1. Mail Today, New Delhi, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 GOOD HEALTH 25
HEALTH PICTURE COURTESY: ZORBA THE BUDDHA (GLOBAL ARTS VILLAGE) IN PURSUIT OF
happiness
W
HILE ALTERNATIVE system into adrenaline-fuelled
techniques rely on overdrive in times of stress. Any
self exploration to stress a trauma patient might suf-
deal with your fer while revisiting past memo-
emotional bag- ries is muted. However, prohibi-
gage, the world is tion due to danger of drug abuse
still desperate for that wonder besides side effects like increased
pill which can deliver happiness heart rate and blood pressure
and peace. While anti-depres- has pushed the use of MDMA to an
sants have been doing the round abysmal level.
for several years, these drugs However, several practitioners
have side effects and patients continue to use it discreetly.
may have to try several medi- Patients often report a sense of
cines before they get to know well being which lasts for a long
which works for them. time and also helps to weed out
Scientists are working to do traumatic experiences which
away with this trial and error may be difficult to handle
method. Biomarkers are the new through therapy or conven-
buzzword. They are useful for tional medicine.
providing information on which
drug would work for the patient According to a study published
they are dealing with. Biomark- in the Journal of Psychopharma-
ers are signals from your bodies, cology, when MDMA is adminis-
tered to patients of post-trau-
which the doctors would be able
matic stress disorder it improves
to check through blood tests
tolerance for recall and
or brain scans, indicat-
processing of painful
ing whether a treat-
ment will be suc- The memories, promotes
emotional engage-
cessful. Currently, debate
NEW THOUGHTS ON SELF GROWTH
Here are some new books offering insights on life and beyond
brain scans seem
like the best way
to ascertain the
changes in brain
about the use
of the Ecstasy
ment and decreases
emotional avoid-
ance.
Psychotherapy
patients also man-
activity. Com- pill for relief age to escape
paring before
and after brain of trauma from their shells
and shame, and to
scans can help rages on see lifelong patterns
doctors ascertain
of behaviour with
how an anti depres- MDMA. Researchers
sant has worked and have found that they were
hence predict whether less dispirited, evasive and
the treatment will ultimately afraid. According to another
make the person well. research published in the jour-
Meanwhile, the infamous nal Biological Psychiatry it was
ecstasy pill is still holding out found that MDMA might be use-
hope for many doctors who are ful to enhance the psychother-
using it among victims of sexual apy of people who struggle to
abuse or childhood trauma. Con- feel connected to others.
trary to its contemporary image Autism, schizophrenia, or antiso-
of being a party drug to hit cial personality disorder can
euphoria, ecstasy, known as make it difficult for many people
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT 365 THANK YOUS FORTYTUDE MDMA in medical circles, was to communicate with others.
by Gretchen Rubin by John Kralik by Sarah Brokaw first introduced to troubled cou- However, when researchers
Rubin spends one year The writer decides to find one Brokaw believes turning 40 ples and families during psychi- administered MDMA to those
attaining measurable person to thank each day of is an opportunity for women atric counselling sessions. with little social contact, it pro-
goals in different areas of the year after suffering set- to exercise self-reflection In fact, doctors said it provides duced friendliness, playfulness,
life using concrete steps backs on professional and and improvement. She pro- clarity of mind and feeling of and loving feelings. It can also
to increase happiness. The personal fronts. He changes files different women and inner strength. It also tames the help make others seem more
book offers useful tips the focus of his life from woes identifies five core values brain's fear center, the amygdala, attractive, friendly and less
for all of us on a similar to gratitude and experiences that can help women thrive and subdues the fight-or-flight threatening.
mission. a changed mindset. from age 35 onwards. response that pushes the nervous — Manu Moudgil
we have the power to heal the violence, sexual abuse and gender cult to open up with the known says Gupta. Unlike conventional
world’. Marilyn Smith, the world- injustice were helped by this expe- STRANGERS CAN HELP faces around. “Most of the peo- therapy, which stresses on dis-
wide representative of soul heal- rience. “Recounting your own SO WHY are Indians moving out ple’s issues are with their family cussing contentious issues with
ing master Dr Zhi Gang Sha, trauma like sexual exploitation by of their comfort zones and airing members and hence they may not your family members, alternative
believes the collective effort of so a man or abuse during childhood personal issues in the open? For a be forthcoming with their feel- healing techniques work on the
many people helps reduce the by a woman helps you own up to first, it helps that all others in the ings. This is why I ask people to premise that everybody has
impact of individual issue. the event and heal it. Also, being in group are strangers. “You feel avoid family healing sessions,” power to change relationship by
“Initially, all the group members a mixed gender group dissolves comfortable since these people changing themselves.
have low energies which is why a generalisations like ‘all men want are not going to pass judgments It’s not always necessary
collective is needed to raise the power’ or ‘women always go for based on your past or your to share your stories, which is
intensity of healing. Once you feel the money’. You get to know that thought process. In addition, why most newcomers feel com-
better, you get encouraged to
help others,” she says.
we are all on the same boat and
gender does not matter,” says
they also have many things
to share which means we
Did you know fortable in such a group. “Most
healing techniques can work
Hazel Fernandes, who has been are all going through SIMPLY being highly paid at another level even if you
working on the issue of sexuality this transition together don’t state your problem
SENSITIVE ISSUES and spirituality. out loud. Usually, it just
isn't enough for people to
and hence feel more
INTERESTINGLY, such group The session ends with both men compassionate
be happy. They must per- takes one person to share
sessions are also useful in dealing and women honouring each other. towards each other,” ceive themselves as being his experience that
with contentious issues of sexual “The session helps people appreci- says Modi. paid higher than their friends starts a chain reaction
abuse and gender bias. In a ate that there’s a group that sup- Trainers avoid and work colleagues, accord- and everybody starts
recently-held workshop organised ports you even if the society does taking up family connecting with each
other,” says Olalekar.
ing to a study done at the Uni-
by NGO Maher near Pune, a group not. This is something individual groups for the
of men and women who listened to session with a healer can’t pro- same reason since
versity of Warwick and Cardiff manu.moudgil
each other’s stories on domestic vide,” says Fernandes. they feel it’s diffi-
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