Imagine yourself sitting alone in the dark when a freak equipped with a chainsaw and a set of knives suddenly appears in front of you flexing his muscles and aiming to cut down your head. Now that’s scary! More often than not, the reaction would be widened eyes and flares on your nostril due to the horrific sight that you have just seen.

It just so happens that this is not just for some cool cinematic effect. This is a biological function according to scientists. Their hypothesis said that different changes in the face would lead to different amounts of sensory intake. This means that when one is scared, the idea is for vigilance. You would expect changes such as opening the eyes because you are trying to assess the situation more and find ways on how to escape or even fight back.

Scientists tested this with two types of emotions. One is through fear and the other in disgust. When one is scared or is actually facing fear, the eyes widen, mouth opens, sense of smell and hearing becomes sharper. It was the natural reaction of the human body. On the other hand, when one is disgusted, he pinches the nose, shuts his eye and tries to think of something else to disrupt his senses. Why? In the case of fear, one actually has the tendency to get more information while in the case of being disgusted, one rejects all the incoming information like the way an object looks, feels, sound or smell.

Today is the 13th of Friday and I hope that you are not actually having a very unlucky day. They myth has been around for years and it makes me wonder how it all started.

Back in history, there are several occasions why people regard Friday the 13th as a very unlucky day. It is rooted in ancient history that combines the two unlucky entities - Friday and the number 13.

Back in the Norse days, there were 12 gods in a dinner party. The 13th guest, an uninvited one, went to the place to kill one of the gods. After doing so, the whole Earth mourned.

In the Bible, Judas is the apostle who betrayed Jesus by selling him out for a couple of silver coins. Judas is the 13th guest.

On a particular bad Friday the 13th, in the middle ages, King Philip of France arrested the Knights Templar and tortured them. This happened on Friday the 13th, 1306. In the Roman empire, witches gathered in groups of 12 and the 13th was believed to be the devil himself. British tradition also shows that the number 13 is closely associated with capital punishment. During public hangings, there are 13 steps leading to the noose.

In order for people to avoid the bad luck of Friday and the number 13, most buildings that are constructed do not have the 13th floor. Airports often skip the 13th gate and airlines do not have a 13th aisle. Most of the hospitals and hotels do not have a room number 13. Italians often omit the number 13 in their lottery. Cities do not have a 13th street or a 13th avenue. And there many more things that people do to avoid these two entities.

I am not usually a very superstitious person as compared to my elders. But, I do believe that destiny is a very playful entity. If you do not play it well, it will strike you at any given day and not just Friday the 13th.

According to a new research, asthma is significantly linked to suicidal thoughts and attempts. But then when mental health conditions and smoking comes into play, this theory is somehow weakened.

There were a number of studies that have shown an increase in the rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts among people who have asthma and other respiratory ailments. However, there is still no concrete evidence why this is happening.

During the investigation of researchers on an analysis of data that was gathered from 5692 individuals, there were an overall rate of 8.7 percent who had suicidal ideas without actual attempts at some point in their lives and there were 4.2 percent of them who had the idea but somewhat attempted to take their own lives. There were many factors that correlated with the suicidal thoughts. These factors include younger age, being female, current smoking, dependence in nicotine, major depression and alcohol abuse.

Asthma was associated with suicidal ideation with suicide attempts according to researchers. However, the strength of the link went down with the adjustment for smoking, nicotine dependence, age, sex and race. But then, we could not count out the possibility of depression, panic disorder and alcohol intoxication.

However, as they concluded, there is still a major link between asthma and suicidal tendencies with attempts involved. But, more research needs to be conducted to make the link stronger. As an additional finding, if we could just modify the use of cigarettes and make use of effective treatment of depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and asthma are important in preventing suicide.

Illicit drug abuse and drug addiction are problems that impact millions of families all over the world. When an individual becomes addicted to drugs, it has the potential to tear apart relationships and ruin lives. Thankfully, to help these individuals and those who love them, there is drug rehab.

What is drug rehab?

Drug rehab (or “drug rehabilitation”) refers to the process of taking an individual who has developed a drug addiction and helping them get clean and sober. Drug rehab programs treat a variety of addictions, including cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, marijuana, prescription painkillers and other highly addictive substances. Rehabilitation is accomplished by a variety of methods that vary according to the facility, but likely include the following:

* Drug detox – Most drug rehab programs offer drug detoxification, the process in which all harmful toxins associated with the drug are given a chance to leave the body. Proper rehab can’t begin until detox has been completed (with the drugs in the bloodstream, the chances for relapse are much higher). Given the discomfort associated with potential withdrawal symptoms, it is always recommended that drug detox is overseen by a medical professional (like those found in a drug rehab program).
* Drug counseling – The central point of drug rehab, group and individual counseling provide the individual with a chance to explore the reasons behind their drug use. Expert drug therapists and counselors work with the individual to help change their behaviors moving forward, so that they make better decisions and stay sober.
* Preparation for life after rehab – The counselors at drug rehab understand that when the treatment program has ended, many challenges are just beginning. That is why drug rehab programs help guide the individual towards after-care programs, which may include additional counseling, 12-step programs (such as Narcotics Anonymous), residence in sober living homes and other methods of easing the recovering addict back into “mainstream” society.

Drug rehab facilities generally fall into two major types: residential and outpatient. At residential drug rehab, the individual stays at the facility 24/7. Here, an addict is removed from the distractions of everyday life so that they can focus solely on their recovery. At outpatient drug rehab centers, the individual still receives outstanding care for their addiction, but attends programs during the day, and then returns home in the evening. Which type of facility an individual chooses depends upon factors such as the style of treatment being offered, cost, and the feasibility of putting one’s life on hold to go away to a residential treatment center.

What does a therapist do for those in rehab?

The therapist plays a pivot role in the recovery of the individual. Drug rehab therapists can either hold individual counseling sessions, which provide an opportunity to get to know the patient and learn the root causes of his or her addiction, or they may also lead group counseling sessions. These group counseling sessions are a wonderful opportunity for the individual to open up, perhaps for the first time, about their drug addiction, and share stories and lend support to others who are in similar circumstances. The therapist oversees these group sessions and makes sure the discussion is kept to relevant topics, and that everyone is benefiting from the dialogue.

To find a caring, knowledgeable drug therapist or drug rehab program for yourself, or someone you love, visit www.therapistsunlimited.com. At Therapists Unlimited, you’ll find information on the finest recovery professional in every state. To locate a drug therapist, drug rehab facility, counseling program or other addiction recovery specialists in your area, go to www.therapistsunlimited.com and find the help you need today!

written by: Jennine Estes M.A

Many people have heard of the advice to never go to bed angry. This relationship advice has such a great value. It addresses the idea of how couples may feel if going to bed angry, such as feeling emotionally disconnected and unattached, or fear of having unresolved issues getting in the way. This advice is absolutely a great and valuable tool for staying connected and securely attached to your partner. Think about it…going to bed angry in the relationship can create a terrible feeling; it can keep people up all night, have terrible sleep, or many other painful experiences. For many couples, this advice is perfect for their relationship. Obviously, I am a therapist and I truly believe in resolving any and all conflicts, but this doesn’t work for everyone.

Couples faced with relationship conflict often attempt to resolve the issue to the best that they can. When in conflict, couples try to resolve the issue through continuous fighting, arguing, and then resulting into a more damaged relationship. Damaging a relationship is far more dangerous than going to bed angry.

The bigger issue is for those who keep trying to resolve an issue, and it keeps getting worse, escalating, and turning into a big disaster. Going to bed without the issue resolved might actually protect the relationship. Many people don’t see it this way, nor does it feel like that from the person on the receiving end. On the receiving end it might feel as if your partner doesn’t care, as if they give up on the relationship. But as a matter of fact, this might be a wise thing to do. It can protect the relationship from getting out of hand. If you have seen your relationship escalate in times of disagreement, then maybe taking a break, falling asleep, and addressing the issue when you are less emotionally reactive might actually benefit your relationship.

Remember, sometimes going to bed angry really isn’t that bad.

Jennine Estes is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, IMF#47211, Supervised Dr. Mark Kaupp, MFC#33213. She has her practice in San Diego working with couples and improving the relationship connection. Learn more about Jennine at Estes Therapy. You can also learn more Relationship Tips and Communication Tools by visiting her Relationship Blog.

According to relationship experts, there is an increasing number of middle aged men who are going off sex. They have seen at least a 40 percent increase in men who simply cannot be bothered to make love to their spouses and partners.

The findings of this study was way too different than it was a couple of years back then when there were hardly any men who contacted them because of their loss of libido. They said that before, men just used viagra or any other medication to cure impotence. But that is not the case now. They said that men would say that they can have sex but they do not want to because it is not that rewarding anymore.

Therapists are convinced that it is a very serious issue that counts as a psychosexual dysfunction. These will definitely cause a huger relationship problem that can cause to cheating and break-ups.

There are times that anger and rage can turn us into a totally different person. The thought of losing the one person that I loved the most a few years back still haunts me. Why? That’s because I let my rugged emotions get the better of me.

We had a fight and I literally snapped. I said a couple of hurtful things that turned the petty fight into a world war. It changed my life since then and I bet it will for the rest of it.

Every time I relieve the memory, I keep on telling myself that there are things that I should have done and words that I should not have said.

This is my regret. What should I have done? I should have just inhaled some air deeply and re-think what I was going to say. You should do the same to so that you will not just snap. Trust me, this will help you in the long run.

My friend just gone through a really hard divorce. After 15 years of marriage, it all ended just like that. It all started when his wife started seeing another man and got to a point that he saw them sleeping together right at the comfort of their home. It was an accident because his business trip got moved to another day and he had to go home earlier. He was suppose to surprise his wife but he never thought that he will be the one to be surprised.

Their son was devastated. He didn’t speak for a couple of days since the incident happened. It was time that he brought him to a psychiatrist. During their session, he noticed that the boy was scribbling something on paper. That was his way of channeling his emotions. He drew lines and shapes. He colored them with very dark colors.

It was an interpretation of how destroyed the child’s emotions was. Until this time, they are still seeking the help of the psychiatrist but there have been drastic improvements since then. Colors became more lively.

Who have read the book of Paolo Coelho? I am a huge fan. Funny as it may seem, my friend’s psychiatrist recommended this book to him after one of their sessions. He was there because basically, after losing the relationship that he loved the most, his whole world collapsed and there he was, sitting alone with so many thoughts in his mind but he has no power to accomplish anything. He was a total bum.

Why did the psychiatrist recommend this book? Because it is a very inspirational novel that is well written and everyone can make a deep connection with the characters of the story. It all began with a boy who had a dream or a personal legend. He was doubtful at first but he listened to the voice of his inner heart and before he knew it, he became an alchemist himself. The story was touching, compelling and moving. I guess this was the novel that made Paolo Coelho the ultimate magician who made his books disappear from stalls right after the release.

I suggest that you read this novel too. It is moving and may end up being one of the best therapy methods you have evern encountered.

Back in highschool, there was this girl with whom I have fallen in love with. Even though I was young that time, there was this cosmic attraction that pulled us together. She was 2 years older than me but the attraction was strong enough that in a couple of months, we ended up dating. The feeling was deep and has a natural affinity. It involved a strong connection in friendship, love, intimacy, sexuality and even spirituality. It was a perfect connection.

Is this what they called soulmate? I guess it was. Back in the old days, there was a theory presented by Aristophanes in Plato’s Symposium. It said that the humans originally have four arms, four legs and a single head with 2 faces. Because of the extreme power, Zeus split them all in half and condemned them to spend their lives searching for the other half that will complete them. Some followers of the New Age religion believed that the souls are made or fated for another and they play important roles in each other’s lives. Another theory states that over countless reincarnations, each soul seeks the other half. When they find each other after the karma that they incurred, they will fuse back together and return to God.

Soulmates have such wonderful backgrounds and theories. The stories were fascinating and very romantic. By the way, this girl that I was talking about back in highschool, well, she is now my wife. Soulmates? Possibly.