Paediatrician and ADHD expert, Dr. Billy Levin, argues there shouldn't be any confusion about ADHD and it's the misinformation that's hurting widespread, successful treatment of ADHD.

There is an urgent need to overcome conflicting views surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This can only be achieved if doctors, parents and teachers take heed of information from reliable and authoritative sources, instead of succumbing to the false and often sensational messages that arise out of ignorance and a failure to consider all the facts.There is a world of accurate and scientific information, written by experts in the field of ADHD. There is equally as much, if not more, misinformation made public which, it would appear, is read more readily than the facts - with distressing and sometimes tragic results.

The Debate Over Ritalin

Perhaps the biggest area of debate around ADHD is medication, particularly with regard to Ritalin. It has been suggested that more has been written about Ritalin and ADHD than any other medical condition. I would go further to say there is probably more misinformation written than genuine information, something not apparent in other fields of medicine. A possible explanation is that certain organisations are underdernmining the evidence supporting Ritalin by confusing the public and medical professionals and distorting the facts.

In spite of Nobel Prize winner, Roger Sperry's elucidation of the neurology of ADHD, parents bow to pressure arising from unsound and misleading information and so stop medicating their children. Teachers respond to the same information by persuading parents to stop Ritalin treatment or simply refuse to accept that the condition exists, labelling the child as lazy, naughty or stupid, without appreciating that correct timing, correct dosage and regular re-evaluation lead to effective treatment and a stepping stone to remediation. "you can't teach a child before you reach the child!" You cannot reach them with out Ritalin.

Instead, children are often given programs that are not beneficial or, even worse, detrimental. These programs, which have been condemned by the experts, are being peddled to unsuspecting parents, only to aggravate these children's suffering. It is negative influences like these that hamper progress.

Highly emotive arguments surrounding the use of Ritalin and the diagnosis of ADHD have been going on for at least 30 years, without consensus. Yet throughout, expert opinion has been constant, that Ritalin is safe and effective - provided it is used correctly and for the right type of patient.

Ritalin Is Not the Miracle Cureall

However, and this is where many people make a mistake, Ritalin should not be seen as the be-all and end-all, because treatment of ADHD requires an holistic approach that demands commitment from parents, teachers and patients. Whether it is a behavioural problem, a learning problem, or both, ADHD children need motivation, especially from their parents, as well as educational help from their teachers. Children have a vital role to play in overcoming their own problems -dedication. While their condition is being treated, they might still have to cope with the negativity and ignorance that abounds.

In addition, the experts have laid down clear guidelines, methods and systems that have been found to be effective time and again. It is not so much a question of whether too much Ritalin is being used as has been suggested in the lay press, but whether it being used correctly and for those who really need it. One should not confuse misuse, abuse or addiction. There appears to be substantial misuse (because of misdiagnosis, incorrect dosage or incorrect management), some abuse, no addiction - but gross confusion.

Treatment of ADHD demands a knowledge of developmental norms in children, clinical criteria for diagnosis, systems for evaluation monitored titrated dosages a knowledge of pharmacology and counciling. Parent and teacher education plays an important role in the treatment of children with ADHD who are placed on Ritalin or alternate medication. Initially it should be on a trial basis, not to establish if it is safe (it is safe), but to establish whether the child benefits.

However, as long as deception and misinformation continue, the chances of achieving widespread success in treating ADHD will be diminished.

About the author: Dr. Billy Levin (MB.ChB) has spent the last 28 years treating patients with ADHD. He has researched, developed and modified a diagnostic rating scale of which he has evaluated over tens of thousands of case studies. He has been a speaker at several national and international symposiums on ADHD and has had articles published in various teaching, medical and educational journals and on the Internet. He has written a chapter in a textbook (Pharmacotherapy edited by Prof. .C.P. Venter) and received nominations by his local branch of SAMA for a National award (Excelsior award) on two occasions."

next: Corporal Punishment From A Religious Viewpoint
~ back to adders.org homepage
~ adhd library articles
~ all add/adhd articles

Self-Therapy For People Who ENJOY Learning About Themselves

All personal and interpersonal problems CAN be solved. We've looked at the roadblocks (#1) and how to identify a problem (#2). Now, in #3 and #4, we'll learn about the six aspects of all problems. This topic focuses on My Part of the Problem, Your Part of the Problem, and the Situation.

THE PART I PLAY IN THE PROBLEM

When we pretend we don't have any responsibility for a problem, we say things like: "It's Not My Problem!" - "I Didn't Do Anything Wrong." - "It's All Your Fault." - "You'll Have To Fix It!"

How Do We Know That We ARE Part Of The Problem? We ALWAYS play a part in any problem that exists between us and other people. But it's important to realize that we don't have to DO anything to be a big part of a problem!

If your partner says "I have a problem with the way you do dishes" you might say "It's not my problem. It's your problem that you want me to do them differently."

SAYING that you don't have a part in the problem, doesn't make it so! In this example, the part you play in this problem might be: - That you drop every third dish(!).

• That you say you'll do them but don't.
• That you refuse to discuss the dishes at all.

If you drop every third dish, you probably admit that you are at least part of the problem! But if you don't keep your word about when you'll do them or if you simply refuse to discuss the dishes, then your part of the problem is a PASSIVE part.

Your part of the problem isn't about what you do, but about what you do NOT do. When little kids get blamed for something, they love to respond with: "But I didn't DO anything!!" Many adults live their lives as if this is their only defense: To be able to say "I didn't DO anything!"

Many problems have both an ACTIVE and a PASSIVE participant. The active person is at least putting their beliefs "out there" to be seen. The passive person is staying hidden, and their role may be overlooked.

The worst example of passivity in problem solving is in abusive relationships. The person who is being abused keeps saying "I didn't DO anything!" but they DID do something very, very important! They TOOK the abuse, passively, even after they KNEW it was going to happen again. Their passivity is an extremely important part of the problem!

How To Handle It When You Want To Deny That You Are Part Of The Problem

Tell Yourself: "I am part of this problem. Something I DID or DID NOT DO contributes to it!"

THE PART THE OTHER PERSON PLAYS IN THE PROBLEM

When we pretend the other person doesn't have any responsibility in a problem, we say things like:

"It's Not Your Problem!" - "You Didn't Do Anything Wrong." "It's All My Fault." - "I'll Fix It By Myself."

How Do We Know The Other Person IS A Part Of The Problem? (See "How We Know WE Are Part of the Problem".... Just reverse the pronouns....)

How To Handle It When You Want To Deny That The Other Person Is Part Of The Problem

This can be pretty serious stuff. It may be based on self-hate, intense fearfulness, or both.

Tell Yourself: "The other person IS responsible for what they do or don't do. It is NOT all my fault or entirely my responsibility to fix this." (If necessary, add: "I will not take being mistreated!"...)

THE ROLE OF THE SITUATION: "Are There Other Important Factors?"

Sometimes the situation really doesn't matter. If the "situation" in our example is only "the kitchen," there isn't much we need to say about it.

But what if one partner's parents are taking a side in the dispute? What if someone's religious beliefs are involved? What if someone believes that the only way to do dishes is the way they think "everyone" does them (and this is defined by what they've seen on TV)?

How Much Does The Situation Matter? Each person determines the amount they let these elements influence their decisions.

What matters is whether we take responsibility for making our own decisions or we blame outside factors for "making us" do what we choose to do.

Saying you "have to" do something the way your parents or your religion or your culture says, is a cop out. You make your own decisions, regardless of the amount of pressure around you.

Saying you LEARNED FROM your parents, religion, or culture and you picked out the good stuff and threw away the bad from each source is being responsible.

next: Finding Purpose

Overview of inositol supplements as a natural remedy for depression and whether inositol works in treating depression.

What is Inositol?

Inositol is a type of sugar related to glucose. It occurs naturally in the body and is present in many foods. Inositol can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

How does Inositol work?

Low levels of inositol have been found in the spinal fluid of people who are depressed and in the brains of people who have committed suicide. These findings have raised the possibility that taking inositol might be a useful treatment.

Is Inositol effective ?

There have been several small studies on inositol. It is unclear from this evidence whether inositol is effective.

Are there any disadvantages?

None known.

Where do you get Inositol?

Inositol powder can be bought as a dietary supplement at some health food shops or over the internet.

Recommendation

It is unclear whether inositol helps depression. More research is needed.

Key references

Taylor MJ, Wilder H, Bhagwagar Z, Geddes J. Inositol for depressive disorders (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

back to: Alternative Treatments for Depression

When caring for an Alzheimer's Disease patient, there are medical and emotional needs to consider during the holiday season.

Alzeimer's Patients and Emergencies

Make sure that you know which doctors and pharmacies are open over the holiday period and ensure that you know where your nearest emergency room is. Keep a list of emergency numbers in a safe place - for example, for the gas, electricity and water, and for the local police.

Social services have an emergency duty team operating during holidays to provide statutory care. In case of emergency or crisis you can call them; the local social services department will be listed in the phone book under the name of your county or state services.

Medicine

Check whether your guest is taking any medication and ensure that they have enough to get through the holidays, as getting repeat prescriptions may be difficult at this time. If they usually live in a care home, talk to their care manager about this situation.

Emotional needs

The person with Alzheimer's

Your guest may find it unsettling to be in an unfamiliar house. Even if they live with you year-round, the atmosphere at Christmas may be very different from usual, and their routine may be disrupted. Each person with Alzheimer's will react to this differently, but some people may become more confused, upset or even aggressive. Holidays may also trigger emotional memories of the past, which could be difficult for them to deal with. Be prepared for changes in the person's behavior and try not to be alarmed. Try to understand how they might be feeling and spend some time reassuring them and listening to them.

It may help if you can think of some activities and tasks that the person might enjoy doing in quieter moments. What do they enjoy doing in their day-to-day life? What might make them feel more at home? They may have some happy memories of bygone holidays that you can reminisce about. Do you have any old photos you could look at together? The person might also enjoy puzzles, games, walking, or household tasks such as cleaning or cooking. Try to involve them in your own activities and reassure them that their help is valued.

Try to help your guest get a good night's sleep, as this may make a big difference to how well they cope during the day. Try not to allow them to take too many naps during the day, if possible, by encouraging activities and providing stimulation. Limit fluids in the evening and avoid stimulating drinks like tea and coffee. Try giving them a warm, milky drink at bedtime.

Your guest may also get some solace from spiritual activities. Think about their usual or past religious attitudes: would they like to go to church, or listen to church hymns? Talk to them about their views on the Christmas festival. Try to accommodate any particular wishes they may have if possible.

The caregiver

If you are caring for a guest with Alzheimer's over the holidays, you may become quite exhausted or stressed yourself. The following tips may help:

• Congratulate yourself for coping, and for being there for someone who needs you.
• Try to pace yourself and set realistic goals - if a task is not urgent, perhaps you can just let it go.
• Remember to take some time for yourself, even if it's just a few quiet minutes in the evening. You might also find it helpful to get out for a brief walk in the fresh air every now and then.
• If you are struggling and you need to talk to someone impartial, you can call the Samaritans. This is a charity providing confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who are in crisis or feel that they can no longer cope.
• Go online and and participate in chats or bulletin board discussions.
• Check your local TV, press and radio for details of local Christmas help lines. These can be very helpful if you need some advice or information about local services or if you are struggling and just need somebody to talk to.

The family

Stress and anxiety are common during the holidays and many families experience arguments or tension at this time. Try to avoid known triggers - for example, if you tend to argue about politics in your family, try to avoid the subject.

It might help to plan a group activity after lunch so that everyone is busy and entertained. Perhaps you could all play cards together or watch a film.

Many people tend to drink more during the holidays and this can make arguments and accidents more likely. Although sociable drinking is all part of the fun for many people, try to ensure that drinking stays within sensible limits.

It may be helpful to designate a room as a 'quiet room' if possible and agree not to watch television or listen to music in there. If anyone is feeling stressed or tense, there will then be somewhere quiet for them to sit and relax for a few moments.

When your friend or loved one is staying in a care home

You may have a family member or friend who will be staying in a care home over the holiday. This is a very difficult situation for many people. Try to remember that there is no right or wrong way to handle the situation. Some caregivers like to visit their relative and spend a large part of the day with them in the home; others are not able to do this, for a variety of reasons. Whatever your situation, try not to feel guilty and do your best to enjoy the holiday. If you need to talk about your feelings, you can call the Alzheimer's Helpline or go online and speak to others in a similar situation.

Sources:

• Alzheimer's Society - UK - Factsheet: Christmas Holidays, 2006.

next: Helping Someone With Alzheimer'

A balanced diet is required for the proper metabolism and functioning of the body. A healthy diet should contain all the nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Fats and carbohydrates are usually ignored as part of the diet in today's "must-be-thin" lifestyle when, in fact, they are the energy-giving components. Instead, one should consider exercise to lose weight and should not get down to eating disorders which may cause excessive harm to the body.

Many factors lead to unhealthy eating habits. Starting in childhood, overweight children are laughed at. Classmates make fun of them.

You may also have heard your father or mother talking about losing weight. Some mothers talk about losing weight to maintain their youthful appearance.

In many parts of the world, thinness is equated with beauty and success. According to the overwhelming amount of advertising and the huge diet industry, beauty and success cannot be achieved without thinness. You only have to open up a beauty magazine or turn on the TV to see that this is true. Thin models and actors are paraded in front of us constantly, reminding us of how life could be if only we were thinner!

Low Self-Esteem Can Lead to Eating Disorder

All of the above factors contribute to low self-esteem and, in turn, may result in an eating disorder. Although many children may not develop an eating disorder, the effects of such ridicule will bare its ugly head in some other way.

Medical and genetic factors may also contribute to the development of an eating disorder. These have not been thoroughly investigated to date. A family history of depression or eating disorders seems to increase the risk that a family member may develop an eating disorder. This link could be of importance when it comes to identifying those at risk and helping to prevent the development of an eating disorder.

An eating disorder not only makes your body weak but also causes emotional, psychological and medical problems.

Source: Health Section ExpressNewsline.com

next: Do Online Support Groups Help Eating Disorders?
~ eating disorders library
~ all articles on eating disorders

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions
• Psychiatric Medications
• Child Behavior Disorders
• Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers
• Child Mental Health
• Teen Mental Health
• Teens and Destructive Behavior
• Progressive Brain Changes
• Youth in a Difficult World
• Unraveling Autism
• Dysfunctional Network in Brain's Left Hemisphere Linked to Dyslexia
• Atypical Brain Activity Detected in People with Dyslexia

back to: Parenting Information NIMH Homepage

These articles, written by Robert Burney, deal with codependency. What makes a person codependent and how to heal from codependency.

• Stinking Thinking
• Emotional Release Technique - Deep Grieving
• Roles In Dysfunctional Families
• The Emotional Frontier Within
• Emotional Incest
• The Concept of Empowerment
• Thanksgiving
• The True Nature of Love - Part I, What Love Is Not
• The True Nature of Love - Part II, Love as Freedom
• The True Nature of Love - Part III, Love as a Vibrational Frequency
• The True Nature of Love - Part IV,   Energetic Clarity
• Mother's Day
• Father's Day
• Fathers
• Codependence and Self-Worth
• 1994 Inaugural Speech
• Romance
• Happy, Joyous, and Free
• The Amazing, Magnificent, Miraculous, Magical, Fiery Eruption of Joy & Love & Dazzling Light
• An Adventure in Love - Loving and Losing Successfully
• Union Within
• Loving the Wounded Child Within
• Happy Holidays

next: Stinking Thinking

Introduction

Research has enabled many men, women, and young people with cancer to survive and to lead fuller, more productive lives, both while they are undergoing treatment, and afterwards. As with other serious illnesses, such as HIV, heart disease, or stroke, cancer can be accompanied by depression, which can affect mind, mood, body and behavior. Treatment for depression helps people manage both diseases, thus enhancing survival and quality of life.

About 9 million Americans of all ages are living with a current or past diagnosis of cancer. People who face a cancer diagnosis will experience many stresses and emotional upheavals. Fear of death, interruption of life plans, changes in body image and self-esteem, changes in social role, lifestyle, and medical bills are important issues to be faced. Still, not everyone with cancer becomes depressed. Depression can exist before the diagnosis of cancer or may develop after the cancer is identified. While there is no evidence to support a causal role for depression in cancer, depression may impact the course of the disease and a person's ability to participate in treatment.

Despite the enormous advances in brain research in the past 20 years, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. While studies generally indicate that about 25 percent of people with cancer have depression, only 2 percent of cancer patients in one study were receiving antidepressant medication. Persons with cancer, their families and friends, and even their physicians and oncologists (physicians specializing in cancer treatment) may misinterpret depression's warning signs, mistaking them for inevitable accompaniments to cancer. Symptoms of depression may overlap with those of cancer and other physical illnesses. However, skilled health professionals will recognize the symptoms of depression and inquire about their duration and severity, diagnose the disorder, and suggest appropriate treatment.

Depression Facts

Depression is a serious medical condition that affects thoughts, feelings, and the ability to function in everyday life. Depression can occur at any age. NIMH-sponsored studies estimate that 6 percent of 9- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. and almost 10 percent of American adults, or about 19 million people age 18 and older, experience some form of depression every year. Although available therapies alleviate symptoms in over 80 percent of those treated, less than half of people with depression get the help they need.

Depression results from abnormal functioning of the brain. The causes of depression are currently a matter of intense research. An interaction between genetic predisposition and life history appear to determine a person's level of risk. Episodes of depression may then be triggered by stress, difficult life events, side effects of medications, or other environmental factors. Whatever its origins, depression can limit the energy needed to keep focused on treatment for other disorders, such as cancer.

Cancer Facts

Cancer can develop in any organ or tissue of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. But sometimes cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Tumors can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order, resulting in damage to the organs or tissues they invade.

Cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads, or "metastasizes," from the original cancer site to form new tumors in other organs. The original tumor, called the primary cancer or primary tumor, is usually named for the part of the body in which it begins.

Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Some include:

• Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
• Obvious change in a wart or mole
• A sore that does not heal
• Nagging cough or hoarseness
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained changes in weight
• Unusual bleeding or discharge

When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They may also be caused by infections, benign tumors, or other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. One should not wait to feel pain; early cancer usually does not cause pain.

Treatment for cancer depends on the type of cancer; the size, location, and stage of the disease; the person's general health; and other factors. People with cancer are often treated by a team of specialists, which may include a surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and others. Most cancers are treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy. One treatment method or a combination of methods may be used, depending on each person's situation.

Get Treatment for Depression

At times it is taken for granted that cancer will induce depression, that depression is a normal part of dealing with cancer, or that depression cannot be alleviated for a person suffering from cancer. But these assumptions are false. Depression can be treated and should be treated even when a person is undergoing complicated regimens for cancer or other illnesses.

Prescription antidepressant medications are generally well-tolerated and safe for people being treated for cancer. There are, however, possible interactions among some medications and side effects that require careful monitoring. Therefore, people undergoing cancer treatment who develop depression, as well as people in treatment for depression who subsequently develop cancer, should make sure to tell any physician they visit about the full range of medications they are taking. Specific types of psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, also can relieve depression.

Use of herbal supplements of any kind should be discussed with a physician before they are tried. Recently, scientists have discovered that St. John's wort, an herbal remedy sold over-the-counter and promoted as a treatment for mild depression, can have harmful interactions with some other medications. (See the alert on the NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/.)

Treatment for depression can help people feel better and cope better with the cancer treatment process. There is evidence that the lifting of a depressed mood can help enhance survival. Support groups, as well as medication and/or psychotherapy for depression, can contribute to this effect.

Treatment for depression in the context of cancer should be managed by a mental health professional - for example, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker - who is in close communication with the physician providing the cancer treatment. This is especially important when antidepressant medication is needed or prescribed, so that potentially harmful drug interactions can be avoided. In some cases, a mental health professional that specializes in treating individuals with depression and co-occurring physical illnesses such as cancer may be available.

While there are many different treatments for depression, they must be carefully chosen by a trained professional based on the circumstances of the person and family. Recovery from depression takes time. Medications for depression can take several weeks to work and may need to be combined with ongoing psychotherapy. Not everyone responds to treatment in the same way. Prescriptions and dosing may need to be adjusted. No matter how advanced the cancer, however, the person does not have to suffer from depression. Treatment can be effective.

Other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and anxiety disorders, may occur in people with cancer, and they too can be effectively treated. For more information about these and other mental illnesses, contact NIMH.

Remember, depression is a treatable disorder of the brain. Depression can be treated in addition to whatever other illnesses a person might have, including cancer. If you think you may be depressed or know someone who is, don't lose hope. Seek help for depression.

next: Depression Co-Occurring with Medical, Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders
~ depression library articles
~ all articles on depression

The bottom line of everything I've said so far is this: If you, or someone you know, shows signs of depression, then by God, please, please, please, get help, or help the depressed person receive treatment for depression.

For Those Who May Be Depressed: If you think you might have depression, I want you to stop what you are doing and call your doctor or a local crisis line. Even if you are not sure, it's worth it to have a professional look into this possibility. Please do not think you cannot be helped or that you are not worthy of help. Both of these are symptoms of depression, and therefore are all the more reason to look for help. I know what it's like, and even though it's the hardest thing you've ever done, I beg you to ask for help. Your doctor or crisis worker won't think any less of you because of it. In fact, they respect patients who take the initiative and look for help, for they know that the depression itself will try to hold you back. And you may think your friends and family won't understand, but they may respect the fact that you are looking for help, nonetheless, and for some of them it may be a relief to know that what is wrong with you, can be diagnosed and treated. You owe it to yourself to get help. You are worth it. Please do it.

For Those Who Think A Friend Or Loved One Is Depressed:

You may believe that a kind word or two, from time-to-time, is all that's needed. However, if someone shows the signs of depression, and they persist, they need more help than you can provide. Do your best to cajole them into treatment. Be kind about it, but firm. Depending on how well they are functioning, you may have to make an appointment for them, and actually take them to it. Having someone go with the depressed person may help him or her feel a little better about it. And take it from me: the person did not choose to be depressed and is not--consciously--trying to inflict anything on you. If he or she has said or done something hurtful, remember that it's the illness, and not him or her. The best way to help him or her, as well as yourself, is to get him or her to treatment.

next: Getting Therapy For Depression
~ back to Living with Depression homepage
~ depression library articles
~ all articles on depression

Contents in Serendipity Website:

Introduction
The Twelve Steps of Co-Dependents Anonymous
Top Co-Dependence Recovery Topics
Topics on Co-Dependency and Life
Resources

Introduction

• Serendipity Homepage

The Twelve Steps of Co-Dependents Anonymous

• Step One
  We admitted we were powerless over others, that our lives had become unmanageable.
• Step Two
  Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
• Step Three
  Made a decision to turn our will and our lives, over to the care of God as we understood God.
• Step Four
  Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
• Step Five
  Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
• Step Six
  Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
• Step Seven
  Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
• Step Eight
  Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
• Step Nine
  Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
• Step Ten
  Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
• Step Eleven
  Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.
• Step Twelve
  Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Top Co-Dependence Recovery Topics

1. Admitting Powerlessness
2. Recovery Is...
3. Feeling Overwhelmed
4. Letting Go of Painful Situations
5. Healthy Relationships
6. Boundaries
7. The Heart of God's Love
8. Responding to Feelings
9. What is Co-Dependence?
10. Friends and Lovers
11. Healthy Giving
12. Adjustments
13. Forgiveness

Topics on Co-Dependency Recovery and Life

• Topics on Co-Dependency Recovery and Life Table of Contents
• Respect and Co-Dependency
• First Anniversary Celebration
• What I Believe
• A Power Greater
• Admitting Powerlessness
• Snow on the Mountain
• Walls and Bridges
• The Heart of God's Love
• Patterns
• Adjustments
• Healthy Giving
• Recovery Is...
• Every Little Thing
• The Answer
• Spaces in Your Togetherness
• Forgiveness
• Morning Meditation
• Options
• Feeling Overwhelmed
• We Can Be Heroes
• Happiness Is...
• Responding to Feelings
• The Best of Life
• Revealing Riches
• Celebrate Yourself
• Messages of Love
• Friends and Lovers
• Letting Go of High Standards
• Letting Go of Conceptual Limitations
• Embracing Love
• Recovery and My Marriage
• Letting Go of the Future
• Doing Fine
• Changes
• Single-Minded Focus
• Letting Go of Old Beliefs
• Happiness
• Powerlessness
• Letting Go of Painful Situations
• Healthy Relationships
• Milestones
• Activity and Stillness
• Choosing to Love
• Letting Go of Urgency
• Trusting God, Again
• Healthy Communication
• Embracing the Moment
• Letting Go of the Past
• Letting Go of Outcomes
• Clean and Empty
• Letting Go of Perfectionism
• Becoming Whole
• Having Fun
• Remaining Neutral
• Letting Go of Ego
• Serenity Prayer
• Attitude
• Acceptance
• Patience
• Meditation
• Being
• Responsible Recovery
• Self-Love
• Detachment
• The Calm Center
• The Twelve Steps: A Perspective
• What is Co-Dependence?
• Responsibility in Relationships
• Letting Go of Fear
• One Day at a Time
• Boundaries
• Recovery and Discovery
• Higher Power Concept
• Twelve Steps Before the Program
• Healthy Thinking
• Open-Heart Sharing

Resources

• Download the Serendipity E-book
• Co-dependency Recommended Books
• Serendipity Links

back to: Serendipity Homepage