About.com Health: Grey's Anatomy: The Faces of PTSD

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" is back, and this season kicked off painting a very real picture of a key fact about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -- no one person experiences it the same way. Why Isn't Meredith Cleared for Surgery? The show's namesake character isn't known for being warm and fuzzy in general, but the "pushing away" of her emotions --perhaps due to the shooting she and her colleagues endured, perhaps due to her miscarriage (or both) -- may be what's causing her psychiatrist to take caution in deciding to green light her to work again. Symptoms of PTSD Grief After Miscarriage Not the Derek We Know and Love The following weeks will tell us for sure, but a flashback -- in which "McDreamy" said that the violence in the hospital was his fault -- may hint that his now impulsive and reckless behavior is the result of what's known as survivor guilt. Coping With Impulsive Behavior Lexie's ER Lash Out A moment of anger (and flying medical equipment) showcased just how much this little sister's lack of sleep since the tragedy can affect mood and actions. Getting Better Sleep After a Traumatic Event Dr. Bailey's Tears The show's tough-as-nails queen bee returns as quite a different Miranda. She's a prime example of how those with PTSD can experience a cascade of emotions that feed off of one another and last for a long time. Coping With Upsetting Thoughts and Memories Understanding a Loved One's PTSD Health Ads Health Greys Anatomy Anatomy Guide Gray 'S Anatomy Book Grace Anatomy Featured Articles Follow About.com Health on Twitter! Similac Recall Lot Numbers FDA Restricts Use of Avandia Are You at Risk for the Leading Cause of Blindness? 500 Calorie or Less Fast Food Choices When it Could Be More Than Forgetfulness   More from About.com Is it a Cold or the Flu? Knowing whether you have a cold or the flu can help you treat your symptoms more effectively. More> Concerned About Your Drinking? This short quiz can help you identify whether or not you have a drinking problem. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Share Your Story "How Yoga Improved My Health" "What Triggers Me to Light Up" "I Knew I Needed Stress Help When..." Advertisement

About.com Health: May I Have Your Attention, Please?

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor I have overheard people use "you have ADD" to attach a reason to everything from why someone can't sit through a TV show, to why they go on a tangent during a conversation. Of course, simple curiosity and distraction are not official diagnostic criteria for the condition. Those who really do have it face its effects throughout the day, every day, in a variety of ways -- some that others can see, and some that they cannot. What's the Difference Between ADD and ADHD? On the books, the condition is formally known as ADHD. While some people use these two terms interchangeably in conversation, there are indeed different types of ADHD, which can help explain why not everyone diagnosed exhibits the same exact set of behaviors. Criteria for Diagnosis: What Docs Use Myths and Facts About ADHD "What Can I Do About My Child's Impulsivity?" Sound familiar? If you have ever felt overwhelmed or at a loss, like this mom who wrote to us, the tips our Guide to ADD/ADHD gave her may be useful to you. More for Moms and Dads: Explaining ADHD to Your Child Helping Your Child Follow Directions Understanding His Anger Could I Have ADHD? It used to be thought that ADHD was something only children dealt with. Today, we know adults struggle with it, too. Just because you weren't diagnosed as a child doesn't mean you may not be diagnosed today. Living with ADHD as an Adult Strategies for Success at Work Keeping Promises and Commitments Dealing with Criticism Triumphs and Accomplishments "Each small success (I got something in the mail on time!) gave me more confidence, so give yourself credit for the things you get right." Read more comments like this from adults with ADHD, and share your own success story. More from Readers Tips for Improving Homework Time "I Say Things Without Thinking" Parent-to-Parent Advice Health Ads Health & Health Tips Business Letters Public Health MS Health Article PDF Featured Articles Move of the Day: Improve Balance Vitamin B12 Deficiency What Is Bloodless Surgery? When Alzheimer's Patients Want to Go Home Anonymously Search for Health Info Estrogen and Lung Cancer: Linked?   More from About.com Is it a Cold or the Flu? Knowing whether you have a cold or the flu can help you treat your symptoms more effectively. More> Concerned About Your Drinking? This short quiz can help you identify whether or not you have a drinking problem. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Be the First to Respond! Comments About Adult Braces How Do You Prevent Back Pain? Taming Heartburn During Pregnancy Advertisement

About.com Health: Facing the Music

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor The road to recovery from alcohol or drug addiction can be a long one. Two of the most important things to remember are that it is possible, and that the life waiting for you (or your loved one) can be the fresh start you've always wanted. Preparing to Make a Change Drinking and using can become such ways of life that it may seem difficult to determine where and how to begin imagining a life without them. Setting yourself up to succeed takes more than saying, "I'm ready." I've Tried. Why Can't I Quit? The Risks of Heavy Drinking Drugs and Health Risks Your Options Many say they want to quit, but that they just don't know how. There are a variety of treatments, and determining the ones that are best for you is very much not a "one size fits all" effort. The Stages of Rehabilitation What Are My Options if I Don't Want Faith to Be Part of My Recovery? What Really Happens at Rehab Centers? One of these options is a residential treatment facility. Stories of celebrities going in and out of rehab centers like they're drive-thrus seem to have tainted public opinion of how structured and useful these programs truly are. Supporting a Loved One in Rehab When You Can't Afford a Rehab Facility From Those Who've Been There These stories, from users just like you, share details of "hitting bottom" and what they learned from it. Read More Personal Stories, or Share Your Own "How I Quit Drinking" "My Last Relapse" "My Experience in Rehab" Health Ads Health Opiate Rehab Centers Alcohol Rehab Clinic Quit Drinking Mental Health Rehab Featured Articles Follow About.com Health on Twitter! Gluten-Free Frozen Waffles Are You Ready for Some Football...Injuries? Keep Kids Healthy This School Year 5 Ways to Get the Best Ab Workout Can Accutane Cause Irritable Bowel?   More from About.com Is it a Cold or the Flu? Knowing whether you have a cold or the flu can help you treat your symptoms more effectively. More> Concerned About Your Drinking? This short quiz can help you identify whether or not you have a drinking problem. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Read / Share Osteoarthritis Gets No Respect! What's the Best Walking City? BPD and Telling Lies Advertisement

About.com Health: Making Sense of Your Lab Test Results

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor Ever wish your lab results came with one of those super secret decoders you used to find in cereal boxes when you were a kid? High? Low? Normal? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? When you have questions, consider Lab Test Interpreter -- our latest tool, co-created by About.com Health and Harvard Medical School -- your web-based version of a "phone a friend." In a few steps, you'll get a personalized explanation of what your lab results are really saying about your health. (No Doctorate of Medicalese required.) Your Total Cholesterol Results Total cholesterol reflects the sum of 3 types of fats that circulate in the blood (see below). Knowing the levels of each provides the most accurate picture of your heart disease risk. So what can your total cholesterol tell you? Your HDL Cholesterol Level Your LDL Cholesterol Level Your Triglyceride Level Your Blood Glucose Test Results Your blood sugar reading -- be it from a doctor-ordered test or an at-home monitor -- can vary greatly, depending on when it was taken. Several other factors, however, come into play when determining what that number means in your specific case. Diabetics: 5 Good Reasons to Check Your Blood Sugar Your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test Results A TSH level indicates whether you are making or taking the right amount of thyroid hormone, which can help your doctor ID if that little gland of yours is too hyped up or sleeping on the job, or if your treatment needs adjusting. Symptoms of Thyroid Disease For more, visit the Lab Test Interpreter. What test do you suggest we add next? Contact Our Medical Director Health Ads Health & Health Tips Lab Test Health Sector Jobs Best Health Quote Featured Articles Follow About.com Health on Twitter! Low-Carb Honey Cake Ragweed's Back! Get the Tissues Backpacks...and Back Pain Air Travel With an Oxygen Tank Coping with Your Own Perfectionism   More from About.com Is it a Cold or the Flu? Knowing whether you have a cold or the flu can help you treat your symptoms more effectively. More> Concerned About Your Drinking? This short quiz can help you identify whether or not you have a drinking problem. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Read / Share Your Cancer Advice for Actor Michael Douglas Teaching Your Child's Teacher About His Asthma "Why I Choose an IUD" Advertisement