Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD) formerly known as 'Imagined Ugliness Syndrome' is a psychological condition which was first noticed after the introduction of photography and cosmetic surgery in the late 19th century. Sufferers of BDD imagine that they are physically deformed in some way, and become obsessed with some aspect of their appearance, perhaps their hair, the size of their breasts or the shape of their chin for example. Onset of the disorder generally follows social phobia, and suggests general neurosis on the part of the sufferer. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac are often prescribed by psychiatrists to treat the anxiety of BDD, who wrongly infer from brain chemical scans that the BDD condition is caused by the brain activity, where as in reality the brain is reacting to the condition, making the sufferer anxious and depressed. Not suprisingly BDD is more prevalent in the USA where personal appearance and vanity are at the forefront of society. Research Body Dismorphic Disorder
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA) is a powerful drug that acts as a stimulant and can produce hallucinations. The original designer drug, ecstasy was first invented in Germany in 1912, and later rediscovered in California during the 1970s where it was used by marriage guidance counsellors to increase empathy in clients. Ecstasy became popular as a recreational drug during the 1980's, with a single tablet in Southampton then costing around 17.50 pounds, by the end of 2005 the price had dropped to 1.50 pounds, with ecstasy tablets sold by a Southampton dealer at a New Year's Eve dance in Birmingham at the start of 2006 at 3 pounds each. While usually sold as a tablet, ecstasy is also produced as a white powder which may be smoked or inhaled. The effects of ecstasy take about 30 minutes to be felt and then last several hours, giving the patient energy and making them feel more alert, empathy is enhanced and serotonin levels in the brainsoar, though they then drop for a few days afterwards. Side effects include paranoia, vomiting, dehydration and heart attacks. In the UK ecstasy is illegal, and is often supplied mixed with dangerous, cheaper, other compounds including amphetamines or caffeine or even scouring powder. Research Ecstasy
Faverin (fluroamine) is an anti-depression drug which causes central nervous system stimulation by the inhibition of serotonin uptake. It has been noticed, however, that suicide rates among those prescribed Faverin and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors is significantly higher than among those patients who do not take the drugs, revealing that far from reducing depression, Faverin and similar drugs increase it. Research Faverin
Methysergide is a vasoconstrictor drug used to prevent migraine and other recurring vascular headaches. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a chemical that constricts blood vessels. Research Methysergide
Platelets are tiny specialized cells that are activated whenever blood clotting or repair to a vessel is necessary. Although they are often called cells, they are really fragments of other cells. They are made in bonemarrow and are much smaller than red blood cells. A drop of blood contains some 15 million platelets. When a blood vessel is cut, platelets rush to the vessel and swell into odd, irregular shapes, grow sticky and clog at the cut, creating a plug. If the cut is too large for platelets, they send out signals to initiate clotting by releasing a hormone called serotonin, which stimulates blood vessels to contract thus reducing the flow of blood. Clotting is fundamentally a change of the soluble plasmaproteinfibrinogen into an insoluble, thread-like protein, called fibrin. More than a dozen factors are involved in this conversion. The fibrin strands mesh around the blood cells and then contract, squeezing a clear yellowish fluid called serum, and forming a solid clot. Clotting staunches bleeding and creates a scaffold on which to build new tissue. Research Platelets
Prozac (fluxetine hydrochloride) is an anti-depression drug which causes central nervous system stimulation by the inhibition of serotonin uptake. It has been noticed, however, that suicide rates among those prescribed Prozac and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors is significantly higher than among those patients who do not take the drugs, revealing that far from reducing depression, Prozac and similar drugs increase it. Research Prozac
Seroxat (paroxetine) is an anti-depression drug which causes central nervous system stimulation by the inhibition of serotonin uptake. It has been noticed, however, that suicide rates among those prescribed Seroxat and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors is significantly higher than among those patients who do not take the drugs, revealing that far from reducing depression, Seroxat and similar drugs increase it. Research Seroxat
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Research Body Dismorphic Disorder
