Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Economic Crisis Fuels Stress and Anger

One of the unfortunate consequences of the tragedy of 9/11 was a nationwide increase in the incidence of anger, stress, PTSD, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Research conducted by the Rand Corporation and the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA Medical Center indicated that the impact of this disaster on vulnerable persons was the same, independent of the proximity to New York or Washington, D.C.
The current worldwide economic crisis is having the same impact as 9/11. Mental health providers, certified anger management providers and family medicine practitioners in the U.S., Canada and Europe are reporting an increase in all of the disorders mentioned above.
Stress is so widespread that even clergy and the faith based community is opting to have select members of their congregations trained and certified in anger management, stress, management, communication and emotional intelligence.
The San Francisco the Pubic Defender, Jeff Adachi, has concluded that the role of the public defender should also include violence prevention and anger management for at-risk youth.
Stress is a common system that serves to create or exacerbate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anger, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Unlike anxiety, depression, substance abuse and PTSD, anger is not a mental or emotional disorder and is not responsive to counseling, psychotherapy or psychotropic medication. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association maintain that unhealthy anger is a lifestyle issue and therefore not a subject of interest to the APA.
The most appropriate intervention for problem anger, stress, aggressive communication and rage is anger management. Certified Anger Management Facilitators are trained to provide non-psychiatric assessments designed to determine a clients’ level of functioning in recognizing and managing anger, recognizing and managing stress, styles of communication and emotional intelligence. Following the assessment, the client is given a workbook and skill enhancement assignment in all of the areas mentioned above.
(Positive Solutions Anger Management and Executive Coaching is a Certified Anger Management provider for Anderson and Anderson, www.positivesolutions.org)

For a list of Certified Anger Management Facilitators, click here.
George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF, CEAPDiplomate, American Association of Anger Management ProvidersAnderson & Anderson®, The Trusted Name in Anger Managementhttp://www.andersonservices.com/http://www.aaamp.org/http://www.linkedin.com/in/geoandersonhttp://www.anger-management-resources.org/
Posted on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm In Anger management coaching for law enforcement, California, Civility at Work, Colleges and Universities, Denmark, Detroit, Fresno, Governmental Agencies, H.R. Managers, Hospital Administrators, JCAHO, London, Los Angeles, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Non psychiatric assessments, Palm Desert, Physician Well-being committees, San Diego, San Francisco, Smith College School for Social Work, Texas, Tulare, anger management assessments, anger management classes, anger management facilitator certification, anger management for adults, anger management groups, assertive communication, civility training for attorneys, disruptive physicians, emotional intelligence, execitive coaching for physicians, executive coaching for business, executive coaching for physicians, executive coaching/anger management for physicians, main, motivational interviewing, stress management

Wednesday, November 12, 2008


Holiday Stess? Holiday Anger?? Bahhhh Humbug!!!

The media often portrays the holiday season as a festive and fun time, free from troubles. In reality, however, stress and family problems may escalate when the season arrives. Real people and families are not perfect, so don’t assume your holiday will be like the ones you see in movies or on TV. If you can manage your expectations, you may have a more enjoyable experience this season.

In this article I will give you some tips to help you manage your anger and stress during the holidays.

1. Stick to a normal schedule: Do your best to stick to your regular family routine. Changing your schedule to fit in holiday activities and traveling can be tough on you and your kids, so try to keep things as normal as possible. Try to keep bedtimes and mealtimes the same even when you’re away from home.
2. Express your feelings and ask for help when needed: Let others know just how you are feeling by sharing it with them in a positive way. Ask for help from family and friends when overwhelmed. Being assertive with your communication styles will help you be less stressed and angry.
3. Know your limits: Learn to say “no” if you are overwhelmed, need to relax or rest. Listen to your body and take care of yourself.
4. Don’t try to be a perfectionist: Nobody’s perfect!! So if you can’t find the perfect gift for that someone doesn’t take it personal. Trying to create a “picture perfect” holiday gathering can really “sock it you” in the stress department.
5. Remember what makes the Holiday Season special for you and make sure you focus on that: Holidays are meant to be a time of sharing and togetherness.
6. Do some realistic planning: Get organized, set a budget, make a list, and remember to use a calendar.
Take a break: With everything going on during the holidays and the busyness it brings remember to relax!! Try a hot bath, sit down with a good book and a cup of tea, dim the lights and look at the lights on the Christmas tree, write down what you are thankful for, reconnect with some friends or family, and whatever else could be a helpful way for you to relax.
7. Be budget conscious: Overspending during the holidays can make the season less enjoyable for you and bring unnecessary stress. Get creative if you do not have a large budget for example, bake cookies, put together certificates such as 2 hours or babysitting or washing a friends car and remember it is the thought that counts!
Remember to say “thank-you”: A simple thank you card is something that is much appreciated and can help you remember to be thankful for your blessings.
I hope that these tips are helpful for you. Having a wonderful, enjoyable, less stressful holiday season!!!

Karina Narduzzi B.A., C.A.M.F.
Positive Solutions Anger Management and Executive Coaching
www.positivesolutions.org
info@positivesolutions.org
661-303-5669

Friday, November 07, 2008

Bullies may get kick out of seeing others in pain

Click on the link for this interesting article

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081107/sc_nm/us_brain_bullies

Karina Narduzzi B.A., C.A.M.F.
Positive Solutions Anger Mangement

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Remembering to be Thankful

We are starting the holiday season soon with Thanksgiving. Many of us will be getting together with friends and family. We will be enjoying a time together and hopefully remember what we are thankful for. Many times we get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to reflect on our blessings.

Make your Thanksgiving a true day of thanks. Share with one another what you are thankful for. Start a journal and write down your blessings. Changing you focus to a more positive outlook does help you with a better outlook in life. The negative thinking patterns in which we sometimes find ourselves can continue to get worse if we don't stop them.

When I facilitate anger management groups I usually have my clients list what they are greatful for. It is amazing how they find themselves immediately starting to change their current thinking patterns and outlooks for their lives.

Try it today and even have a journal available for each guest at your Thanksgiving table. You will be glad that you did.

Karina Narduzzi B.A., C.A.M.F.
Positive Solutions Anger Management and Executive Coaching
http://www.positivesolutions.org/