My name is Victoria and I am a 43 year old Mom of two boys. My oldest is 13 and in the advanced 8th grade class and our youngest will be 12 in December and he is in special education 6th grade who has severe behavioral issues. I also have a husband that likes to complain and gripe all the time about everything. We have been married for 14 years and I am also having a hard time dealing with him.

MONDAY, Aug. 11 (HealthDay News) -- A gene variation may explain why some people are more prone to anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress, a new study says.

People carrying two copies of the Met158 variation of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene showed greater anxiety on a standard personality test and also were significantly more startled than others when shown a series of unpleasant pictures, according to findings published in the August issue of Behavioral Neuroscience.

Apparently girls take doing badly in school a little harder than their male counterparts.

Analyzing 800 people from the state of Washington, it was found that of all the people who had experienced academic failure (failed exams, drop outs) 22% of females faced depression, with 17% of males.

From Reuters-

"They said adolescent girls who are expelled, suspended or drop out of high school before they graduate are more likely to have a serious bout of depression by age 21 than boys with similar experiences.

Committing ourselves or a loved one into a mental health facility is frightening. We remember movies where mental health patients run amok, rock uncontrollably or froth at the mouth. Pills are forced down seemingly unwilling patients and half of them don't seem to know why they are there. Doctors and nurses who see this every day can seem unsympathetic. And stories like the recent death of a Jamaican mental health patient who was left to die on the floor of a hospital strike fear in all of us.

FRIDAY, July 4 (HealthDay News) -- The brains of people who suffer from anxiety and severe shyness may respond more strongly to stress and show signs of being anxious even in situations considered safe by others, say researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

They studied brain activity, anxious behavior and stress hormones in adolescent rhesus monkeys. Those with the most anxious temperaments showed higher activity in a part of the brain called the amygdala, which regulates emotion and triggers reactions to anxiety.

WEDNESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they've taken a significant stride forward in understanding how relaxation techniques such as meditation, prayer and yoga improve health: by changing patterns of gene activity that affect how the body responds to stress.

The changes were seen both in long-term practitioners and in newer recruits, the scientists said.

Tina's post about depression being exacerbated by certain medications got me wondering about the so-called natural anti-depressants like Sam-e and St. John's Wart.

Many doctors advice depressed patients to take them alongside prescription medications for depression, particularly when the prescriptions are not working well.

Research into these herbal anti-depressives is usually positive, particularly St. John's Wart.

Has anyone tried these herbal supplements? What was the outcome? Did you have a positive or negative experience or did you notice any difference at all?

Find out the latest information about Heather Locklear's treatment from EmpowHer's news team that's keeping you up to speed on her developments.

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Heather Locklear is seeking treatment for psychological issues at an Arizona facility, her publicist confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.

"Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression. She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment," says Locklear's rep, Cece Yorke. "This is a confidential medical matter and no further statement will be released."

im average size but a little top heavy from breasts

I would like to know if my stress from taking care of a wheeelchair and bed bound spouse affect any of my current conditions. I know if I get away for a couple of hours I feel much better, but it tires me out. I could easily sleep most of the day if I had time.
I had serious surgery in Nov 2007 for an ulcer that would not heal so nopw there are medications, such as for Ostoperosis that I can no longer take. Also I can no longer take Celebrex for my arthritis.
Any suggestions for substitutes?
Thanks