[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
neurotransmitters. It s also a result of learned behavioral habits. The
hair-trigger response that typifies hostile-personality disorder can be
modified through dietary improvements, supplements, psychological
counseling, and lifestyle changes.
170 THE FOOD-MOOD SOLUTI ON
Brooding and resentment are related to anger and, like a simmering
dish, tend to cook. I m sure you ve heard the phrase He s really stew-
ing. Resentment is a feeling of anger that s bottled up. Often, resent-
ment occurs when we feel slighted or put down, or feel that people are
acting superior or trying to control us. People with feelings of resent-
ment relive or brood about painful experiences, frequently thinking
about what they would do differently if given the chance or what they
might do to get even.
On a day-to-day basis, anger is expressed in many ways. Some peo-
ple seem to be irritable, grumpy, cranky, or on the warpath most of the
time, and they may take their anger out on people who had nothing to do
with their original feelings of hurt. Chronically angry people also tend
to misinterpret other people s words and actions and take them person-
ally. Anger and resentment often feed their own escalation. For example,
road rage usually results from pent-up frustration about traffic conges-
tion, which may be expressed through horn honking, reckless speeding
and lane changing, or freeway shootings. People who have angry out-
bursts are often described as losing it or having a meltdown.
Impatience is a form of annoyance and anger that s commonly seen in
many people s driving habits. A person who is annoyed and impatient
with traffic might tailgate, speed, and weave between lanes, only to be
stopped at red lights, increasing his or her frustration, annoyance, and
impatience. My father taught me the value of pacing while driving that
is, to time my speed so that I hit more green than red lights. This idea of
pacing seems to be completely lost on many drivers. It is actually far less
frustrating to drive a little slower but to hit more green lights.
Anger taps into primitive brain functions related to physical aggres-
siveness and survival. The epinephrine (adrenaline) release with anger
increases our energy levels for a short while, an important survival trait.
Alcohol, which reduces social inhibitions, often increases the expression
of anger, either in words or physical actions. That s why alcohol is com-
monly associated with abusive behavior and fighting. For example,
instances of air rage have typically involved airline passengers who
get drunk and then verbally abuse or physically attack flight personnel.
Psychologists have long thought that anger is related to feelings of
low self-esteem or self-worth; however, this idea is now being chal-
DEALING WITH IRRITABILITY, ANGER, AGGRESSIVENESS, AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR 171
lenged. Some psychologists contend that poor self-esteem may, con-
versely, be the result of feelings of anger. There is evidence that anger is
more related to a lack of control over one s life or an inability to change
things for the better, often combined with a desire to get back at people
who are believed to be responsible.
Is there anything good about anger? It s a normal emotion as long as
it is appropriate to the situation and quickly dissipates afterward. Prac-
ticing forgiveness can help to reduce anger. Anger increases our physi-
cal energy and mental focus, which is good as long as the anger is not
misplaced, misdirected, or hurtful.
Violent Behavior and Nutrition
Violent behavior is essentially a crescendo of anger. Over the last thirty-
five years, a small number of researchers, law enforcement personnel,
and psychiatrists have investigated how poor nutrition contributes to
anger, destructive behavior, and violence. They have found that inade-
quate nutrition can alter moods, thinking processes, and a moral sense of
what is right or wrong.
At the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, located in the Chicago suburb of
Warrenville, doctors are researching the use of nutritional supplements
to treat severe mood and behavioral disorders, including extreme anger,
destructive behavior, and criminal violence. Staff at the center conduct
a thorough nutritional and biochemical workup of patients and then pre-
scribe a customized nutritional supplement regimen.
In an analysis of 207 randomly selected patients, the center s scientific
director, William Walsh, Ph.D., found that customized supplements led
to a 92 percent lower frequency of physical assaults and 53 percent
fewer occurrences of property damage. Walsh reported that three-
fourths of patients with intense angry outbursts and violent behavior had
abnormally high levels of copper relative to zinc. In fact, the high-
copper, low-zinc pattern is strongly associated with an explosive temper,
like a volcano going off. About one-third of the patients had difficulty
dealing with sugar and other refined carbohydrates, which aggravated
existing mood and behavior problems.
In his research, Walsh has consistently found nutrient-handling prob-
lems in violent criminals. In an analysis of mineral patterns in thirty
172 THE FOOD-MOOD SOLUTI ON
serial killers and mass murderers, he frequently found elevated levels of
lead or cadmium, which are highly toxic and interfere with normal brain
chemistry. Walsh traced many of these mineral problems to low produc-
tion of metallothionein, a sulfur-containing protein needed to properly
use zinc and to protect against lead and cadmium.
In another study, C. Bernard Gesch, a professor of social work at
Oxford University, England, tested the effects of a combination of
supplements or placebos on 231 young
Quick Tip
adult prisoners eighteen years of age and
Seven Fast Ways to Turn a
older. The supplements were comparable
Bad Mood Around
to conventional once-a-day vitamin for-
1. Go to the bathroom.
mulas, plus essential dietary fats (such as
Don t laugh! It s a great
place to hide out for a
omega-3 fish oils and gamma-linolenic
few minutes.
acid).
2. Rub your eyes (lightly, not
At the beginning of the study, almost
enough to irritate them).
all of the prisoners were found to be defi-
3. Wash your face.
cient in selenium, a mineral that can
4. Have a cup of green tea.
affect mood, and more than two-thirds of 5. Go for a ten-minute walk
as a time-out.
the prisoners were also deficient in mag-
6. Eat a little protein, such as
nesium, potassium, iodine, and zinc.
a couple of slices of deli
Overall, prisoners taking the supplements
turkey.
for several months committed one-fourth
7. Lie on your back on the
floor for five minutes and
fewer offenses. Similar benefits can be
do some stretching
achieved in reducing less serious every-
exercises.
day mood and behavior problems.
Psychological Tips for Dealing with Your Own Anger
You can cool down your own anger before it gets out of hand. Here are
some ways.
Recognize that you re getting mad. Develop an internal tripwire to alert
you to when your anger is building, instead of allowing it to flare up.
Next, determine the specific trigger of your anger, such as something
your boss or spouse said to you. Then, work on figuring out why you feel [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl wyciskamy.pev.pl
neurotransmitters. It s also a result of learned behavioral habits. The
hair-trigger response that typifies hostile-personality disorder can be
modified through dietary improvements, supplements, psychological
counseling, and lifestyle changes.
170 THE FOOD-MOOD SOLUTI ON
Brooding and resentment are related to anger and, like a simmering
dish, tend to cook. I m sure you ve heard the phrase He s really stew-
ing. Resentment is a feeling of anger that s bottled up. Often, resent-
ment occurs when we feel slighted or put down, or feel that people are
acting superior or trying to control us. People with feelings of resent-
ment relive or brood about painful experiences, frequently thinking
about what they would do differently if given the chance or what they
might do to get even.
On a day-to-day basis, anger is expressed in many ways. Some peo-
ple seem to be irritable, grumpy, cranky, or on the warpath most of the
time, and they may take their anger out on people who had nothing to do
with their original feelings of hurt. Chronically angry people also tend
to misinterpret other people s words and actions and take them person-
ally. Anger and resentment often feed their own escalation. For example,
road rage usually results from pent-up frustration about traffic conges-
tion, which may be expressed through horn honking, reckless speeding
and lane changing, or freeway shootings. People who have angry out-
bursts are often described as losing it or having a meltdown.
Impatience is a form of annoyance and anger that s commonly seen in
many people s driving habits. A person who is annoyed and impatient
with traffic might tailgate, speed, and weave between lanes, only to be
stopped at red lights, increasing his or her frustration, annoyance, and
impatience. My father taught me the value of pacing while driving that
is, to time my speed so that I hit more green than red lights. This idea of
pacing seems to be completely lost on many drivers. It is actually far less
frustrating to drive a little slower but to hit more green lights.
Anger taps into primitive brain functions related to physical aggres-
siveness and survival. The epinephrine (adrenaline) release with anger
increases our energy levels for a short while, an important survival trait.
Alcohol, which reduces social inhibitions, often increases the expression
of anger, either in words or physical actions. That s why alcohol is com-
monly associated with abusive behavior and fighting. For example,
instances of air rage have typically involved airline passengers who
get drunk and then verbally abuse or physically attack flight personnel.
Psychologists have long thought that anger is related to feelings of
low self-esteem or self-worth; however, this idea is now being chal-
DEALING WITH IRRITABILITY, ANGER, AGGRESSIVENESS, AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR 171
lenged. Some psychologists contend that poor self-esteem may, con-
versely, be the result of feelings of anger. There is evidence that anger is
more related to a lack of control over one s life or an inability to change
things for the better, often combined with a desire to get back at people
who are believed to be responsible.
Is there anything good about anger? It s a normal emotion as long as
it is appropriate to the situation and quickly dissipates afterward. Prac-
ticing forgiveness can help to reduce anger. Anger increases our physi-
cal energy and mental focus, which is good as long as the anger is not
misplaced, misdirected, or hurtful.
Violent Behavior and Nutrition
Violent behavior is essentially a crescendo of anger. Over the last thirty-
five years, a small number of researchers, law enforcement personnel,
and psychiatrists have investigated how poor nutrition contributes to
anger, destructive behavior, and violence. They have found that inade-
quate nutrition can alter moods, thinking processes, and a moral sense of
what is right or wrong.
At the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, located in the Chicago suburb of
Warrenville, doctors are researching the use of nutritional supplements
to treat severe mood and behavioral disorders, including extreme anger,
destructive behavior, and criminal violence. Staff at the center conduct
a thorough nutritional and biochemical workup of patients and then pre-
scribe a customized nutritional supplement regimen.
In an analysis of 207 randomly selected patients, the center s scientific
director, William Walsh, Ph.D., found that customized supplements led
to a 92 percent lower frequency of physical assaults and 53 percent
fewer occurrences of property damage. Walsh reported that three-
fourths of patients with intense angry outbursts and violent behavior had
abnormally high levels of copper relative to zinc. In fact, the high-
copper, low-zinc pattern is strongly associated with an explosive temper,
like a volcano going off. About one-third of the patients had difficulty
dealing with sugar and other refined carbohydrates, which aggravated
existing mood and behavior problems.
In his research, Walsh has consistently found nutrient-handling prob-
lems in violent criminals. In an analysis of mineral patterns in thirty
172 THE FOOD-MOOD SOLUTI ON
serial killers and mass murderers, he frequently found elevated levels of
lead or cadmium, which are highly toxic and interfere with normal brain
chemistry. Walsh traced many of these mineral problems to low produc-
tion of metallothionein, a sulfur-containing protein needed to properly
use zinc and to protect against lead and cadmium.
In another study, C. Bernard Gesch, a professor of social work at
Oxford University, England, tested the effects of a combination of
supplements or placebos on 231 young
Quick Tip
adult prisoners eighteen years of age and
Seven Fast Ways to Turn a
older. The supplements were comparable
Bad Mood Around
to conventional once-a-day vitamin for-
1. Go to the bathroom.
mulas, plus essential dietary fats (such as
Don t laugh! It s a great
place to hide out for a
omega-3 fish oils and gamma-linolenic
few minutes.
acid).
2. Rub your eyes (lightly, not
At the beginning of the study, almost
enough to irritate them).
all of the prisoners were found to be defi-
3. Wash your face.
cient in selenium, a mineral that can
4. Have a cup of green tea.
affect mood, and more than two-thirds of 5. Go for a ten-minute walk
as a time-out.
the prisoners were also deficient in mag-
6. Eat a little protein, such as
nesium, potassium, iodine, and zinc.
a couple of slices of deli
Overall, prisoners taking the supplements
turkey.
for several months committed one-fourth
7. Lie on your back on the
floor for five minutes and
fewer offenses. Similar benefits can be
do some stretching
achieved in reducing less serious every-
exercises.
day mood and behavior problems.
Psychological Tips for Dealing with Your Own Anger
You can cool down your own anger before it gets out of hand. Here are
some ways.
Recognize that you re getting mad. Develop an internal tripwire to alert
you to when your anger is building, instead of allowing it to flare up.
Next, determine the specific trigger of your anger, such as something
your boss or spouse said to you. Then, work on figuring out why you feel [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]