# data[].attributes.headline
PowerSearch - Document - Creativity and mental illness

# data[].attributes.subject
PowerSearch - Document - Creativity and mental illness

# data[].attributes.headline
The Intellectual Overexcitability from Byrdseed TV

# data[].attributes.subject
The Intellectual Overexcitability from Byrdseed TV

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The overexcitabilities, identified by Polish psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski, are ways that people can be more intense than their peers. The intellectual intensity is often seen in gifted students: a desire to go deeper and deeper into a topic, becoming overexcited by an idea.
Part of a live presentation from the Orange County Department of Education.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The overexcitabilities, identified by Polish psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski, are ways that people can be more intense than their peers. The intellectual intensity is often seen in gifted students: a desire to go deeper and deeper into a topic, becoming overexcited by an idea. Part of a live presentation from the Orange County Department of Education.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lisa Bundrick: Bibliotherapy Booklist for Elementary Students - Teachers.Net Gazette

# data[].attributes.subject
Lisa Bundrick: Bibliotherapy Booklist for Elementary Students - Teachers.Net Gazette

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lisa Bundrick: Bibliotherapy Booklist for Elementary Students - Teachers.Net Gazette

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bibliotherapy and bibliocounseling is used by mental health professionals who are trained in the use of therapeutic interventions. However, classroom teachers often use "developmental bibliotherapy," which, according to Abdullah (2002) "involves helping students in their normal health and development." Bibliotherapy can be particularly useful when working with children to assist them in labeling, expressing, and validating their feelings and thoughts.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bibliotherapy - Perfectionism & Gifted Students

# data[].attributes.subject
Bibliotherapy - Perfectionism & Gifted Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bibliotherapy - Perfectionism & Gifted Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This site contains information about gifted students and perfectionism.

# data[].attributes.headline
5 Easy Ways to Help Your Anxious Child (and Your Anxious Self) - Scientific American

# data[].attributes.subject
5 Easy Ways to Help Your Anxious Child (and Your Anxious Self) - Scientific American

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Advertisement

Childhood is full of little worries, like who you'll sit next to at lunch, passing this week's spelling test, or walking past that scary barking dog at the end of the block.

But sometimes kids' worries grow bigger than your teen's Instagram audience, faster than your tween in a growth spurt, or are more numerous than fidget spinners in the lunchroom.

It's painful to see your kid suffering from anxiety and it's heartbreaking to watch them do things that set them apart from their peers, like clinging to you at soccer practice, crying at birthday parties, or refusing to participate in school to the point that their grades suffer. It can also be exasperating to hear them worry about things that seem irrational or to worry about the same things over and over again. Luckily, you can help.
"Continue reading on QuickAndDirtyTips.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Savvy Psychologist Ellen Hendriksen

Ellen Hendriksen, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and the host of the Savvy Psychologist podcast on Quick and Dirty Tips.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Easy Ways to Help Your Anxious Child (and Your Anxious Self)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Childhood is full of little worries, like who you'll sit next to at lunch, passing this week's spelling test, or walking past that scary barking dog at the end of the block. But sometimes kids' worries grow bigger than your teen's Instagram audience, faster than your tween in a growth spurt, or are more numerous than fidget spinners in the lunchroom.

# data[].attributes.headline
Psychobiotics for Anxiety and Depression - Allergies & Your Gut

# data[].attributes.subject
Psychobiotics for Anxiety and Depression - Allergies & Your Gut

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Probiotics for Anxiety & Depression Autoimmune Disease, Chronic Inflammation, Gut Microbiome, Gut Microbiome & Mood, Gut-Brain Axis, IBS, Leaky Gut, Pathogenic Bacteria That Cause Anxiety & Depression, Prebiotics as Psychobiotics, Probiotic Foods, Probiotic Supplements, Probiotics, Probiotics as Psychobiotics, Probiotics for Anxiety, Probiotics for Depression, Probiotics vs Pharmacenticals, Psychobiotics

It may strain the imagination to hear that several pounds of organismslive inside your gastrointestinal tract and that they are in constant communication with your brain, but it's true. Actually, the communication is two way - gut to brain and brain to gut - and operates via biochemical signaling. This process is called the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiome is so so important to the body's functioning it's often now referred to as our second brain.

Recent research has also demonstrated that our mood is greatly affected by certain bacteria living in our gut microbiome. These bacteria profoundly influence how anxious or depressed we are. Having lots of friendly probiotic bacteria in there exerts anxiety-reducing and antidepressant effects on our emotions and physical bodies.

Fortunately for us, there is an emerging field of neuroscience called psychobiotics that is studying how changing the bacterial composition in the gut affects the brain. (Atlay, 2016)

Psychobiotics researchers are beginning to identify which probiotics have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects - boosting mood and cognitive function; decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Functional Medicine doc Kelly Brogan, along with numerous others, is convinced that mood disorders and many other psychiatric problems are the result of imbalances and chronic inflammation in the gut microbiome and that psychobiotics will become the treatment of choice for mood disorders and will also be used to prevent them. She wrote:

"For two decades now, pioneering researchers have been substantiating inflammatory models of mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Research has focused on markers that indicate immune distress in an important subset of patients, many of whom are labeled "treatment resistant." Through this body of literature, we have identified that depression can be induced, in animals and in humans through inflammatory agents, that it is correlated with blood levels of inflammatory markers, in a linear way (more markers = worse depression), and that symptoms can be reversed through pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories." (Brogan, 2014)

The well respected scientists who authored an article called Psychobiotics and the Manipulation of Bacteria-Gut-Brain Signals published a few months ago in Trends in Neurosciences believe that prebiotics (nondigestible plant fibers that nourish our probiotics) should also be included as actors in the gut-brain communication process and propose the diagram below to show how it all works (Sarkar, 2016):
Systems-Level Overview of Psychobiotic Action
If you're interested in a deeper understanding of how the process works, take a look at this explanation of the diagram provided by the authors:

"Probiotics directly introduce beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria into the gut. Prebiotics (e.g., galacto-oligosaccharides) support the growth of such bacteria. SCFAs and gut hormones: Both probiotics and prebiotics increase production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which interact with gut mucosal enteroendocrine cells and catalyse the release of gut hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide- 1 (GLP-1). Prebiotics may have stronger effects in this regard in comparison to probiotics. SCFAs and gut hormones enter circulation and can migrate into the central nervous system. Gut hormones are also secreted by tissues other than enteroendocrine cells. Neurotransmitters: psychobiotics enhance neurotransmitter production in the gut, including dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which likely modulate neurotransmission in the proximal synapses of the enteric nervous system. Vagal connections: the vagus nerve synapses on enteric neurons and enables gut-brain communication. Stress, barrier function, and cytokines: barrier dysfunction is exacerbated through stress-induced glucocorticoid exposure. This enables migration of bacteria with pro-inflammatory components, increasing inflammation directly and also triggering a rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines via the immunogenic response. These cytokines impair the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and permit access to potentially pathogenic or inflammatory elements. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (red circles) also reduce the integrity of the gut barrier. Psychobiotic action restores gut barrier function and decreases circulating concentrations of glucocorticoids and pro-inflammatory cytokines. They also increase concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines (blue circles), which enhance integrity of the blood-brain barrier, the gut barrier, and reduce overall inflammation. Cytokines clustering at the brain represent cytokine interaction with the blood-brain barrier. Central lymphatic vessels: cytokines may interact more directly with the brain than previously appreciated through the recently discovered central lymphatic vessels." (Sarkar, 2016)

THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS AND MOOD

The gut microbiome and the brain, working together via the gut-brain axis, are jointly responsible for maintaining health in the body - including mental health. If a body has an unbalanced gut microbiome containing too few or unbalanced probiotics and prebiotics (dysbiosis) - because its owner consumes a nutritionally impoverished diet, has taken antibiotics that have killed off many probiotics in the gut, has been exposed to toxins, and/or isn't doing a good job managing stress, the body's intestinal lining may become too porous (a condition called leaky gut), creating chronic inflammation in the body and eventually a series of autoimmune diseases - and apparently mood disorders too.

In the diagram above from the Sarkar article, blue arrows indicate psychobiotic processes and effects, while red arrows indicate processes associated with leaky gut and chronic inflammation.

RESEARCH FINDINGS ON PSYCHOBIOTICS FOR ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

Here are some intriguing results from research studies on probiotics' and prebiotics' effects on anxiety and depression:

A 30-day human study found these two probiotics helpful for reducing anxiety as compared to a placebo (Sarkar, 2016)

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052

Bifidobacterium longum

A mixture of these probiotics compared to a placebo, taken for four weeks, substantially reduced depression in human subjects (Sarkar, 2016)

Bifidobacterium bifidum W23

Bifidobacterium lactis W52

Lactobacillus acidophilus W37

Lactobacillus brevis W63

Lactobacillus casei W56

Lactobacillus salivarius W24

Lactococcus lactis W19 and W58

In a study of academic stress, healthy medical students took either this probiotic or a placebo for eight weeks before an exam. The day before the exam, plasma cortisol was substantially lower in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. (Sarkar, 2016):

Lactobacillus casei Shirota

In another study, student athletes who were given this probiotic had elevated mood and reduced natural killer cell activity after strenuous exercise, relative to placebo:

Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 LG2809

When the probiotic was taken along with this protein in milk,

the students also experienced less fatigue. (Sarkar, 2016)

Irritable bowel syndrome is known to be associated with disturbances in the gut-brain axis and composition of the gut microbiome. IBS is a chronic inflammatory condition and is often accompanied by anxiety and depression. After human study participants with IBS consumed this probiotic, their level of inflammation was reduced (as measured by the ratio of interleukin-10 to interleukin-12), compared to those who took a placebo (Sarkar, 2016):

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624

In a clinical trial of people with major depressive disorder, patients were given these probiotics:

Lactobacillus acidophilus (2 billion CFUs)

Lactobacillus casei (2 billion CFUs)

Bifidobacterium bifidum (2 billion CFUs)

Compared with placebo, the people who took the probiotics were less depressed at the end of the eight week study and also had significant decreases in systemic inflammation, reduced insulin resistance, and a significant rise in glutathione (the body's master anti-oxidant). (University Health News, 2016)

A study looking at the effects of these probiotics (given as Probio'Stick®) on anxiety, depression, stress, and coping strategies in healthy human volunteers found a reduction of psychological distress (particularly depression, anger/hostility, and anxiety) and improved problem solving ability at the end of the 30 day study (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052

Bifidobacterium longum R0175

Harrington states, "For anyone experiencing anxiety and/or depression, regular supplementation with this probiotic combination seems a natural and worthwhile practice. It is conceivable that such supplementation could reduce reliance on prescription medications and deliver freedom from the burdens of these common mental illnesses." (Harrington, 2016)

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were given either this probiotic or a placebo daily for two months. The people who took the probiotic experienced a significant decrease in anxiety (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (24 billion colony forming units)

Animal studies have shown that this probiotic reduces depression by increasing dopamine and serotonin. This same probiotic decreased cortisol and increased dopamine and serotonin, normalizing the stress response system in depressed mice subjected to early-life stress (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus plantarum strain PS128

These two probiotics have been shown to reduce anxiety-like behavior and improve performance on cognitive tests in anxious mice (University Health News, 2016):

Bifidobacterium longum 1714

Bifidobacterium breve 1205

The same probiotic shown to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome has also been shown to help humans and lab animals undergoing other kinds of stress. This probiotic (consumed as kefir, a fermented milk drink that's loaded with a variety of probiotics) prevented stress-related cortisol increases and raised serotonin levels in stressed medical students. The kefir also decreased stress-related physical symptoms such as abdominal pain and colds (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota

Animal studies have also identified other probiotics that reduce stress-related depression and anxiety by affecting serotonin, cortisol, and other neuroactive compounds. These two, in combination, normalized anxious behaviors along with learning and memory impairments in immune-deficient rats (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 combined with Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011

This probiotic was more effective than the SSRI citalopram (Celexa) in reducing stress-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction in rats. It lowered their cortisol and restored their serotonin and other brain neurochemical levels back to normal (University Health News, 2016):

Lactobacillus helveticus NS8

Prebiotics, like probiotics, have also been identified as regulators of mood and brain function. A recent study found that this prebiotic decreased the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol and improved emotional processing and lowered anxiety in healthy human volunteers (University Health News, 2016):

Bimuno-galactooligosaccharides, B-GOS

A study of people with IBS, who typically have decreased microbial diversity in their gut microbiomes and often suffer from anxiety, found that daily consumption of this prebiotic mixture for four weeks reduced their anxiety (University Health News, 2016):

a galactooligosaccharide-containing prebiotic mixture in powder form

An informative article called 10 Best Probiotics For Depression & Anxiety: Gut-Brain Axis Modification names the following as the most helpful probiotics for mood regulation, describes their functions in the body, presents relevant research results from studies in which they were used as psychobiotics, and recommends some specific probiotic products. The first nine in the list are probiotics; the 10th is a prebiotic:

Bifidobacterium longum

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

Lactobacillus helveticus

Lactobacillus plantarum

Bifidobacterium animalis

Lactobacillus casei

Bifidobacterium infantis

Bifidobacterium breve

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Transgalactooligosaccharides

The article also discusses pathogenic bacteria that may CAUSE anxiety and depression:

Citrobacter rodentium

Campylobacter jejuni

Clostridium

Enterococcus faecalis

Interestingly, these pathogenic bacteria have also been found to be associated with other serious physical problems, including GI disease, stress-induced memory dysfunction, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, and heart valve damage.

COMMERCIAL PSYCHOBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS

If your interest in the relationship between the probiotics in your gut microbiome and your mood has been piqued, perhaps you want to pick out one or more of the probiotics mentioned above to experiment with. Start with the one that interests you most and take it for a month so it has a chance to colonize in your gut.

If deliberately encouraging a strain of bacteria to colonize your gut sounds too much like a scary science fiction movie, please remember that we're talking about GOOD (probiotic) bacteria, ones that create health in the body, not HARMFUL (pathologic) bacteria that create illness.

Here are a few commercially available probiotic supplements that provide psychobiotic and other benefits:

Life Extension Florassist Mood Capsules

This supplement contains 3 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of a blend of two probiotic strains demonstrated to improve mood, reduce perceived stress, and promote relaxation in humans.

Lactobacillus Helveticas strain R0052

Bifid bacterium longum strain R0175

"Research suggests specific probiotics positively influence biochemical signaling between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system- resulting in positive effects on mood." (Amazon.com, 2017)

Contains milk and soybeans. The ingredients may be from GMO sources.

Life Extension says this about the GMO issue:

"Q. Should I be concerned with the usage of genetically modified plants (GMOs)?

"A. Soybeans are an example of a crop that has used extensive genetic engineering to increase crop yield. The reality is that soybean oil and soy lecithin are highly processed derivatives of soy ... far removed from their soy origin. Genetic modification doesn't alter the entire plant... only a specific gene. Thus, specific molecules like soy lecithin are the same whether they come from a GMO or non-GMO soy source. However, due to our sensitivity to customer concerns, products with corn and soy-based active ingredients are in process of having the labels updated to list when soy and corn-derived active ingredients have been certified to be from non-GM food crops. As the labels are updated the information will be transferred to the product descriptions on our website and directory. Currently Life Extension already offers several premium quality non-GMO soy isoflavone extract products." (Life Extension, 2017)

Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics Time-Release Micro-Pearls

At time of manufacture, contains 5 billion Colony Forming Units per BIO-tract pearl, equivalent to 75 billion CFU. Contains a minimum of 1.5 CFU at time of expiration date.

The 15 Group, B. (2015). biotic strains in this supplement are:

Lactobacillus plantarum - Secretes the oxidant hydrogen peroxide which acts as a weapon to protect your body and must be present for your immune system to function correctly. Creates a healthy barrier in your colon and helps lower luminal pH, creating an unfavorable environment for the growth of pathogens including molds, yeasts and bacteria.

Lactobacillus fermentum - highly antimicrobial and antioxidative. Helps inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, yeast and other pathogens and has demonstrated clinical efficacy within immune health.

Lactobacillus acidophilus - Creates a fortress of good colonies that helps keep unwanted organisms out of your gut. Studies show that L. acidophilus helps to reduce occasional diarrhea and enhances your immune system and may help to reduce cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that those taking L. acidophilus experienced significantly more relief from their gastrointestinal discomfort than did those taking a placebo.

Bifidobacterium Infantis - Has been shown to reduce the major symptoms of GI disorders, including diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, cramping and constipation. It is particularly popular as a means of combating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and has been shown to improve digestion and the body's ability to absorb and process nutrients.

Lactobacillus casei - Along with L. Acidolphilus, converts lactose into lactic acid, helping those who are lactose intolerant. Helps to encourage the growth of other beneficial bacteria.

Bifidobacterium longum - Assists in breaking down carbohydrates and fighting free radicals. Provides potent antioxidant support and helps reduce the effects of seasonal allergens.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus - Helps reduce occurrences of traveler's diarrhea and food poisoning.

Bifidobacterium lactis - Helps decrease H. pylori (a bacterium associated with the majority of stomach ulcers) and helps the production of the front line cells in your immune system.

Lactobacillus reuteri - Improves cholesterol levels, reduces H. plyori, protects female urinary tract and vaginal health and aids infants' GI health.

Lactobacillus salivarius - Helps with GI problems (especially diarrhea caused by antibiotics), helps lactose-intolerant people digest dairy. It may lower cholesterol and blood pressure, maintain dental health, help with IBS, and boost the immune system.

Lactobacillus paracasei - Is key for digestive function, boosts the immune system, and energy levels, resolves infant diarrhea. It may help fight infections and relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lactobacillus gasseri - May speed up metabolism and encourage weight loss, protect against harmful organisms, lower cholesterol, reduce allergic response, ease symptoms of asthma in children, and lessen menstrual pain in women with endometriosis.

Bifidobacterium bifidum - Protects the intestinal lining from damage from toxins and pathological germs. Produces important vitamins like B12, biotin, and K2. Helps digest sugar and reduces incidence of colds and flu.

Bifidobacterium breve - Protects colon function, alleviates constipation, reduces gas and diarrhea. Stimulates the immune system, inhibits E. coli and suppresses the fungus Candida. Ferments sugars and produces acetic and lactic acids. Helps digest plant fibers typically thought of as undigestible. May reduce intestinal irritation and allergic responses.

Streptococcus thermopholus - Breaks down lactose into lactic acid and helps boost the immune system. May lower the risk of colon cancer. May protect intestinal tissues from irritation during chemotherapy . Correlates with better growth in children.

plus 25 mg of prebiotic:

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

This supplement is vegetarian; non-GMO; and free of yeast, lactose, soy, iron, gluten, wheat, nuts, preservatives, sugar, and artificial colors or flavors.

- Information provided by Hyperbiotics on Amazon.com (2017), Dr Edward Group at Global Healing Center (2015A-F), and Examine.com (2011-2017).

Jarrow Formulas Ideal Bowel Support 299v Capsules

This supplement contains a single probiotic strain:

Lactobacillus plantarum 299v

Each veggie cap contains 10 billion viable cells of L. plantarum 299v, a clinically-documented, human-origin probiotic strain that resists stomach acid and bile salts and has been found to successfully colonize the human intestinal mucosa.

This strain reduces bloating, gas and Intestinal discomfort, and supports regularity. The product is vegetarian/vegan and gluten free but contains trace amounts of soy.

- Amazon.com (2017)

align Probiotic Supplement Capsules

This supplement also contains a single probiotic strain:

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624

align was developed by gastroenterologists to promote and support a healthy digestive system. It's especially useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - sometimes called spastic colon. IBS is characterized by abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. (Amazon.com, 2017)

In the intestines of infants, B. infantis helps break down lactic acid in human breast milk.

"Adults who keep their B. infantis levels in balance enjoy better overall health, an active metabolism, and less discomfort after eating. British researchers reported it only took four weeks for women who took B. infantis to enjoy a significant improvement in their IBS symptoms. Another study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found B. infantis supports stomach health and digestion. But it does more than aid digestion. It also supports your immune system against unwanted bacterial growth in the intestines. And some strains even produce B vitamins." (Group, 2015B)

Bio-Kult Advanced Probiotic Multi-Strain Formula Capsules

The beneficial bacteria in BioKult are freeze dried, a process which protects them from the harsh acidic environment of the stomach so they survive to colonize the intestinal tract. Each capsule contains a minimum of 2 billion probiotic microorganisms. BioKult is gluten free, uses no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It may contain traces of soy and milk from the growth medium of the strains. Lactose intolerant people shouldn't have a problem with these traces of milk. BioKult is non-GMO. (Amazon.com, 2017)

Bio-Kult contains 14 probiotic strains:

Bacillus subtilis PXN 21

Bifidobacterium bifidum PXN 23

Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25

Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27

Bifidobacterium longum PXN 30

Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35

Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39

Lactobacillus casei PXN 37

Lactobacillus plantarum PXN 47

Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54

Lactobacillus helveticus PXN 45

Lactobacillus salivarius PXN 57

Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis PXN 63

Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66

Here's information on the probiotic strains in Bio-Kult that haven't already been discussed:

* Bacillus subtilis is ubiquitous in soil, produces an endospore that allows it to survive the stomach's acidity. It is beneficial to the digestive system in general and is known to improve symptoms of IBS. It suppresses the growth of harmful pathogens, strengthens the gut's mucosal lining, and enhances the growth of other good probiotic strains. (Jockers, 2014)

B. subtilis's other benefits include decreasing triglycerides, LDL levels and total cholesterol; increasing immunity; fighting viruses; improving leaky gut; decreasing inflammation; decreasing diarrhea and nausea; improving dairy digestion; decreasing tooth decay; managing HIV symptoms; and fighting dyspepsia. (Jerkunica, 2009-2015)

* Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus is one of the bacterial strains used to turn milk into yogurt and is also found in other naturally fermented foods.

* Lactobacillus helveticus provides many health benefits - including inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, anti-mutagenic and anti-tumorigenic activity, anti-hypertensive activity, immunomodulatory activity, control of diarrhea, reduction of lactose intolerance, and enhancing recovery from gut atrophy induced by malnutrition. It has also been found to improve bone mineral density and bone mineral content, calcium and bone metabolism, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure. (Swartzburg, 2009)

* Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, a strain of L. lactis, is used widely in cheese making as a starter culture. It's added to milk to make a variety of cultured dairy products: sour cream, buttermilk, blue cheese, Colby, Cheddar, and cottage cheese.

L. lactic ssp. lactis protects against strep throat, respiratory and non-respiratory diseases, L. lactis also delivers antigens that stimulate mucosal immunity to non-respiratory pathogens, including HIV, HPV, and the malarial parasite. It's related to other lactic acid bacteria, such as L. acidophilus in the intestines and S. salivarius in the mouth. (Todar, 2008-2011)

I love this: In 2010, L. lactis was named Wisconsin's Official State Microbe!
Earth's Pearl Probiotic & Prebiotic
This is another probiotic supplement in pearl form, containing 4 billion cultures. The pearls contain no gluten, lactose, wheat, soy, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, chemicals, or artificial ingredients.

(Amazon, 2017)

Probiotic Sticks

This probiotic supplement is for those who can't or don't like swallowing capsules. Each stick contains 3 billion active cells (guaranteed to expiration date). You tear the stick open and pour its contents onto your tongue, allow the powder to dissolve, and swallow. You could also mix the powder into water or juice, even stir it into a smoothie.

Each stick contains:

Bifidobacterium longum (R0175) 3.18 x 108 CFU

Lactobacillus helveticus (R0052) 2.682 x 109 CFU

Probiotic Sticks balance the intestinal microflora and help decrease stress-related GI symptoms - such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. They are micro-encapsulated and gastro-protected. The powder is a red plum flavor. (Amazon.com, 2017)

An Amazon customer reported, "It is the best probiotic I have ever used. It really helps with anxiety."

These are only a few of the probiotic supplements on the market. Some research should help you find one that's high quality and addresses your health issues.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT

When selecting probiotic supplements, you want to make sure you're getting something that your body can use. Many probiotic supplements on the market may start with billions of CFUs of various bacteria but they've died by the time you get them or they perish in the acidic environment of your stomach as they pass through on their way to your intestines (where you need them) and won't do you any good. Do some research before purchasing. In general, try to get the highest quality supplements you can afford.

Dr David Williams proposes these four criteria for evaluating a probiotic supplement (Williams, 2017):

The specific probiotic strains included

The product's packaging and delivery system

Product expiration dates

Money-back guarantee

I would add to his list:

Non-GMO

Gluten free

Free of other common allergens

No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

Is able to survive stomach acid to reach the intestines

KEFIR

Kefir is a fermented drink that's loaded with probiotic bacteria, including many of the ones discussed above that have been found effective for anxiety and depression. It can be made from any type of milk - usually cow, goat or sheep, and also from coconut water, juices, rice, soy - even plain water. It has impressive medicinal benefits for healing leaky gut and can be given to newborns to improve their gut microbiomes. It also contains high levels of Vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals, Vitamin K2, biotin, folate, and digestive enzymes. The fermentation process breaks down the lactose in milk, rendering kefirs 99% lactose-free, so they're tolerated well even by those who are lactose intolerant.

Kefir has been consumed for thousands of years for its numerous health benefits.

Lifeway organic plain kefir is an example of a tasty commercial kefir that's widely available. Its culture contains 15-20 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) of live and active kefir cultures per cup. Kefir cultures include these probiotics:

Lactobacillus Lactis

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

Streptococcus Diacetylactis

Lactobacillus Plantarum

Lactobacillus Casei

Saccharomyces Florentinus

Leuconostoc Cremoris

Bifidobacterium Longum

Bifidobacterium Breve

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Bifidobacterium Lactis

Lactobacillus Reuteri

See these resources for more information on the probiotic superfood kefir:

OTHER FERMENTED FOODS

Adding lacto-fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles to your daily diet will provide a good dose of probiotics. If you're buying commercial versions of these foods, be aware that 'pickled' doesn't necessarily mean 'fermented. Most pickles and pickled foods are made with vinegar and provide NO probiotic benefits. They're also usually made with lots of processed salt, which isn't good for us. Real, lacto-fermented pickles, sauerkraut, etc contain no vinegar. Instead, they are brined with water and salt, and are sold refrigerated because the culture in the jar is alive with probiotics that would be killed if exposed to heat .
EXAMPLE OF PICKLES MADE WITH VINEGAR Ingredients: Pickles (Cucumbers, Salt, Calcium Chloride), Original Curing Brine, Water, Salt, Distilled White Vinegar, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate as a Preservative, Natural Flavoring, Polysorbate 80 EXAMPLES OF LACTO-FERMENTED PICKLES AND SAUERKRAUT Pickles Ingredients: Cucumbers. Artesian Well Water, Garlic, Salt, Dill, Spices Sauerkraut Ingredients: Cabbage, Artesian Well Water, Salt
You'll notice that the Heinz Premium Genuine Dills are made with vinegar and require a preservative. They don't contain probiotics and are sold at room temperature.

Bubbies' Pure Kosher Dills and Sauerkraut are full of healthy probiotics created by lacto-fermentation, contain no vinegar or chemical preservatives and are sold refrigerated. My only objections to them are that the company apparently uses processed salt in its culture and the ingredients are probably genetically modified.
A note on yogurt: The probiotics in most commercial yogurts get killed off by heat during processing. Look for yogurts that are still tangy tasting. You can also make your own.

Functional Medicine doc Kelly Brogan says in "Psychobiotics: Bacteria For Your Brain?" regarding getting your probiotics from food:

"Given how little is known about therapeutic applications of different strains, it may make sense to defer to ancestral practices that confirm the importance of probiotic exposures. In these foods such as lactofermented kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, and other traditional vegetables, microbes are acting on the food, and the food is then acting on our microbes." (Brogan, 2014)

"In the centuries before we had refrigeration or freezing, foods were often preserved by fermentation. In eating and drinking those fermented foods, we regularly ingested prebiotics and probiotics that kept our gut flora balanced and happy.

"Live, lactic acid fermentation is the simplest and usually the safest way of preserving food. Before we had refrigeration, canning and chemical preservatives, humans in every culture preserved foods by fermenting them - sauerkraut, tempeh (fermented soybeans), miso (fermented soybean paste), kimchi, dry sausages, pickles, cheeses, yogurt, kefir, sourdough bread starters, beers and wines, among others.

"We pretty much stopped eating those digestion-enhancing foods when we started relying on foods kept "fresh" by refrigeration and other artificial means - and even worse, started eating heavily processed, essentially fake and genetically altered foods. What we gave up in turning away from fermented foods was ingesting enough of the friendly bacteria our bodies need to maintain good health, the prebiotics and probiotics created by natural fermentation. (Hardin, 2011)

"Natural fermentation develops vast amounts of lactic acid bacteria, friendly bacteria our guts need to maintain good health. Take sauerkraut for example: The numbers of different lactic acid bacteria in live sauerkraut can reach concentrations of 10 (to the 8th) to 10 (to the 9th) per gram. ( Zdenka Samish, 1963)"

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT

When selecting probiotic supplements, you want to make sure you're getting something that your body can use. Many probiotic supplements on the market may start with billions of CFUs of various bacteria but they've died by the time you get them or they perish in the acidic environment of your stomach as they pass through on their way to your intestines (where you need them) and won't do you any good. Do some research before purchasing. In general, try to find the best supplements you can afford.

Dr David Williams proposes these four criteria for evaluating a probiotic supplement (Williams, 2017):

The specific probiotic strains included

The product's packaging and delivery system

Product expiration dates

Money-back guarantee

I would add to his list:

Non-GMO

Gluten free

Free of other common allergens

No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

Is able to survive stomach acid to reach the intestines

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PSYCHOBIOTICS

Safely Reduce Anxiety and Mood Disorders is an informative article by Stephen Harrington published by Life Extension Magazine.

DOSAGES

"The best psychobiotics and the best dosages for those psychobiotics have yet to be determined, but a number of them used in the studies described above are commercially available in probiotic supplements. Generally, at least 10 billion CFU's per day are recommended for most probiotics, including psychobiotics, but higher or lower amounts may also be beneficial. Just make sure to give your psychobiotic a try for at least a month before deciding whether it's working or not." (University Health News, 2016)

A tip from my own experience: If the dosage instructions on your new probiotic supplement recommend taking more than one/day, it would probably be wise to start with one to see how your body reacts to it, stay on that dose for a while (at least a few days, maybe even a week), then work up to the recommended dose slowly.

PSYCHOBIOTICS VS PHARMACEUTICALS

While researchers currently can't recommend doses for these probiotics and haven't yet tested their long-term effects, if you're suffering from chronic anxiety and/or depression and are the sort of person who's willing to be a pioneer, you might want to try adding them to your daily diet as an experiment and see if they help you.

I'll point out here that the taking of prescription pharmaceuticals isn't as scientific and safe as we've been led to believe.

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROBIOTICS IN GENERAL

Ed Yong's 2016 book I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life . It's a #1 Amazon Best Seller in Microbiology - but don't let that put you off. It's a primer for anyone interested in learning more about how we interact with the huge variety of probiotic bacteria and other microbes living in and on us.

A REQUEST

If you're willing, it would be helpful if you'd share information about your experiences with any of these or other psychobiotic supplements or foods. The field is still in its infancy and we can learn from each other's experiences - what worked for you and what didn't.

REFERENCES

Amazon.com. (2017). Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics. See: https://www.amazon.com/Hyperbiotics-PRO-15-Probiotics-Technology-Supplement/dp/B00JEKYNZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483825983&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=hyperbiotics+pro-15&psc=1 and https://www.amazon.com/forum/-/Tx1GH3C15RF68NV/ref=ask_dp_dpmw_al_hza?asin=B00JEKYNZA

Atlay, K. (2016). Psychobiotics: Harnessing gut bacteria to improve your brain. See: http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/health/article/2016/10/26/psychobiotics-harnessing-gut-bacteria-improve-your-brain

Axe, J. (2015). 7 Kefir Benefits and Nutrition Facts. See: https://draxe.com/kefir-benefits/

Brogan, K. (2014). Psychobiotics: Bacteria For Your Brain?. GreenMed Info. See: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/psychobiotics-bacteria-your-brain

Brogan, K. & Loberg, K. (2016). A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives. See: https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Your-Own-Depression-Reclaim/dp/0062405578

Brogan, K. (2017). Kelly Brogan. Own Your Body. Free Your Mind. See: http://kellybroganmd.com

Examine.com. (2011-2017). Lactobacillus reuteri. See: https://examine.com/supplements/lactobacillus-reuteri/

Group, E. (2015A). Bifidobacterium bifidum: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/bifidobacterium-bifidum-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Group, E. (2015B). Bifidobacterium infantis: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/bifidobacterium-infantis-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Group, E. (2015C). Bifidobacterium breve: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/bifidobacterium-breve-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Group, E. (2015D). Lactobacillus gasseri: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/lactobacillus-gasseri-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Group, E. (2015E). Lactobacillus paracasei: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/lactobacillus-paracasei-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Group, E. (2015F). Lactobacillus salivarius: A Healthy Probiotic Strain. Global Healing Center. See: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/lactobacillus-salivarius-the-health-benefits-of-probiotics/

Hardin, J.R. (2013). Kefir. See: http://allergiesandyourgut.com/superimmunity/kefir/

Hardin, J.R. (2013-2014). Prebiotics and Probiotics. AllergiesandYourGut.com. See: http://allergiesandyourgut.com/superimmunity/prebiotics-and-probiotics/

Hardin, J.R. (2015). Psychobiotics: Your Gut Bacteria - Your Mood. AllergiesAndYourGut.com. See: http://allergiesandyourgut.com/2015/07/04/psychobiotics-your-gut-bacteria-your-mood/

Harrington, S. (2016). Safely reduce anxiety and mood disorders. Life Extension Magazine. See: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2016/3/safely-reduce-anxiety-and-mood-disorders/page-01

Jockers, D. (2014). Bacillus subtilis and the nutritional benefits of dirt. Natural News. See: http://www.naturalnews.com/046826_bacillus_subtilis_good_bacteria_dirt.html

Jerkunica, E. (2009-2015). Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Probiotic Information. Probiotics.org. See: http://probiotics.org/lactobacillus-bulgaricus/

Life Extension. (2017). You should know how far we carry our commitment to Quality, Purity & Efficacy. See: http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/Health-Nutrition-Awards/Good-Manufacturing-Practice

Mental Health Daily. (2016). 10 Best Probiotics for Depression & Anxiety: Gut-Brain Axis Modification. See: http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2016/03/01/10-best-probiotics-for-depression-anxiety-gut-brain-axis-modification/

Panyko, J.A. (2016). Probiotics: How to use them to your advantage - why you probably don't have enough probiotics and what you can do about it. See: https://smile.amazon.com/Probiotics-Advantage-Probably-Enough-about/dp/1478767928/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483397650&sr=8-1&keywords=probiotics+panyko

Panyko, J.A. (2016). PowerOfProbiotics.com: How to Be Healthy With Probiotics, From a Nutritionist. See: http://www.powerofprobiotics.com

Sarkar, A. et al. (2016). Psychobiotics and the Manipulation of Bacteria-Gut-Brain Signals. Trends in Neurosciences, 39:11, 763-781. See: http://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/fulltext/S0166-2236(16)30113-8

Schoffro Cook, M. (2015). The Probiotic Promise: Simple steps to heal your body from the inside out. See: https://www.amazon.com/Probiotic-Promise-Simple-Steps-Inside/dp/0738217956/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483402934&sr=8-2&keywords=schoffro+cook

Schoffro Cook, M. (2016). drmichellecook.com. See: http://www.drmichellecook.com

Swartzburg, R. (2009). Lactobacillus Helveticus. Probiotics.org. See: http://www.probiotic.org/lactobacillus-helveticus.htm

Schwenk, D. (2015). Cultured Food for Health: A Guide to Healing Yourself with Probiotic Foods Kefir * Kombucha * Cultured Vegetables. See: https://www.amazon.com/Cultured-Food-Health-Probiotic-Vegetables/dp/1401947832/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AX2C1JTDA62EGTMQT2QJ

Schwenk, D. (2017). CulturedFoodLife.com. See: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com

Todar, K. (2008-2011). Lactococcus lactis nominated as the Wisconsin State Microbe. Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology. See: http://textbookofbacteriology.net/featured_microbe.html

University Health News. (2016). The Best Probiotics for Mood: Enhancing the Gut-Brain Connection with Psychobiotics: What are pychobiotics? They're mind-altering probiotics that researchers say can boost mood, decrease anxiety, and ease depression, among other benefits. See: http://universityhealthnews.com/daily/depression/the-best-probiotics-for-mood-enhancing-the-gut-brain-connection-with-psychobiotics/

Williams, D. (2017). How to Choose the Best Probiotic Supplement. See: http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/how-to-choose-the-best-probiotic-supplement/

Yong, E. (2016). I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life . See: https://www.amazon.com/Contain-Multitudes-Microbes-Within-Grander/dp/0062368591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483909736&sr=8-1&keywords=i+contain+multitudes

© Copyright 2017. Joan Rothchild Hardin. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this site or blog is intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Related

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Psychobiotics for Anxiety and Depression - Allergies & Your Gut

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It may strain the imagination to hear that several pounds of organismslive inside your gastrointestinal tract and that they are in constant communication with your brain, but it's true. Actually, the communication is two way - gut to brain and brain to gut - and operates via biochemical signaling.

# data[].attributes.headline
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.subject
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gifted children and anxiety often seem to just go hand in hand. Experiencing their world more intensely as well as having a more intuitive understanding of complex connections and interactions in their life and in the physical world can create a plethora of reasons for gifted children to experience

# data[].attributes.headline
Crushing Tall Poppies | Our gifted children—parenting, education, support and advocacy.

# data[].attributes.subject
Crushing Tall Poppies | Our gifted children—parenting, education, support and advocacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You're the parent of a gifted child, or maybe all of your children are gifted. If you are just starting out on this journey, you may not as yet have come across many of the stumbling blocks those of us who have traveled before you have. If you are well into your journey-yeah, you already know that there are stumbling blocks. Maybe you would even call them roadblocks, abysses or black holes. This is the best way I know to manage those roadblocks.
THE ROADBLOCKS
To be gentle and to not scare the crap out of you, I'll refer to them in a less negatively-impactful way-let's simply call them roadblocks, shall we? Stumbling blocks doesn't quite describe what we face as parents of gifted children.

These roadblocks most often start in preschool-perhaps when your gifted child is sitting in circle time singing the ABC song and learning his numbers, colors and letters which he already knows, and has for some time now. Not only does he know his letters, he knows how to read. Numbers? He's doing single-digit addition-in his head. To relieve his boredom, what's a 3- or 4-year old to do? He may chat it up with his classmates or he begins to have trouble sitting still during that torturous circle time. And then you, the parent, get that first behavior notice from his teacher. Roadblock!

You now have a parent-teacher conference set to talk about your gifted child's behavior, but how do you advocate diplomatically for your gifted child without sounding, you know, elitist or judgy, or that could earn you the reputation of that parent?

Yet, both you and your gifted child admirably slide through preschool relatively unscathed and your child is still interested in starting Kindergarten, and that preschool roadblock seemed more like a speed bump.

Over the summer, your child started reading early chapter books on the 2nd and 3rd grade level-she should have an easy time in Kindergarten, right?. Uh, whoa, nope. Your child comes home from Kindergarten the third week with her ziplock bag full of sight word flash cards-every word she knows already. She can even string them into sentences and weave them into her own little stories which she writes in her journal, are on scrap paper laying around, or on your reports for work, or electrical bills. She'll write her little stories anywhere and everywhere if writing paper is not immediately available. Yes, your daughter is reading and writing, but her classmates are memorizing sight words. Your daughter is getting frustrated.

How do you advocate for your gifted child without sounding arrogant or seem like you are bragging, or end up having your child's teacher peg you as that parent? How do you tell your child's teacher that your gifted child already knows the information being taught without the teacher getting offended or defensive? You know your gifted little girl needs more, but what your child's teacher may say is that your daughter still needs to learn age-appropriate social skills, or that skipping ahead may leave gaps in her education. And you begin to notice your daughter becoming unhappy with school, asking you many mornings if she can stay home.

No speed bump here; this has become quite the roadblock, more like a barricade. After many parent-teacher conferences, IQ and achievement testing, and probably a bit of begging from you, your daughter's school makes a few modifications to accelerate her learning. Your daughter and you make it through Kindergarten and immediately begin to dread 1st grade.
YOUR JOURNEY, YOUR ROADBLOCKS
Your journey and your roadblocks may differ from the above situations. You and your child may encounter envy over your child's intelligence from other parents or classmates, or your child may become the victim of bullying because his unmistakable intelligence makes him stand out and the perfect target for bullies. These struggles, these roadblocks are real, they can be hurtful and damaging, not just for your child, but also your entire family. So, when your roadblocks become a real wrench in the spokes, or your family begins to feel the emotional pain of it all, you question what can be done to make your gifted child's life better. Where do you turn for help and information? Who do you trust-the school or yourself?
GO WTIH YOU GUT
YOU, yes you, know your child best-better than anyone else. You know in your heart that she needs more, she needs different, and she deserves better. Yet, the school, your friends and maybe even your family are telling you to listen to what the professionals, the educators in your child's life, are telling you. It feels like you've fallen into an abyss with no safety net, no solid solutions. What the heck do you do?

GO WTIH YOU GUT!What is your heart telling you? What is your gut instinct?

Going with your gut may mean going above your gifted child's teacher, or the principal, and upwards into the school system to advocate for, to request, to demand an appropriate education for your gifted child. He deserves it, dammit!

Going with you gut may mean looking into other schools which may offer a better learning environment for your child where your child can be challenged and learn something new everyday. Every child deserves to learn something new everyday!

Going with your gut may mean looking into online learning programs offered through your public schools or privately so that your child can take accelerated classes in the subject areas he needs.

Going with your gut may mean seriously considering homeschooling which can afford your child the tailored education he needs, to follow his passions, and fulfill his potential.
THE SOLUTION LIES WITHIN YOU
I tell you this as a mom who did not go with her gut at first; as a mom who did not trust her instincts right away, but went with what my children's schools said they could or could not do. I tell you this as a mom who regrets not going with what my heart was telling me.
RESOURCES
If you don't quite trust your instincts yet, do your own homework. Lucky for you, resources about giftedness in children are plentiful-books, blogs, websites, articles, studies, online forums, parent support groups. All the information, help and support you need to arm you with the knowledge you need to make the best decision possible for your gifted child. Here's some important links to the web's best resources to get you started.

And, if you ever have any questions, reach out to me via my email: CrushingTallPoppies @ gmail .com, or comment below because we have lots of readers who can offer expert answers to your concerns.
Crushing Tall Poppies Resources Page Crushing Tall Poppies Facebook Page Gifted Homeschoolers Forum Hoagies' Gifted Education Page SENG-Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
And if you are considering homeschooling, when to make that decision, or how to educate a gifted child, my book is full of helpful advice!
Educating Your Gifted Child: How One Public School Teacher Embraced Homeschooling
This post is part of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum's Blog Hop: Gifted Child? Here Are Our Single Best Tips. Click on the image to see more tips, advice and support on your journey of raising and educating your gifted child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You're the parent of a gifted child, or maybe all of your children are gifted. If you are just starting out on this journey, you may not as yet have come across many of the stumbling blocks those of us who have traveled before you have.

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Steps for Parents and Kids to Tame the Worry Monster | The Huffington Post

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Steps for Parents and Kids to Tame the Worry Monster | The Huffington Post

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Anxiety has become a regular part of our society and daily lives for our children (and ourselves). Worry and fear cause our children to feel bad, often cause parent-child conflict and stress, keep our children from fully experiencing life, and fully reaching their potential. As a psychologist, parent of worriers, and a pretty good worrier myself, I have learned that there are simple and effective strategies that kids (and parents) can learn to drive the Worry Monster away. Teaching kids about how fear and worry work in their bodies, and specific thinking and doing strategies to fight the Worry Monster, empowers them to take a stand against this bully.

It's time for us to take the Worry Monster down once and for all and turn our worriers into warriors.

Here are the 10 steps to do it:

Step 1: Teach How Our Brain and Body Work When We Are Scared

We all have a "fight or flight" survival response that is designed to keep us alive. We have a tiny ball of neurons called the amygdala (ah-mig-da-la), known as our fear center, that runs our in-body security system. When it senses danger, it sends adrenaline through our bodies to make us run fast and fight with one goal, survival!

Step 2: Identify Body Feelings

When your amygdala gets activated, you will feel the physical sensations of worry and fear in your body, especially your head, chest, stomach, and throat. This is because your heart has to beat super fast to get extra blood from your brain and stomach to your arms and legs so you can fight and run fast. The blood leaving our brain and stomach makes us feel light headed, have headaches, have stomachaches, butterflies, and make us nauseous. These feelings are our signal that the Worry Monster is messing with us! Any of them sound familiar?

Step 3: Externalize the Problem

Label your worries and fears as the "Worry Monster" who is a bully who is responsible for making you (and all of us) think worrisome and scary thoughts. The Worry Monster's job is to keep us from enjoying life. He gets joy from picking on children (and adults) and making them worried and scared. The more you talk about the Worry Monster and gang up on him with your allies, the weaker he will get and the sooner he will go away.

Step 4: Make a Worry List

Make a list of everything your child (and you) worries about. The Worry Monster doesn't like us to talk about him or how he works, so the more things you put on the list, the better. Once you have done this, put the worries and fears in order starting with the most powerful (severe) at the top and least powerful (mild) at the bottom of the list.

Step 5: Make a Success Ladder

Choose a behavior from the worry list and make a success ladder by breaking it down into baby steps, or rungs, with the ultimate fear or goal at the top of the ladder and the least scary behavior at the bottom. You will need to decide whether you can start with a single fear like swimming or whether the task needs to be broken into parts (looking at a pool) so that you can gain confidence by becoming used to each baby step along the way to conquering your fear.

Step 6: Identify Worrisome and Fearful Thinking

Think about what the Worry Monster tells you to make you feel worried and scared. Take out your worry list, and expose the Worry Monster's secrets by writing down what he tells you to make you feel scared and worried. For example, next to the worry "being left alone," you may write, "I might get left at school." Uncover what he tells you for all your worries and fears -- you are exposing him.

Step 7: Change and Modify Thinking

Next to the list of what the Worry Monster tells you, write down new thoughts that are healthier and more realistic. Ask yourself, "What am I thinking? How can I think about this differently?" For example, "I might get left at school," gets changed to, "I have never been left before" and "Something bad might happen to my mom," gets changed to, "My mom is strong and can take care of herself."

Step 8: Practice, Practice, Practice!

Choose behavioral practice activities to tackle the Worry Monster head on. Go to your Success Ladder and start doing the first thing on the bottom of the list until you are bored of it. For example, if you are afraid of dogs, look at a book about dogs until it is not scary and then go to the next rung on the ladder (looking at dogs from far away). Keep moving up the ladder and work your way to the top. Sometimes it goes quickly and other times you may have to practice something over and over.

Step 9: Develop a Coping Toolbox

Make a personalized toolbox to help you take on the Worry Monster when he shows up. This toolbox usually consists of strategies like deep breathing, understanding where in your body you feel the worry and fear, knowing what makes you start worrying or feeling scared, questions to ask yourself to challenge your thinking ("Is it true?), statements to use against the Worry Monster ("I can do this!"; "Take a hike, you cowardly bully!"; "So what?"), exercise, and activities that distract you and help you relax.

Step 10 -- Don't Give Up!

Like all bullies, the Worry Monster does not give up easily. It takes a ton of courage and persistence to drive him away. You have talents to show the world and lots of life experiences to enjoy. By using these strategies, and working as a team, the Worry Monster doesn't stand a chance. It is time for him to pick on somebody else. Don't give up. You are a warrior. You can do this!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Steps To Help Anxious Kids Stop Worrying

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Anxiety has become a regular part of our society and daily lives for our children (and ourselves). Worry and fear cause our children to feel bad, often cause parent-child conflict and stress, keep our children from fully experiencing life, and fully reaching their potential.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's easy to assume that the intellectual advantages of gifted students give them an easier life, but it seems that each advantage also has an unexpected dark side. One of those side-effects is increased anxiety.

Dr. Dan Peters was the guest for last week's #gtchat chat about anxiety. I've seen Dan speak on the topic before, and I own his book, so I made it a point to be there for the chat.

A Recipe For Anxiety

We know that gifted kids' brains pick up on details that others miss.

[There is] abundant available evidence that gifted children show enhanced sensory activation and awareness. Gifted brains are essentially "hyper-sensitive"... Eide & Eide, Brains on Fire

The obvious benefit of this sensitivity is that students learn faster, since they pick up on so much more.

But it can also work against the gifted, turning them into anxious worriers. This sensitivity means that gifted kids experience stressful events more vividly than others. A more vivid experience means the memory of those events will be more vivid. And, of course, gifted kids' impressive memories mean that they'll remember the event for longer than we'd expect.

Not only are the initial impressions especially strong, but also the later recollections are often unusually intense... Eide & Eide, Brains on Fire

The anxiety can spread like a virus.

Now add in gifted kids' powerful imaginations and their ability to connect the seemingly unconnected, and you have some insight into how gifted students become intense worriers. Their own brains transform a bad experience into something far worse, and then connect it to other situations. The anxiety can spread like a virus.

Sharing Our Fears

This is something kids should know about!

I sure wish I knew about it when I was younger. When I was in the classroom, I shared several stories with my students about how my brain likes to work against me and puff problems up beyond their natural size:

As a kid, I wouldn't go down the big slides at water parks. I was afraid my skin would get caught in a seam as I slid down.

My blood pressure readings are always too high, because my anxiety rises as the strap constricts my arm. I'm afraid that I'll lose circulation to my hand.

The news once showed a roller coaster that was stuck high up on the track. A cherry-picker came to save the passengers. So my fear of tall rides isn't that they will crash, but that they will get stuck and I'll have to climb into a wobbly construction vehicle.

Kids laugh, of course, but they also are quick to recognize similar fears in their own lives. Some are eager to talk about one, and often others will say, "me too!"

There's something to discussing these over-inflated fears. It turns them from debilitating to simply silly. Of course, not all (or even most) students will feel comfortable talking about these fears, but just hearing that they're not alone can be valuable.

Sometimes, we just have to tell our brains who's boss.

And remind kids that these fears can take many forms: fear of physical danger, social situations, or even disappointing others. The pattern is that we take an outcome that has a tiny chance of happening, and turn it into a certainty.

But, if we let our brains turn "worst-case" into "very-likely," we'll eventually avoid all situations because of what might happen.

Sometimes, we just have to tell our brains who's boss.

Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's easy to assume that the intellectual advantages of gifted students give them an easier life, but it seems that each advantage also has an unexpected dark side. One of those side-effects is increased anxiety. Dr. Dan Peters was the guest for last week's #gtchat chat about anxiety.

# data[].attributes.headline
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.subject
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Anxiety in Gifted Children: 3 Simple Steps Parents and Educators Can Take

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gifted children and anxiety often seem to just go hand in hand. Experiencing their world more intensely as well as having a more intuitive understanding of complex connections and interactions in their life and in the physical world can create a plethora of reasons for gifted children to experience

# data[].attributes.headline
#2 Gifted Students Often Have Emotional Intensities | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.subject
#2 Gifted Students Often Have Emotional Intensities | Crushing Tall Poppies

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Emotional intensity in the gifted is not a matter of feeling more than other people, but a different way of experiencing the world: vivid, absorbing, penetrating, encompassing, complex, commanding - a way of being quiveringly alive."

A quote from Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children by Leslie Kay Sword

In my recent blog post A Gifted Child Checklist for Teachers , I listed ten basic characteristics and traits of gifted children. It is a list intended to easily help teachers and others by providing a brief and basic listing of gifted traits and characteristics which aren't always so well-known, recognized or obvious. I also hoped my checklist would bust some myths and correct some incorrect information about giftedness.

My last post discussed #1 on the checklist - which is also #10 because I felt this one to be a very significant one to remember. I will continue to address each of the topics listed on the checklist, one post at a time. Now, we will tackle #2 - gifted students often have emotional intensities. There are so many great resources, websites and books that provide information on the emotional intensities of the gifted, and I have listed a few at the end of this post. My contribution with this post will be to share my personal experience with the emotional intensities of the gifted.

The three months leading up to the beginning of my youngest gifted son's last year in public school were unfortunately wrought with tragic events-the death of his beloved dog and just one week later, his grandfather who was his hero died also. My son had just two weeks after his grandfather's funeral to gather himself up after all this painful event and put on a good face to start school. I let his teachers know the traumatic summer he had had because-well, because I felt that as human beings we all want to treat each other kindly especially when someone is in need of consideration, and maybe they would keep this in mind during interactions with him. Had any of his teachers understood the depth of the emotional intensities gifted children can posses, maybe they would have understood why he had falling grades all of a sudden, why he wasn't turning in homework and why he wasn't performing as expected. His emotional intensity was making it very difficult for him to meet the demands of school. Instead, his teacher's expectations of him stemmed from their belief, a belief that many others erroneously hold, that he was gifted and he should be excelling in school. When he didn't meet their expectations, their "diagnosis" was that he needed to work harder, toughen up and stop being lazy. The emotional effects from that last school year still plaque him today.

Yes, gifted children come packaged with intense emotions that may seem abnormal to some - crying at inopportune times, anger at what the rest of us would think are small injustices, and deep sorrow for events others deem as everyday occurrences. Teachers, parents and any adult who teach, raise or interact with gifted children should be aware of the emotional intensities of gifted children, and they should understand that this is NOT an abnormal behavior or mental deficiency that needs to be "fixed", either by the child, his parents or a professional.

The very first time I came face to face with the emotional intensities of my youngest gifted son was when he was four years old. At that time, we lived in an area of Louisiana where hunting was extremely popular and everyone was very passionate about it. My son and I were in the car heading to a birthday party he had been invited to. We were stopped at a traffic light, and in front of us was a pick-up truck with a muddy four-wheeler parked in the bed of the truck. A lifeless prized buck had been irreverently strapped across the seat of the four-wheeler, its body draping over both sides of the 4-wheeler seat. My four year old saw this sight from his car seat in the back seat and launched into a crying, screaming angered speech about how this was morally and ethically wrong and disrespectful. He was so distraught over this dead deer, that we had to skip the birthday, turn around and go home. It took a few days for my then four year old to recover from this emotional event. It was so intense, that even I remember this entire event vividly - color of the truck, where the stop light was located, brand of four-wheeler and the parking lot I had to turn around in! If the buck had a name, I probably would have remembered that too!

Here is the last personal experience I'll share on how emotional intensities may present themselves: Our well-loved and spoiled beagle, Felix, who our son got on his second birthday, was treated like a member of the family. We brought him everywhere with us-long drives, boating, fishing, vacations. But, he seemed to have more than his share of health issues which we dug deep to take care of-a "bionic" knee surgery and enumerable diuretics and heart medicines for his congestive heart failure. He was well-loved and well taken care of. As such, we had made up a little diddy of a song we sang to him often. When he died, we got another male beagle puppy. One day, I started singing Felix's song to our new puppy, but I had replaced Felix's name in the song with the name of our new puppy, Fletcher. I was SO blindsided and taken aback at my then 12-year-old son's swift and intense emotional response to hearing me singing Felix's song to Fletcher. It was a whopper of an emotional event-anger, tears, sorrow and incredulousness at my disrespect for our deceased Felix. Some little thing I would not have thought twice about had been perceived so emotionally intensely by my gifted son as a significant moral and ethical breach on my part. I swear, I have made a concerted effort to never sing Felix's song to Fletcher, although I have caught myself about to. Fletcher now has a little diddy of his own!

To learn and understand more about emotional intensities in the gifted, here are a few resources with links to point you in the right direction:

RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children SENG - Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children Tips for Working With Emotional Intensity
BOOKS:

Living With Intensity: Understanding the Sensitivity, Excitability, and the Emotional Development of Gifted Children, Adolescents, and Adults from Great Potential Press

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings by Christine Fonseca

RELATED POST:
One Spoonful of Peas: Parenting a Gifted Child with Emotional Intensities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
#2 Gifted Students Often Have Emotional Intensities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Emotional intensity in the gifted is not a matter of feeling more than other people, but a different way of experiencing the world: vivid, absorbing, penetrating, encompassing, complex, commanding - a way of being quiveringly alive."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Identification tends to diverge two ways: identified gifted underachievers and non-identified gifted underachievers. Identified gifted underachievers - those students who have been previously...