You Can Help Your Loved One Recover from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Coma

Coma Patients Have New Hope with Little Known Recovery Techniques - You Can Help Your Loved One Recover from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Coma

 

 

You, or even your doctor, might not have heard of some of the little known recovery techniques below.

• Biofeedback, especially Skin Conductance, is a useful tool to indicate consciousness in people with coma-like symptoms. Skin conductance measures a person's arousal level, conscious or not. Some biofeedback devices are available for the public to purchase.
• Hypnosis is also a useful tool to help the comatose person mentally repair his or her own non-working brain circuits. Some coma-specific hypnosis tools are available for the public to purchase or use.
• Hypnosis and biofeedback have the potential to work together.

Here is what you can do to help your comatose loved one:

1. Stop worrying and start helping. Your loved one's health care team is doing their best. You can help too by considering the following steps.
2. Learn about coma biofeedback and hypnosis. A good start is the information below.
3. Discuss these techniques with your loved one's health care professional. Ask them what they think. Evaluate the risks and benefits. Ask for their cooperation in trying these techniques. Decide what to do next.
4. Make an action plan with the person's health care team, involving yourself, if you want. You probably have more time and insight in working with the person in a coma. The action plan should have goals, progress measurement, timeline, etc.
5. Participate in your loved one's recovery as much as you can or want to. You can make your visits more productive and rewarding. You can be an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands for the health care team. You can watch for and encourage arousal from the comatose person.
6. Find others who might be doing the same thing. Give and receive support in your ongoing efforts. If you cannot accomplish what you want, seek help.
7. Share your results for others to benefit. Maybe your work can help others in related fields, such as stroke recovery.
8. Hope for the best and work toward it.

Your gumption might very well help your person. At least, at some level, your loved one might just see how much want them to recover. You are willing to work at it, so they will do their best too. 

You or others might not understand how or why it is working, and that is okay. Let the professionals figure it out later. 

Takeaways -

• Recovery is possible from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Coma.
• Hypnosis and/or biofeedback have helped some coma patients.
• You can help your loved one recover from coma.

References -

Coma - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma

Skin conductance - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_conductance#Uses

Alternative medicine: the definitive guide By Larry Trivieri et al. - see UNUSUAL SUCCESS STORIES: BIOFEEDBACK AND COMA

Emotional electrodermal response in coma and other low-responsive patients by Daltrozzo J et al. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20346390

Biofeedback in coma rehabilitation: Case study - Frazier, Lawrence M. - http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1981-30872-001

Self-hypnosis - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_hypnosis

Coma : Awakening Loved Ones with Hypnosis [Audio Cassette] by Iris K. Barratt

Hypnosis in therapy By Hamilton Bertie Gibson, Michael Heap - See section on Neurological Disorders

THOUGHT PATTERN MANAGEMENT™ INSTRUCTING THE INNER MIND FOR NEUROLOGICAL CHANGE OR REPAIR ©BY ROBERT W. FLETCHER - http://www.amazinglifeinstitute.org/articles/tpmanchorpointarticle.pdf

Hypnotic imagery and suggestion as an adjunctive treatment in a case of coma by Johnson GM - The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis [Am J Clin Hypn] 1987 Apr; Vol. 29 (4), pp. 255-9

Some Biofeedback Tools available to the public -

GSR2 home biofeedback unit - http://www.thoughttechnology.com/gsr.htm

CalmLink Biofeedback Software - http://www.calmlink.com/

 

Disclaimer - Article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

How to Make Your Own Healing Machine - Little Known Techniques to Help You Heal

How to Make Your Own Healing Machine - Little Known Techniques to Help You Heal

You can use self-hypnosis as the centerpiece of your Healing Machine. Hypnosis has helped many people heal themselves. Yes, many people go to hypnotherapists, but you can also hypnotize yourself too. The choice is up to you. You are in charge of your own health care. Maybe even your doctor will help in the design and planning of your Healing Machine. 

Here is how to make your own Healing Machine.

 

1. Pick a place where you can use your Healing Machine. The important consideration is that the place is quiet and secluded. You will not want interruptions while you are healing.

2. Make a recording of your own voice speaking a self-hypnosis script. Your mind works best hearing your own voice. Some sources of healing scripts are below. For whatever malady you have, there is probably a script for it.

3. Create an actual Healing Machine scene. You might use an old radio or electronic device. Maybe you want to use a cardboard box with your own designs on it. The choice is up to you. Make it meaningful to you.

4. Place the recorder from Step 2 into your Healing Machine.

5. Enhance your Healing Machine with items to stimulate all of your senses.

a. For Hearing, you could use some healing music.

b. For Sight, you could use staring into a candle. You could also include some religious or spiritual items, if you want.

c. For Touch, you could hold onto your Healing Machine, feeling the healing energy coming into you.

d. For Smell, you could include scents you think are comforting and healing.

e. For Taste, you could suck or chew on something you think is healing.

All of what you create should relax you and open you for suggestion.

6. Place a few pictures or sketches in your Healing Machine scene. These images should be of how you imagine yourself when you will be more healthy and happy.

7. When you are ready, start your Healing Machine, by turning on the recorder. Relax as much as you can. Make yourself ready for healing. Enjoy the experience. You made your own Healing Machine. You can be proud of yourself. Feel it work.

8. When you are done, rest for a little while, and then return to your activities.

9. Bring a small reminder of your Healing Machine along with you in your day or week ahead.

10. Note your progress as you become healthier and happier. Look for progress each day. Your doctor will probably be amazed at your progress.

11. Return to your Healing Machine as needed. You can always change your recordings and Healing Machine scene. It is yours.

12. Enjoy your new healthy happy life.

For more information -

The Everything Self-Hypnosis Book: Learn to Use Your Mental Power to Take Control of Your Life by Rene A Bastarache

Guided Imagery for Self-Healing By Martin L. Rossman

Hypnotherapy scripts: a neo-Ericksonian approach to persuasive healing By Ronald A. Havens et al.

Creating Trance and Hypnosis Scripts by Gemma Bailey

Creative scripts for hypnotherapy by Marlene Elva Hunter

Fighting Cancer from Within: How to Use the Power of Your Mind for Healing by Martin L. Rossman

Handbook of hypnotic suggestions and metaphors by D. Corydon Hammond

Handbook of hypnotic inductions by George Gafner et al.

Hypnosis: Medicine of the Mind - a Complete Manual on Hypnosis for the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Practitioner by Michael D. Preston

Scripts and strategies in hypnotherapy: the complete works by Roger P. Allen

Sample Internet Search String - (hypnosis OR hypnotherapy) (script OR scripts) (malady) - Replace the word "malady" with your health problem. An example is (hypnosis OR hypnotherapy) (script OR scripts) (irritable bowel syndrome OR ibs)

Related Activities -

Emery Blagdon's Healing Machines - http://www.kohlerfoundation.org/new_EmeryBlagdon.html

The Virtual Healing Machine - https://sites.google.com/site/thevirtualhealingmachine/

Disclaimer - Article for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Stuttering Awareness Week - Adult Stutterer Decides to Outgrow Stuttering, Just as Many Normal Speakers Do in Childhood

Stuttering Awareness Week - Adult Stutterer Decides to Outgrow Stuttering, Just as Many Normal Speakers Do in Childhood

Stuttering Takeaways -

• Learn to shift your thinking away from fear of stuttering.
• Become more tolerant of your speaking difficulties, like normal speakers.
• Learn to be more resilient to listener reactions.

A stutterer can learn to reduce their awareness of their speech to a level more near that of normal speakers. 

I can speak with authority, because I have stuttered since childhood. Today I have 80% fluency, and am very happy about that. 

To begin, the stutterer can consider the following:

• Everyone stutters to some extent, but it does not bother him or her. Here is the big difference.
• Stutterers are deeply troubled with all speech difficulties. Stutterers ruminate about past stuttering events. Stutterers fear future speaking situations.
• Stutterers think about their speech much more than normal speakers.
• Stutterers watch for listener reactions much more than normal speakers.

I went to many speech therapists in my life. I also learned self-help techniques.  What helped me the most, however, was realizing that my stuttering was a symptom of thinking and emotional troubles. 

Here is what has helped me.

• I took ownership of how my body and mind works.I worked on my troublesome personality traits, such as:      

• Perfectionistic
• Overly sensitive
• Overly reactive
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• I learned assertiveness skills.
• I learned about the various stuttering therapy techniques. I picked a few of these tools to get through stuttering situations the easiest.

When I changed my irrational thinking, my stuttering improved, as well as many of my other life situations. 

For much of my life, I could not even say my own name without contortions. I squeezed out each word. I got tired of that, especially as an adult. I decided to grow out of stuttering, just as many normal speakers do in childhood. 

If I could improve my stuttering by 80%, you can too. 

For more information -

• International Stuttering Awareness Day - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Stuttering_Awareness_Day
• A CHECKLIST OF STUTTERING AND NORMAL DYSFLUENCY - www.kslc.net/resources/comm_connection/stuttering_checklist.pdf
• Counseling Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists By Lydia V. Flasher, Paul T Fogle - see section Stuttering and Fluency Disorders
• Van Riper - Study Guide - Veils of Stuttering - Desensitization - www.veilsofstuttering.com/documents/vriper.htm
• Stuttering Modification Therapy - www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/journal/osborne3/vanriper.ppt

 
  Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

Using Biofeedback With Art Therapy

Using Biofeedback With Art Therapy

Combining Biofeedback and Art Therapy Might Be Particularly Helpful to Those With PTSD, Autism, And/or Epilepsy

Could Art Therapy be enhanced by using Biofeedback? Could Biofeedback quantify the effectiveness of Art Therapy? Could Biofeedback help hone in on the most helpful method of Art Therapy?

 
These were questions I asked at a recent Symposium on Art Therapy. At least one person thought Biofeedback might help with Art Therapy. Therefore, I thought I'd write this article to stimulate discussion and innovation in this area.

Art Therapy has proven to be a very helpful adjunct to psychotherapy, especially when cognitive approaches have been unsuccessful. Biofeedback combined with psychotherapy could be viewed as a form of Polygraphy, revealing the inner emotions of the patient.

Biofeedback might provide relief from those suffering from PTSD, according to an article from PubMed. In addition, Art Therapy could be helpful those with PTSD, according to another article from PubMed. Therefore, it makes sense to me to combine Biofeedback with Art Therapy, especially for those with PTSD. I'm not a health care professional, in any sense, but I thought I'd at least propose this new concept to the public in this article.

Some ideas on how Biofeedback could be helpful are listed below. 

1.  Emotional triggers (stressors) could be identified for those with PTSD, Autism, Epilepsy, etc.
2.  A patient's stressor profile could be determined.
3.  Using Art, Music, Sculpture, etc. a patient could learn how to deal with difficult emotions, thoughts, etc., using standard Biofeedback Therapy techniques.
4.  The Art Therapist could have a visual readout of the emotional state of the patient, thereby regulating the amount of trigger stimulation.
5.  The emotional state of non-communicative patients could be determined.
6.  The therapist could determine if the patient is "playing her", giving the "expected response or reply".

I couldn't find much previous work in this area. Perhaps the following might give others clues, however, on how this concept might be implemented. I used this search string - ("art therapy" (biofeedback OR polygraphy OR lie-detector))

1.  "Medical Art Therapy with Children", by Cathy A. Malchiodi, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999 - Page 201
2.  "Confirming the Efficacy of Art Therapy with College Students Through Biofeedback", by Shubha Chatterjee, Emporia State University, 2010
3.  "Music Therapy & Biofeedback" by Eric B.Miller Ph.D. CMT-BC BCIAC

Some Biofeedback Tools available to the public: 

1.  Mindplace Thoughtstream USB Personal Biofeedback
2.  GSR2 Home Biofeedback Unit 
3.  CalmLink Biofeedback Software 

Takeaways - 

1.  Art Therapy can be helpful to those with PTSD and other emotional disorders.
2.  Biofeedback can also be helpful to those with PTSD and other emotional disorders.
3.  Perhaps, Biofeedback could be combined with Art Therapy, to especially help those with PTSD and other emotional disorders.

Disclaimer - Article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. 

Adult Stutterer Decides to Outgrow Stuttering

Adult Stutterer Decides to Outgrow Stuttering, Just as Many Normal Speakers Do in 

A stutterer can learn to reduce their awareness of their speech to a level more near that of normal speakers.

I can speak with authority, because I have stuttered since childhood. Today I have 80% fluency, and am very happy about that.

To begin, the stutterer can consider the following:

• Everyone stutters to some extent, but it does not bother him or her. Here is the big difference.
• Stutterers are deeply troubled with all speech difficulties. Stutterers ruminate about past stuttering events. Stutterers fear future speaking situations.
• Stutterers think about their speech much more than normal speakers.
• Stutterers watch for listener reactions much more than normal speakers.

I went to many speech therapists in my life. I also learned self-help techniques.

What helped me the most, however, was realizing that my stuttering was a symptom of thinking and emotional troubles.

Here is what has helped me.

• I took ownership of how my body and mind works.I worked on my troublesome personality traits, such as:
• • Perfectionistic
  • Overly sensitive
  • Overly reactive
  • Low self-esteem and confidence
• I learned assertiveness skills.
• I learned about the various stuttering therapy techniques. I picked a few of these tools to get through stuttering situations the easiest.

When I changed my irrational thinking, my stuttering improved, as well as many of my other life situations.

For much of my life, I could not even say my own name without contortions. I squeezed out each word. I got tired of that, especially as an adult. I decided to grow out of stuttering, just as many normal speakers do in childhood.

If I could improve my stuttering by 80%, you can too.

Takeaways -

• Learn to shift your thinking away from fear of stuttering.
• Become more tolerant of your speaking difficulties, like normal speakers.
• Learn to be more resilient to listener reactions.

For more information -

• International Stuttering Awareness Day -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Stuttering_Awareness_Day
• A CHECKLIST OF STUTTERING AND NORMAL DYSFLUENCY -www.kslc.net/resources/comm_connection/stuttering_checklist.pdf
• Counseling Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists By Lydia V. Flasher, Paul T Fogle - see section Stuttering and Fluency Disorders
• Van Riper - Study Guide - Veils of Stuttering - Desensitization -www.veilsofstuttering.com/documents/vriper.htm
• Stuttering Modification Therapy - www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/journal/osborne3/vanriper.ppt

Article orginally published at http://voices.yahoo.com/stutter-less-enjoy-life-more-10223859.html

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

You Don't Have to Kill Yourself! Here Are Three Bold Action Steps to Make Your Life Worth Living - If I Can Make My Life Better, You Can Too!

You Don't Have to Kill Yourself! Here Are Three Bold Action Steps to Make Your Life Worth Living - If I Can Make My Life Better, You Can Too!

I'm reading "Ben's Story: The Symptoms of Depression, Adhd and Anxiety That Caused His Suicide" a book by Trudy Carlson. This could have been me. I'm an older gentleman now, but as a child, and for most of my life, I was troubled, much like Ben probably was.

I was a problem child. My mother had to go to school frequently due to my misbehavior. I was teased because I stuttered, was fat, and had glasses. I stuttered so badly I could hardly talk so they figured I was mentally retarded. If there were labels then, I probably would have had many of the ones used today. I was so fat no one wanted me for sports or much of anything else. I retreated inward, spending much of my time roaming the alleys of my neighborhood. I did have some bright spots, however, finding electronics and science interesting.

In adolescence, I was not much better, if not worse. I was getting scared because I was supposed to pull myself together to prepare for life. I did the best I could. Life wasn't so good. The song phrase "I'm tired of living and scared of dying" from the song "Ol' Man River" fit me then, and still sometimes today. Today, I don't let it get the best of me.

From adolescence to mid-life, I was a troubled adult, not much good for anything, or so I thought, with lots of bad habits. Around the age of 40, I had a brain tumor that stopped me in my life. I recovered from surgery and had a new life, or so I thought. Old habits came back. I knew that I had problems. One of my major problems was low self-esteem. I finally got some help at work through the EAP. I had some counseling and joined some support groups. This was, and is still, helpful in my life.

Basically, I had to take myself apart and put myself back together, so that I felt good about myself. I had to shed old thinking, beliefs, and ways of acting/reacting to life.

Listed below is what I did that might be helpful for you. I did these things mid-life, but maybe you can improve your life earlier. Life is worth living if you make it worth living. You have the power to do that. One of my favorite sayings to myself is "Don't let you or anyone else get you down".

1. First, find at least one person, animal, or other living thing that accepts you just as you are. I found this acceptance in a support group. No one tried to fix me. They just listened and cared. This was and is very important to me.
2. Second, get your life back. If you're anything like me you have a head-full of what others want you to do, think and believe. Sort it out for yourself. Keep what is meaningful or helpful to you and discard the rest. This book helped me "How To Keep People From Pushing Your Buttons" by Albert Ellis. Others in your life might not like you changing and thinking for yourself, but it's your life, not theirs.
3. Next, after you know yourself better, learn to be assertive, as needed. Bullying is nothing new and it doesn't happen only to children. Adults are bullied, too, by other powerful adults, bosses, sales people, organizations, etc. You have to learn how to say no appropriately and how to push back stuff that is not yours and that you do not want. I learned assertiveness at a local community college in a night course. From what I remember, the book in the course was "When I Say No, I Feel Guilty" by Manuel J. Smith.

Today, I feel good most of the time. If I don't, it's okay too. I just hang in there. Outside, I've lost about 100 pounds and am mostly stutter-free. Inside, I'm okay with myself. I still don't fit into main-stream life very well, but that's okay too. I'm happy with myself. Some people like me, some others don't like me, and that's okay. I like me and think that I am doing some good in this world. I have a right to be here.

In conclusion, I hope you find a better way to improve your seemingly miserable life, much earlier than I did. You don't have to kill yourself, either quickly in a gun-shot, or slowly by bad health habits. You are worth it. If others say you are worthless, walk away, because you know better.

Photo - "Lindsey Erin......first single “Just As I Am” is a song that talks about self-esteem and confidence. This is very important to Lindsey as she strives hard to educate people on bullying prevention. This song speaks strongly of acceptance and seems to be a fan favorite at all of her shows...."

Article originally published at http://voices.yahoo.com/you-dont-kill-yourself-here-three-bold-12642468.html

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

You Don't Have to Kill Yourself. Three Bold Action Steps to Make Your Life Worth Living. If I Can Do It, You Can Too!

I'm reading "Ben's Story: The Symptoms of Depression, Adhd and Anxiety That Caused His Suicide" a book by Trudy Carlson.  This could have been me.  I'm an older gentleman now, but as a child, and for most of my life, I was troubled, much like Ben probably was.

I was a problem child.  My mother had to go to school frequently due to my misbehavior.  I was teased because I stuttered, was fat, and had glasses.  I stuttered so badly I could hardly talk so they figured I was mentally retarded.  If there were labels then, I probably would have had many of the ones used today.  I was so fat no one wanted me for sports or much of anything else.  I retreated inward, spending much of my time roaming the alleys of my neighborhood.  I did have some bright spots, however, finding electronics and science interesting.

In adolescence, I was not much better, if not worse.  I was getting scared because I was supposed to pull myself together to prepare for life.  I did the best I could.  Life wasn't so good.  The song phrase "I'm tired of living and scared of dying" from the song "Ol' Man River" fit me then, and still sometimes today.  Today, I don't let it get the best of me.

From adolescence to mid-life, I was a troubled adult, not much good for anything, or so I thought, with lots of bad habits.  Around the age of 40, I had a brain tumor that stopped me in my life.  I recovered from surgery and had a new life, or so I thought.  Old habits came back.  I knew that I had problems.  One of my major problems was low self-esteem.  I finally got some help at work through the EAP.  I had some counseling and joined some support groups.  This was, and is still, helpful in my life.

Basically, I had to take myself apart and put myself back together, so that I felt good about myself.  I had to shed old thinking, beliefs, and ways of acting/reacting to life.

Listed below is what I did that might be helpful for you.  I did these things mid-life, but maybe you can improve your life earlier.  Life is worth living if you make it worth living.  You have the power to do that.  One of my favorite sayings to myself is "Don't let you or anyone else get you down".

1. First, find at least one person, animal, or other living thing that accepts you just as you are.  I found this acceptance in a support group.  No one tried to fix me.  They just listened and cared.  This was and is very important to me.
2. Second, get your life back.  If you're anything like me you have a head-full of what others want you to do, think and believe.  Sort it out for yourself.  Keep what is meaningful or helpful to you and discard the rest.  This book helped me "How To Keep People From Pushing Your Buttons" by Albert Ellis.  Others in your life might not like you changing and thinking for yourself, but it's your life, not theirs.
3. Next, after you know yourself better, learn to be assertive, as needed.  Bullying is nothing new and it doesn't happen only to children.  Adults are bullied, too, by other powerful adults,  bosses, sales people, organizations, etc.  You have to learn how to say no appropriately and how to push back stuff that is not yours and that you do not want.  I learned assertiveness at a local community college in a night course.  From what I remember, the book in the course was "When I Say No, I Feel Guilty" by Manuel J. Smith.

Today, I feel good most of the time.  If I don't, it's okay too.  I just hang in there.  Outside, I've lost about 100 pounds and am mostly stutter-free.  Inside, I'm okay with myself.  I still don't fit into main-stream life very well, but that's okay too.  I'm happy with myself.   Some people like me, some others don't like me, and that's okay.  I like me and think that I am doing some good in this world.  I have a right to be here.

In conclusion, I hope you find a better way than your miserable life, much earlier than I did.  You don't have to kill yourself, either quickly in a gun-shot, or slowly by bad health habits.  You are worth it.  If others say you are worthless, walk away, because you know better.

Photo - I chose this public domain photo of Lindsey Erin because of her song “Just As I Am” - "a song that talks about self-esteem and confidence. This is very important to Lindsey as she strives hard to educate people on bullying prevention. This song speaks strongly of acceptance and seems to be a fan favorite at all of her shows."

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

The Virtual Healing Machine

The Virtual Healing Machine consists of free self-hypnosis health improvement videos. Offering HOPE for those who might feel hopeless or helpless. -  https://sites.google.com/site/thevirtualhealingmachine/

Comments?

A Community Guide to Environmental Health – now available on CD and as a free PDF download

From Hesperian Health Guides - "While wacky weather and the threat of climate change are increasingly popular topics of conversation, the effects of environmental changes on low-income communities are often left out of the discussion.  Globally, poor communities are the hardest hit by problems such as extreme weather, natural disasters, and increasing temperatures. Rather than just highlighting the problems, Hesperian supports efforts to promote sustainable resource use around the world. Our newly updated version of A Community Guide to Environmental Health – now available on CD and as a free PDF download – includes practical methods proven to be useful in a variety of settings:

• Accurate instructions for water purification
• Recipes for homemade household cleaners
• Clean energy generation technologies
• Updated links to useful resources and organizations
• Detailed information on how to use international and regional legal systems to fight for human and environmental rights....." -  https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11051382462/rid:eb23b2819716cf6295ca2e4f9ed72d4c

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Hesperian Health Guides are excellent resources in how to manage your health related issues at a low cost. - http://hesperian.org/