What's making you angry?

It’s common to read in newspaper stories about a usually calm and intelligent person who “snaps” and commits a violent act.

Some people lose their tempers in this way, repeatedly and dramatically, causing serious physical harm to others. It’s a pattern in which tension builds until an explosion brings relief, followed eventually by regret, embarrassment, or guilt feelings.

In this sudden outburst, people might do things they normally would not even think of doing —they might break things, abuse others, hurt or try to hurt someone else or even try to harm themselves. The degree of aggressiveness expressed during the episodes is grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressors. Yes, we are talking about a disorder called Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

What is intermittent explosive disorder?

On the way to work, you hurl abuses at the driver who just cut you off. At the office, a trivial problem gets your blood pressure high. That night at home, you fight with your spouse and throw a bottle of water against the wall.We all have a propensity to get angry and upset. But then, there are people who react to situations with a sudden outburst without thinking about repercussions. This little-known disorder marked by episodes of unwarranted anger is more common than previously thought, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) has found. Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) affects as many as 7.3 percent of adults in their lifetime.

Why people suffer from IED

Research findings suggest that IED may result from abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate behavioural arousal and inhibition. Impulsive aggression is related to abnormal brain mechanisms in a system. Persons with IED have a set of negative beliefs strongly embedded in their personality, often resulting from harsh punitive methods inflicted by the parents. The child grows up believing that others “have it in for him” and that displaying anger is the best way to restore damaged self-esteem. There is some evidence of that the neurotransmitter serotonin may play a role in this disorder.

Symptoms of IED

Many people diagnosed with IED appear to have general problems with anger or other impulsive behaviors. They may experience racing thoughts or a heightened energy level during the aggressive episode, with fatigue and depression developing shortly afterward. Some report various physical sensations, including tightness in the chest, tingling sensations, tremor, or a feeling of pressure inside the head.

Diagnosis

A psychologist who is evaluating a patient for IED would first take a complete case history. One has to rule out head trauma, epilepsy, and other general medical conditions that may cause violent behavior. Series of psychological tests are conducted to rule out other personality disorders.

Treatment

Anger management skills through a combination of cognitive restructuring, raising endurance levels, and relaxation training looks promising. And because intermittent explosive disorder often begins in early adolescence, parents need to be vigilant in tapping aggressive symptoms in their teens. Treatment could involve medication, with the best prognosis utilising a combination of the two.

Some Tips


Better communication : Angry people tend to jump to and act on conclusions and some of those conclusions can be very inaccurate. The first thing to do if you're in a heated discussion is slow down and think through your responses.

Get away from the situation : Sometimes our immediate surroundings give us cause for irritation and fury. Problems and responsibilities can weigh on you and make you feel "trapped"; making you resentful." Give yourself a break.

Be tolerant : All you have to do to practice tolerance, accept other people as they are, not as you would like them
to be. When you are tolerant, your actions will almost always become more logical and reasonable.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

Finally! It has happened!

Foods that change your mood

Have you ever experienced a day when in the morning you felt great, but after lunch, you felt down and tired? What if we told you that eating certain foods could improve your mood, provide uplifting energy and make you feel like a fresh daisy?

The key to understanding the connection between the food we eat and our mood and level of alertness, lies in knowing a little about how the brain functions. The brain communicates by chemical substances passed from one nerve cell to the next. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are made in the brain from the food we eat. The neurotransmitters that are most sensitive to diet and influential in affecting the mood are serotonin, nor epinephrine and dopamine.

Dopamine and nor epinephrine are alertness chemicals. When they are produced we think and react more quickly, we feel more motivated, we are more attentive and overall, we are more mentally energetic. Serotonin is a calming and relaxing chemical. When produced, feelings of stress and tension decrease.

Now that you have a better understanding of the role neurotransmitters play in brain function, let’s look at the relationship between these neurotransmitters and the foods we eat.


Foods that make you feel alert:
The best way to eat for alertness is to have meals that contain protein, are low in fat, and have carbohydrates that won’t drag you down. In the afternoon your brain’s supply of dopamine and nor epinephrine begins to wane.

When you supply the tyrosine (from eating protein), your brain will be ready to make it into more of the two alertness neurotransmitters (dopamine and nor epinephrine). Please do not avoid carbohydrates, as it is your main source of energy, especially the B group which is the energy-giving vitamin. Therefore, have a combination of complex carbohydrates, fibre (vegetables and salads) and a bit of protein. Some healthy protein-packed foods are: fish, sprouts, nuts, pulses, low fat paneer, skim or low-fat milk, low-fat yoghurt.

Lemons: The smell of lemons can induce the feeling of alertness. So, add lemon to all your food.

Apples, nachni, rajma, and broccoli: These foods contain boron, which is responsible for hand-eye co-ordination, attention and short-term memory. Boron-rich foods also maintain healthy bone and blood-sugar levels.


Foods that make you feel energetic for a longer time as they are low in glycemic index:

Low-glycemic carbohydrates: Brown rice, sweet potato, nachni, bajra, oats.

High-glycemic carbohydrates should be avoided: Sugar, white bread, rice cakes, wheat crackers, bagel, instant rice, rice, pasta.


Foods that make you smart:
Prunes — they contain twice the antioxidants of most other fruits. Antioxidant-rich diets disable reactive oxygen molecules linked to memory loss and mental deterioration. They prevent mood swings. As they are low in glycematic index, they supply energy for a longer time. They are also high in fibre, prevent constipation, maintain blood pressure levels being high in potassium and an excellent source of iron. Low iron causes fatigue. Look for California prunes as they have no sugar added.

Foods that make you feel energised:
Oranges, apples, and yoghurt — these foods are slow digesting carbohydrates and can supply a steady source of fuel for your body. Sunflower seeds contain magnesium which helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, and keeps heart rhythm steady and bones strong. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Just a handful of sunflower seeds will give you half of your daily magnesium needs.

Foods that make you happy:
Bananas: Bananas contain vitamin B6, which is known to build serotonin levels. They contain no fat, and are available everywhere.

Nuts: Walnuts (Kashmiri) are high in antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, prevent ageing, and are excellent sources of vitamin E.

Pistachios (Californian) are low in glycemic index, high in vitamin B and fibre, low in fat and maintain blood sugar levels. Almonds are high in antioxidants and vitamin E.

Dark chocolate: This treat releases pleasure-enhancing endorphins into the brain and also contains phenyl ethylamine, a stimulant associated with love. Hence, it makes you feel good. The higher the content of cocoa, the better you feel. It’s cocoa which contains the chemicals. Head for the darkest chocolate.

While all of the above will help you feel better throughout the day, there are also foods you should avoid if you find that you’re feeling sluggish more often than you’d like.

Water: At least eight glasses a day is the highest pick-me-up. Many times fatigue is related to thirst and not hunger. So, reach out for water.

Avoid large, high-fat meals. Fats stay in the stomach longer, diverting blood away from your brain, muscles, and other tissues, which in turn can make you feel sluggish for up to six hours.

Have at least one iron-rich food per day. Iron helps transport oxygen to your tissues. Good sources of iron include prunes Don’t eat too little. A low caloric intake leads to fatigue and irritation.

Watch your intake of alcohol and coffee. Alcohol is a sedative that can also cause dehydration. Coffee can pep you up in the short term, but can cause you to drop like a ton of bricks later on.

Avoid white sugar and white flour. It leeches the body of Vitamin B and calcium, causes constipation, and white sugar causes restlessness, lack of concentration and a quick feeling of fatigue.

Control that Aggression

If you have ever felt restless over not finishing something as fast or as perfect as you would have liked to.


If you frequently find fault with and criticize other people. If you perceive life’s little aggravations as personal threats. If you come unhinged just thinking about the plumber’s next visit. If you frequently feel like taking a cricket bat and breaking someone’s windshield when their car gets too close to yours, you must read on. Chances are that you belong to the Type A personality and there are also chances that you are more prone to coronary heart diseases (CHD) due to the extra tension that you put on yourself.

Type A personalities are very hurried, impatient and rigid. They become irritated by others’ differing line of thinking. Type A’s are very competitive, and tend to be tense and edgy when it comes to work. They have poor impulse control and feel that they always need to be hyperactive in something or the other. When it comes to expressing emotions they express their anger with outburst and verbal comments, display strong emotional reactions, can be unpredictable with emotional consistency, and experience negative emotions. They may let their guard down only for business prospects and meetings.

Ask yourself if you display two or more of these behavioural traits
l If you are not multitasking, you think you are wasting time?
l Do you eat fast and leave the dinner table immediately
l Does it bother you a lot to wait in line or to be seated in a restaurant?
l Do you find that you are often highly alert, mentally as well as physically?
l Do you try to control and change situations and people according to how you want them to be?
l Do you always rush to finish tasks?
l Do you find it difficult, if not impossible, to relax, even on scheduled downtime?
l Does the car-driving errors of other drivers, the indifference of other people, or the tardiness of mail delivery upset you significantly?

The Type B personality, in contrast, is patient, relaxed, and easy-going. There is also a Type AB mixed profile for people who cannot be clearly categorized and have a combination of both types of personality. They know how to react and when to retract in certain situations.

What makes a person a Type A personality?
A variety of social, biological, psychological and behavioural factors influence the development of our character. Scientists agree that a largely genetic personal chemistry, or in-born temperament, influences a person to react to its environment in ways that can be assertive or shy. Such tendencies are further influenced by experiences. The combination of inheritance and experience form an individual's characteristic way of behaving, feeling and thinking — his/her personality.

Negative Effects of Type A Behaviour:
Over the years, the type of extra stress that most ‘Type A’ people experience takes a toll on one’s health and lifestyle. The following are some of the negative effects that are common among those exhibiting TAB:

l Hypertension: High blood pressure is common among “Type A” personalities, and has been to be as much as 84% more of a risk among those with Type A characteristics..
l Heart Problems: Some experts predict that, for those exhibiting Type A personality, are more prone to heart attacks.
l Occupation Stress: ‘Type A’ people usually find themselves in stressful, demanding jobs (and sometimes the jobs create the Type A behaviour!), which lead to metabolic syndrome and other health problems.
l Social Isolation: Those with TAB often alienate others, or spend too much time on work and focus too little on relationships, putting them at risk for social isolation and the increased stress that comes with it.

Dealing with your personality
Identify what makes you stressful and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change, for instance delegating tasks in case you are taking responsibility for everything. Trying to be king of the hill is OK so long as it remains a game. When it becomes a stressful, obsessive and competitive desire to win no matter the cost, you’ve got a problem in your personality.

We sometimes catastophize every bump along life’s highway and anticipate the worst. Don’t paralyze yourself by magnifying your fears of the unknown and the uncontrollable. Give yourself a license to be imperfect.
Put the “vacate” in your vacation. Remember to get away from the ties to your stress and work. Put companionship, laughter, reflection and freedom into the vacation plans.

Follow your grandma's advice: healthy food and a good night’s sleep, backed up with regular exercise, is nature’s best prescription to combat a stressful lifestyle. Stay away from alcohol and caffeine, which actually increase your body’s stress reaction. When it comes to exercise, 30 minutes of daily aerobic activity is best, but anything that works for you-meditation, yoga, or even just going for a walk-is a step in the right direction.

Mental imagery relaxation, or guided imagery, is a proven form of focused relaxation that helps create harmony between the mind and body. Guided imagery coaches you in creating calm, peaceful images in your mind -- a "mental escape." Identify your self-talk, that is, what you are saying to yourself about what is going on with you situation. It is important to identify negative self-talk and develop healthy, positive self-talk. By making positive affirmations, you can counteract negative thoughts and emotions.

Stressful lifestyles 'wrecking sex lives'

Sex is considered to be a stress buster. But what happens when stress kills sex? It can take its toll on bedroom lives, suggests a new study.

Researchers have carried out the study and found that stressful lifestyles and poor diets are wrecking the sex lives of nearly 15 million Britons, leading British tabloid 'The Sun' has reported.

According to David Cherrie of Lactofree, which commissioned the research, "Bloating and feeling uncomfortable are common symptoms of digestive health problems.

"With the hectic lives we lead, many of us reach for convenient foods which we are often intolerant to, causing symptoms we'd rather live without."

For their study, the researchers surveyed a number of British men and women.

A third of the respondents admitted they flopped in the bedroom because they were too tired or suffered tummy problems after eating unhealthy food at the wrong times. "And a quarter admitted their inability to make love had put
pressure on their relationships."

Caterpillar fungus: India's answer to Viagra?

Foreign drugs like Viagra and Cialis used for treating erectile dysfunction may soon get their Indian counterparts from a `caterpillar fungus' found in the high altitudes of Uttarakhand.

The caterpillar fungus locally called as `Keera ghas' or 'Yarchagumba' is said to have aphrodisiac properties, which will be used to manufacture drugs in a project undertaken by the Uttarakhand government, say the officials of the Herbal Research and Development Institute (HRDI) in Gopeshwar district.

"Yarchagumba, well known as an aphrodisiac agent, has been used in traditional forms of medicine for ages. Its application is most common in the Chinese medicine system. Considering this we will undertake a project to explore drug manufacturing possibilities from Yarchagumba," S.K. Singh, director of HRDI and additional secretary (herbs), told IANS on telephone from Gopeshwar.

The drug manufacturing project will be undertaken jointly by HRDI and the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, officials say.

"The joint project will probably be initiated in the next two months," a senior HRDI official said.

Prior to undertaking the project, the state government has directed the forest department to ensure protection of the caterpillar fungus found in high altitude regions in the state.

"Owing to its therapeutic importance, Yarchagumba is in great demand. At times unscrupulous elements manage to sell the caterpillar fungus illegally to fetch a good amount of money," said Uttarakhand chief wildlife warden Shrikant Chandola.

On the directive of the government, the van (forest) panchayats in the state have been instructed to take care of the caterpillar fungus. Now, only van panchayats are authorised to extract the caterpillar fungus, added Chandola.

There are as many as 1,500 van panchayats in the state, comprising local villagers who have been entrusted with the task of exploring the therapeutic importance of herbs and protecting them.

Interestingly, the forest officials pointed out, a kilogram of the caterpillar fungus costs around Rs.300,000.

"Over the years, the price of Yarchagumba has increased drastically. Its market price around five years ago was Rs.150,000 per kilogram,'' said Singh.

Earlier, the Pharmacists' Association of Uttarakhand had approached the government, asking it to check the illegal exploitation of the caterpillar fungus in view of its medicinal importance.

The 5 Do's of Picking up at a Party

I have a friend who claims to hibernate during the winter because all the couples she sees snuggling up and keeping each other warm make her want to crawl back into bed.

"The good news is that the holiday season is one of the best times to meet someone."

are you'll be invited to more parties over the next few weeks than the rest of the year, and singles report that parties are one of the greatest places to meet potential dates. The mood is fun and festive and breaking the ice is easier when you know some people in common in the room.

When you're heading out to the parties, remember some of the 'do's' of picking up:

1. DO be impressed by the object of your affection rather than trying to impress him or her with all your stats. People notice when you notice them.

"No need to ask 20 questions, but do ask a few open-ended and specific questions"

(rather than 'yes'/'no' questions), make eye contact and listen. Curiosity is a very attractive quality and a simple way to engage your audience.

2. DO find common ground. What brought you to the party? Chances are you know some people in common in the room. This will help you build connection and trust. When asking the object of your interest questions, figure out some activities, hobbies, or experiences you've shared.

3. DO hang out by the food and drink table when you don't know who to talk to. Ever notice how people congregate in the kitchen at many house parties? Many people approach this area on their own to refill their cups and grab a bite, and it will be easier to start a conversation when they've stepped away from the other guests. Offer to get a drink for the object of your affection and if he or she is standing with a friend, extend the invitation.

4. DO see every person you meet as a potential connection.

"Stay open.Sometimes the people you know the least will help you the most."

you chat with someone interesting who is not single, he or she may know someone to introduce you to. Also, do not assume that the shy person in the corner at a party is boring. Take the opportunity to learn about people in the room before you decide if you are interested or not.

5. DO initiate conversation. The general rule of networking is to approach someone who is standing on his or her own or join a conversation with three or more people. In general, it's not a great idea to interrupt two people talking unless you know one. When approaching someone new, always remember to smile.

So fill up your social calendar this holiday season and let the pick ups begin! If you play your cards right, you'll be like my friend and will want to hibernate and crawl into bed this winter...but in this case, it won't be because you're lonely.

Crossing the 'Friend Zone'

You've had feelings for your friend for a while and you're worried about crossing the line and ruining the friendship. That's not really true, of course, but that's what you keep telling yourself so you can justify not putting yourself on the line and risking rejection.

Sure -- it's possible to love a friend of the opposite sex without picturing him or her in bed. Having feelings for your friend doesn't necessarily prove Harry's theory in "When Harry Met Sally" who famously declared that "No man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her."

There are exceptions to Harry's rule, but one thing is certain -- being seen as just a friend by all the people you want to date can be frustrating. So here are a few ways to prevent being stuck in (cue scary music): 'The Friend Zone':

1. Do Flirt

It's okay if romance is on your brain when you greet your friend. In fact, it can fuel the chemistry. It's good for your friend to catch you subtly checking him or her out. As long as you're not drooling or gawking, it can be sexy. You want your friend to think he or she imagined the look. Light touching and sincere and specific compliments are great for flirting, too.

2. Don't Be the Problem Solver

Are you on speed dial every time your friend needs something fixed or wants to process a bad relationship? It's nice to help your friend occasionally, but make sure you're not the one he or she associates with problems.

If you do come over to help, mention that you're happy to assist for an hour but have plans after that. Better to remain a little mysterious and have your friend wondering who else is getting your attention.

3. Have Fun

Create unique memories. You're aware of your friend's passions, so initiate fun and interesting activities that you know your friend will enjoy but isn't doing with others.

And -- if someone has dumped you, confide in a friend you don't have feelings for! Remember to keep an upbeat attitude and stay confident -- those are two of the most attractive qualities cited by singles when looking for a mate.

Of course, not every friendship ends with a romantic happy ending and you may have to be prepared that your crush just wants to stay your friend. You'll have to decide if that's enough for you.

In the meantime, if you feel like you often end up in the friend zone with people you want to date, plant some of these seeds and see if anything grows in your relationship. Sometimes a glass of wine or a flirtatious exchange can change the dynamic... and you look at each other and wonder why it took so long.

Men's armpit odour, biggest turn-on!

he secret to snagging the woman of your dreams lies not in those expensive aftershaves and eau de colognes, but your armpit odour, according to a new research.

What’s more – the chemicals in your armpit’s sweat can make her decide if you are the one for her. According to the study, conducted by researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, underarm sweat contains a complex compound of odourless pheromones that have a powerful subconscious effect on females.

In the research, the scientists found that the exposure to the pheromone from the male armpit accelerated the release of the luteinizing hormone - which controls menstruation. The female test subjects said they felt increasingly relaxed as they sniffed the hormone.

The research team has also speculated that men’s fragrances may one day contain male pheromones, which would presumably be irresistible to any woman. There’s also evidence to suggest that pheromones discourage inbreeding, through part of the human genome called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which plays a role in sexual attraction as well as combating disease.

Airlines may treat people like bags

Imagine two scales at the airline ticket counter, one for your bags and one for you. The price of a ticket depends upon the weight of both. That may not be so far-fetched.

"You listen to the airline CEOs, and nothing is beyond their imagination," said David Castelveter, a spokesman for the Air Transport Association, a Washington, DC-based trade group. "They have already begun to think exotically. Nothing is not under the microscope." He declined to discuss what any individual airline might be contemplating, including charging passengers based on weight.

With fuel costs almost tripling since 2000, now accounting for as much as 40% of operating expenses at some carriers, according to the ATA, airlines are cutting costs and raising revenue in ways that once were unthinkable. US Airways Group Inc. has eliminated snacks. Delta Air Lines Inc. is charging $25 for telephone reservations. AMR Corp's American Airlines last month became the first US company to charge $15 for one checked bag.

Even a cold drink may be harder to come by aloft. Singapore Airlines Ltd, whose shares have fallen 8.9% this year, is "trying to eliminate unnecessary quantities of extra water" to save weight, chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng said in an interview.

"When you hear some people talking about putting showers on their planes, that strikes me as counterintuitive," he said.

After US airlines reported combined first-quarter losses of $1.7 billion and crude oil jumped to a record $133.17 a barrel on May 21, almost double from a year earlier, fares based on a passenger's weight may be a logical step, said Robert Mann, head of R W Mann & Co, an aviation consultant based in Port Washington, New York.

"If you look at the air-freight business, that's the way they've always done it," he said. "We're getting treated like air freight when we travel by airlines, anyway."

"Laughter aside, the airlines are just in a desperate situation," said David Swierenga, president of consulting firm Aeroecon in Round Rock, Texas, who dismissed weight-based ticket sales and steep price increases as unrealistic.

Airlines have also taken shorter-term steps even if they have stopped short of weighing passengers. Japan Airlines Corp is using crockery in first-class and business-class cabins that is 20% lighter than the service items they replaced.

Southwest Airlines Co is flying slower - by 72 seconds, for example, on Houston-Los Angeles flights, which now take 3 hours 14 minutes.

That saves 8.7 gallons of fuel for each of the airline's four daily nonstops on the 1,387-mile route. Southwest comes closest to charging for weight, asking passengers to buy a second seat if their girth prevents the armrest from lowering.