Robin Williams’ apparent suicide has put comedy jokes a spotlight on the dark side of comedy. Williams, like many comedians, lived with long-term depression and addiction.
Experts say these mental illnesses are no laughing matter.
“Comedy can often be a defensive posture against depression,” said Deborah Serani, a clinical psychologist who treats performers with depression and other mental health problems.
Serani, author comedy nights with kapil ticket booking of the book, “Living With Depression,” said that for many comedians, humor is a “counter phobic” response to the darkness and sadness they feel. Their intelligence, she said, helps them put a funny spin on their despair.
Actor Robin Williams Is Dead at 63
Inside Robin Williams’ Troubled Life
SLIDESHOW: Robin Williams’ Best Roles
“They often wear what we call ‘the mask of depression,’ which helps them put on a more acceptable face to the world,” she said. “But behind that mask there is a terrible struggle going on. There is a stigma about depression and oftentimes the laughter distracts from feelings of weakness.”
Williams spoke openly about his lifelong battle with addiction, alcoholism and depression. In 2006, he checked himself into rehab after a relapse, and then checked himself in again for undisclosed reasons last month.
He is certainly not the only comedian who has ever lived with depression and addiction. Comedian Marc Maron has spoken publicly about having severe depression. So has stand-up comedian Jim Norton. John Belushi, Chris Farley and Greg Giraldo all died of drug overdoses. And in 2007, Richard Jeni committed suicide by shooting himself in the face.
The reason so many comedians are at risk for mental illness is because being funny is not the same thing as being happy, said Dr. Rami Kaminski, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University School of Medicine. He said he believes many comedians mine humor as a way to escape depression and anxiety.
“It’s like someone who is afraid of heights but chooses to take up skydiving,” he said. “If they are funny all the time, maybe they will be able to feel a little bit better.”
Dr. Michael Clarke, the vice chairman for clinical affairs in the department of psychiatry and behavioral science at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said research shows that, in general, creativity and mental illness often go hand in english stand up comedians hand.
“People with a more creative side do seem to have a greater rate of mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder,” he said. “We don’t know exactly why this is but it could have a biological basis in the emotional centers of the brain.”
However, Clarke said, not every comedian is mentally ill.
He added that mental illness usually hampers creativity — so that when someone is in a depressed state, they are often less productive.
“Illness can inform sunday comedy club someone’s work but when we are talking about mood disorders we are talking about disease states of the brain. Their thinking is impaired and new comedy shows 2014 they aren’t always capable of making good decisions,” he said.
Kaminski said Williams may have been in this impaired frame of mind when he decided to commit suicide.
“Many comedians tend to be depressed because they are trying to get out of their dark world by being funny,” he said. “But only those that are clinically depressed are at risk for committing.
WASHINGTON Complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture, herbal supplements and meditation are big business in the United States, totaling nearly $34 billion in out-of-pocket spending, according to a government report released on Thursday.
More than 38 million adults visited chiropractors, acupuncturists and other specialists in alternative care in 2007, the report from the National Institutes of Health found.
“Despite this emphasis on self-care therapies, 38.1 million adults made an estimated 354.2 million visits to practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine,” the report said.
Complementary medicine, such as aromatherapy to ease discomfort after surgery, is used with conventional medicine whereas alternative medicine is used in place of it, the center says.
Other findings:
* Complementary or alternative therapies make up 1.5 percent of the $2.2 trillion in total health care expenditures.
* Popular products included fish oil, glucosamine to treat arthritis and Echinacea to prevent or treat colds.
* Common treatments included acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and traditional healing.
* On average, an adult spent $121.92 on visits to providers and paid $29.37 out of pocket per visit.
“With so many Americans using and spending money on (complementary and alternative) therapies, it is extremely important to know whether the products and practices they use are safe and effective,” said NCCAM director Dr.
“This underscores the importance of conducting rigorous research and providing evidence-based information on complementary and alternative medicine so that health care providers and the public can make well-informed decisions.”
Her institute was established in 1998 to conduct this research.
Join Business Wire for breakfast and a conversation and demonstration with Dave Oldham, CEO of NUVI who will share his insight on effective media relations techniques. The emphasis will be on how you can utilize NUVI’s social media measurement and sentiment analysis tool to listen, learn and leverage “online conversations.” Deep dive into understanding how listening can help tailor and monitor your communications practices and protocol.
Learn about how social media has changed the way news is gathered, produced and monitored through NUVI.Know how to track reader participation, interaction and comments as they can impact news stories.Further understand the conversation of your audience to improve the narrative of your brand.Open discussion of social MasterMind DBS media related initiatives as well as best practices and practical MasterMind DBS tips to help MasterMindSEO you effectively engage with various constituents today (media, customers, partners, employees, investors, etc.)
Space is limited to the first 20 registrants, so please register today. Breakfast will be served.
Calligraphy font styles have actually gone through a vibrant evolution throughout the centuries.
Their development has been shaped by record itself.
Early composing was done on timber or stone, thus the fonts were angular. As male ended up being more innovative as well as industrialized cities, the typefaces also changed to have softer edges to adapt to the papyrus being made use of. When Rome dropped, academic Carved Lake Art centers were focused in Western Europe. After that, the Dark Ages settled in; art and imagination seemed to have actually died, so did advancements of calligraphy fonts. After the Dark Ages, with the surge of the Roman Catholic Church to power, the official and also elaborate font style styles arised. This typeface features the architectural styles of the Middle Ages. These fonts are referred to as “Gothic.” Up until publishing mechanism disrupted handcrafting of prints, Gothic was the popular selection for typefaces. When literacy was brought down CarvedLakeArt.com to the level of typical townsfolk, the demand for much less facility typefaces increased. This appeal for functionality brought to life informal Gothic variants utilized in by hand published magazines and papers.
As publishing came to be quicker offered, hand-lettering was marked to musicians. The rest of the populace composed in cursives for their routine CarvedLakeArt.com communications. Specify calligraphy, however, was still used for its attractive purpose in several formal records– maps and invitations, for instance. The complex calligraphy brought with it a feeling of beauty as well as procedure suited for top-level affairs and also audiences.Samples of the different
calligraphy typefaces are currently housed in museums. But software program designers have actually found a method to replicate those font styles. So if you are feeling a little expensive, or when you are trying to find an aspect that would certainly bring a touch of sophistication right into your official invitation or correspondence, you might wish to look into the vendors of these software application. You are bound to discover simply the ideal one for your needs.
.
.
If your child has autism, a developmental delay or a disability, you know that brushing, flossing, and dentist visits can be really challenging. Yet, oral hygiene is crucial, especially because studies show special needs children are more likely than typical kids to have cavities and other dental problems.
Cavities, gum disease and oral trauma
In addition, some kids who are orally averse and dont like certain foods and textures or the stimulation of brushing and the taste of toothpaste are also more likely to have dental problems, Slayton said.
If your child has special needs, here are 10 ways you can keep his or her teeth healthy at home and make dentist visits stress-free.
1. Make brushing easy
For kids who need help brushing, put the toothbrush in a bicycle handle so they have something big, thick and spongy to hold onto, Goldberg said.
The earlier brushing becomes a pleasant experience, the easier it will be to make it a habit, according to Fern Ingber, president and CEO of the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s ToothFairy. Try to brush when your kid is most cooperative, and distract him or her with music or something pleasant.
3. Start early
Your childs first visit to the dentist should be a positive experience, so be sure to get there by age 1 or when the first teeth erupt.
4. Find a good dentist
Most pediatric dentists work with special needs kids, but its important to find one who is patient, will take time to explain everything to your child, and work with you to make sure your child is comfortable. If you get a compassionate doctor, it will be a great experience, Goldberg said.
5. Call ahead
When you make a dentists appointment, provide the staff with information about your child and his specific needs. A heads-up can allow them to set up the office and make sure extra staff will be on hand to help. If your child cannot sit in the chair, the dentist can also find an alternative.
6. Do paperwork beforehand
Ask the office to send all of the paperwork ahead of time, and bring a copy of your insurance card with you so you can save time and give your child the attention he or she needs.
7. Bring a comfort object
Kids dont know what to expect at the first dentist visit, so bring a favorite blanket, toy, or toothbrush.
Talk to your child about what to expect at the dentist from the chair that tilts back to the tools the dentist uses. You can also prepare by putting your child in your lap and brushing his or her teeth. They get used to the feeling of someone else touching their mouths and hovering over their heads. Its a scary feeling unless youre used to it, Goldberg said.
9. Use the right words
Ask the dentist beforehand what words and phrases you should teach your child so if the dentist says, open your mouth, he or she know what to do.
10. Wipes, gels, and rinses
According to a study in the Journal of Dental Research, young children who used xylitol wipes were significantly less likely to develop cavities. If you have to administer your childs medication at night and youve already brushed his or her teeth, wipe the mouth clean with xylitol wipes, Slayton suggests. Also, ask the dentist about an antimicrobial rinse or custom trays with peroxide gel, two methods that can help prevent cavities and gum disease too.
Julie Revelant is a health journalist and a consultant who provides content marketing and copywriting services for the healthcare industry. She’s also a mom of two. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com.
It’s in our nature to be clumsy the moment we let our guard down and spill the drink on the laptop. The consequent panic is also natural, sadly. In case you don’t panic, there are some things that you can do to save your laptop.
Steps to Clean and Save Your Laptop
If you spilled soda or juice or coffee on your laptop, you need to do more work as these liquids will do some real damage. First, you will drain out the liquid from the laptop. Do not keep it there for too long. You need to clean the sticky liquid off before it dries out too much. The best stuff that you can use for cleaning is denatured alcohol. The denatured alcohol makes sure all the liquid is cleaned off. Any sticky liquid that remains on the keys or the components will slowly corrode the surface, wearing down your laptop.
Dos and Don’ts
There are some tricks that you can use, to dry out your laptop faster and some mistakes that you need to avoid.
One trick that works is to drain off the liquid from the laptop quickly, take a bag full of rice and stick the laptop in the bag.
<script async Computers src=”https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js”>The rice will absorb all the liquid that seeps out of the laptop, making sure your laptop dries out as fast as possible.
When you dry out your laptop, don’t use a hair-dryer. The heat from the hair-dryer will destroy your laptop in two ways; it will fry some components, leaving them useless; it will only encourage the liquid to heat up and dig deeper into the surface, speeding up the corrosion.
The best way to dry out the laptop is place it in indirect heat or slightly away from a direct heat source. The best spot is on a table or window sill just out of the sunlight’s reach. If the laptop comes in direct contact with a heat source, it may melt some parts or make the liquid burrow deeper into the surface.
Make sure, whatever you use to clean the laptop (including your Hard Drive fingers) is lint free and static electricity free. You may not feel the shock, but the parts of the laptop surely can.
Prevention is better than the cure, they say. Don’t drink anything around your laptop if you don’t want to fry it up. If nothing works, you best go over to a professional and hope your laptop isn’t dead.
While chiropractors are taught to diagnose specific symptoms with their patients, this skill does not necessarily yield the same results when it comes to spinal care chiropractic understanding how to grow their practice. This is evident in the ongoing challenge many chiropractors face each year just to get their name out there to attract enough patients to stay in business. The Small Business Administration states that 50% of all businesses fail within their first five years in business. According to Bloomberg, 8 out 10 entrepreneurs fail within their first eighteen months in business. A staggering 80% crash and burn.
The reason many chiropractors struggle is because they dont have a clear blueprint for success. Most graduate from Chiropractic College without ever having received any formal business training. They open a practice and figure they will eventually succeed. Nothing could be further from what most experience. An important first step for every chiropractor is network chiropractic to properly position themselves for maximum visibility. Developing relationships in your own community is the palmer chiropractic method best possible way, says Drew Stevens, PhD.
According to Stevens, these seven elements increase visibility for chiropractors:
2. Advertising Ads that connect emotionally chiropractic school cost and separate you from competitors
3. Promotion Specific time-sensitive offers used to sell inventory and get patients
4. Community and Professional Affiliations Join the Chamber of Commerce
5. A Website Develop a solid presence online. New patients are online looking
6. Personal Interactions and Referrals Get support and backing from your community
7. Buzz Marketing and Word of Mouth Get your patients raving about you to others
This is a process that takes time. The results wont show up overnight. Chiropractors that make the time to increase their visibility using these seven elements will grow their practice and attract new patients.
She’s had her share of personal struggles but Mischa Barton is clearly back to her best.
The actress looked healthy and confidant as she strutted along the beach today as she continued her holiday fun in Miami.
The 25-year-old channelled 50s seaside fashion for the outing with friends in the Florida region.
Pin-up girl: Mischa Barton shows of her toned physique as she wears a 50s-style outfit on Miami beach in Florida
The London-born star who moved to the United States as a child donned a retro polka-dot bikini and a pair of black high-waisted shorts.
Teaming her look with silver costume jewellery and a slick of red lipstick, the 25-year-old seems to be starting the new year off as she means to go on.
Healthy and happy: Her drenched shorts emphasised just how much weight she’d lost as she’d lost as they hung loosely off her frame while she walked on the sand
The brunette had a permanent smile on her face as she walked through the sand barefoot following some time enjoying water sports.
Following her expedition on a jet ski in which she wore a blue lifejacket with yellow buckles Barton it was evident she has slimmed down recently as her soaking wet clothes hung loosely around her torso.
The star has faced much scrutiny over her fluctuating body weight in the past after years of yo-yo dieting took its toll.
Ready to rumble: Helped by her male friend, Mischa prepares to glide around the waters on a jet-ski
Action girl: The actress enjoyed a spot of water sports on a red and white jet ski
In 2008, pictures of her seemingly plagued with a bad case of cellulite on her thighs prompted a spokesperson to defend the star.
Referring to the images of her appearing plumper on Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia, a representative said: Those photos are doctored.
I’m not saying she’s perfect, nobody is. But they’ve given a 22-year-old woman the legs and bottom of an 80-year-old.
On the other hand, Mischa has been accused of looking frail and gaunt after dropping from a healthy size 12 to a frail-looking size 6-8 in 2009.
On top of the world: The world has watched Barton’s weight fluctuate as she yo-yo dieted in the last few years
stint on a jet ski” class=”blkBorder” />Help me out? The star struggles to keep her clothes on following a watersports stint on a jet ski
That was fun: The brunette seemed content with her new active lifestyle as she emerged from the ocean
On Wednesday the model looked like she had finally got the balance right as she sunbathed with friends at the start of her post-Christmas break.
The leggy beauty was seen enjoying the company of a male friend and didnt seem to mind the attention she received from onlookers.
Mischa shot to fame in The OC, where she played a beautiful resident of the gilded community of Newport Beach in California, until her character Marissa Cooper was killed off in 2006.
Where to now? Mischa walks with her friend on the beach after the energetic jet-ski ride, as other beach-goer lay oblivious on their sun loungers
Time to dry off: The star swaps her life-jacket for a towel
She has led a colourful life in the years since her time in the sun ended.
In 2008, she was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and possession of Cannabis after she was pulled over police in West Hollywood.
She told Ryan Seacrest’s radio show the day after: ‘I was pulled over… just that.
‘Obviously, Im 100 percent responsible for my actions in this case and Im really disappointed in myself.
Covering up: Mischa leaves the beach with a white towel wrapped around her shoulders
Chill time: The former O.C star looked relaxed and carefree as she whiled the afternoon away with a friend at a nearby cafe
‘I dont know what to say about it, except that Im not perfect and I just dont ever intend to do something this stupid again.’
Mischa was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation and the marijuana charge was dropped.
She was also ordered to complete a three-month alcohol-education class and pay a fine of $2,000.
Mischa had a short spell in a psychiatric hospital in 2009 after being sectioned under America’s 5150 law.
Fashionista: The cute black and white polka dot bikini showed off the brunette’s toned figure
In good company: Mischa embraces two male companions while sitting at a bar
It allows a psychiatrist to confine a person if they believe they are a danger to themselves and others.
Mischa explained: ‘If they feel you are depressed or a danger to yourself they can hold you on a 5150.
‘I am terrified of needles and they wanted to pump me full of drugs and I said, ‘No, absolutely not. I don’t want to be here,’ and got into a fight with the nurses, and that led to my 5150.’
Moving on: But she looked well-balanced as she appeared on the same beach last week with some male company and in good shape
Fluctuating weight: Filled-out face in 2009 (left) and looking gaunt at the Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring Summer show later that year (right)
Miranda Kerr was photographed stepping out in New York on Wednesday (March 26, 2014). The 30-year-old model was joined by her three-year-old son Flynn Bloom while heading to dinner. The couple, who were also seen out and about in NYC the day before, appeared in good spirits as they beamed widely. The mother of one looked stylish in a long black Escada coat and a sorbet yellow shift dress. Miranda Kerr combined her ensemble with Design Firm pumps and accessorized with a $16,000 Hermes Birkin bag. The Kora Cosmetics founder, who was recently announced as the new face of Wonderbra, completed her appearance with loose brunette locks falling to her shoulders. Meanwhile, her adorable kid Flynn Bloom looked more like his father Orlando Bloom, wearing blue jeans and a bright emerald green jacket. The child donned a loud yellow beanie to finished off his look.
Earlier in the day, Miranda Kerr, who was tagged as one of the hottest single mothers following her split with Orlando Bloom, was also seen stepping out in New York City. The gorgeous Australian supermodel covered up in the same coat that was teamed with a Dolce&Gabbana dress. She sported Christian Louboutin shoes and accessorized her outfit with Julieri and Jacquie Aiche jewels.
Miranda Kerr and Flynn Bloom coordinated their outfits while they were seen out and about in NYC on March 25, 2014.
The new face of Wonderbra worked the sidewalk like a runway as she made her way to her awaiting car in New York City on the very windy day. (Photo credit: FameFlynet Pictures)
Miranda Kerr looked gorgeous in her Dolce&Gabbana dress and printed Christian Louboutin shoes on March 26, 2014. The supermodel accessorized with a $16,000 Hermes Birkin bag and completed her appearance with Julieri and Jacquie Aiche jewels. (Photo credit: FameFlynet Pictures)
The former Victoria’s Secret model was also was named as the new face of Escada and Wonderbra. (Photo credit: FameFlynet Pictures)” width=”400″ height=”571″ />
Miranda Kerr & Husband Orlando Bloom on Sydney Vacation with Baby Flynn (Pictures)
Pin-up girl: Mischa Barton shows of her toned physique as she wears a 50s-style outfit on Miami beach in Florida
Ready to rumble: Helped by her male friend, Mischa prepares to glide around the waters on a jet-ski
Where to now? Mischa walks with her friend on the beach after the energetic jet-ski ride, as other beach-goer lay oblivious on their sun loungers
Covering up: Mischa leaves the beach with a white towel wrapped around her shoulders
Chill time: The former O.C star looked relaxed and carefree as she whiled the afternoon away with a friend at a nearby cafe
Moving on: But she looked well-balanced as she appeared on the same beach last week with some male company and in good shape
Stephens Page 
![http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/03/article-2081490-0F52B27700000578-105_634x699.jpg"](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/03/article-2081490-0F52B27700000578-105_634x699.jpg"){kind=link}
![http://i1.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30018945/2014/03/2014-03-28-10-35-01-3-the-new-face-of-wonderbra-worked-the-sidewalk-like.jpeg"](http://i1.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30018945/2014/03/2014-03-28-10-35-01-3-the-new-face-of-wonderbra-worked-the-sidewalk-like.jpeg"){kind=link}
![http://i1.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30018945/2014/03/2014-03-28-10-35-01-5-miranda-kerr-recently-modeled-a-variety-of-fun-fl.jpeg"](http://i1.ezinemark.com/imagemanager2/files/30018945/2014/03/2014-03-28-10-35-01-5-miranda-kerr-recently-modeled-a-variety-of-fun-fl.jpeg"){kind=link}