October 13, 2009
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OvercomeBullying.org Newsletter #008
The Consequences of Bullying
Hi,
Bullying at school or in the workplace has far reaching consequences. Bullying in childhood, either as a target or perpetrator can remain with us for the rest of our lives. This is highlighted in two new articles on OvercomeBullying.org, "I Did Nothing But Watch", by an anonymous author and "Animal Abuse and Bullying" by Glori Phillips.
Speaking of the consequences of bullying work has begun on the new version of "What Every Target of Workplace Bullying Needs to Know". I would also like to introduce you to my new website SleepAidGuide.com. While I cover all aspects of sleep aids and sleep disorders I wanted to let you know about the site because I know from personal experience that insomnia is one of the very real and very debilitating consequences of bullying.
All the Best,
Anton Hout
Founder, OvercomeBullying.org
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In This Issue:
- Work Begun on New Edition of Workplace Bullying e-Book
- Insomnia Common Problem for Targets of Bullying
- Member of OvercomeBullying.org Support Group Interviewed for CTV
- Animal Abuse and Bullying
- I Did Nothing But Watch
- Basic Information About Anxiety Attacks
- Thought for Today
Work Begun on New Edition of Workplace Bullying e-Book
"What Every Target of Workplace Bullying Needs to Know" has proven to be very popular and benfitial to readers. But work has begun on a new expanded version that will be even better. (Those who have purchased the original version will get the new version at no additional cost.)
The expanded version will include many new topics including, dealing with insurance companies, dealing with unions, getting a new job after workplace bullying and more including a chapter by Glynis Sherwood a counselor who truly understands the special circumstances that targets of workplace bullying find themselves in.
Many targets are shocked and horrified by how they are treated by those in authority who could make a difference.
Don't Learn the Hard Way!
Learn "What Every Target of Workplace Bullying Needs to Know" before it ruins your health, your career and your life.
I'll keep you posted on the release date for the new version in upcoming newsletters.
You can still get the original version on OvercomeBullying.org for only $9.95.
Send Me Your Testimonial Please! If you have read the book already please send me your thoughts. Did you find the information useful? How did it help you? What would you like to see included in the new version? You can reply to this newsletter or use our Contact Us form on the website. If I use your testimonial I will also include either your initials or first name and last initial. Thank you.
Insomnia Common Problem for Targets of Bullying
The stress and worry that accompany bullying takes its toll on our mental and physical health and one of the primary ways it does this is by interfering with our ability to get a good night's rest. Racing thoughts about what the bully will do next, fear about the consequences of the bully's attacks make it just about impossible to fall asleep.
If you are suffering from insomnia or any other sleep disorder you can find more information on SleepAidGuide.com about the many options that are available. For example, "brain entrainment" using binaural beats is a new approach to dealing with insomnia. Given that a stressed mind is not conducive to restful sleep the goal is to find ways of bringing the brain back into a calmer more meditative state.
For more information:
SleepTracks - Quiz, Case Study and Video
Binaural Beats - Total Relaxation
Member of OvercomeBullying.org Support Group Interviewed for CTV
Dr. Dianne Dodsworth continues to offer her support with our local group in Calgary and is helping to raise awareness about workplace bullying nationally. Mary Gazze of CTV.ca News interviewed Dr. Dodsworth to get her insights into the phenomenon of workplace bullying following the recent murder of Annie Le, a Yale graduate student.
>> CTV Article on Workplace Bullying
Animal Abuse and Bullying
Glori Phillips shares a very personal story about her life growing up in a family where violence against both animals and people was commonplace. Bullies will use whatever means are at their disposal to torment their victims and to feel powerful even if it means using brutal violence against helpless animals. Enduring such abuse as a child can color our relationships for the rest of our lives. As Glori writes, "It was impossible for me to defend myself or my animals in my life. The violence perpetrated against me and my animal friends from my brothers, then my first husband, left me with no idea what a respectful, violence free life could be like."
Cautionary Tale - "I Did Nothing But Watch"
A recent submission to our Youth Bullying Stories section had a big impact on me and I wanted to share it with you. I couldn't help but get emotional as I read this incredible story. This a a true account from a girl who at one time befriended a boy who lived in an orphanage. Read the unvarnished truth about how this girl betrayed a kind, gentle "brown eyed boy" and years later condemns herself with the judgement "I Did Nothing But Watch".
Everyone should read this story, especially those with children now attending school. Is your child being bullied? Or more to the point of this story... Is your child participating in bullying another child even as a "bystander". Bystanders can make all the difference in the world. It is every bit as important to make sure our children are not the bullies as it is to make sure they are protected from bullying. As in the case of this story you can save them from a lifetime of soul rending guilt and shame.
Basic Information about Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks can range from mild to debilitating and demonstrate themselves in numerous symptoms. For the most part, an anxiety or panic attack brings on an intense feeling of anxiety of worry that causes feelings of fear, physical illness, and discomfort. In some cases there is an event that triggers such an attack, but it is also possible that the trigger is unknown. The episodes can be random and come on instantly.
During the attack the body produces extra hormones to prepare the body for its "fight or flight" action, which is what causes the symptoms to become more profound. A person who suffers from anxiety attacks will tell you that he/she feels like they are having a heart attack or cannot breathe, thus giving them the feeling that they are going to die. It may cause them to try to flee from the area in order to try to escape the feelings of anxiety or panic.
The most common symptoms of such an attack include increased blood pressure and heart rate, which often causes flushing of the skin, chest tightness or pain, profuse sweating, a feeling that you are sick to your stomach or that you may throw up, and a feeling of lightheadedness. In the majority of sufferers, the feeling of chest tightness precipitates an attack, which leads them to think they need to call emergency services.
There are different triggers and causes of anxiety attacks. Heredity plays a part in this and studies have found that panic attacks tend to run in families. At the same time, people with no family history also develop such attacks, so the cause cannot be based on heredity alone. Many panic attacks have been attributed to deficiencies in the diet, such as a deficiency in Vitamin B. Phobias result from anxiety attacks when a person is exposed to a real threat over a long period of time.
The use of caffeine can lead to such attacks, especially during the withdrawal process. Doctors have also found that thyroid problems and anemia lead to feelings of anxiety that can develop into full blown attacks the longer the condition goes undiagnosed and untreated. There are many people who perceive a threat in their everyday life and can actually talk themselves into an anxiety attack when they worry excessively about what might happen if an event occurs.
Traumatic experiences in one’s life can also be a trigger for such an attack. Although those who suffer from anxiety attacks feel as if they are going to die, these feelings are the body’s ways of preventing this from happening. When a trigger occurs, the body starts producing extra adrenaline to prepare it for strenuous physical activity, such as running, which may be needed to ward off the threat. This, in turn, increases the heart rate and breathing rate and increases the amount of perspiration.
When no physical activity occurs or is needed, then these increases in the body cause hyperventilation as the levels of carbon dioxide increase in the heart and lungs. This increase in carbon dioxide is the cause of the feelings of dizziness, nausea, and sensations of numbness in the limbs. Breathing into a paper bag can help alleviate anxiety attacks, although many experts say it can be dangerous. Taking deep breaths from the abdomen helps to slow down the heart rate and bring the blood pressure back to acceptable levels, thus reducing the intensity of the attack.
There are ways to learn to consciously control the responses that can lead to panic attacks. If you are suffering from panic attacks you can benefit from the biofeedback hardware and software system from Wild Divine or the Panic Away program by Joe Barry.
Thought for Today
"Nothing strengthens authority as much as silence."
~ Leonardo da Vinci