10 Most Bizarre Mental Health Disorders

10 Most Bizarre Mental Health Disorders 

The human mind is a complex instrument that, despite all our scientific and medical skill, we do not yet wholly understand. As with the other parts of our body, the brain can malfunction, sometimes leading to mental conditions so bizarre that  to those of us in our right minds  they seem utterly incomprehensible.


1. Stendhal Syndrome
We often hear about how great art can inspire emotion, with tears not a completely uncommon sight in art galleries. However, for those with Stendhal syndrome, this is taken to an altogether different level. When confronted with a piece of art, particularly one which is exceptionally beautiful, sufferers of this condition experience a host of physical and mental symptoms, including fainting, raised heartbeat, dizziness, and in some cases, even hallucinations. While it is clearly a huge compliment to their work, we imagine some artists may find the effect a bit much!


2. Capgras Delusion
Like the Fregoli delusion, sufferers of Capgras delusion have problems identifying people. However, rather than thinking they recognize strangers as people they know, sufferers of Capgras believe that people they know have been replaced by doppelgangers  identical looking, yet completely different, impostors. This condition can be found in connection with such illnesses as schizophrenia, dementia, brain injury and migraine. Interestingly, women are more likely to suffer from the syndrome than men. Perhaps Invasion of the Body Snatchers was inspired by such a disorder.


3. Fregoli Delusion
Human beings are incredibly good at identifying and recognizing faces. When this ability breaks down, however, bizarre consequences can ensue. Fregoli delusion is a disorder in which the sufferer believes that two or more different people are in fact one single person who is changing their appearance or otherwise disguising themselves. The patient will often feel paranoid, or persecuted by this person, and it’s no small wonder: he or she is fully convinced that this individual is deliberately pretending to be different people, who then pretend not to know him or her. Who wouldn’t find this suspicious and, indeed, terrifying?


4. Factitious Disorder/Munchausen Syndrome
Most of us hate being sick and go to great lengths to stay well and out of hospital. However, those with factitious disorder (also known as Munchausen syndrome) go to great lengths to simulate or induce symptoms of illness. Worse still, in factitious disorder by proxy  a similar condition  rather than hurting him or herself, the sufferer feigns or induces illness in someone else. The motives of the sufferer do not involve the seeking out of material gain, but rather an attempt to gain attention, sympathy and care.


5. Alien Hand Syndrome
Imagine that your hand acted independently of your wishes, and yet in a purposeful fashion as if it had a mind of its own or was controlled by another life form. In alien hand syndrome  also known as Dr. Strangelove syndrome  this is exactly what happens. This condition can result from epilepsy surgeries that separate the two sides of the brain, as well as from strokes and infections. Those with AHS will often act as if the hand is not theirs, speaking about it as a separate entity something which doubtless seems very strange to those who are unaware of the condition.


6. Body Integrity Identity Disorder
While most of us would recoil in horror at the idea of voluntarily amputating a healthy limb, for those with body integrity identity disorder, this is often a fervent desire. This disorder is thought to be due to a problem with the area of the brain that maps the body, leading those with the disorder to feel incomplete with all their limbs, rather than the other way around. For some with this condition, want leads to real-world action, and individuals purposely injure themselves in order to fulfill their desire for amputation.


7. Bibliomania
The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can often seem bizarre and strange to those who lack experience with the condition. The media portrays OCD through such symptoms as compulsive hand washing, obsessive neatness and the inability to leave the house without performing ritualistic behaviors such as repeated switching on and off of lights. One interesting symptom experienced by some sufferers of the disorder is the collection of books  not necessarily to use in any way, but simply due to a compulsion to acquire and possess them. Victims of bibliomania have been known to collect more books than they could ever possibly read, including multiple copies  not just of the same book, but even the same edition.


8. Autophagia
Although the vast majority of people find the idea of self-inflicted pain repugnant, there is a well-documented history of individuals who are compelled to injure themselves. This idea is disturbing enough, yet understandably more horrific to us is the notion of consuming human flesh. Amazingly, some individuals are compelled to break both these taboos. The need to bite or eat parts of one’s own body, known as autophagia, can be seen in combination with other disorders such as psychosis and schizophrenia.


9. Savantism
Brought into the public eye by the movie Rain Man, savantism is a fascinating example of the breadths of human ability. The term “savantism” describes a condition where a developmentally disabled individual nonetheless displays a level of brilliance in some particular area. The incongruity of such skill and such disability has provoked much interest from scientists and the ordinary public alike. These areas of expertise can include amazing but narrow memories (something nearly all savants have in common), prodigious artistic talents, and an incredible facility with numbers, as highlighted in Rain Man. Although it is often known as autistic savantism, not all savants are autistic. On the other side of the coin, while many people assume that all autistic people must have a “special talent,” only one tenth of those suffering from autism display savant abilities.


10. Foreign Accent Syndrome
Severe injuries to the brain can have many effects, but one of the strangest must surely be foreign accent syndrome. This condition, also is known as irregular repetitive speech syndrome, causes the sufferer to begin to speak with an accent that sounds “foreign.” A rare condition, with only 60 cases recorded between 1941 and 2009, it unfortunately does not grant sudden powers of fluency in a foreign tongue  just an altered accent when speaking the native language.

There is more to good health than just a physically healthy body: a healthy person should also have a healthy mind. A person with a healthy mind should be able to think clearly, should be able to solve the various problems faced in life,should enjoy good relations with friends, colleagues at work and family, and should feel spiritually at ease and bring happiness to others in the community. It is these aspects of health that can be considered as mental health.

10 Tips for Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

10 Tips for Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

Is weekend overindulgence the cause of your weight gain?

Did you know that even if you stick to a healthy diet or exercise routine all week, weekend overeating could result in an average gain of 9 pounds a year? That's what researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found in a recent study published in the journal Obesity.

Like the study subjects, many people stick to a routine of relatively healthy eating and regular exercise on weekdays -- but when 5 o'clock Friday rolls around, all bets are off. Then, come Monday morning, your pants feel a little tighter and the needle on the scale moves up a notch.

There's no way around it; the trick to avoiding weekend weight gain is consistency, says James Hill, PhD, co-founder of the National Weight Control Registry, which tracks people who have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off.

"Our studies show that successful losers that keep the weight off long term are consistent every day in their lifestyles, so eating healthy and exercising is their routine regardless of day of the week," says Hill. "When weekends are a time out, those extra calories and time off of exercise add up, and undermine weight loss efforts."

Here are more tips from the experts to help you outsmart weekend weight gain:

1. Weigh in regularly. Weigh yourself every day -- or at least every Friday and again on Monday. When you see your weight creeping upward, that's a signal to cut out the splurges and increase activity. For consistency's sake, weigh yourself first thing each morning after emptying your bladder.

2. Focus on healthy eating and moderation. You've probably got more time on the weekends, so why eat processed foods? Take the time to prepare and enjoy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Cook up a pot of soup or chili, or cut up veggies to enjoy as snacks. Eating fiber-rich whole foods and lean protein will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.

3. Plan ahead. If you're headed for a party or out to dinner, eat less that day and/or power up your physical activity. When you're planning to be out running errands, pack healthy snacks or a lunch to help yourself avoid the high-calorie offerings at fast-food restaurants and the food court.

4. Watch portion sizes. The best way to get familiar with portion sizes is to pull out the measuring cups once in awhile. This will help you "eyeball" portions better even when you're away from home. You can also visualize common items to keep portions in line. For example, a baseball equals about 1 cup (fruits, vegetables, greens, flake cereal); a light bulb equals 1/2 cup (pasta, rice, potatoes, beans); a golf ball looks like 1/4 cup (dried fruit, peanut butter, nuts) and a deck of cards is about the size of 3 ounces of burger, chicken breast, or fish. Another trick: Try downsizing plates and utensils so servings look larger.

5. Get physical. Instead of spending extra time on the couch, use your weekend time to take a bike ride, go for a hike, play tennis, or simply go walking with your family and friends. Even shopping at the mall can be exercise. Strap on a pedometer and strive for 10,000 steps each day.

6. Eat out sensibly. Don't arrive at the restaurant starving. Otherwise, you could take in hundreds of extra calories from the bread basket or appetizers alone. Have a cup of vegetable soup, a green salad, or another light snack to take the edge off your appetite an hour before you go out. When you arrive, scan the menu or buffet and choose foods that are not laden with cream or sauces or prepared in casseroles.

7. Eat a healthy breakfast. You've got time to enjoy breakfast on the weekend, so do so. Just avoid the giant farm-style breakfasts loaded with fat, sodium, and calories. Have an egg or two, whole-grain toast, and some fruit. Or choose a bowl of high-fiber cereal with low-fat yogurt and fruit. A healthy breakfast sets the tone for the day. Successful losers never leave home without it.

8. Think thin. Keep your weight loss goals in mind on the weekends so all your hard work during the week isn't wasted. An occasional splurge is fine, but don't make it a regular thing. When you're socializing, focus more on the people and conversation -- and less on the food.

9. Beware beverage calories. Calories from alcohol, sodas, and juices add up quickly; before you know it, you've downed several hundred extra calories. Alcohol can also loosen your resolve to eat healthy. Consider liquid calories as extras, because they don't fill you up or reduce the amount of food you eat. Enjoy one glass of wine instead of two, order light beer instead of regular, or have your cocktail with club soda or diet soda to help keep calories under control.

10. Eat more meals at home. It's harder to control your eating when you eat out. One study showed that people who ate out 13 times per month ate 32% more total calories than those who ate out four times monthly. Portions are larger at restaurants, and you have less control over how the food is prepared. When you cook at home, you can prepare exactly what you like, and you're in charge of the ingredients, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD, author of The Foods you Crave and host of Food Network's Healthy Appetite.

10 Flat Belly Tips

10 Flat Belly Tips

 Stomach feeling fat? Here's how you can de-bloat to look and feel better.

You'd love to have a flat belly for the party tonight, but thanks to one too many sodas or that basket of tortilla chips, zipping your pants is a real struggle. Abdominal bloating not only looks bad, but can cause physical discomfort. The good news? Experts say stomach bloating is a condition you can avoid pretty easily.

We're not talking about extra pounds of stomach fat here, but the temporary abdominal distention that plagues most everyone from time to time. Unless your stomach bloating is because of a medical condition, such as liver or heart disease, the only real cause is intestinal gas - not "water weight," says Michael Jensen, MD, an endocrinologist and obesity researcher at Mayo Clinic.

“It is a myth that bloating in the stomach is from fluid accumulation in healthy adults, because the abdomen is not a place where fluids accumulate first," Jensen says. "Instead, you would see it in your feet or ankles as long as you are upright."

So what causes gas to accumulate and wreak havoc on how you feel and look? Experts say there are several causes, from food intolerances to constipation.

Flat Belly Tip No. 1: Avoid Constipation.

Too little fiber, fluids, and physical activity can lead to constipation, which can result in bloating, Jensen says.

To avoid this, eat a diet high in fiber (25 daily grams for women and 38 for men) from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Also, drink plenty of fluids (aim for 6-8 glasses a day) and aim for physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

If you're eating a low-fiber diet, gradually bump up the fiber level, making sure you also drink plenty of fluids for better tolerance.

Flat Belly Tip No. 2: Rule Out Wheat Allergies or Lactose Intolerance.

Food allergies and intolerances can cause gas and bloating, but these need to be confirmed by your doctor. Many people self-diagnose these conditions and unnecessarily eliminate healthy dairy and whole grains from their diets. If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance, see your doctor for tests.

You may benefit from reducing the amount of the suspected food and/or eating it with other foods. In the case of dairy, it can help to choose aged cheeses and yogurts, which are lower in lactose.

Flat Belly Tip No. 3: Don't Eat Too Fast.

Eating quickly and not chewing your food well can cause air swallowing that leads to bloating, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

So slow down and enjoy your food. Your meals should last at least 30 minutes. Also, keep in mind that digestion begins in the mouth, and you can decrease bloating just by chewing your food more, Blatner says.

There's another benefit to slowing things down: When you take your time to thoroughly chew and taste your food, your snack or meal becomes more satisfying. And studies have shown that if you eat more slowly, you may end up eating less.

Flat Belly Tip No. 4: Don't Overdo Carbonated Drinks.

The fizz in carbonated drinks (even diet ones) can cause gas to get trapped in your belly, Blatner says.

Instead, drink water flavored with lemon, lime, or cucumber. Or just reduce the number of fizzy drinks you consume each day. Try some peppermint tea for a soothing beverage that may help reduce bloat.

Flat Belly Tip No. 5: Don't Overdo Chewing Gum.

Chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating.

If you've got a gum habit, alternate chewing gum with sucking on a piece of hard candy or eating a healthy, high-fiber snack like fruit, vegetables, or lower-fat popcorn.

Flat Belly Tip No. 6: Watch Out for Sugar-Free Foods.

"Many of my patients suffer from bloating because they consume too much sugar alcohol in artificially sweetened foods and drinks," which can lead to bloating, Blatner says.

Experts recommend consuming no more than 2-3 servings per day of artificially sweetened foods and drinks.

Flat Belly Tip No. 7: Limit Sodium.

Highly processed foods tend to be high in sodium and low in fiber, both of which can contribute to that bloated feeling, Jensen says.

Get in the habit of reading food labels, Blatner advises. When buying processed, canned, or frozen foods, shoot for no more than 500 mg of sodium per serving in any product -- or a total of 2,300 mg of sodium per day.

Flat Belly Tip No. 8: Go Slow with Beans and Gassy Vegetables.

If you're not used to eating beans, they can cause that gassy feeling. So can the cruciferous family of vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Cabbage Family Vegetables
Vegetables belonging to the cabbage family include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, kale and collard greens. These foods, as well as dried beans, are gas producing because they contain a complex sugar known as raffinose. The human digestive tract does not have a particular type of enzyme, alpha galactosidase, required to metabolize this sugar. However, bacteria found in the digestive tract do possess alpha galactosidase. Bacterial metabolism of raffinose causes the release of gaseous byproducts that are then eliminated through flatulence.
That doesn't mean you should give up on these super-nutritious, high-fiber vegetables.

"Don’t be nervous about beans," Blatner says. "Just work them into your diet slowly until your body adjusts to the compounds that can initially cause gas."Or, you can take an enzyme product like "Beano," which can help reduce gas from beans or vegetables.

Flat Belly Tip No. 9: Eat Smaller Meals More Often

Instead of three big meals per day, try eating smaller meals more often. This can keep you free of the bloated feeling that often follows large meals (think Thanksgiving). Eating more frequently can also help control blood sugar and manage hunger.

So go for five to six small meals each day, but make sure the quantity of food and calories are proportionate to your needs. To create a daily meal plan that includes the recommended amounts of all major nutrients, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "mypyramid" web site.

Flat Belly Tip No. 10: Try Anti-Bloating Foods and Drinks.

A few studies suggest that peppermint tea, ginger, pineapple, parsley, and yogurts containing probiotics ("good" bacteria) may help reduce bloating.

"These are safe foods that are good for you when used appropriately, so why not try them and see if they help you de-bloat?" says Blatner, author of The Flexitarian Diet.

A Final Word About Stomach Fat

Experts agree that laxatives, water pills, fasting, and skipping meals are not recommended, either to help you de-bloat or lose weight.

If you're looking to flatten your belly for the long term, there's no substitute for losing a few pounds, Jensen says.

"For most everyone, when you lose total body fat, your body reduces belly fat preferentially," he says. "Even though people lose weight differently, there is a little more lost in the abdominal region than elsewhere.”

Experts also say that doing ab exercises all day long won’t get rid of the excess belly. Although you can’t necessarily spot reduce, you can strengthen abdominal muscles with routines like Pilates and exercise ball workouts. And, stronger muscles can help your belly appear flatter.

"Toning and strengthening the abdominal muscles can help you look less fat [and] improve your appearance, muscle tone, and posture, which is also very good for your back," Jensen says.