Re-thinking Aids

Drugs are classified as legal and illegal. Medicines, cigarettes, and alcohol are considered legal drugs. But excessive drinking and smoking by adults, and especially by teenagers, also poses a threat for extensive addiction. Medicines that are taken without proper prescription are detrimental as well.Illegal or prohibited drugs, like heroin and marijuana, are those that have intoxicating effects to the human body and usually produce negative behaviors when taken. The common abused substances include alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, narcotics, heroin, steroids, inhalants, stimulants, depressants, club drugs and prescription medications. Unfortunately, all these drugs are being abused widely. We cannot discount the fact that substance abuse or addiction is among the most serious socioeconomic problems we are facing today. It is a persistent menace that needs to be addressed head on.

A significant number of people that are involved with substance abuse or have a drinking problem are said to have a dual diagnosis. This means that there is a psychological issue involved on top of the addictive pattern. Over fifty percent of those with drug addiction problems are said to suffer as well from a psychological issue. This can mean having panic disorders, OCD, bipolar, major depressive disorder or another emotional problem listed in the DMS-IV.When there is internal disturbance, we want to feel more peaceful, get rid of that agitated feeling and feel balanced again. This often is what leads to the use of alcohol or drug abuse to begin with. When this is a habit it can grow into an addiction. Now the person has both the underlying psychological issue as well as the substance dependency.  Read more...

The break up of a marriage happens for many different reasons with chronic depression being one of the leading causes of divorce around the world. A depressed person will be very moody and down in the dumps and hard to be around and relate to. Depression often goes undiagnosed and the depressed person’s behavior is often more than a spouse can bear. Can depression cause divorce? You bet it can!

Depression is ugly and puts tremendous strains on a marriage, especially if you are not sure the condition exists or even how severe it is. Depressed moods and symptoms can have a way of hiding at times and then being full blown the next instant, especially at the initial stages.
Depression causes a person to suffer a nightmare even when he is awake. Not only do they suffer tremendously but everyone around them also suffer and as a result of this a myriad marriage problems develop.
The good news is that it is controllable. With the proper therapy, and medicine – when needed, people who suffer from depressive disorders can life normal fulfilling lives.  Read more...

Homosexuality – ‘the love that dare not speak its name’ (Lord Alfred Douglas, lover of Oscar Wilde).

It was perhaps the above quote that ignited my interest in making homosexuality the topic of this article, I am approaching the subject from two viewpoints – that of a person who has recently discovered they are homosexual and needs to reveal this to their family and friends, and that of the parents who have recently discovered that their child is homosexual. In both cases their world has changed dramatically.

In his book ‘Same Sex’, John Corvino mentions that some people ‘often make a distinction between homosexual orientation (being sexually or romantically attracted to…members of ones own sex) and homosexual activity or conduct (engaging in sexual or romantic physical contact…)’. This could be a starting point to explore with those you will be talking to, such as family. What counts for them as homosexual activity – kissing? Holding hands? Gazing into each others eyes over a romantic dinner? As with heterosexual relationships, there are many more experiences that just sexual encounters. What are the stereotypes? Are there any positive role models that can be incorporated into the conversations?  Read more...

Are you distraught by the fact that you have man boobs that are considered enviable by women’s standards but laughable in the eyes of men around you?

Perhaps you have considered a Gynecomastia surgery but let it be known that this is not your only way out. You don’t have to go under the knife. There are other techniques that you can apply to your situation so let us take a look at these methods before you commit yourself to a Gynecomastic procedure.

Can you imagine a large percentage of male adults enter and exit their adolescent period with enlarged breasts, which are also shamefully known as man boobs? This could be due to an imbalance of hormonal substances during puberty prior to entering the adult phase in life. These male “mammary glands” are most likely to melt away when his hormone levels tend to gradually be on the balanced end as they embrace adulthood.

These types of adults have no need to worry or run off to the surgeon’s office in order to have Gynecomastia done. However, some may find that their male boobs refuse to disappear even when they are in their late twenties or thirties, way after puberty has ended.

The best way to get rid of man boobs without resorting to surgical procedures is to speak to your doctor first. Do not be ashamed because your doctor has every right to know your problem and help you solve it. You should be all ears when it comes to listening to what your doctor has to say about possible treatments before signing on the dotted line when it comes to surgery to remove your male boobs.  Read more...