"Walk Up To The Club Like What Up I Have Social Anxiety & I Want To Go Home"

"Study Identifies Effective Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder."

By: Alex Lindley

Source: The Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/26/social-anxiety-disorder-talk-therapy-cognitive-behavioral_n_5888306.html?utm_hp_ref=health-news&ir=Health+News

A new study has been evaluated for the treatments of social anxiety. These treatments include different types of medication and talk therapy. It has been said that the individual cognitive behavioral therapy has proved to be the most effective. The lead study author Evan Mayo-Wilson, DPhil, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said, "Social anxiety is more than just shyness. People with this disorder can experience severe impairment, from shunning friendships to turning down promotions at work that would require increased social interaction. The good news from our study is that social anxiety is treatable. Now that we know what works best, we need to improve access to psychotherapy for those who are suffering" (Lindley, 1). The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a one-on-one therapy that questions the patient to evaluate the relationships between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It has been noted that CBT can help patients control their irrational fears. Social anxiety disorder is noted by an unjustifiable fear of social situations. Many patients who suffer from social anxiety may never get the treatment they need, either because they refuse to seek it or they do not have access to it. According to studies, medication is by far the usual choice for those who suffer from social anxiety, but medication may not be the best approach. It is effective, but at times can have severe side effects. Study authors found that CBT produced the most effective and desired form of treatment among patients.

This article is important because it raises the awareness for the social anxiety disorder and it shows the audience how more patients who suffer from this disorder should have access to treatment. It also shows the reader that more funding can improve the life of those who need to be treated and displays the need to improve mental health problems. Like Dr. Mayo-Wilson said, "Greater investment in psychological therapies would improve quality of life, increase workplace productivity, and reduce health care costs. The health care system does not treat mental health equitably, but meeting demand isn't simply a matter of getting insurers to pay for psychological services. We need to improve infrastructure to treat mental health problems as the evidence shows they should be treated. We need more programs to train clinicians, more experienced supervisors who can work with new practitioners, more offices, and more support staff," (Lindley, 1). 

Night and Day: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is the Only Way

As I am writing this blog post, I am currently drowning all my sorrows in the famous mint chocolate chip ice cream from the one and only Baskin Robbins. Although, I really wish there were more chocolate chips in here right now. This wonderful dessert is an ice cream flavor composed of mint ice cream with small chocolate chips, hence the name mint chocolate chip ice cream. I honestly do not know why mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream or how I even came across it. I just know that I eat it often and have been eating it for as long as I could remember. Right now, this ice cream is acting like a teddy bear. Everyone needs some sense of security and comfort and in this moment I feel as if this ice cream is providing that for me. I feel as if my worries are gone and I keep reliving the feelings of happiness that I always feel like I take advantage of. It is as if this ice cream is telling me that everything is going to be okay... that I am going to be okay. I feel emotionally stable for the time being. I feel safe, protected, hopeful, sad, confused,  happy, all at the same time, but by having this miraculous desert by my side, I feel as if I am finally in control over all that. I guess you can call it my go to ice cream. Every time I place a spoonful of this ice cream in my mouth, I think of how everything will work out eventually and I will achieve what I have been waiting so long for and become the person I  have always longed to be. I feel as if my innocence is still there and my trust is not yet broken and my acceptance to the evil is not yet given and love and compassion are not a form of rarity. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is the only means to achieve a "fairytale" life in the limitless dimensions of a blissful moment.

 

"Don't try to wake me, in the morning." - The Smiths

"Lack of sleep may shrink your brain"

By: Val Willingham

Source: CNN Health

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/04/health/no-sleep-brain-size/index.html?hpt=he_bn3

A recent study suggests that lack of sleep can affect the size of one's brain. European researchers examined 147 adults between the ages of twenty and eighty-four. These researchers used two MRI scans to observe the association between sleep problems and the subjects' brain volume. The first scan was taken before the patients completed a questionnaire regarding their sleeping habits and the second scan was done about three and a half years later. The questionnaire results demonstrated  that thirty-five percent of those that took part in the study met the standard for poor sleep health. Researchers learned that the participants with sleep problems had an instant diminishment in their brain size over the course of the study than those who slept fine. There have been countless number of studies that have shown people the importance of sleep and the effect sleep deprivation can have on their brains. People should also be aware that poor sleep patterns can lead to disorders, such as Alzheimer's and dementia. A neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Neal Maru explains, "We know that a lack of sleep can lead to all kinds of problems. Poor sleep can affect our immune systems, our cardiovascular health, weight and, of course, memories. But we still don't know why. Studies have shown poor sleep can cause protein buildup in the brain that attacks brain cells. So we're still trying to put the puzzle together" (Willingham, 1). Claire Sexton says, "There are effective treatments for sleep problems, so future research needs to test whether improving people's quality of sleep could slow the rate of brain volume loss. If that is the case, improving people's sleep habits could be an important way to improve brain health" (Willingham, 1).

This article is an important read because it helps the audience understand that sleep plays an important role in their health and well-being. It informs the audience that getting enough sleep can help protect their mental and physical health, quality of life, and safety. 

"Wanna know how I got these scars?" - The Joker

"Healing Teenage Cancer’s Scars"

By: Jane E. Brody

Source: The New York Times

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/healing-teenage-cancers-scars/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=views&_r=0

            Being a teenager is tough, but being a teenager with cancer taking over is a challenge that grows progressively. When the results for the treatment are uncertain, teens fear the idea of dying at an early age. Even with the chance of being cured, these young adults have to face the real world, where they come face to face with emotional, educational, and social circumstances. In addition to that, these young adults have to cope with the idea of losing people whom they love because those certain people cannot handle that given situation and added to that is trying to keep up with educational matters whilst on treatment.

            The article mentions a girl named Sophie who at the age of fifteen was told she had osteosarcome, bone cancer. After the stage of questioning why this was happening to her passed, she was more than ever determined to continue her education and graduate. Although most of the time was spent in the hospital, she was able to maintain outstanding grades and SAT scores high enough to gain acceptance into Cornell University. Today, Sophie is twenty years old, majoring in biology and genetics and about to volunteer at a hospital. She wishes to be identified as a normal person and not someone who has had cancer. She is humble and independent and has this determination to do as much as she possibly can. Sophie said, “The greatest challenge teens with cancer face is social isolation. Many of their peers are uncomfortable with illness, and many teens with cancer may withdraw from their friends because they feel they are so different and don’t fit in” (Brody, 1). Group therapy sessions like, Teen Impact, prevent the patients from feeling this sense of loneliness and also help them live as normally as possible. Dr. Kuperberg says, "For many, cancer is a chronic illness, with echoes that last long after treatment ends. There are emotional side effects — a sense of vulnerability, a fear of relapse and death, and an uncertainty about the future that can get in the way of pursuing their hopes and dreams. And there can be physical and cognitive side effects when treatment leaves behind physical limitations and learning difficulties. But often there is post-traumatic growth that motivates teens in a very positive way. There's a lot of altruism, a desire to give back, and empathy, a sensitivity to what others are going through and a desire to help them” (Brody, 1). Another issue of cancer is the threat to the teens future reproductive potential. For a long time now, boys who have undergone puberty, can have their sperm frozen before cancer treatment. Now, doctors wish to try a new and similar experiment on females, like freezing part or all of an ovary and then implanting it after cancer treatment ends.                                                                                                                                            This article is an important read, because it raises the awareness of cancer and its difficult challenges. It shows the reader how precious life actually is. 

"One for All and All for Life"

 "Fall TV First Impression: Fox's Red Band Society"

By: Matt Webb Mitovich

Source: TVLine

http://tvline.com/2014/07/07/red-band-society-preview-pilot-fox-fall-lineup/

Mitovich's review is effective because of its use of two of the three major rhetorical appeals. The use of building ethos is the website Mitovich's review is on because TVLine is a well-known television website. Another use of building ethos includes Mitovitch listing the cast members of the show and many other previous shows/movies those actors took part in. He uses pathos as he mentions that the show, Red Band Society, is about "sick kids," and he gives a brief description as to what the show is about. There was no use of logos as the review is opinionated, but it is credible, because of the website the review comes from. He uses claim of fact by comparing Red Band Society to successful movies such as The Fault in Our Stars and The Breakfast Club and shows  like Glee that share the same concept. Mitovich uses claim of value as he mentions that this show "has the potential to sneak up on and charm its samplers" (Mitovich, 1). He states that the show will make the viewer smile. He also mentions how the narration of the proceedings is from a coma kid's point of view, which is a unique distinction that the movie offers. His use of the claim of value shares a desirable effect on the reader. His use of the claim of policy would be the question of threat at hand, "is the premise, as heartwarming as it is, sustainable as an ongoing series?" (Mitovich, 1). The question specifically asks if  a show that shares a similar concept to other successful movies and shows and has the potential to make its audience smile, be as touching and moving as it is and possibly become an ongoing series.

            Matt wrote a "good" review because he believes that the Red Band Society would be a wonderful show to watch as it shares a similar concept to other successful movies and shows and has its own variety of unique distinctions. He believes that the Red Band Society will appeal to its viewers emotions, values, desires, and fears.