Over 60 million people around the world suffer from epilepsy. This can be described as a brain disorder that causes seizures. However, it is important to note that seizures are not synonymous with epilepsy. A patient may be diagnosed with epilepsy only if there have two or more seizures that are unrelated to other medical conditions. Here are five facts you should know about epilepsy.

An epileptic person can have many different types of seizures.
Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain cells. There are many different types of seizures. Seizures can make a person make abnormal movements, make him or her stare into space, make him or her unable to speak or make them shake vigorously and fall to the ground. Some seizures are easy to identify while others may go unnoticed.

Epilepsy can be caused by many factors
There are a number of factors that can cause epilepsy. The most common amongst them are - deprivation of oxygen at the time of birth, brain infections, head injuries, stroke, neurological diseases, tumors and genetic disorders. Infections can also cause epilepsy. In some cases, the actual cause may be difficult to identify.

A healthy diet, protecting the head from trauma (by wearing a helmet) and exercising can help prevent epilepsy. Expectant mothers should also follow a healthy prenatal plan.

The effect of epilepsy is much more in women as compared to men
Both men and women are susceptible to epilepsy. However, epilepsy can be harder to manage in women. This is because of their hormone structure. Pregnancy can also make epilepsy hard to manage and the seizures could also affect the baby. Thus, it is essential for pregnant mothers with epilepsy to take extra precautions and follow their doctor s advice strictly.

Epilepsy can be treated
Though epilepsy cannot be cured, there are many ways of treating epilepsy. The best form of treatment depends on the patient s medical history and neurological exams. Medication to stop seizures is the most common form of treatment. A special diet may also be prescribed along with this. In some cases, surgery may also be advised. Nerve stimulation may also be used to treat this condition.

Epilepsy is not contagious
Anyone can suffer from epilepsy but it cannot be transferred from one person to another. Thus, if you see someone having a stroke, you must immediately try to help them without worrying about your own health.

Epilepsy - 5 Common Facts About It!

Smith and Mackie (2007) term self-esteem as a set of positive or negative opinions about oneself. Self-esteem is an important predictor of success in career, relationships, marriage and public life. People who are depressed have a very low self-esteem about themselves. They think of themselves as good for nothings and persons having a nil value. There are three states of self-esteem. They are;

Shattered: An example of a person having shattered self-esteem is when he says,  I am old and useless to do this kind of work . This person sees himself as an absolutely useless person.
Vulnerable: In this state, a slight embarrassment or defeat may expose the vulnerable side of the person. Otherwise, such persons have a positive frame of mind.
Strong: People in this state are very strong emotionally. Defeats, embarrassments etc. do not affect them. These people have a very high sense of self-esteem.
Psychologists, however, have prescribed several ways through which one can improve one s self-esteem.

How to improve one s self-esteem

Control your thoughts- Watch out what your inner critic is saying to you. Every time you hear its voice, ask yourself- would this be the way your best friend would speak to you? If your inner critic is being merciless on you all the time, you need to silence it.
Focus on the good things that happen to you- Everyday, write at least 3 good things that happened to you. Avoid the obstructive or harmful things that came your way. Focus on the happier side of the day. Do not dwell upon the negatives.
No need to be perfect- In the quest to be perfect, many people lose control of themselves. It probably must do with the pressures of modern life where achievement is the be all and end all. But, not everyone can be perfect. Rather, focus on the effort or process. This way, you will be better able to appreciate yourself as a person.
Accept mistakes- Often we fail to realise that mistakes come to us masked as opportunities. But, we are too fixated by the mistakes we commit. We are obsessed with the thought,  Why did I commit this mistake?  rather than,  How to avoid this particular mistake? . If we learn how to avoid committing mistakes, we will tremendously improve our self-esteem.
Experiment with new skills- Try out new skills and then improve upon them. For example, you may pick up music and track your achievement levels. If you continually improve yourself in this new skill, you will obviously set new benchmarks. Give credit to yourself after achievement of every new milestone.
Accept your limits- You are no superman. You have your own limits. Once you accept your limitations, you will stop blaming yourself for all the wrongs that are happening to you. 

Self Esteem - How Can You Improve It?

Multiple sclerosis refers to disabling disease of the central nervous system, where the body s immune system eats away the protective layer sheathing the nerve fibres and disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of your body. 

Often, multiple sclerosis is associated with impaired cognitive functioning. Cognitive changes have direct functional consequences on your quality of life, ranging from occupational activities to professional career and personal life. In addition to it, a complex interplay between cognitive impairment and mental disorders like anxiety and depression, which negatively affect the normal course of life.

Rehabilitation Psychology works through various techniques and aims to ease the impact of cognitive changes on everyday life rather than simply defining their severity and nature.

Rehabilitation Psychology Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

The goal of Psychological Rehabilitation programs is to improve and preserve mental and physical abilities, as well as help patients adapt to changes in functioning. 

A team of specialists   consisting of a psychologist, physician, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist   works together in order to offer you well-rounded support and care. These specialists have years of experience and expertise in the management of symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The rehabilitation program helps you address the following problems related to multiple sclerosis  

Spasticity

Fatigue

Sleep disorders

Chronic pain

Walking difficulties

Bladder and bowel issues

Changes in movement

Difficulty swallowing food

Mood disorders, like depression

Speech problems

Cognitive changes

Anxiety and uncertainty about the disorder

How Rehabilitation Programs Can be Helpful?

Since multiple sclerosis affects each person differently, Rehabilitation Psychology provides tailor-made treatment to patients.

The team of specialists work closely with the patients to evaluate their health needs, track progress, address pain, and teach them strategies essential to cope with the chronic disease.

Occupational therapy is directed toward patients with mobility problems. The therapy helps you with daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking, and learning ways to manage personal hygiene. 

Rehabilitation strategies for speech-language problems help maximize your abilities to cope with cognitive functions.

Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition and can be challenging as it progresses. Many people require constant support, care and motivation to get through the tough phase. Rehabilitation Psychology is just the way to combat the psychological effects of multiple sclerosis. You should communicate your concerns to a doctor, and learn all you can about the disease. 



 Rehabilitation Psychology In Management Of Multiple Sclerosis!

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a type of neurological and developmental disorder. Children are the ones primarily affected by this type of disorder. Children suffering from autism usually face problems in communication or social interaction.

According to a report in 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 59 children are suffering from ASD. However, according to the prediction of MIT researchers, by the year 2025, nearly one in two children will be diagnosed with ASD in the USA. The incidence and prevalence of ASD has been increasing phenomenally worldwide.

These increasing estimates cannot be ignored and there is a dire need for a solution to cure Autism. There are many treatments and therapies available in the field of medicine. However, to reach all communities that suffer from Autism, there is a need for a "solution" that can be easily accessible and help in limiting the symptoms of Autism.

This is where technology works brilliantly.

How does technology help in curing autism?

Using technology to cure or help in dealing with Autism is one of the most effective Argument and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies. Let s explore how technology impacts the quality of life, development of social skills and relationships, and educational access of an autistic child.

Here are some of the ways one can use technology to help autistic children.

Apps for Autism Solution:

There are many apps out there on both Google Play Store and App Store, which help parents to deal with their autistic child. These apps are blessing for the parents of children with Autism. These apps help parents access scientifically proven Autism treatments that are already working and effective for healing Autism permanently. These apps directly deliver the solution to parents of children who are suffering from Autism. These apps mainly target two factors:  diagnosis  and  treatment .

With the help of these apps, parents of autistic children can easily access the diagnosis and treatment methods of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Most of such apps provide a survey about an autistic child. On completion of the survey, which hardly takes 1-3 minutes, parents receive results and information about Autism solutions. Parents can explore the provided solutions and choose the one that is best suited for the child.

Autism Success Stories at ALEXA:

Amazon Alexa has also proven to be a boon for parents dealing with Autistic kids. There are many Autism related stories on Alexa. One can listen to stories of other patients and learn how they cure the condition to help an autistic child. Listen Autism Success Stories for free by just downloading them from the Alexa Store on Amazon. These success stories will help an autistic child to learn the following skills:

Non-Verbal autistic children can learn to speak with these stories in 10 sessions or less

Seizure disorder can be cured without medications

Sensory processing issues will disappear

Gut issues will also disappear

These stories will help to establish a healthy immune system

Improve the cognitive abilities of the child

These stories will help a child to socialize with ease

Children will become independent with the help of these stories

Take Away:

These are some of the Alternative methods for treating Autism. These technologies are very effective and will help a person to take a step forward in curing and removing Autism symptoms from the child or loved ones. However, it is always advisable to personally consult a neurologist as every child is different.

Autism & Technology - What Should You Know?

Cell phones have become a compulsory device for our times, as they give us access to voice and data services in almost every part of the world. Hazardous effects of cell phones are significant because they are kept on our bodies, in our pockets, or held in our hands. In a recent publication, it was seen that 56% of children between the ages of 10 13 have a smartphone. Also, it is seen that 25% of children between the ages of 2 and 5 have a smartphone. School-grade students today beg for smartphones more than even new dresses or shoes.

Effect of Using Mobile Phones on Speech and Communication

In today s era, children using handheld devices are more likely to have delays in expressive speech. These children start talking much later than their peers. Since the cell phone does not respond back to their communication, children cannot develop a communication channel with it. Soon, they get accustomed to using signs and symbols for things rather than asking for the same. They just get used to the mechanical model of handling cell phones by following few simple steps. In human beings, speech is mastered gradually and progressively. If the child skips on the fundamentals of speech, which requires constant repetition of letters, consonants, syllables, and words, his speech tends to get delayed.

As per famous research conducted in Toronto, it was found that with every 30 minutes of screen time, the risk of delayed speech increased by 49%. Usually, infants should be able to communicate in sentences between three and four words, by the age of 2-3 years. However, those who spent the most time on handheld devices were found to struggle with communication skills. As per another popular study conducted in the UK, electronic gadgets may be blamed for 70% rise in speech problems in 6 years. Another famous study conducted in University College London found that screen time also had an impact on sleep of infants, which affected their brains.

As per the opinion of education leaders and speech specialists, many children are deprived of conversation with their family since they spend a lot of time on electronic devices. The noise and activity on a screen can distract a small child and cause a disconnect between them and their parents. Screen time is slowly replacing parent-child interactions which are critical for healthy development.

How to address this issue?

The best way to teach language to children is by interacting with them, talking with them, using different vocabulary, playing with them, being creative, and pointing things out to them. However, if you feel that owing to negligence your child already has issues with his speech and communication, then visiting a professional speech therapist and counselor can make a huge difference.

Effects Of Using Mobile Phones On Speech & Communication!

Life has its ups and downs, but often we hold on to the downs for much longer than the actual event. While the trigger or anger, pain and hurt are beyond our control, the amount it can affect us is well within reach. Here are a few ways to cope better with emotional upsets.

Give yourself a window to be upset: Be realistic and give yourself a time frame to give in to your emotions. Whether, angry, sad or frustrated tell yourself that you have only 1 day to be upset. In a way, this will diffuse the anger and frustration and once this time is over, you can start planning ahead.
Take responsibility: Try analysing what you may have done to make the other person react in the way he or she did. Focus on what you could have done better and you will find yourself feeling more empowered.
Get physical: Exercise and other forms of physical activity decrease stress hormones and increases the productions of endorphins or happy hormones that elevate the mind. Exercising also gives you time to focus on yourself without distractions.
Express yourself: Whether it s through art or writing, find an outlet for your emotions. This keeps it from being bottled up inside and gets the pain and frustration out of your system.
Breathe: Breathing techniques like ujayii and anulom vilom can help calm the mind down when it is troubled and upset. These breathing techniques also keep your emotions from escalating.
Get company: It is never a good idea to isolate yourself when you re feeling blue. Instead, find people who you can open up to and share your thoughts with. This will give you a fresh perspective on what is going on.
Look at both sides: No event is ever completely bad. No matter what may be troubling you look at both the good and bad sides of it. This can help minimise your loss and make it easier to let go of the problem.
Do something different: The best way to get your mind off something is to give it something else to focus on. If you re troubled by something that happened at work, go for a drive or play a sport. Similarly, if you re having relationship trouble, go out with a few friends or read a book to take your mind off it.
Visualize: Imagine the person or the event that is upsetting you as an object in your mind and visualise it melting away. Remind yourself that the anger or frustration you are feeling is worse than the person or event itself.
Clean up: Organise your desk, your room or start cleaning up space around you. This will take attention away from whatever is troubling you and give you something to do.

Are You Emotionally Upset? 10 Ways to Get Over it!

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