Gut – The Backup Brain

While we have always believed that our brains influenced every aspect of our lives, latest research points out there is actually a “second brain” in our stomachs, which influences our moods, decision-making, our eating habits and even the diseases that inflict us. This is known as intestinal intelligence which can explain away why we binge when depressed or stressed, why we get anxious or how we rely on our “gut instincts” when it comes to taking some decisions.

According to Michael Gershon, professor and chair of pathology and cell biology at Columbia, the gut is another independent center of integrative neural activity which can work independently of any control by the brain. Thus, it functions as a second brain. Five decades of groundbreaking work has led to the discovery of the gut’s brain, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). When a person is under stress, he/she feels twisting of intestines and aware of the signals that the gut can send to the brain.

It is now established that the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) has about 100 million neurons; which are more than the neurons in the spinal cord but less than in the brain, are spread over an intricately folded surface area which is hundred times greater than that of skin. According to Gershon, the ENS is independent in its working as it does not need any input or signal from brain to control the movement and absorption of food through intestines. It is quite a feat since no organ in our body can work without the direction of the brain.

Research shows that the ENS holds its own and it does more than just controlling itself. It sends signals to the brain which affect feelings of stress and sadness as well as influence learning, decision-making and memory. It functions on the basis of neurotransmitters, identical to those in the brain, numbering more than 30. The ENS even manufactures them in some cases. Research studies have shown that the second brain in the gut may hold potent solutions to autism as well as providing relief from depression.

There is a close connection between emotions and the gut and the nervous system actually started out in the gut yet neuroscientists fail to comprehend the complexity of the gut or enteric nervous system and its link to the brain. The gut has a nexus of sensors to gather information and like brain; it also connects and interacts with the external stimuli. The ENS does it by way of food, which it breaks down into simpler forms and sends off to different internal organs to sustain us that helps us survive.

HAVING SEX DURING ADOLESCENT YEARS COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES ON THE MOOD AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT DURING ADULTHOOD

HAVING SEX DURING ADOLESCENT YEARS COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES ON THE MOOD AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT DURING ADULTHOOD

There is time for everything: A time to love and a time to grieve.

A new study conducted by the researchers at Ohio State University College of Medicines has claimed that having sex during adolescent years could have far-reaching consequences on the mood and brain development during adulthood. They have reasoned that during adolescence the nervous system is still in the developing phase which can have broad consequences.

The research study conducted on hamsters found that the animals that mated earlier in life had higher levels of depressive behaviours, changes in the brain and smaller reproductive tissues compared to those that had intercourse later in life or not at all. According to the co-author of the study, John Morris, sexual experience at an early age, during adolescence or in early period of life, is not without consequence. The study was carried our on three groups of hamsters. The first group comprised of 40-day old male hamsters (the equivalent of human teens); who were allowed to mate with adult females in heat. The second group comprised of 80-day old adult males who mated in adulthood, while the control group was not exposed to any females.

The results revealed that the first group of animals who mated in adolescence did not swim vigorously when placed in water, rather stopped swimming – a condition understood to be a symptom of depression. It was concluded that the group allowed to mate in adolescence further showed less complexity in the brain’s dendrites – the branching extensions of neurons that receive messages from other nerve cells, and also showed a higher expression of the a gene associated with inflammation.

However, the researchers have cautioned against using the study from propagating teenage abstinence or believing that a similar study on human beings will also yield similar concluding results

Principles of Social Work

These are guidelines on how social workers operate.

1. Establishment of a counselling relationship

- See the relationship as a process of giving the client an opportunity to grow,

develop, and ultimately to understand and discover himself, and make

appropriate choices.

2. Acceptance

- Recognize the worth of the individual regardless of his/her circumstances,

status, religion, race, politics, behaviour, and wish to foster human dignity and

self-respect.

3. Self-determination

- Encourage self-help as a means of growing in self-confidence, and the ability

to take on more responsibility for one’s own affairs.

4. Freedom to choose

- The client must be able to make appropriate choices, and consider how his/her

choice may affect others.

- Be able to respect and care for clients as individuals without ridicule.

5. Confidentiality

- The relationship is based on trust. You must recognize that what passes

between you and your client is confidential. Assume that all information is given in

trust, and therefore confidential, unless permission is given to use it in another

context.

6. Being empathetic

- You must be sensitive to the client’s feelings. Put yourself in the client’s

position. It helps if you understand your strengths and weaknesses. If you accept

yourself as you are, you may be able to accept others.

7. Genuineness

- You must be genuine and not defensive. Be open, real and honest. Studies

indicate that positive outcomes can be achieved if the client sees in you empathy,

genuineness and a positive regard.

what is social work & its History

Social work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or perceived social injustices and violations of their human rights. Research is often focused on areas such as human development, social policy, public administration, program evaluation and international and community development. Social workers are organized into local, national, continental and international professional bodies. 

Social work is a discipline within human services. Its main goal is to assist individuals and families with their needs and solve their problems using a multidisciplined approach. In order to be effective, social workers work closely with many agencies and professionals. Social work provides an important service to society. Individuals and families in need of help are the focus of it, and are referred to as clients. As social workers, our goal is to help clients live a productive life in their own community. In order to reach this goal, we often enlist the assistance of family members, relatives, local religious leaders, tribal leaders and elders, and other influential members of the community. Although institutionalization may be necessary at times, it is a temporary solution. The goal is to help clients return to normal life in a natural setting. Today, social workers are not only the bridge linking clients to other helpers, they also provide their clients with hope, and encourage their first steps towards a new life. Social workers usually stand in the front line, and reach out to the clients soon after problems occur. They provide an initial assessment of the situation and mobilize

Social work is usually a part of the Human Services Department of a government.It serves as a link between the government’s clients and other government resources,such as: manpower training leading to employment, welfare payments towards financial assistance, legal consultation in dealing with legal problems, food and water relief at times of drought, famine and war, etc.

History

The concept of charity goes back to ancient times, and the practice of providing for the poor has roots in many major ancient civilizations and world religions.

Social work has its roots in the social and economic upheaval wrought by the Industrial Revolution, in particular the struggle of society to deal with poverty and its resultant problems. Because dealing with poverty was the main focus of early social work, it is intricately linked with the idea of charity work, but it must now be understood in much broader terms. For instance it is not uncommon for modern social workers to find themselves dealing with the consequences arising from many other 'social problems' such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and discrimination based on age or on physical or mental ability. Modern social workers can be found helping to deal with the consequences of these and many other social maladies in all areas of the human services and in many other fields besides.

Whereas social work started on a more scientific footing aimed at controlling and reforming individuals (at one stage supporting the notion that poverty was a disease), it has in more recent times adopted a more critical and holistic approach to understanding and intervening in social problems. This has led, for example, to the reconceptualisation of poverty as more a problem of the haves versus the have-nots rather than its former status as a disease, illness, or moral defect in need of treatment. This also points to another historical development in the evolution of social work: once a profession engaged more in social control, it has become one more directed at social empowerment. That is not to say that modern social workers do not engage in social control (consider for example statutory child protection workers), and many if not most social workers would likely agree that this is an ongoing tension and debate.

Social work uses a team approach and is multi-disciplined. Its goal is to provide a service to those who need help, especially the old, young, poor, abused, mistreated, handicapped, jobless, the sick and the homeless. Its approach is to use available resources to solve problems in order to empower clients to help themselves in the long term.

family counselling and its Techniques

 
Family counselling helps you to understand and cope better with the stresses and strains of family life. Families can be a source of support, encouragement and love but sometimes relationships within families are put under strain and family members feel isolated or overlooked. Family counselling can help when siblings aren’t getting on, or parents and children are going through a divorce or separation. Forming a new family is a challenge and it is at this point that many parents contact Relate for some support to help everyone settle.

Family counseling is a type of psychotherapy that may have one or more objectives. Family counseling may help to promote better relationships and understanding within a family. It may be incident specific, as for example family counseling during a divorce, or the approaching death of a family member. Alternately family counseling may address the needs of the family when one family member suffers from a mental or physical illness that alters his or her behavior or habits in negative ways.

Family counseling often occurs with all members of the family unit present. This may not always be the case. A family member who suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction might not attend sessions, and might actually be the reason why other family members seek out family counseling.

Part of the goal of the therapist is to observe interactions between family members. Another part is to observe the perception of non-interacting family members. Thus if two family members get into an argument in a session, the therapist might want to know how the other family members are dealing with the disagreement or the way in which the two fighting members comport themselves.

In addition to observation, the therapist often helps the family reflect on better ways of communicating with each other. So family counseling may in part be instruction and encouragement. In fact, family counseling often teaches family members new and more positive ways to communicate to replace old, negative communication patterns.

Observations may also be used to point out how poor communication, especially when particularly filled with strife, affects the behavior and happiness of children. Children benefit from the safe forum of a session. They may get to for discuss the things they don’t like about behavior of caregivers and/or siblings. Such discussion might not be permitted in the home setting.

As in group counseling, the therapist also acts as moderator in family counseling. He or she attempts to ensure that each family member gets fair time for expressing concerns and contributing to the conversation as to how the family can do better. Sometimes the therapist may identify one or more family members who need more than the family counseling model, and might benefit from individual therapy. The personal issues of one member of a family may affect all other family members.

The therapist may identify that the family cannot progress to a better relationship format without some individuals receiving more help, and possibly medication. A family member with a bipolar chemistry may want to be a better parent, but may be physically unable to change radical mood swings without a combination of individual therapy and medication.

Family counseling may not take a long time to complete. Often families benefit from four to five sessions. Sometimes families require more help and might need 20-30 sessions to resolve significant or ongoing family issues.

For families, family counseling often helps because it involves a disinterested third party who does not favor any one member of the family. This is generally why a therapist for one family member will not agree to be a family counselor for the client’s family. Display of partiality can render family counseling ineffective.

Different theoretical models exist in family counseling. A therapist may work from a behavioral stance, from Gestalt principals, or from a combination of therapeutic approaches. Whatever the approach, the main goal continues to be to improve the relationship of each family member to the others, so that the family progresses as a harmonious unit. Family counselling benefits the whole family by helping everyone to say how they are feeling. Family counselling can help reduce conflict which means fewer rows at home and can help everyone cope better with their situation.

Below are some widely used techniques in family counseling:

In home Observations

This is a fairly new technique where the family therapists actually live with the family for a few days. This enables the therapist to observe family interactions first hand and allows them to meet their clients real needs better.

Communication Skill Building

Good communication skills are the basic foundation for a healthy family environment. Any trial that a family member goes through will affect the rest of the family either positively or negatively depending on their communication skills.

Families that face one crisis after another will soon break down if they do not know how to communicate with each other.

The family therapist will focus on communication patterns between family members. During sessions the family members will be encouraged to take turns expressing their feelings, while the other family members practice listening without judging the other persons actions and statements.

Reframing

Therapists use this technique in order to present different perspectives of family problems. Reframing is an attempt at turning negative behaviors into positive behaviors.

For example a daughter may see her parent as untrusting if the parent repeatedly questions her behavior after a date. In reframing the daughter can be shown that the parents actions are out of love and concern.

Tracking

Tracking is a technique widely used by most therapists. Some therapists see it as an essential part of family counseling.

The therapist listens intently to family stories told by each member of the family. The therapist then records the events in order to identify the sequence of events. At this time the therapist will be able to design interventions between the various points.

Family photos are an excellent way for a therapist to determine how the family functions in the present s well as in the past. Family members look at memorable photos as they talk about them. The therapist is able to gather verbal and nonverbal actions between the family members. It also reveals family relationships, customs, roles and communication patterns.

Genogram

The genogram provides an enormous amount of insight for the therapist. This technique should be used early in family therapy. The genogram provides a graphic picture of the family history which reveals the families basic structure and demographics.

A genogram is a family history listing three generations, including names, dates of birth, death, marriage, divorce, and other relevant facts.

Family floor plan

This technique should also be done during the beginning stages of counseling. Family members are requested to draw a floor plan of their home. They are asked to remember the sounds, colors, odors and people in the house. While they are drawing specific questions are asked about the environment such as;

·        What room does the family gather in?

·        What conversations take place in the various rooms?

·        Are any rooms restricted or off limits?

·        Where do guests gather?

This technique will reveal the comfort levels between family members, space accommodations and rules. It can also indicate family triangles and subsystems. Discussions often bring out meaningful issues related to ones past.

Family Sculpting

Family sculpting provides recreation for the family. Family members are asked to physically arrange the family representing relationships to one another at a specific period of time. Children often make good sculptors as they are able to non-verbally communicate their thoughts and feelings this way.

Family Choreography

This technique goes beyond family sculpting. Family members are asked to show how they would like to see the family situation as well as the way they see it in the present. They may be asked to reenact current family situations and then re-sculpt them to the preferred scene.

The Empty Chair

In this technique a family member will express their feelings to another member – the empty chair. The family member then will play the role of the other person and carry on a dialogue. Expressions to absent family, parents, and children can be arranged through utilizing this technique.

Family Council Meetings

This is simply an organized family meeting. The family is there to share and discuss any concerns they have. The goal is to find a solution together. It is important that all family members attend. Set a specific time to meet and have rules that all must abide by: i.e. Attacking others is not acceptable. Often times family therapists will prescribe Family Council Meetings as homework for the family.

Strategic Alliances

This technique involves the therapist meeting with one member of the family as a means of helping that person change. When each person changes their individual perspectives and outlooks, it enables the entire family system to change. This technique attempts to disrupt a circular system or behavior pattern.

Prescribing Indecision

Faulty decision making increases the stress level of families. Not making decisions becomes more problematic. The therapist encourages the family to reframe the indecisive behavior – decision is showed as caring and taking appropriate time on important matters. The head of the family is directed not to rush into anything or to make hasty decisions.

Putting the Client in Control

This technique places control into the hands of each individual or the head of the family. For example if a family member has a problem with anxiety – Specific directives are given as to when, where, and with whom, the person can exhibit their anxiety or worries. A time limit is also set. In time the client begins to feel in control which results in a positive change.

Caring Days

Families can get stuck in behavior cycles, become bored with each other, and take little time for one another. When this happens members of the family feel unappreciated, unloved, and taken for granted.

With this technique the family sets aside days where they are asked to show that they care. This can be done by giving a specific a special day, or by family outings and mini vacations.

In Conclusion …

Remember that all therapists are different. Family counselors customize their techniques according to their training, beliefs and that of the family they are counseling. When choosing a counselor check out their skills in handling the problems your family is facing. If you are a religious person, you may want to find a counselor that has the same beliefs as you. It’s a good idea to interview more than one counselor to find a good fit for you and your family.

family councselling

Family counseling is a type of psychotherapy that may have one or more objectives. Family counseling may help to promote better relationships and understanding within a family. It may be incident specific, as for example family counseling during a divorce, or the approaching death of a family member. Alternately family counseling may address the needs of the family when one family member suffers from a mental or physical illness that alters his or her behavior or habits in negative ways.

Family counseling often occurs with all members of the family unit present. This may not always be the case. A family member who suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction might not attend sessions, and might actually be the reason why other family members seek out family counseling.

Part of the goal of the therapist is to observe interactions between family members. Another part is to observe the perception of non-interacting family members. Thus if two family members get into an argument in a session, the therapist might want to know how the other family members are dealing with the disagreement or the way in which the two fighting members comport themselves.

In addition to observation, the therapist often helps the family reflect on better ways of communicating with each other. So family counseling may in part be instruction and encouragement. In fact, family counseling often teaches family members new and more positive ways to communicate to replace old, negative communication patterns.

Observations may also be used to point out how poor communication, especially when particularly filled with strife, affects the behavior and happiness of children. Children benefit from the safe forum of a session. They may get to for discuss the things they don’t like about behavior of caregivers and/or siblings. Such discussion might not be permitted in the home setting.

As in group counseling, the therapist also acts as moderator in family counseling. He or she attempts to ensure that each family member gets fair time for expressing concerns and contributing to the conversation as to how the family can do better. Sometimes the therapist may identify one or more family members who need more than the family counseling model, and might benefit from individual therapy. The personal issues of one member of a family may affect all other family members.

The therapist may identify that the family cannot progress to a better relationship format without some individuals receiving more help, and possibly medication. A family member with a bipolar chemistry may want to be a better parent, but may be physically unable to change radical mood swings without a combination of individual therapy and medication.

Family counseling may not take a long time to complete. Often families benefit from four to five sessions. Sometimes families require more help and might need 20-30 sessions to resolve significant or ongoing family issues.

For families, family counseling often helps because it involves a disinterested third party who does not favor any one member of the family. This is generally why a therapist for one family member will not agree to be a family counselor for the client’s family. Display of partiality can render family counseling ineffective.

Different theoretical models exist in family counseling. A therapist may work from a behavioral stance, from Gestalt principals, or from a combination of therapeutic approaches. Whatever the approach, the main goal continues to be to improve the relationship of each family member to the others, so that the family progresses as a harmonious unit.

Five Dimensions of Personality

Five Dimensions of Personality

The personality researchers have proposed five basic dimensions of personality, which are the broad categories of personality traits. The five dimensions of personality are as follows:

1. Extroversion: The extroversion trait includes characteristics such as sociability, high emotional expressiveness, excitability, assertiveness and talkativeness.

2. Conscientiousness: The conscientious trait includes attributes of high levels of thoughtfulness, impulse control and goal-directed behaviors. The conscientious people are mindful of details and highly organized.

3. Agreeableness: The agreeable personality dimension includes the attributes of altruism, trust, affection, kindness, and other pro-social behaviors.

4. Openness: The openness dimension of personality features attributes such as insight and imagination. Moreover, such individuals tend to have a wide spectrum of interests.

5. Neuroticism: Neurotic individuals tend to experience anxiety, emotional instability, irritability, sadness and mood swings.

The above explained dimensions of personality represent broad areas of personality. Research studies show that the characteristics across the five dimensions of personality may occur in a cluster in majority of people. For example, sociable individuals tend to be talkative. However, these traits do not always occur together because personality is varied and complex set of behaviors although each person may display behaviors across several of these dimensions.