Flagler County Sheriff's investigators have reported wrapping up a three-month investigation Friday evening into an illegal operation that allegedly was distribution of prescription pain killers in the county.
Investigators are charging that the organization was led by Justin Douglas of Ormond Beach.
"Douglas recruited others to conduct fraudulent doctor visits for the purpose of obtaining prescriptions for the pain killer Roxicodone," according to a release from the sheriff's office. "Roxicodone contains the controlled substance Oxycodone, which is also contained in Oxycontin."
The recruits allegedly filled the prescriptions at local pharmacies and received payment for the doctor visit and the pills from Douglas, the Sheriff's Office stated. The prescriptions averaged from 190 to 300 pills each, investigators said.
The Roxicodone pills were sold on the street for $9 to $12 each, according to the release.
Investigators say that Douglas recruited "at least 30 people" over the past two years. Many of them reportedly live in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach.
Investigators also say Douglas made $15,000 to $25,000 a month through the operation.
Several agencies were involved in the investigation. The sheriff's office was assisted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Tri-County Task Force and the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Officers began to buy pills from the organization in November 2008, the release said.
"Because of the amount of pills being sold each time, many of the charges are trafficking charges which carry a minimum mandatory prison term upon conviction," according to the press release. "Several of these charges are mandatory 15-year sentences."
Through the efforts of earlier investigations, "(D)rug dealers in Flagler County were put on notice that we were after them," said Sheriff Donald W. Fleming. "These individuals failed to heed the warning and now we have taken them down.
"It is time for drug dealers to leave Flagler County because we are not done yet, and we will be coming after you if you stay."
*
Sheriff's investigators are asking for assistance in locating suspect Eric Johnson, 19, of 12 Sea Beacon Place, Palm Coast.
Anyone with information on Johnson's whereabouts is asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at (386) 437-4116 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-8477.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pharmacy robbery suspect arrested
A man accused of robbing a local pharmacy at gunpoint was taken into police custody Thursday night.
Thomas Gene Johnson, 25, of 850 W. Kelly in Fayetteville faces felony charges of aggravated robbery, theft of property and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana).
Police say Johnson entered the Medicap Pharmacy, 2818 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., at 9:40 a.m. Jan. 6 and brandished a handgun. He then demanded OxyContin and hydrocodone.
The pharmacist said he gave Johnson three bottles of oxycodone, which is also known by its brand name, OxyContin. Both medications are used for pain. He then walked to the back of the store and dialed 911.
Johnson, who was wearing a baseball cap and a hood with a white shirt over his face, fled the scene prior to officers' arrival.
Police set up a perimeter and tracked the suspect with a K-9 unit for about half an hour, but eventually called off the search.
During an interview with police, the store owner said he briefly saw Johnson's face during the robbery when the shirt fell. He described the suspect as a fair-skinned man in his 20s.
Investigators obtained a still photo from the store's video surveillance and dis- tributed it to the media.
Police received a tip from a confidential informant on Jan. 15 with information concerning the robbery. The tipster identified Johnson as the robbery suspect. The informant went on to tell police that Johnson had been bragging about the robbery and allegedly sold some of the stolen pills in Fayetteville within days of the crime.
During a photo lineup Jan. 16, the victim identified Johnson as the suspect involved in the robbery.
"After that, we found out where he lived and got a warrant," said Fayetteville Police Sgt. Bill Phelan.
Johnson was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was being held on a $100,000 bond Friday. He will make his next appearance in Washington County Circuit Court on Monday.
Thomas Gene Johnson, 25, of 850 W. Kelly in Fayetteville faces felony charges of aggravated robbery, theft of property and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (marijuana).
Police say Johnson entered the Medicap Pharmacy, 2818 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., at 9:40 a.m. Jan. 6 and brandished a handgun. He then demanded OxyContin and hydrocodone.
The pharmacist said he gave Johnson three bottles of oxycodone, which is also known by its brand name, OxyContin. Both medications are used for pain. He then walked to the back of the store and dialed 911.
Johnson, who was wearing a baseball cap and a hood with a white shirt over his face, fled the scene prior to officers' arrival.
Police set up a perimeter and tracked the suspect with a K-9 unit for about half an hour, but eventually called off the search.
During an interview with police, the store owner said he briefly saw Johnson's face during the robbery when the shirt fell. He described the suspect as a fair-skinned man in his 20s.
Investigators obtained a still photo from the store's video surveillance and dis- tributed it to the media.
Police received a tip from a confidential informant on Jan. 15 with information concerning the robbery. The tipster identified Johnson as the robbery suspect. The informant went on to tell police that Johnson had been bragging about the robbery and allegedly sold some of the stolen pills in Fayetteville within days of the crime.
During a photo lineup Jan. 16, the victim identified Johnson as the suspect involved in the robbery.
"After that, we found out where he lived and got a warrant," said Fayetteville Police Sgt. Bill Phelan.
Johnson was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was being held on a $100,000 bond Friday. He will make his next appearance in Washington County Circuit Court on Monday.
New Treatment For Chronic Pain Sufferers Now Launching Across Europe
For Legitimate Pain Sufferers, A new treatment, now launching across Europe, could provide an option for patients battling against severe long-term pain - a condition which is estimated to affect almost 30 million people across Europe.[i],[ii] Mundipharma announced that 13 countries* to date have received approval of Targin, a new medication specifically designed to provide strong opioid control of severe pain symptoms, whilst counteracting opioid-induced constipation, a common and often debilitating side effect of opioid treatment.[iii] A period of European launches will now be initiated.
Severe long-term pain can be experienced as a result of conditions such as back pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis. Long-term pain can have a significant impact on patients' daily lives and relationships1 and effective treatment is essential. However, although effective, opioids, the strongest type of pain relievers, are associated with opioid-induced constipation. Research has demonstrated that these side effects can be so severe that some patients choose to go without pain treatment, rather than live with the side effects of their opioid medication.[iv]
One chronic pain patient from the UK, describing her experience, said: "When my pain is at its worst I feel completely isolated. It exhausts me and I become bad tempered and irritable with my friends and family. When my doctor prescribed me a stronger painkiller, although the pain got much better I started feeling really constipated."
Targin is a novel combination of oral prolonged-release oxycodone, a strong opioid therapy to provide pain control, and prolonged-release naloxone, an opioid antagonist which counteracts the effect of the opioid on receptors in the gut - an interaction which, with conventional opioids, can result in opioid-induced constipation.
"The significance of opioid-induced constipation as a side effect of opioid therapy should not be underestimated. For people who are already fighting long-term illness and severe chronic pain, their pain relief medication should not result in more discomfort than the pain itself," comments Dr. Gerhard Müller-Schwefe, President of the German Pain Association.
Targin has been proven to provide equivalent pain relief to oxycodone alone, whilst significantly improving bowel function.[v],[vi],[vii] In patients receiving opioid therapy before switching to Targin, an improvement in bowel movements occurred as early as after one week in some patients, when compared to prolonged-release oxycodone.6,7
"Targin provides clinicians with a new option to treat severe chronic pain," concludes Dr. Tony O'Brien, Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine, Cork University, Ireland. "In providing patients with effective analgesia, and the additional feature of alleviating opioid-induced constipation, it is my hope that this new treatment will help doctors to improve the quality of life for chronic pain patients across Europe."
About Targin
Targin is a combination of the strong opioid analgesic oxycodone and the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone in a prolonged-release tablet formulation.
Targin has been clinically proven to provide comparable analgesic efficacy to that of oxycodone, whilst significantly counteracting opioid-induced constipation, a class effect associated with all opioids. Targin is a prolonged-release formulation providing twice-daily dosing.
Targin received approval on 27th October 2008 via the Mutual Recognition Procedure for 13 European countries (*Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom) for the treatment of severe pain and to counteract opioid-induced constipation. Targin will be launched in European countries from 2009 onwards. Targin was launched in Germany in 2006 via an expedited approval procedure.
About oxycodone
Oxycodone is a strong opioid analgesic, used for the treatment of severe chronic pain. Its efficacy has been demonstrated across a broad spectrum of severe pain states such as somatic and neuropathic pain.[viii]
About naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that, when taken orally, has negligible systemic bioavailability (<3%),[ix] providing a full inhibitory effect on local opioid receptors in the gut - counteracting opioid-induced constipation - without impacting on the centrally acting analgesic efficacy of oxycodone.
The oxycodone/naloxone combination will be marketed across Europe under the brand names Targin and Targinact™.
About Mundipharma International Limited
The Mundipharma/Napp/Norpharma independent associated companies, including Mundipharma, Purdue and Napp, are privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets. The companies worldwide are dedicated to bringing to patients with severe and debilitating diseases the benefits of novel treatment options in fields such as severe pain, haemato-oncology and respiratory disease. Prolonged release oxycodone / naloxone was developed by Mundipharma Research.
Severe long-term pain can be experienced as a result of conditions such as back pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis. Long-term pain can have a significant impact on patients' daily lives and relationships1 and effective treatment is essential. However, although effective, opioids, the strongest type of pain relievers, are associated with opioid-induced constipation. Research has demonstrated that these side effects can be so severe that some patients choose to go without pain treatment, rather than live with the side effects of their opioid medication.[iv]
One chronic pain patient from the UK, describing her experience, said: "When my pain is at its worst I feel completely isolated. It exhausts me and I become bad tempered and irritable with my friends and family. When my doctor prescribed me a stronger painkiller, although the pain got much better I started feeling really constipated."
Targin is a novel combination of oral prolonged-release oxycodone, a strong opioid therapy to provide pain control, and prolonged-release naloxone, an opioid antagonist which counteracts the effect of the opioid on receptors in the gut - an interaction which, with conventional opioids, can result in opioid-induced constipation.
"The significance of opioid-induced constipation as a side effect of opioid therapy should not be underestimated. For people who are already fighting long-term illness and severe chronic pain, their pain relief medication should not result in more discomfort than the pain itself," comments Dr. Gerhard Müller-Schwefe, President of the German Pain Association.
Targin has been proven to provide equivalent pain relief to oxycodone alone, whilst significantly improving bowel function.[v],[vi],[vii] In patients receiving opioid therapy before switching to Targin, an improvement in bowel movements occurred as early as after one week in some patients, when compared to prolonged-release oxycodone.6,7
"Targin provides clinicians with a new option to treat severe chronic pain," concludes Dr. Tony O'Brien, Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine, Cork University, Ireland. "In providing patients with effective analgesia, and the additional feature of alleviating opioid-induced constipation, it is my hope that this new treatment will help doctors to improve the quality of life for chronic pain patients across Europe."
About Targin
Targin is a combination of the strong opioid analgesic oxycodone and the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone in a prolonged-release tablet formulation.
Targin has been clinically proven to provide comparable analgesic efficacy to that of oxycodone, whilst significantly counteracting opioid-induced constipation, a class effect associated with all opioids. Targin is a prolonged-release formulation providing twice-daily dosing.
Targin received approval on 27th October 2008 via the Mutual Recognition Procedure for 13 European countries (*Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom) for the treatment of severe pain and to counteract opioid-induced constipation. Targin will be launched in European countries from 2009 onwards. Targin was launched in Germany in 2006 via an expedited approval procedure.
About oxycodone
Oxycodone is a strong opioid analgesic, used for the treatment of severe chronic pain. Its efficacy has been demonstrated across a broad spectrum of severe pain states such as somatic and neuropathic pain.[viii]
About naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that, when taken orally, has negligible systemic bioavailability (<3%),[ix] providing a full inhibitory effect on local opioid receptors in the gut - counteracting opioid-induced constipation - without impacting on the centrally acting analgesic efficacy of oxycodone.
The oxycodone/naloxone combination will be marketed across Europe under the brand names Targin and Targinact™.
About Mundipharma International Limited
The Mundipharma/Napp/Norpharma independent associated companies, including Mundipharma, Purdue and Napp, are privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets. The companies worldwide are dedicated to bringing to patients with severe and debilitating diseases the benefits of novel treatment options in fields such as severe pain, haemato-oncology and respiratory disease. Prolonged release oxycodone / naloxone was developed by Mundipharma Research.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Christian Counseling Center
Today's busy world many of us do not have time to drive to yet another place, spend an hour, and continue on with our hectic schedules.
However, in our personal lives, troubles can arise that dictate we need outside help with our marriages, other relationships, children problems, inlaw problems, family problems, and making difficult decisions concerning whatever issue that we find ourselves involved in.
In addition, many of these issues are highly personal, so much so that we don't want others to know about them. Moreover, we don't want someone we know to see that we are going to a counselor. Which is why there is an excellent solution to that by taking advantage of online counseling with a therapist, without ever having to leave your own home, car, or office.
"People make a change when the pain of staying the same becomes WORSE than the pain of changing."
(You might want to read that sentence several times again, in order for you to understand just how true that statement is. And when you reach the point that the pain you are in has become worse than the pain of changing your situation, then that is the time to seek outside help and guidance.)
Change does not mean that you can change another person, but you can change yourself and how you react to that person, or situation. And when you make a change in your reactions to a person or situation, the other person HAS to make a change also, and the situation improves because you are handling it in a different way.
Another way of saying this is the definition of "insanity" which is "doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results." If you feel that you have been doing the same thing over and over again, and getting the same results, you may feel like you have lost control, not only of the situation but of yourself.
Whatever your problems may be, I believe that God plays a major part in restoring our dysfunctional lives, families, and issues. I help my clients to get to the "root" of the problem, not just by covering it up with a band-aid, but by completely removing the basic problems at their source. (Part of solving any problem or dilemma that we may find ourselves in, begins with understanding the problem first. When you understand the problem correctly, then the solution can be found, usually very quickly.)
Because we actually "train" people how to treat us, by what we allow or don't allow in our lives, we can then understand that we have the power to take back control of our lives by changing our reactions to our problems. We can then gain control of the situation. Remember, others cannot hurt you, unless you give them the power to do so. God can help you take back your power over your own life.
As we grow into a spiritual maturity that also keeps pace with our psychological growth, our lives become "peaceful" in ways that we could never have predicted. It has been my experience that other than "love", most of us our looking for "peace in our lives" and "the peace that passeth understanding", which is the kind of peace that only God can offer and sustain. And counseling can help you resolve an issue so that you can find that "peace."
http://www.dovechristiancounseling.com/
However, in our personal lives, troubles can arise that dictate we need outside help with our marriages, other relationships, children problems, inlaw problems, family problems, and making difficult decisions concerning whatever issue that we find ourselves involved in.
In addition, many of these issues are highly personal, so much so that we don't want others to know about them. Moreover, we don't want someone we know to see that we are going to a counselor. Which is why there is an excellent solution to that by taking advantage of online counseling with a therapist, without ever having to leave your own home, car, or office.
"People make a change when the pain of staying the same becomes WORSE than the pain of changing."
(You might want to read that sentence several times again, in order for you to understand just how true that statement is. And when you reach the point that the pain you are in has become worse than the pain of changing your situation, then that is the time to seek outside help and guidance.)
Change does not mean that you can change another person, but you can change yourself and how you react to that person, or situation. And when you make a change in your reactions to a person or situation, the other person HAS to make a change also, and the situation improves because you are handling it in a different way.
Another way of saying this is the definition of "insanity" which is "doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results." If you feel that you have been doing the same thing over and over again, and getting the same results, you may feel like you have lost control, not only of the situation but of yourself.
Whatever your problems may be, I believe that God plays a major part in restoring our dysfunctional lives, families, and issues. I help my clients to get to the "root" of the problem, not just by covering it up with a band-aid, but by completely removing the basic problems at their source. (Part of solving any problem or dilemma that we may find ourselves in, begins with understanding the problem first. When you understand the problem correctly, then the solution can be found, usually very quickly.)
Because we actually "train" people how to treat us, by what we allow or don't allow in our lives, we can then understand that we have the power to take back control of our lives by changing our reactions to our problems. We can then gain control of the situation. Remember, others cannot hurt you, unless you give them the power to do so. God can help you take back your power over your own life.
As we grow into a spiritual maturity that also keeps pace with our psychological growth, our lives become "peaceful" in ways that we could never have predicted. It has been my experience that other than "love", most of us our looking for "peace in our lives" and "the peace that passeth understanding", which is the kind of peace that only God can offer and sustain. And counseling can help you resolve an issue so that you can find that "peace."
http://www.dovechristiancounseling.com/
Best Teeth Whitening Product Reviews
Overview:
This site was established to rate, review, and compare the various "Teeth Whitening" products sold on the internet. I quote the word "Teeth Whitening" because not all of the products reviewed actually whiten your teeth! Yes, they are all marketed as teeth whiteners, but not all of them are, in fact many are just gimmicks that range in price any where from $10 to $1000! The fact is that some teeth whitening products do actually work! The problems is cutting through the hype to find out which ones are real and work, which ones are real and kinda work, and which ones are just overpriced gimmicks!
That is exactly the purpose of this website, as I was in the same position you are in a year ago when I first heard about all the new teeth whitening methods in the fashion magazines and on TV. I wish there was a site like this a year ago, so I could have cut through the hype, and just purchased the one that actually delivers results. All in all, I think it was worth it, as I now know first hand what WORKS and what DOESN'T, and if you're like me, you wouldn't mind trying a few different products to find that one product that can dramatically enhance your smile, confidence, and overall appearance.
I honestly never thought that increasing the brightness of my smile a few shades would make much of difference in my overall look, but now I can't imagine going a day without my favorite teeth whitening product. Ofcorse, I never had a terrible smile, just some very slight discoloration (probably caused by my little Starbuck's habit), but nothing major. I never received compliments about my "about average" smile, and if I ever did catch a compliment, it was usually the standard "beautiful eyes" line. But now after 4 months of using my favorite teeth whitener, I get 2-3 compliments a day about how "nice" my smile is from both men and women. I also seem to be getting kissed by my boyfriend a lot more often (always a good thing)... So, here are my honest teeth whitening reviews:
No.
Bottle
Comments
Rating
Site Link
1
My Number One Pick:
Celebrity Sexy Teeth is the winner, too bad I didn't find it first. I first heard about this product when E! News recommended it in their Spring Style picks last year, and so far I must agree with E! that this is the best Teeth Whitener on the market. The difference with this Teeth Whitener is that you get both short-term and long-term whitening as it works with both the inner and outer enamel. Aside from the scientific reasoning, the results are absolutely fabulous,, and unlike other products, there was NO sensitivity! In addition to delivering a whitening effect that the others just can't compare to, it also happens to be quickest, cleanest, and least expensive method I've tried. I absolutely love it, it only takes a few seconds to get your teeth perly white, and there's no mess or pain. Using this product, I was able to move up 7 shades, and once my boyfriend saw me using it, he started using it and saw an improvement of 9 shades!
Go
Insider's Tip on how to get this for FREE:
There's a hidden $50 Rebate Offer that can be activated on the Celebrity Sexy Teeth Website. To do so, click on the first "star" shape in the main top logo. Once you click on this 'hidden' link, the $50 Rebate will be added to your order, which makes the effective price of your order $0.00!
Discount
2
Runner Up:
Professional Dentist Whitening was the first teeth whitening method I had ever tried. The old promotional commercials really got me excited about teeth whitening. I first tried professional whitening in 2003, I was pretty happy with the results as I saw an improvement of 7 shades, however I wasn't so happy with the $600 bill. There was no pain during the first 40 minutes, but the last 20 minute session was borderline intolerable as my teeth became super sensitive. I reluntantly tried dentist whitening again in early 2006 when the price had dropped to $400, and saw an improvement of 6 shades this time. It definitely works, however, aside from the hefty price, you're also instructed not to eat any "colored" foods for the next 3-4 days (that means you can only eat cottage cheese and cauliflower for 96 hours! Uhh! )
Go
3
GoSmile is another popular teeth whitening product. GoSmile is fairly effective, and like Celebrity Sexy Teeth, does not cause tooth sensitivity. However it only gets 3 stars as I only saw on improvement of 4 shades with GoSmile versus 7 shades from Celebrity Sexy Teeth. I do however love the way GoSmile is packaged, I just wish their product was a bit more effective.
Go
4
Crest Whitestrips Premium Plus are Crest's fifth attempt at making a decent teeth whitening product. After using this product for 3 weeks, I did see an improvement of 2 shades. This falls under the "teeth whiteners that kinda work" category so it is only recommended as a back up when you run out of Celebrity Sexy Teeth or GoSmile. The only reason it gets 2 stars is because it's the only product you'll find in the drug store that will give you any results, just not much at 2 shades.
Go
5
Crest Whitestrips Supreme are one of Crest's earlier teeth whitening products that was heavily promoted on TV commercials. Unfortunately, this product simply does not work. ZERO shades of improvements after using this product for 2 weeks. Worse yet, it causes slight tooth sensitivity! No wonder Crest had to come out with several new versions after releasing this ineffective product! Complete waste of money!
Go
6
Crest Whitestrips Renewal are another one of Crest's earlier teeth whitening products. Better looking box here I suppose, but the same ineffective product as the one above it.
Go
7
Same as above, Crest Original Whitening Strips are a little less expensive than Crest Whitestrips Supreme or Renewal, but again simply do not work! Still a waste of money. Not recommended, read above.
Go
Last Words:
For women wanting to enhance their appearance, a good teeth whitener is a must! Women often underestimate the importance of having a brighter smile. Aside from your eyes, which first impression characteristic do people usually remember about you? Think about it! A whiter, brighter smile equals youth and friendliness! If you're reading this, I'm sure you feel the same way. That's why I tried all of these Teeth Whitening methods, and since I know which ones worked for me and which ones didn't, I figure I should let everyone know. It's my way of giving you some good info, getting back at the products that didn't work, and thanking those that worked for me. As said above, I completely recommend Celebrity Sexy Teeth, it's a potent Teeth Whitener that works. Professional Dentist Whitening is good too, but is pricier and not as effective. Both come with a money-back guarantee, so your best bet may be to try both and stay with the one that gives you the perfect smile!
Good Marketing, HuH?...My teeth are white, just brush your teeth at least 2x a day and brush your Tongue. If you need to whiten, then the cheapest way is whitening toothpaste & crest strips.
This site was established to rate, review, and compare the various "Teeth Whitening" products sold on the internet. I quote the word "Teeth Whitening" because not all of the products reviewed actually whiten your teeth! Yes, they are all marketed as teeth whiteners, but not all of them are, in fact many are just gimmicks that range in price any where from $10 to $1000! The fact is that some teeth whitening products do actually work! The problems is cutting through the hype to find out which ones are real and work, which ones are real and kinda work, and which ones are just overpriced gimmicks!
That is exactly the purpose of this website, as I was in the same position you are in a year ago when I first heard about all the new teeth whitening methods in the fashion magazines and on TV. I wish there was a site like this a year ago, so I could have cut through the hype, and just purchased the one that actually delivers results. All in all, I think it was worth it, as I now know first hand what WORKS and what DOESN'T, and if you're like me, you wouldn't mind trying a few different products to find that one product that can dramatically enhance your smile, confidence, and overall appearance.
I honestly never thought that increasing the brightness of my smile a few shades would make much of difference in my overall look, but now I can't imagine going a day without my favorite teeth whitening product. Ofcorse, I never had a terrible smile, just some very slight discoloration (probably caused by my little Starbuck's habit), but nothing major. I never received compliments about my "about average" smile, and if I ever did catch a compliment, it was usually the standard "beautiful eyes" line. But now after 4 months of using my favorite teeth whitener, I get 2-3 compliments a day about how "nice" my smile is from both men and women. I also seem to be getting kissed by my boyfriend a lot more often (always a good thing)... So, here are my honest teeth whitening reviews:
No.
Bottle
Comments
Rating
Site Link
1
My Number One Pick:
Celebrity Sexy Teeth is the winner, too bad I didn't find it first. I first heard about this product when E! News recommended it in their Spring Style picks last year, and so far I must agree with E! that this is the best Teeth Whitener on the market. The difference with this Teeth Whitener is that you get both short-term and long-term whitening as it works with both the inner and outer enamel. Aside from the scientific reasoning, the results are absolutely fabulous,, and unlike other products, there was NO sensitivity! In addition to delivering a whitening effect that the others just can't compare to, it also happens to be quickest, cleanest, and least expensive method I've tried. I absolutely love it, it only takes a few seconds to get your teeth perly white, and there's no mess or pain. Using this product, I was able to move up 7 shades, and once my boyfriend saw me using it, he started using it and saw an improvement of 9 shades!
Go
Insider's Tip on how to get this for FREE:
There's a hidden $50 Rebate Offer that can be activated on the Celebrity Sexy Teeth Website. To do so, click on the first "star" shape in the main top logo. Once you click on this 'hidden' link, the $50 Rebate will be added to your order, which makes the effective price of your order $0.00!
Discount
2
Runner Up:
Professional Dentist Whitening was the first teeth whitening method I had ever tried. The old promotional commercials really got me excited about teeth whitening. I first tried professional whitening in 2003, I was pretty happy with the results as I saw an improvement of 7 shades, however I wasn't so happy with the $600 bill. There was no pain during the first 40 minutes, but the last 20 minute session was borderline intolerable as my teeth became super sensitive. I reluntantly tried dentist whitening again in early 2006 when the price had dropped to $400, and saw an improvement of 6 shades this time. It definitely works, however, aside from the hefty price, you're also instructed not to eat any "colored" foods for the next 3-4 days (that means you can only eat cottage cheese and cauliflower for 96 hours! Uhh! )
Go
3
GoSmile is another popular teeth whitening product. GoSmile is fairly effective, and like Celebrity Sexy Teeth, does not cause tooth sensitivity. However it only gets 3 stars as I only saw on improvement of 4 shades with GoSmile versus 7 shades from Celebrity Sexy Teeth. I do however love the way GoSmile is packaged, I just wish their product was a bit more effective.
Go
4
Crest Whitestrips Premium Plus are Crest's fifth attempt at making a decent teeth whitening product. After using this product for 3 weeks, I did see an improvement of 2 shades. This falls under the "teeth whiteners that kinda work" category so it is only recommended as a back up when you run out of Celebrity Sexy Teeth or GoSmile. The only reason it gets 2 stars is because it's the only product you'll find in the drug store that will give you any results, just not much at 2 shades.
Go
5
Crest Whitestrips Supreme are one of Crest's earlier teeth whitening products that was heavily promoted on TV commercials. Unfortunately, this product simply does not work. ZERO shades of improvements after using this product for 2 weeks. Worse yet, it causes slight tooth sensitivity! No wonder Crest had to come out with several new versions after releasing this ineffective product! Complete waste of money!
Go
6
Crest Whitestrips Renewal are another one of Crest's earlier teeth whitening products. Better looking box here I suppose, but the same ineffective product as the one above it.
Go
7
Same as above, Crest Original Whitening Strips are a little less expensive than Crest Whitestrips Supreme or Renewal, but again simply do not work! Still a waste of money. Not recommended, read above.
Go
Last Words:
For women wanting to enhance their appearance, a good teeth whitener is a must! Women often underestimate the importance of having a brighter smile. Aside from your eyes, which first impression characteristic do people usually remember about you? Think about it! A whiter, brighter smile equals youth and friendliness! If you're reading this, I'm sure you feel the same way. That's why I tried all of these Teeth Whitening methods, and since I know which ones worked for me and which ones didn't, I figure I should let everyone know. It's my way of giving you some good info, getting back at the products that didn't work, and thanking those that worked for me. As said above, I completely recommend Celebrity Sexy Teeth, it's a potent Teeth Whitener that works. Professional Dentist Whitening is good too, but is pricier and not as effective. Both come with a money-back guarantee, so your best bet may be to try both and stay with the one that gives you the perfect smile!
Good Marketing, HuH?...My teeth are white, just brush your teeth at least 2x a day and brush your Tongue. If you need to whiten, then the cheapest way is whitening toothpaste & crest strips.
How you can help your child develop healthy self-esteem
Developing a sense of belonging, learning, and contributing can help your child develop healthy self-esteem. The following are ways you can help promote this development in your child. Use the brief belonging, learning, and contributing checklist as a daily reminder to let your child know he or she belongs, is learning, and is contributing.
Belonging
Through contact with others, we know that we are loved and respected and that we belong. Use the following suggestions to help your child feel he or she belongs within your family.
* Show your love. Let your child know you love him or her for who he or she is, not for what he or she does. Make it a habit to show your love for your child in at least two ways each day.
* Let your child know that he or she is special. List at least three of your child's good qualities and post them on your refrigerator. Add to these qualities from time to time. Celebrate your child's good qualities often.
* Praise your child. Make positive comments about your child's behavior at least twice as often as you make negative comments (and try for four times as often). Notice your child's strengths, even when he or she is misbehaving. When you focus on what you like, your child's behavior will improve.
* Listen to your child. When your child shares something with you, give him or her your undivided attention and listen carefully. Don't give advice unless asked for it or you feel your child's safety is involved. Don't ridicule or shame your child.
* Have family times. Have regular times for the family to have fun together, such as playing board or card games. Try to have as many family meals together as possible. Don't discuss problems or concerns during these times unless it is absolutely necessary.
* Encourage positive peer experiences. Look for activities with peers where your child can feel success and acceptance, such as participating in a sport or joining a club.
Learning
Although learning really takes place all the time, plan to create a learning opportunity for your child at least once a week.
* Choose a learning activity. Choose an activity that is appropriate for your child's age and that builds on his or her strengths. Do not overstress the danger or difficulty involved in a task or activity. You might invite your child to help with one of your chores or hobbies. If you do, be sure that you are not feeling rushed during the activity. Let it be a fun time.
* Let your child try. Even if your child has difficulty with a new task or skill, don't quickly take over and show him or her how to do it. Be patient and let your child try.
* Break up a complex task. Simple steps help a child see progress when learning a complex skill. Don't embarrass your child by asking him or her to do difficult tasks in front of other people.
* Praise accomplishments. Even if the completed work does not meet your standard, find at least one positive thing to say.
* Encourage practice. When your child is learning a new skill that takes practice, such as riding a bicycle, don't expect perfection the first time. Encourage your child to practice and talk about his or her improvement with each practice time.
Contributing
Contributing enhances our feelings of belonging, providing the basis for continued learning and strengthening of self-esteem. Every day, use the following suggestions to help your child feel that he or she is contributing.
* Set family rules. Family rules help children know that the family stands for something and gives them exposure to order and ritual. Have as few family rules as possible and enforce them consistently. Write down your family's rules and the consequences if those rules are broken in a family rules formClick here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?) .
* Invite cooperation. Regular family meetings are a way to help children learn to cooperate. Family meetings are a place where family members discuss concerns and problems.
* Expect accountability. You can help your child learn to be responsible by assigning him or her some household chores. Make sure the chores are appropriate for your child's age. As your child grows, hold your child accountable for his or her choices and behavior and let your child experience natural or logical consequences.
* Express appreciation. Let your child know you appreciate his or her help with tasks, even household chores.
You may want to keep a journal when you are starting to use this method. Each day for at least 3 weeks, write in your journal specifically how you helped your child develop a sense of belonging, learning, and contributing. Keeping a journal for an extended period of time will help encourage positive behavior. After 3 weeks, review your notes to see your child's progress and to identify new ways to help your child.
Belonging
Through contact with others, we know that we are loved and respected and that we belong. Use the following suggestions to help your child feel he or she belongs within your family.
* Show your love. Let your child know you love him or her for who he or she is, not for what he or she does. Make it a habit to show your love for your child in at least two ways each day.
* Let your child know that he or she is special. List at least three of your child's good qualities and post them on your refrigerator. Add to these qualities from time to time. Celebrate your child's good qualities often.
* Praise your child. Make positive comments about your child's behavior at least twice as often as you make negative comments (and try for four times as often). Notice your child's strengths, even when he or she is misbehaving. When you focus on what you like, your child's behavior will improve.
* Listen to your child. When your child shares something with you, give him or her your undivided attention and listen carefully. Don't give advice unless asked for it or you feel your child's safety is involved. Don't ridicule or shame your child.
* Have family times. Have regular times for the family to have fun together, such as playing board or card games. Try to have as many family meals together as possible. Don't discuss problems or concerns during these times unless it is absolutely necessary.
* Encourage positive peer experiences. Look for activities with peers where your child can feel success and acceptance, such as participating in a sport or joining a club.
Learning
Although learning really takes place all the time, plan to create a learning opportunity for your child at least once a week.
* Choose a learning activity. Choose an activity that is appropriate for your child's age and that builds on his or her strengths. Do not overstress the danger or difficulty involved in a task or activity. You might invite your child to help with one of your chores or hobbies. If you do, be sure that you are not feeling rushed during the activity. Let it be a fun time.
* Let your child try. Even if your child has difficulty with a new task or skill, don't quickly take over and show him or her how to do it. Be patient and let your child try.
* Break up a complex task. Simple steps help a child see progress when learning a complex skill. Don't embarrass your child by asking him or her to do difficult tasks in front of other people.
* Praise accomplishments. Even if the completed work does not meet your standard, find at least one positive thing to say.
* Encourage practice. When your child is learning a new skill that takes practice, such as riding a bicycle, don't expect perfection the first time. Encourage your child to practice and talk about his or her improvement with each practice time.
Contributing
Contributing enhances our feelings of belonging, providing the basis for continued learning and strengthening of self-esteem. Every day, use the following suggestions to help your child feel that he or she is contributing.
* Set family rules. Family rules help children know that the family stands for something and gives them exposure to order and ritual. Have as few family rules as possible and enforce them consistently. Write down your family's rules and the consequences if those rules are broken in a family rules formClick here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?) .
* Invite cooperation. Regular family meetings are a way to help children learn to cooperate. Family meetings are a place where family members discuss concerns and problems.
* Expect accountability. You can help your child learn to be responsible by assigning him or her some household chores. Make sure the chores are appropriate for your child's age. As your child grows, hold your child accountable for his or her choices and behavior and let your child experience natural or logical consequences.
* Express appreciation. Let your child know you appreciate his or her help with tasks, even household chores.
You may want to keep a journal when you are starting to use this method. Each day for at least 3 weeks, write in your journal specifically how you helped your child develop a sense of belonging, learning, and contributing. Keeping a journal for an extended period of time will help encourage positive behavior. After 3 weeks, review your notes to see your child's progress and to identify new ways to help your child.
Growth and development: Helping your child build self-esteem
Introduction
Self-esteem is a person's core belief about himself or herself. A person's self-esteem is reflected in his or her actions, both in how as well as what he or she does. Although self-esteem varies from time to time, the pattern usually leans toward a healthy or unhealthy view of self. With healthy self-esteem, a person is more likely to succeed in life.
Although building self-esteem is a lifelong process, the foundation of self-esteem is established in childhood. That foundation can do much to help a child deal with difficult life issues as they are encountered.
Parents have the greatest influence on a child's belief about himself or herself. Letting your child know that he or she belongs, is doing well, and is contributing can help him or her develop healthy self-esteem.
Keep these things in mind as you raise your child.
* Children sense that they belong by the way their parents talk to them and act toward them. Show and tell your child that you love and care for him or her.
* Children learn about how well they are doing by how their parents react to their behavior. Offer praise at least twice as often as you criticize (and try for four times as often).
* Children learn how to work with others by learning how to cooperate within a family. Give your child some age-appropriate household responsibilities.
What helps a child develop healthy self-esteem?
Why should you help your child develop healthy self-esteem?
How you can help your child develop healthy self-esteem
Where to go from here
Return to topic:
* Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What helps a child develop healthy self-esteem?
You can promote your child's development of healthy self-esteem by starting a cycle of belonging, learning, and contributing. A sense of belonging helps a child to participate in learning new things; learning makes a child feel confident in making contributions; making contributions helps secure a feeling of belonging. This cycle helps establish and strengthen a child's self-esteem.
Developing healthy self-esteem is a process that continues throughout life and helps a person act responsibly, cooperate well with others, and have the confidence to try new things.
Self-esteem is a person's core belief about himself or herself. A person's self-esteem is reflected in his or her actions, both in how as well as what he or she does. Although self-esteem varies from time to time, the pattern usually leans toward a healthy or unhealthy view of self. With healthy self-esteem, a person is more likely to succeed in life.
Although building self-esteem is a lifelong process, the foundation of self-esteem is established in childhood. That foundation can do much to help a child deal with difficult life issues as they are encountered.
Parents have the greatest influence on a child's belief about himself or herself. Letting your child know that he or she belongs, is doing well, and is contributing can help him or her develop healthy self-esteem.
Keep these things in mind as you raise your child.
* Children sense that they belong by the way their parents talk to them and act toward them. Show and tell your child that you love and care for him or her.
* Children learn about how well they are doing by how their parents react to their behavior. Offer praise at least twice as often as you criticize (and try for four times as often).
* Children learn how to work with others by learning how to cooperate within a family. Give your child some age-appropriate household responsibilities.
What helps a child develop healthy self-esteem?
Why should you help your child develop healthy self-esteem?
How you can help your child develop healthy self-esteem
Where to go from here
Return to topic:
* Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What helps a child develop healthy self-esteem?
You can promote your child's development of healthy self-esteem by starting a cycle of belonging, learning, and contributing. A sense of belonging helps a child to participate in learning new things; learning makes a child feel confident in making contributions; making contributions helps secure a feeling of belonging. This cycle helps establish and strengthen a child's self-esteem.
Developing healthy self-esteem is a process that continues throughout life and helps a person act responsibly, cooperate well with others, and have the confidence to try new things.
Seventh Salmonella Death Linked to Peanut Products
According to a reports in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, state health officials say the death of an elderly Minnesota woman Jan. 23 was caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium.
In all, there have been three deaths in Minnesota, two in Virginia and one each in North Carolina and Idaho.
More than 200 peanut butter and peanut paste products from at least 38 companies have been recalled so far in the ongoing salmonella outbreak, according to the latest count posted Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site.
The number of people sickened is now 491 the CDC said, with cases in 43 states and one Canadian province. And the scope of the problem is being rapidly revealed in such continually climbing numbers.
* Peanut Corp of America, whose now-closed Georgia production plant was the source of the salmonella, has issued a recall for at least 6,255 pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste sold in bulk, according to a company news release.
* The company distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 70 firms, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report Thursday.
* The product recalls translate so far into an estimated 31 million pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste products, according to an Associated Press report Friday.
* The scramble for safety is set against this: Americans eat 700 million pounds of peanut butter every year, according to the National Peanut Board.
While jars of peanut butter on store shelves appear to be safe, many other products made with peanut butter or peanut paste have been recalled across the country.
That's because Peanut Corp. sells its peanut butter and peanut paste in bulk containers "for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream," the FDA said.
The recalled products range from cookie dough to candy and nutrition bars and also dog biscuits.
However, there is also a growing list of companies reporting that their products containing peanut butter are safe. Girl Scouts USA, the Hershey Co. and Kraft Foods Inc. are telling consumers their foods haven't been affected by the salmonella scare, the New York Daily News reported Friday.
In addition, ConAgra, which was involved in a major Peter Pan brand salmonella recall two years ago, as well as J. M. Smucker, of Orville, Ohio, and Russell Stover Candies Inc. also reported their products were safe.
"We're getting lots of calls," said Michelle L. Tompkins, a spokeswoman for Girl Scouts USA. The two bakeries that produce 200 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies each year don't use any PCA products, she told the newspaper.
The flood of recalls followed an FDA warning last weekend that consumers should avoid peanut butter products containing peanut butter or peanut butter paste while the widespread salmonella outbreak probe continued.
As of Friday, the FDA Web site listed these recalled products.
For a list of products determined to be safe from the recall, check the American Peanut Council.
Peanut Corp. issued a wider recall over the weekend for more products and lot numbers relating to peanut butter and peanut paste products manufactured on or after July 1, 2008, at its Blakely, Ga., plant.
"The products being recalled are sold by PCA in bulk containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container," an FDA statement said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late Thursday that the latest salmonella illness was recorded on Jan. 8 and that there are now 488 victims, ranging in age from younger than 1 to 98.
The strain of salmonella involved with the outbreak has been identified as Salmonella Typhimurium, the most common of the more than 2,500 types of salmonella bacteria in the United States.
More information
For more on the outbreak, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In all, there have been three deaths in Minnesota, two in Virginia and one each in North Carolina and Idaho.
More than 200 peanut butter and peanut paste products from at least 38 companies have been recalled so far in the ongoing salmonella outbreak, according to the latest count posted Friday on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site.
The number of people sickened is now 491 the CDC said, with cases in 43 states and one Canadian province. And the scope of the problem is being rapidly revealed in such continually climbing numbers.
* Peanut Corp of America, whose now-closed Georgia production plant was the source of the salmonella, has issued a recall for at least 6,255 pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste sold in bulk, according to a company news release.
* The company distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 70 firms, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report Thursday.
* The product recalls translate so far into an estimated 31 million pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste products, according to an Associated Press report Friday.
* The scramble for safety is set against this: Americans eat 700 million pounds of peanut butter every year, according to the National Peanut Board.
While jars of peanut butter on store shelves appear to be safe, many other products made with peanut butter or peanut paste have been recalled across the country.
That's because Peanut Corp. sells its peanut butter and peanut paste in bulk containers "for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream," the FDA said.
The recalled products range from cookie dough to candy and nutrition bars and also dog biscuits.
However, there is also a growing list of companies reporting that their products containing peanut butter are safe. Girl Scouts USA, the Hershey Co. and Kraft Foods Inc. are telling consumers their foods haven't been affected by the salmonella scare, the New York Daily News reported Friday.
In addition, ConAgra, which was involved in a major Peter Pan brand salmonella recall two years ago, as well as J. M. Smucker, of Orville, Ohio, and Russell Stover Candies Inc. also reported their products were safe.
"We're getting lots of calls," said Michelle L. Tompkins, a spokeswoman for Girl Scouts USA. The two bakeries that produce 200 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies each year don't use any PCA products, she told the newspaper.
The flood of recalls followed an FDA warning last weekend that consumers should avoid peanut butter products containing peanut butter or peanut butter paste while the widespread salmonella outbreak probe continued.
As of Friday, the FDA Web site listed these recalled products.
For a list of products determined to be safe from the recall, check the American Peanut Council.
Peanut Corp. issued a wider recall over the weekend for more products and lot numbers relating to peanut butter and peanut paste products manufactured on or after July 1, 2008, at its Blakely, Ga., plant.
"The products being recalled are sold by PCA in bulk containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container," an FDA statement said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late Thursday that the latest salmonella illness was recorded on Jan. 8 and that there are now 488 victims, ranging in age from younger than 1 to 98.
The strain of salmonella involved with the outbreak has been identified as Salmonella Typhimurium, the most common of the more than 2,500 types of salmonella bacteria in the United States.
More information
For more on the outbreak, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Antidepressants: Know Your Options
About 2 dozen antidepressant medications are approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. Some date back to the 1950s, while others have been released in the past few years. Some are like siblings, with very similar chemical characteristics, while others are more like distant cousins with very different pharmacologic properties. Some of the shorter-acting medications are available in extended-release pill formulations that release the drug over a longer period of time. All of the antidepressants are available in tablet or capsule form, a few are made in liquid preparations, and one is available as a patch.
Antidepressants affect neurotransmitters in the brain that are believed to be involved in the regulation of mood, although exactly how and why they work is not fully understood. The two key neurotransmitters influenced by antidepressants are norepinephrine and serotonin, although some affect dopamine. Antidepressants may block the reuptake of these neurotransmitters or interact with neurotransmitter receptors at synapses within the brain.
The earliest antidepressants were the tricyclic compounds (TCA), named for their chemical structure, and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The MAOIs act by interfering with the action of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that ordinarily breaks down the beneficial neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. By slowing this breakdown, MAOI allows the neurotransmitters to remain active longer. While both these early classes of drugs are effective antidepressants, the TCAs and MAOIs are both associated with bothersome side effects, sometime serious ones.
New types of antidepressants rapidly became available in the 1980s, especially with the popularity of the selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRI) like Prozac. Over the past few decades, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), serotonin modulating antidepressants (SMA), a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI), a tetracyclic antidepressant, a newer type of MAOI, and a norepinephrine and selective serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) were approved and marketed. All have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a list of the antidepressants currently available in the U.S. I've listed the generic names along with the primary brand name, and the antidepressant type of each:
Generic Name
Brand Name
Type
Amitriptyline
Elavil®
TCA
Bupropion
Wellbutrin®
DNRI
Citalopram
Celexa®
SSRI
Clomipramine
Anafranil®
TCA
Desipramine
Nopramin®
TCA
Doxepin
Sinequan®
TCA
Duloxetine
Cymbalta®
SNRI
Escitalopram
Lexapro®
SSRI
Fluoxetine
Prozac®
SSRI
Fluvoxamine
Luvox®
SSRI
Imipramine
Tofranil®
TCA
Isocarboxacid
Marplan®
MAOI
Maprotiline
Ludiomil®
Tetracyclic
Mirtazapine
Remeron®
NaSSA
Nortriptyline
Pamelor®
TCA
Paroxetine
Paxil®
SSRI
Phenelzine
Nardil®
MAOI
Protriptyline
Vivactyl®
TCA
Selegiline
Emsam®
MAOI
Sertraline
Zoloft®
SSRI
Tranylcypromine
Parnate®
MAOI
Trazodone
Desyrel®
SMA
Trimipramine
Surmontil®
TCA
Venlafaxine
Effexor®
SNRI
Antidepressants affect neurotransmitters in the brain that are believed to be involved in the regulation of mood, although exactly how and why they work is not fully understood. The two key neurotransmitters influenced by antidepressants are norepinephrine and serotonin, although some affect dopamine. Antidepressants may block the reuptake of these neurotransmitters or interact with neurotransmitter receptors at synapses within the brain.
The earliest antidepressants were the tricyclic compounds (TCA), named for their chemical structure, and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The MAOIs act by interfering with the action of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that ordinarily breaks down the beneficial neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. By slowing this breakdown, MAOI allows the neurotransmitters to remain active longer. While both these early classes of drugs are effective antidepressants, the TCAs and MAOIs are both associated with bothersome side effects, sometime serious ones.
New types of antidepressants rapidly became available in the 1980s, especially with the popularity of the selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRI) like Prozac. Over the past few decades, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), serotonin modulating antidepressants (SMA), a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI), a tetracyclic antidepressant, a newer type of MAOI, and a norepinephrine and selective serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) were approved and marketed. All have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a list of the antidepressants currently available in the U.S. I've listed the generic names along with the primary brand name, and the antidepressant type of each:
Generic Name
Brand Name
Type
Amitriptyline
Elavil®
TCA
Bupropion
Wellbutrin®
DNRI
Citalopram
Celexa®
SSRI
Clomipramine
Anafranil®
TCA
Desipramine
Nopramin®
TCA
Doxepin
Sinequan®
TCA
Duloxetine
Cymbalta®
SNRI
Escitalopram
Lexapro®
SSRI
Fluoxetine
Prozac®
SSRI
Fluvoxamine
Luvox®
SSRI
Imipramine
Tofranil®
TCA
Isocarboxacid
Marplan®
MAOI
Maprotiline
Ludiomil®
Tetracyclic
Mirtazapine
Remeron®
NaSSA
Nortriptyline
Pamelor®
TCA
Paroxetine
Paxil®
SSRI
Phenelzine
Nardil®
MAOI
Protriptyline
Vivactyl®
TCA
Selegiline
Emsam®
MAOI
Sertraline
Zoloft®
SSRI
Tranylcypromine
Parnate®
MAOI
Trazodone
Desyrel®
SMA
Trimipramine
Surmontil®
TCA
Venlafaxine
Effexor®
SNRI
RELATIONSHIPS Dating 101: The Most Important Argument You'll Ever Have in Your Relationship
Four dating tips to prevent quarrels from becoming a full-blown crisis:
The first argument is the most crucial argument you will ever have, setting the stage for all arguments to follow. Future conflicts will often look and sound like they're different, but most times they are simply variations of the first, unresolved argument. Understanding that the first argument is a tool for healing, rather than just a random conflict, can spare yourself years of grief, hopelessness and helplessness in your relationship.
Dating Tip #1: Get to the Core
Minimizing the chaos, confusion and stress in your relationship, therefore, is accomplished by understanding what you're really arguing about. The first argument teaches what is important to each individual, by linking back to each other's underlying core issue. You may be fooled into thinking that you're arguing about cookies, wastebaskets, fences, etc., but rarely are these "content" issues the "real" issue. The real issue is your core issue from childhood that gets unknowingly triggered by the content issue. All of these elements are present in the first argument, which explains its importance in unraveling the underlying root of the problem.
Without knowing the importance of the first argument, couples struggle to understand their disagreements. They consistently get caught up in the details of the fight, recounting what happened, trying to make their point and then desperately wanting the argument to get resolved so they can be "happy" once again. Unfortunately, however, arguing all the time only creates discouragement, frustration, and emotional damage. Recurring arguments will cloud minds to a point where a couple doesn't even know what they're fighting about. The same words are simply said over and over again, bringing only more confusion and unhappiness.
Dating Tip #2: Strive for Clarity
Somehow, we often think that repeating the same things that have never worked will suddenly work, and our partner will miraculously understand! It doesnt make sense, but we do it anyway. The first argument technique is a way to break the old, useless patterns that don't work in a relationship that keep us from feeling intimate. The first argument is an important moment that can ultimately bring clarity rather than confusion. With clarity, we can solve and deal with anything that occurs in our relationships.
Dating Tip #3: Solve Big Ones Before Small Ones
Understanding the value and importance of the first argument as a tool to self-knowledge can reduce stress. When you start to argue and hear yourself repeating the same sentences that don't work, going back to your tools of self-awareness will create a framework for resolving conflict. Small issues are connected to bigger issues, and the first argument reveals our bigger, core issues from the past. Once the big issue is revealed, the small issue can then be determined. It's when the small stuff is triggering the core issues that we can't resolve anything, and everything we discuss at a certain point seems like a survival issue. The first argument helps weed out what's big and what's small. Conflict then feels more manageable and more possible to resolve.
Dating Tip #3: Be "Current"
When conflict is resolved, stress is reduced and you have the ability to be current with each other. Being "current" means you're in the moment with few unresolved matters clouding the relationship. The more current a relationship is, the healthier it is. Therefore, the first argument should be welcomed, viewing it as the helpful tool that it is. Don't be blinded into thinking that the same conflict will never happen again, because it will. Allow it in and deal with it immediately. Acknowledge your own hurt, see how it relates back to past hurts and talk about that, rather than what you perceive are your partner's faults. By doing so, you'll be quickly rewarded with a peaceful resolution.
The first argument technique is not restricted to couples. Its principles can work with any intimate relationship -- parents and children, boss and employees, friends. Any relationship that is important to us -- one in which we have a lot at stake in its success -- can easily trigger our unresolved issues. If we don't care about someone, we're less easily triggered because it doesn't matter if the relationship works or doesn't work.
Dating Tip #4: Repair It Now
Remember that when dealt with, the first argument is small. When put aside, it becomes bigger and bigger to the point of being overwhelming and unsolvable. Each time we fight, we hurt each other a little bit more, until we've damaged each other and the relationship. Once this has happened, it's hard to regain the good feelings we once had for each other. A relationship can only handle so much pain and hurt before it begins to break down and fall apart. Therefore, save yourself and the loved ones in your life pain by understanding that the first argument -- the most crucial argument you'll ever have -- is a tool for healing that will spare yourself years of grief, hopelessness and helplessness in your relationships.
The first argument is the most crucial argument you will ever have, setting the stage for all arguments to follow. Future conflicts will often look and sound like they're different, but most times they are simply variations of the first, unresolved argument. Understanding that the first argument is a tool for healing, rather than just a random conflict, can spare yourself years of grief, hopelessness and helplessness in your relationship.
Dating Tip #1: Get to the Core
Minimizing the chaos, confusion and stress in your relationship, therefore, is accomplished by understanding what you're really arguing about. The first argument teaches what is important to each individual, by linking back to each other's underlying core issue. You may be fooled into thinking that you're arguing about cookies, wastebaskets, fences, etc., but rarely are these "content" issues the "real" issue. The real issue is your core issue from childhood that gets unknowingly triggered by the content issue. All of these elements are present in the first argument, which explains its importance in unraveling the underlying root of the problem.
Without knowing the importance of the first argument, couples struggle to understand their disagreements. They consistently get caught up in the details of the fight, recounting what happened, trying to make their point and then desperately wanting the argument to get resolved so they can be "happy" once again. Unfortunately, however, arguing all the time only creates discouragement, frustration, and emotional damage. Recurring arguments will cloud minds to a point where a couple doesn't even know what they're fighting about. The same words are simply said over and over again, bringing only more confusion and unhappiness.
Dating Tip #2: Strive for Clarity
Somehow, we often think that repeating the same things that have never worked will suddenly work, and our partner will miraculously understand! It doesnt make sense, but we do it anyway. The first argument technique is a way to break the old, useless patterns that don't work in a relationship that keep us from feeling intimate. The first argument is an important moment that can ultimately bring clarity rather than confusion. With clarity, we can solve and deal with anything that occurs in our relationships.
Dating Tip #3: Solve Big Ones Before Small Ones
Understanding the value and importance of the first argument as a tool to self-knowledge can reduce stress. When you start to argue and hear yourself repeating the same sentences that don't work, going back to your tools of self-awareness will create a framework for resolving conflict. Small issues are connected to bigger issues, and the first argument reveals our bigger, core issues from the past. Once the big issue is revealed, the small issue can then be determined. It's when the small stuff is triggering the core issues that we can't resolve anything, and everything we discuss at a certain point seems like a survival issue. The first argument helps weed out what's big and what's small. Conflict then feels more manageable and more possible to resolve.
Dating Tip #3: Be "Current"
When conflict is resolved, stress is reduced and you have the ability to be current with each other. Being "current" means you're in the moment with few unresolved matters clouding the relationship. The more current a relationship is, the healthier it is. Therefore, the first argument should be welcomed, viewing it as the helpful tool that it is. Don't be blinded into thinking that the same conflict will never happen again, because it will. Allow it in and deal with it immediately. Acknowledge your own hurt, see how it relates back to past hurts and talk about that, rather than what you perceive are your partner's faults. By doing so, you'll be quickly rewarded with a peaceful resolution.
The first argument technique is not restricted to couples. Its principles can work with any intimate relationship -- parents and children, boss and employees, friends. Any relationship that is important to us -- one in which we have a lot at stake in its success -- can easily trigger our unresolved issues. If we don't care about someone, we're less easily triggered because it doesn't matter if the relationship works or doesn't work.
Dating Tip #4: Repair It Now
Remember that when dealt with, the first argument is small. When put aside, it becomes bigger and bigger to the point of being overwhelming and unsolvable. Each time we fight, we hurt each other a little bit more, until we've damaged each other and the relationship. Once this has happened, it's hard to regain the good feelings we once had for each other. A relationship can only handle so much pain and hurt before it begins to break down and fall apart. Therefore, save yourself and the loved ones in your life pain by understanding that the first argument -- the most crucial argument you'll ever have -- is a tool for healing that will spare yourself years of grief, hopelessness and helplessness in your relationships.
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