Health Expert Jerry Kennard shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/1950/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/1950/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/1950/index http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160735/eating-anxieties Mon, 06 May 2013 10:39:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard We are bombarded by messages about food, its effects and what is good and bad for us. Just when you think you’ve grasped these ideas they seem to change again. The messages can also seem contradictory. We know that too many sweet or fatty things help to pile on the pounds, yet there’s a bikini-clad model gorging on a chocolate covered ice cream.   Is there an adult out there who hasn’t been on a diet of some sort? Well, of... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160735/eating-anxieties http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/160719/depression-internet Sun, 05 May 2013 07:29:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard Patterns of behavior between people who do or don’t have depression tend to differ, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that Internet use varies too. A few studies have investigated the surfing habits of depressed people but these tend to fall into one of two camps. First there’s the argument that too much Internet use causes depression, sleep problems and stress-related disorders. Secondly there’s a line that says... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/160719/depression-internet http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160664/summertime-esteem-boosters Wed, 01 May 2013 08:41:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard With the dull winter days behind us it’s time to come out of hibernation and refresh the senses. If the prospect of the summer fills you with indifference, because nothing ever seems to change, then that’s probably what’s going to happen. Such unexciting prospects will do nothing to enhance your wellbeing. Dull routines have an eroding effect on self-esteem whereas new experiences, new sights, smells and activities help to pull... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160664/summertime-esteem-boosters http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160516/techniques-controlling-anger Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:32:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard In my previous two posts I’ve looked at the relationship between anxiety and anger and then some of the starting points for managing anxiety-related anger.   Even within a stressful lifestyle there are certain controls we can exercise in order to prevent pressure build up. Taking regular exercise, eating a properly balanced diet, getting sufficient sleep and making time for yourself are the cornerstones for reducing pressure and... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160516/techniques-controlling-anger http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/160494/daring-admit-despondency Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:53:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard One of the characteristics of Western culture is the value we place upon speed and efficiency. If there's a problem we seek the short cut to a solution. Our tolerance to slowness only increases when it suits us, but even those previously prized moments of home and vacations are increasingly being intruded upon, because our technology means we're always available. In the midst of all this are the trials and tribulations of life that cause us to... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/160494/daring-admit-despondency http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160471/managing-anxiety-starting Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:51:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard Anger not only affects our behavior and emotions it can, if left unchecked, lead to ill health. In my previous post on the relationship between anxiety and anger  I mentioned the lack of clarity that still exists. Even so, we know that reducing anger can only lead to positive outcomes for the individual and those around them. So in this post I’m looking at some of the places to start.   How do you think of your anger? Are you... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/160471/managing-anxiety-starting http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/125092/antidepressants Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:04:14 -0500 Jerry Kennard One of the essential elements of medical treatment is that the patient takes their medication. Why then do so many people choose not to follow medical advice and simply throw in the towel part way into their treatment? We're not just talking about minor ailments, some people with the most chronic conditions are the worst culprits.   Depression affects people at different levels of severity. The first line of treatment is nearly always... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/1950/125092/antidepressants http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/120342/medical-procedures Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:22:56 -0400 Jerry Kennard Medical procedures vary greatly as to the extent of intrusiveness and complexity. Despite this even the simplest procedures can generate high levels of anxiety in patients. Unfamiliar surroundings and smells, strange people speaking in jargon and lack of understanding as to what is happening and why are just some of the reasons people feel under stress.   Some medical procedures require little more than offering a tablet. Some are... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/120342/medical-procedures http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/120178/hypnosis-anxiety Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:37:27 -0400 Jerry Kennard The clinical applications for hypnosis are well established and are used by a variety of therapists for different purposes. The technique varies somewhat but typically involves a preliminary phase of assessment, rapport building and dealing with any misconceptions the patient or client may have about hypnosis. The next phase will be along the lines of combining relaxation with the use of internal focus and imagery, a process often described... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/120178/hypnosis-anxiety http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/119696/stress-management Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:24:23 -0400 Jerry Kennard Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a form of intervention used as soon as possible after exposure to trauma in order to reduce symptoms and prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At its most basic, it is a form of psychological debriefing that can be traced as far back as the First World War. Techniques were originally devised for military combatants. Today, variations are used with the so-called secondary victims of trauma.... http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/119696/stress-management