Authenticity, the Root of Self-Esteem

Authenticity

I came across a quote today:

“Be fearlessly authentic.”

Synonyms:  Genuine, real, veritable.

Self-esteem is sought after.  It is the core requirement for happiness, fulfillment, unfettered confidence and the grit necessary to meet one’s goals.

Self-esteem does not stem from receiving compliments, although certainly, kudos help us feel able in the particular area that was met with positive regard.  Yet, many of us have known beautiful women, handsome men, brilliant persons, and even those who have earned financial wealth or great academic success who are not confident. 

If we rely on others to gift us with enough compliments to hopefully raise our self-esteem, then, we can easily have our egos deflated by the occasional spill, failure or barb from another.  So, we live life roller-coaster style; zipping upward when we receive positive regard, and then crashing when we are met with criticism or a challenging task. 

Consistent high personal self-regard is bred out of authenticity.  Know thyself, be thyself, express thyself with gentleness, kindness, and certainly, with authenticity. Those who belong in your presence will accept you as you freely although kindly behave in ways that express your true sentiments and beliefs.  Those who fall away may do so because your light is too bright in the presence of their insecurities.  They may also fall away out of respect for their own beliefs that do not mesh with yours.  Fret not; but allow this process to flow.

Be Fearlessly Authentic!

Written by Dr. Barbara Feinberg

Prozac,Paxil linked to birth defects

Thinking about building your family? Are you taking an SSRI anti-depressant? The combination could be devastating. Read on...

As reported on June 28, 2011 by Medscape Medical News, "A study from Finland provides more evidence that exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk for major congenital anomolies (birth defects), particularly cardiac defects." The article goes on to state that, "fluoxetine (Prozac) in early pregnancy was associated with about a 2-fold increased risk for isolated ventricular septal defects, whereas paroxetine (Paxil) was associated with more than a 4-fold increased risk for right ventricular outflow tract defects." At the sametime, the absolute risk for these specific cardia anomalies is small - .5% and .2%, respectively. The study is published in the July issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Chocolate Is Good For You!

Are you feeling guilty because you can't resist chocolate? Think again. Chocolate, in moderation, has many redeeming effects on the body. Read on...

A Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away, published by Webdoctor

Chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, calcium, potassium and vitamins B-2 and E.
The darker you go the better. The darker it is means it has more cocoa – an ingredient shown to trigger the release of neurotransmitters that help alleviate depression.
Chocolate can also help relieve stress. In a recent study those who ate about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate every day for two weeks, reduced their stress hormones.
Theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate, is more effective at stopping persistent coughs than codeine.
Chocolate is also good for your heart, it contains oleic acid – a monounsaturated fat that helps boost good cholesterol levels.
Flavanols in chocolate MAY help prevent arteries from hardening.

Swap Out Genetic Material From One Egg to Another?

Here is food for thought. Your family has a genetic history for bipolar disorder or for alcoholism or for breast cancer. Can you take out the related genetic material and borrow "better", healthier genetic material from someone else? This might be possible sooner than you think. Read on...

By ADAM COHEN
Published: January 25, 2010, in the New York Times

Scientists have created baby monkeys with a father and two mothers. Their goal was to eliminate birth defects, but increasing the number of biological parents beyond two could add a futuristic twist to an area where the law already is a mess: the question of who, in this age of artificial insemination and surrogacy, should be considered the legal parents of a baby.

Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center were looking for ways to eliminate diseases that can be inherited through maternal DNA. They developed, as the magazine Nature reported last summer, a kind of swap in which defective DNA from the egg is removed and replaced with genetic material from another female’s egg. The researchers say the procedure is also likely to work on humans.

The result would be a baby with three biological parents — or “fractional parents,” as Adam Kolber, a professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, calls them.
He mentioned the idea over lunch at The Times, and it provided plenty of grist for debate among law junkies: Could a baby one day have 100 parents? Could anyone who contributes DNA claim visitation rights? How much DNA is enough? Can a child born outside the United States to foreigners who have DNA from an American citizen claim U.S. citizenship?

What are your thoughts? Please feel free to respond.

THE SCOOP ON PREGNANCY AND ANTI-DEPRESSANTS: DO THEY MIX?

This is an interesting article that was published in Medscape Medical News. If you are pregnant or considering attempting a pregnancy, please read this article and discuss it with your physician.



Depression and Pregnancy: New Report Weighs Treatment Options
Deborah Brauser From Medscape Medical News

At the end of the review, the investigators found that although both depressive symptoms and antidepressant exposure are associated with fetal growth changes and shorter gestation periods, the majority of the studies that evaluated antidepressant risks were unable to control for the possible effects of a depressive disorder.
The researchers also found that:
Neonates born to mothers with a depressive disorder have an increased risk for irritability, less activity and attentiveness, and fewer facial expressions compared with those born to mothers without depression.
Several studies report fetal malformations in association with first-trimester antidepressant exposure, but there is no specific pattern of defects for individual medications or class of agents.
The association between paroxetine (Paxil) and cardiac defects is more often found in studies that included all malformations, rather than clinically significant malformations.
Late gestational use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants is associated with transitory neonatal signs and an increased risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn.
Most of the studies did not show an association between tricyclic antidepressant use in pregnancy and structural malformations, but tricyclic antidepressants are associated with increased perinatal complications such as jitteriness, irritability, and convulsions in neonates.
The report also recommends several treatment algorithms. These common scenarios include the following.
Women Thinking About Getting Pregnant
Tapering and discontinuing medication for those with mild or no depressive symptoms for 6 months or longer.
This discontinuation may not be appropriate for women with a history of severe or recurrent depression (or who have psychosis, bipolar disorder, other psychiatric illness requiring medication, or a history of suicide attempts).
Pregnant Women Currently on Medication for Depression
After a consultation between their psychiatrist and obstetrician/gynecologist (to discuss risks), psychiatrically stable women who prefer to stay on medication may be able to do so.
For those who want to discontinue medication and are not experiencing symptoms, tapering and discontinuation may be attempted. However, women with a history of recurrent depression are at a high risk for relapse.
Those with recurrent depression or symptoms despite their medication may benefit from psychotherapy to replace or augment medication.
Women with severe depression should remain on medication. If a patient refuses, alternative treatment and monitoring should be in place, preferably before discontinuation.
Pregnant Women Not Currently on Medication for Depression
For those who want to avoid antidepressant medication, psychotherapy may be beneficial.
For those who prefer taking medication, risks and benefits of treatment choices should be evaluated and discussed.
In addition, regardless of circumstances, any pregnant woman with suicidal or psychotic symptoms should seek an immediate consultation with a psychiatrist for treatment.

What to Expect from a Psychological Evaluation

You may be asked to meet with a psychologist for a "psychological evaluation". A psychologist is different from a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist has a medical degree (M.D.), and they primarily prescribe medication, although some also conduct psychotherapy. A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology (a Ph.D. or Psy.D.), and they provide evaluations and conduct psychotherapy.

If you are interested in serving as an egg donor or traditional surrogate, the aim of the psychologist is twofold. The psychologist would like to gather as much information as possible so the recipient couple is prepared. For example, should there be a family history for learning disabilities, the recipient couple can learn about possible warning signs. Consequently, should their child develop academic difficulties, the recipient couple could then proceed with appropriate treatment. It is important to remember that psychologists know there is no perfect person and that it is extremely rare for a person to have a family history devoid of any psychological problems. The psychologist is trained to remain neutral, and is interested in providing acceptance and support. A well-seasoned psychologist knows it is more credible if a person has had a bump or two along the road and/or if a donor/surrogate speaks of at least one relative who has experienced some sort of psychological problem. It is best to be honest. It is far better to honestly portray yourself and your family than to cover up what you fear could disqualify you. It is likely you will be disqualified if you are inconsistent in your responses. The psychologist is also interested in determining your stability. Couples who seek out an egg donor or surrogate are very serious about wanting a successful outcome. Some couples have tried to have children for five or even ten years, by the time they reach this step. It is imperative you are certain you can and want to take this journey to completion. The psychologist will try to determine whether or not you will follow through by not only asking you about your feelings about serving as an egg donor/surrogate, but also by looking for patterns of stability in your past. The psychologist will also spend time discussing with you the psychological ramifications of serving as an egg donor/surrogate. This portion of the interview is for your benefit. Regardless as to your motivation, helping a couple have children is a wonderful gift. Your desire to be a part of the miracle of life puts you in a very special, cherished category. You deserve to understand how this experience might affect you. It is also important you learn enough about this process in order to make the right decision for you. Should you have any questions, please ask them. Serving as an egg donor/surrogate is a decision that will affect you for the entirety of your life. It will most likely be comforting for you to receive answers to any questions you might have.

To read more please click on the link.
http://www.drbarbcares.com/the_psychological_evaluation

Dr. Barb