International Happiness

An informative look at recent Holistic Fitness News

DR KAPLAN'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the happiest country of all? The National Institute of Mental Health reported that one in 15 Americans have been severely depressed in the last year. So it seems Americans, though richer than the rest of us, are much less happy. Or does it?

This is a subject very close to my heart and I think that this report is very misleading. What might be much more reflective of the actual state of events is that you are much more likely to be diagnosed as being 'depressed' in the States. In Europe and the UK you might just be described as a 'miserable git'(or European equivalent) whereas in the USA you are much more likely to seek a medical reason for your unhappiness. We know that money does not buy happiness, of course, but neither does poverty.

In 1987 Michael Argyle wrote a book called The Psychology of Happiness (in which he compared happiness, anxiety and fear levels of different national groups) Americans came off as quite happy then, but they have certainly been traumatised by recent unfortunate events.

The same study also looked at happiness in various regions of Europe. Apparently Liverpudlians are six times more likely to be depressed than people living in Santander in Northern Spain. I wonder what the figure was in those halcyon days at Anfield when Kenny Dalglish's wonderful football team vanquished local and European opposition.

Hayfever<
Achoo! Bless you!

It's that time of year when some of us are more blessed than others. Apparently in the UK, the incidence of hayfever has doubled in the last 20 years in spite of the pollen count getting lower! (Admittedly this year it's been very high). Nobody knows the reason for this. Maybe its pollution. Maybe it's because we are so clean and hygienic about everything that we don't train our immune systems well and they start 'declaring war' on harmless 'invaders' such as pollen and house dust. Nobody knows.

Homeopathic Tip

Well as it's hayfever season, I'm sure some of you will be asking if homeopathy has anything to contribute. Yes, homeopaths have had quite good results with hayfever. In fact one of the best trials ever done on homeopathic medicine showed that a homeopathic medicine made from 'mixed grasses and pollens' was clinically effective when compared to placebo in a double blind clinically controlled trial. (The Lancet, 18/10/1986)

This homeopathic medicine called Mixed Grasses and Pollens 30 can be tried safely by anyone who knows their hayfever is worse when the pollen count is high. You can easily find this out by looking at the Ceefax on days when your hayfever is severe and seeing if the pollen count is high. You could try Mixed Grasses and Pollens 30 twice a day for a week and thereafter once a week while the pollen count is high.

However much better results can be obtained with homeopathy if the medicine is chosen specifically for your symptoms. The medicines I will now describe can be taken in conjunction with the Mixed Pollens and Grasses 30, but are best chosen by a professional homeopath. Nevertheless many people do try to treat themselves with over the counter (OTC) homeopathic remedies.

Allium cepa: To be considered if the nose and sneezing are the main problem, as opposed to the eyes. If you have some eye symptoms but an acrid, burning discharge from the nose, then you could try this medicine in a 6c potency, four times a day.

Euphrasia: This is a great homeopathic medicine for hayfever in which the main symptomatology is in the eyes. Red, burning, itchy eyes with a bland discharge from the nose, often does very well on Euphrasia 6c one pill four times a day.

Dr Kaplan's personal website is: www.drkaplan.co.uk and his practice website is www.140harleystreet.co.uk and he can be contacted on (020) 7487 3416