic and Anxiety Treatment Center sees a panic attack and anxiety as what they really are: Panic attacks and severe anxiety are not panic or anxiety disorders, but are Psychological Signals -- powerful signals that call for positive change. Actually these signals, and the accompanying intense feelings of anxiety and panic have important adaptive meaning and adaptive functions. * * * * * It is therefore always worth while to find out what meaning anxiety and panic attacks may have! Generally, panic attacks can have one or both of the following two meanings: 1. They are either a crie du coeur (a cry from one's heart) about serious issues in one's life which one has not realistically faced and dealt with constructively. Thus panic attacks are signals that one has important problems to solve and important issues to deal with. 2. Or, the intense feelings of panic are an indication that one is making really significant progress and starting to face one's problems. One may then feel intense panic as one moves along a totally new road toward new territory: Freedom Road to the new territory of freedom, independence and self-reliance. It is totally freeing to realize that panic attacks and severe anxiety are signals that are actually alerting reactions to finally move forward - forward toward a better and more productive life. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION so you can start moving ahead. Remember the following: Anxiety and panic attacks are very powerful emotional signals and metaphors that tell you to finally become aware of and solve certain negative aspects of you life. The emotions of a panic attack are often so intense that they can result in frightening physical reactions such as difficulty in breathing, crying, sweating, palpitations, fainting, etc. But actually, the physical reactions are temporary products of one's intense fear. * * * So please remember: Panic is not a disease, panic is not a disorder! But what a panic attack really is, is a call to become aware - to become conscious of problems you need to face and deal with constructively. * * * In natural therapy, anxiety and panic attacks become less intense and less frequent as one gets to understand what the anxiety and panic is all about. As you start, and then continues to deal with with your feelings of severe anxiety and panic in a self-caring manner, positive results start: Your panic attacks cease! And your fear and anxiety that you may get yet another panic attack also decreases. * * * It is important to remember that if one takes the time and focuses on the practice of new and more constructive ways, one's panic attacks will evaporate and disappear. And in sharp contrast to the temporary fixes of psychiatric drugs and street drugs, with natural therapy, your panic attacks will be gone from your life. * * * * * But should anxiety or panic return, one knows how to handle the attacks of panic in much more constructive ways. Then, if the panic does come back again, one is already practiced in seeing and understanding that the panic attacks are signals. Signals which need always to be interpreted so that one truly deal with their causes in constructive ways. Once you start making the actual changes for constructive living, your anxiety, your fears and your panic attacks will stop completely! Why? Because with natural therapy they are not needed anymore as wake-up calls to change your life. You will have woken up! You will actually have started to make the positive changes you need to make! * * * * * To start to make these positive changes, just CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION and actually get started on an anxiety-free, panic-free, and much better life!
PARANOIA and SUSPICIOUSNESS Paranoia is psychiatrically defined as a mental disease or disorder characterized by delusions of persecution and/or delusions of grandeur. But from a natural psychotherapeutic view, paranoia is not a disease nor a disorder. What is it then? In natural therapy it is understood rather as historically based in one's past - in one's childhood and family history and/or as based in one's present - in a present socially and societally oppressive or unjust situation. Usually paranoia has its roots and causes in very real and very painful experiences of despair. Experiences in which one feels alone, not cared for, not loved, not cherished. People who become paranoid are in situations in which, no matter how much one was mistreated, one was not permitted to voice one's pain, resentments, rage and despair. The paranoid person thus feels despairingly alone, and always in danger of getting harmed, hurt, persecuted, damaged, or killed. And, above all - not ever understood! As a way of survival, of not getting annihilated, one becomes suspicious and mistrustful of others. It's a powerful emotional attitude of: beware, be careful, watch your every step! At times, one becomes very suspicious and frightened of others; at times of all others, including people one used to feel close to, as well as of strangers. The world then becomes a dangerous place. One feels totally alone! * * * * * The first goal of natural therapy is to help such a person to feel understood. Not questioned, not judged, not "diagnosed" as abnormal, but totally feeling that it's completely OK to express one's pervasive suspicions, paranoid convictions and intense rage. It is only after the goal of being understood and feeling understood begins to be achieved that the holistic, natural therapist can start to become an ally in the battle "against" the persecutors. And that is the time when actual holistic, natural, psychosocial therapy can begin. And that is the time you can truly start to succeed. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION
Natural, Holistic Remedies, Therapy and Treatment of Schizophrenia: Fortunately, natural psychotherapy has effective, alternative psychological ways for the understanding, treatment, therapy and cure of all forms of "schizophrenia." * * * * * In fact, natural therapy makes it clear why the conclusions of the following seven world-renowned physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists makes such good sense. Their arguments are powerful and truly encouraging and convincing. Each of the following psychologists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts have held that schizophrenia is not a medical disease and that it is treatable by natural, psychosocial therapy. Their extensive evidence is central to natural psychotherapy's holistic, alternative, effective treatment of schizophrenia. These world-renowned authorities on mental problems are: Peter Breggin M.D., B.P. Karon Ph.D., Grace Jackson M.D., Lucy Johnstone Ph.D., R.D. Laing M.D., Adolph Meyer M.D., Loren Mosher Ph.D., Harold Searles M.D., Thomas Szasz M.D., H.S. Sullivan M.D. (For further info, please click on Readings and References on the left Sidebar). They have made it clear that there exist psychological and social roots as well as effective psycho-social treatments of schizophrenia. * * * * * Hence it is important to remember that with natural and holistic therapy complete recovery from schizophrenia is not only possible, but can be achieved with a high degree of probability. In fact, natural psychotherapy regards schizophrenia not as a breakdown, but as a breakthrough! So-called schizophrenia is a breakthrough; often a really freeing transition. Schizophrenia often is a transition to better relationships, to more creative and productive work, and to a more fulfilling, enriching and satisfying life. In natural therapy the acute schizophrenic is not seen as "crazy" but as someone fully absorbed and involved in feelings of frightening isolation, powerlessness, and pervasive fear, confusion and feelings of disorder. The goal of natural treatment of schizophrenia is to enable the person in this state of confusion and emotional pain to realize that what is occurring is definitely not a disease process. ***** If not a disease, what is "schizophrenia" ? What the so-called schizophrenic experience really is, is a process of self-liberation from habitual self-denying and self destructive ways. It is an intense psychological spiritual transformation toward new ways of inner freedom, toward in-depth self-renewal and self-reorganization! In natural therapy the goal is not to label the person as "mentally ill." The goal is to enable him or her to make sense out of the inner turmoil and these very troubling and frightening, "hallucinatory" and "delusional" experiences. ***** The acute schizophrenic turmoil is not a disease process! It is rather a very significant and important transitional renewal process. This complex renewal process needs to be understood and not just masked by risky psychiatric drugs that can have disastrous side-effects. As John Weir Perry put it, when describing the acute schizophrenic episode (Roots of Renewal in Myth and Madness, Jossey-Bass, 1976; p. x): "Such renewal is nature's own attempt to heal by way of the turmoil we know as psychosis... (it is) the remedy that nature provides in the acute regression in the psychotic turmoil." With natural psychotherapy those who are labeled schizophrenic and who are convinced they are disempowered are helped in their journey to recovery. They are helped to move ahead on Freedom Road to complete and lasting recovery. Thus persons who are falsely labeled with a so-called diagnosis of schizophrenia are finally enabled and empowered to shape their own lives in ways that are truly in their best immediate and long-term interests! ***** It is encouraging to know that the natural treatment of schizophrenia without drugs can really be highly effective. And, lasting. With commitment, persistence and courage these positive and constructive ways actually become successful primary treatments of the different forms of schizophrenia. Natural, cognitive, behavioral, in-depth, holistic, psychodynamic therapeutic and eclectic approaches can be combined, and really work. No matter how much one has been suffering real constructive changes are possible. Treatment of schizophrenia works! SPIRITUAL In natural psychotherapy the spiritual refers to those experiences people have which enliven, animate, make them feel connected. When someone feels spiritually involved one feels in harmony, close, connected. Thus, one can feel in harmony with oneself, another, or with the infinite mysteries and truths of life. A deep spiritual experience makes us feel keenly aware: psychologically awake and perceptive. In a spiritual moment one experiences not just life but also meaning, purpose, joy. In a deep spiritual state we feel a connection, a sense of love, understanding and inner wisdom. A spiritual experience feels wholly different from the ordinary and mundane. The spiritual in us thus has to do with feeling united with, in communion with, someone or something we love, admire, are in awe of. In such a state we feel in harmony with and connected to all around us. A spiritual experience can occur when one looks, by oneself or with someone to whom one feels close, into the vast deep sky on a clear starry night. Often such an emotional experience becomes very strong. In such a state one sees the reality of, and also transcends, the woes, the suffering and the horrors of existence. And what this spiritual experience also involves is a holistic psychological merger of human imagination, thought, feeling, reason, strivings, values and will. And when the spiritual is experienced, it is deeply and peacefully joyful; fulfilling; love-filled; integrating! CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION True love refers to a love that is an amalgam of caring, loving, erotic attraction and excitement that one has, and is honest about, with another. True love can start as just erotic passion. Or, it can start as erotic passion and then evolve into deep communication, commitment, and trust. And as trust increases, so erotic excitement. However, when mistrust or resentment are unexpressed, feelings of love and erotic attraction will decrease, and may eventually die. They can generally be resurrected though, by means of consistent, loving and honest communication. For some individuals loving and honest communication may be difficult at first, but they find that such communication gets easier with practice, especially with the coaching of a natural psychotherapist. Each human being has unique ways of relating to the world. Empirical research shows that such a natural uniqueness is present even in genetically identical twins in the womb. When one's unique ways of relating to the world are interfered with in infancy or at any time in one's life, severe stress reactions can occur. And such natural bio-social stress reactions can then be mistakenly labeled as being "mental illnesses." The emotions that may block growth of one's true self may however be due to inner unresolved conflict or outer pressures and oppression. In natural psychotherapy one learns how to maintain and further develop one's true self, in all its complexity. Since the world is in constant flux, the adaptational true self is essentially one's unique, natural and authentic ways of response and relationship to the ever-changing world. The true self is characterized by one's ever-evolving and ever-changing perceptions, intentions and plans regarding one's conceptions of ever-changing reality. CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION
Trust is an important but complicated process. What makes it so complicated is that in its natural form it is always intertwined with mistrust. And since true love cannot exist without trust, just as even the actual psychotherapy process cannot exist without it, how does one develop trust? To learn to trust someone, one must use one's natural capacities of observation and reasoning. One must observe carefully, so that one can then conclude logically, whether a person actually exhibits trustworthy behavior. Thus one must become naturally aware, without inhibition, defensiveness, or wishful thinking what conclusions about the trustworthiness of another one can draw from all one's observations. One must, in a sense, at first, sort of mistrust the other person, and observe carefully whether she or he can be trusted. One cannot just trust blindly or automatically. One cannot force oneself to trust someone. But at the same time one must trust oneself sufficiently to trust one's own observations and and capacity to draw logical conclusions from them. Learning how to trust oneself is therefore always an integral part of natural therapy. * * * * * What especially helps in natural therapy is learning that trust is a result. It does not just happen: Trust is a product of one's interactions with another. Trust is what I call an interactive product – a product that changes in relation to one’s interaction with another human being. Thus if one finds –over time– that one can trust someone, trust starts to evolve. But once the other person starts to lie, cheat, betray, or perform any action that is untrustworthy, the feeling of trust starts to evaporate. People who mistrust others often believe that trust is just something that one has or just does not have. They try to just decide to trust someone, feeling they “should” trust someone because of a certain status in relation to oneself – a parent, teacher, sibling, authority, friend, lover, spouse, partner, professional, socially successful person, etc. Of course, they have a hard time trusting. They think trust should just be there, and don't realize that trust is always a product, a result that comes about only with trusting interactions over time. * * * One of the most harmful things one can be told as one grows up is have a parent say: “Don’t trust anyone.” What they should say instead is, “Don’t trust blindly, automatically.” The Buddha committed this error to some degree when he said (supposedly, his dying words), “Don’t trust anyone, just yourself; don’t even trust me.” What he might have said with more psychological validity is: “Don’t trust automatically, but always observe and evaluate whether someone or something can be trusted.” * * * The task then is to learn how to become empowered to shape one's life positively: To learn and then finally know how never to be a victim. * * * The whole truth that should always be expressed is: "Don’t trust blindly, but always observe, reason and judge with all the clarity and honesty you can muster." And once someone does that and concludes, over time, that it is safe to trust another person, and that the other person can safely also be trusting, one can begin to have satisfying and deep relations. Relationships based on mutual trust. One then realizes that one actually can achieve what is most important in a happy and satisfying life – a mutually trusting relationship. One starts to realize that to have good, loving interactions trust needs to be there. One realizes that for good relationships and a worthwhile life, trust is what it’s all about! CLICK HERE for CONTACT INFORMATION Truth is elusive. Truth can only be approximated, and is most likely to change with ongoing scientific research and increased accumulation of what seem to be the best descriptions of reality, at a particular period in human history. Most people, especially infants and children, dislike finding out that they have been lied to. Yet, most people also seek stories that will comfort them, give them a sense of meaning, give them a sense of security of being part of a group, make them feel accepted, loved, cared for, help them feel less alone and less fearful. For many there is conflict between the desire for truth and the desire for comfort of acceptance and approval by a group to which one belongs. Such a group of others, can be family, friends, or any other type. And such approval is desired because it alleviates the pain and suffering of life in a vast, impersonal, awe-filled universe. When reality is oppressive and filled with pain, the conflict between the quest for opiates and the quest for truth becomes acute for some. And the quest is too often resolved by choosing opiates over the truth. Yet the conundrum that arises in every natural psychotherapy session is the following: Shall I choose lies or the truth? So remember: Lies and stories that are opiates seem to help. But they are deceiving and breed ignorance and powerlessness. Truth, however, is freeing! Truth is empowering! And truth is the only road to a meaningful, truly good and satisfying life! Wu wei is a concept that is highly relevant to natural psychotherapy, both in theory and in practice. Wu wei (pronounced woo way) is a Mandarin Chinese word. It means spontaneous action occurring in a natural way. Almost like a reflex. It's a kind of natural activity, a "letting go." It is an approach that makes it more possible to take charge of one's life in positive and constructive ways. Literally, wu wei means action with no action. Letting oneself relax, sort of not acting. Yet everything gets accomplished, naturally and easily. Wu wei implies that if you relax and take it easy, things get naturally done by you. * * * The closest in English may be "Easy, does it," since that expression implies that if you relax and take it easy everything gets naturally done. * * * The martial art of Wu-Wei Gung Fu regards wu wei as being relaxed physically while mentally alert and natural: awake, aware, and ready to do what is necessary. It does not mean inaction, but absence of rushed, agitated action. Wu wei is doing what comes naturally, what the reality of the situation requires. It's the kind of natural action that occurs when you let yourself experience a quiet awareness of what is really going on. And then, go where the reality of the situation takes you! |
||
Copyright
© 1999-2012 Natural Psychotherapy
International
Last Update:
Thursday, January 12, 2012, NYC, NY, USA