Anxiety in our Modern Society - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1662 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/04/01 Category Psychology Essay Level High school Tags: Anxiety Essay Did you like this example? Anxiety in our Modern Society Steven Hayes, PhD once said, If you always do what youve always done, youll always get what youve always got. (Boyes, 2013). This quote from Dr. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Anxiety in our Modern Society" essay for you Create order Hayes is explaining that without change there will no different outcome. This quote relates to the principles of society because it shows that if our society refuses to change, then individuals who suffer from anxiety will not change their outcome. Mr. Ronald Kessler, PhD states that, Anxiety Disorders affect 18.1 percent of adults in the United States (Kessler, 2005). Therefore, if such a large percentage of our population in the United States is affected by Anxiety Disorders, why are we not innovating new theories around Anxiety Disorders. Anxiety Disorders need to be taken as a serious mental health condition due to the vast number of anxiety disorders, the harmful side effects it takes on the body, and the impairment of a normal life. Anxiety disorders have been around the United States history for an extensive amount of time. Starting in the nineteenth (19th) century into the 20th century, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was diagnosed with pantophobia or anxiety neurosis (Crocq, 2017). There are a multitude of reasons why anxiety disorders are present in certain individuals. Experts know that there are multiple causes for anxiety disorders. Researchers are learning that anxiety disorders run in families, and they have a biological basis, much like allergies or diabetes and other disorders, says Opposing Viewpoints Mental Illness (Berlatsky, 2013). GAD was brought into the third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) as a diagnostic category in 1980 when anxiety neurosis was split into GAD and panic disorder (Crocq, 2017). Ever since the 19th century there have been many research projects projected towards Anxiety Disorders. There has been over $9 million dollars dedicated towards Anxiety research since 1987 (Anxiety, 2018). In todays world there are many other viewpoints. Since we live in such a diverse society, we are compelled to acknowledge all of the viewpoints. Therefore, some individuals believe that anxiety is not a real illness, some people are just worrywarts and cant be treated, and people with anxiety can just snap out of it if they really wanted to. Even though I can understand how individuals might believe this, some anxiety is natural, but it is also a real illness. Anxiety disorder is an extreme form of anxiety and can cause impairment (Vann, 2013). When an extreme anxiety disorder is present it does not mean those individuals are just worry warts. According to a research experiment, published by Current Pharmaceutical Design, two thirds (2/3) of anxiety disorders are inherited. Therefore, individuals do not choose to be worrywarts; they simply have no control (Vann, 2013). Even though these conditions have a genetic component, there is still treatment and medication that can be used base d on diagnosis. A certain type of treatment involves breaking the cycle of anxiety. The cycle of anxiety is the reason individuals cannot snap out of it. The cycle of anxiety includes fear and worry, which are in your mind due to the anxiety, which will lead to avoidance. Since the individuals avoid the problem at hand the anxietys fear and worry will grow stronger over time. Therefore, without professional help, the cycle of anxiety is increasingly hard to overcome. When discussing mental health there are two different types of perspectives. Those perspectives include believers and nonbelievers. In my mind, nonbelievers have the viewpoint that mental health is all make believe in an individuals head. Whereas, believers know that the 18.1 percent of individuals in the United States affected by mental health disorders are not faking their illness. There are three main categories when referring to Anxiety Disorders, those include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorders, and Phobia-Related Disorders. GAD will show excessive anxiety and worry for at least 6 months for a number of things (Anxiety Disorders, www.nimh.nih.gov). The sy mptoms of GAD include: feeling on-edge, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritable, muscle tension, difficulty controlling feelings of worry, and insomnia. The fear and anxiety that GAD causes are serious issues. This fear and anxiety could cause serious problems in areas of life, such as: social interactions, school, and work (Anxiety Disorders, www.nimh.nih.gov). In the United States, individuals over the age of 18, GAD will affect around three to five percent of the population in any given year (GAD, anxietypanichealth.com). Panic Disorder is another common Anxiety Disorder within the United States. A panic disorder will almost always come with common panic attacks. Panic attacks are periods of immense fear that come fast and last around a couple minutes (National Institute of Mental Health, 2018). Panic attacks have many causes, but they can occur unexpectedly. A lot of panic attacks are brought on by triggers. During these panic attacks there are a multitude of symptoms, such as: heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of impending doom, and feelings of being out of control (National Institute of Mental Health, 2018). Even though they are not as common as GAD, panic disorder is still very common. 1.7% of the United States population over 18 to 54 is affected by a panic disorder (Panic Disorder, 2017). Another type of disorder found in the United States are Phobia-related disorders. A phobia is an intense fear. This fear may feel out of proportion when looking in from the outside, but to the individual it seems right during the circumstance. Phobia related disorders have symptoms known as: irrational or excessive fear, avoiding situations, and immediate intense anxiety (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). Phobia-related disorders are very common; there are around 19 million people affected by phobia-related disorders in the United States (Nordqvist, 2017). Due to the multitude of disorders that are related to Anxiety Disorders there are also a multitude of symptoms. One of the most major symptoms correlated to Anxiety Disorder is suicidal thoughts. Erwin Ringel, an Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist, proves this point in the scholarly journal, Anxiety and suicide: Anxiety is an essential, though not absolutely necessary, part of the presuicidal syndrome. It can be manifest or hidden; in both cases, however, its connection with suicide is significant and all patients with anxiety-connected psychotic disorders have to be considered suicide-prone. In those cases where anxiety increases extremely rapidly the danger of suicide increases. Therefore, the treatment of anxiety with antidepressive drugs, neuroleptics, tranquilizers, and psychotherapy has to be considered an important suicide-preventing therapeutic measure. (Ringel, 1972, par. 1, abstract) Our country has gone through great sadness in the past; when the United States goes through a sadness we pull together as a team. Therefore, if people in our country know there are some of our own goi ng through an immensely hard time, why would we not help? Who are we to allow some of our own sit and suffer through the hardships of an anxiety disorder. Some of the other hardships include: insomnia, heart palpitations, impairment of life that results from avoidance. When an individual gets sick, they take off work. They could have the flu or some simple head cold, no matter what, they take off work. Therefore, an illness will impair your day to day life. In a questionnaire conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, individuals were asked three questions about feeling anxiety in their day to day lives. More people agreed than disagreed that they got more anxious these days than they used to and there were similar levels of agreement that feelings of anxiety had stopped them from doing things in their lives (Mental Health Foundation, 2014). Anxiety has affected many individuals in their lives and has stopped them from doing day to day activities and also avoiding certain situations. All of these side effects from anxiety can affect a person and their personal or work life immensely. Anxiety needs to be taken as a serious mental health condition due to the vast amount of anxiety disorders, the harmful side effects it takes on the body, and the impairment of a normal life. Anxiety has been and will always be an impactful mental illness in our society. Individuals who suffer from a type of Anxiety Disorder need the help and support from our society, not the bashing they have received. Gayathri Ramprasad, a mental health advocate, who has dealt with her mental illnesses her entire life. She stated in an interview, Having a mental health issue is not a sign of personal weakness. I think it is a sign of strength to ask for help and support. Anxiety Disorders are not meant to ask for attention. Anxiety disorders are not make believe. Anxiety disorders are real and they are hard. It is even harder to ask for help. Therefore, they should not have to ask for helpit should already be there. References Page Boyes, A. (2013, January 14). Anxiety Quotes: The Ten Best Quotes About Overcoming Anxiety.Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in practice/201301/anxiety-quotes-the-ten-best-quotes-about-overcoming-anxiety Kessler, R. C. (2005). Errors in Byline, Author Affiliations, and Acknowledgment in: Prevalence, Severity, and Comorbidity of 12-Month DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry,62(7), 709. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.7.709 Crocq, M.A. (2017). The history of generalized anxiety disorder as a diagnostic category [Abstract]. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(2), 107-116. Berlatsky, N. (Ed.). (2013). Mental illness. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. Anxiety. (2018, September 05). Retrieved from https://www.bbrfoundation.org/research/anxiety Vann, M. R. (2013, March 15). 10 Anxiety Myths Debunked. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/10-anxiety-myths-debunked.aspx Anxiety Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml GAD Generalized Anxiety Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://anxietypanichealth.com/reference/gad-general-anxiety-disorder/ Panic Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fearclinic.ufl.edu/PanicDisorders.html Nordqvist, C. (2017, December 20). Everything you need to know about phobias. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249347.php Ringel, E. (1972). Anxiety and suicide [Abstract]. Schweizer Archiv fr Neurologie, Neurochirurgie und Psychiatrie, 110(1), 143-150. Office on Womens Health. (2018). An interview about mental health stigma and healing [Web log comment]. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/blog/mental-health-stigma (2018, February 06).

How Corporate Governance And The Breakdown Of Each Sector...

Introduction Corporate Governance is the system of rules, practices and processes in which a company is controlled and directed. â€Å"It essentially involves balancing the interests of the many stakeholders in the company.† (Investopedia). These can include shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community depending on the type of company. It provides the framework for attaining any company’s objectives. As western culture transitions into a more globalized economy, a set of standards enhancing corporate character should be evaluated. These standards are created within an organization to add long term value for the shareholders, and should be managed on a regular basis to achieve desired goals that†¦show more content†¦This resulted in a wide variation in governance across U.S. firms. Firms with weaker shareholder rights earned lower returns, had poorer operating performance and were valued lower overall. Multinational corporations used a number of methods to ensure their foreign subsidiary managers owned shares of their firm to align their interests with those of the corporation. These managers were also offered bonuses in the form of stock that they were unable to sell for a few years to encourage them to focus on the goal of maximization of the stock price when making decisions for the subsidiaries. Stock ownership for upper level management is limited, thus resulting in the decision to protect their jobs even if it reduces the stock price. An example of this would be a manager deciding to expand their subsidiary in order to justify their position, even if it affects the values of the corporation overall. Governance is to ensure that managerial decisions serve the shareholder’s interests. United States and Corporate Governance During the Reagan administration, neo-liberalism also known as neo-classical economics allowed for a political alley, crucial for marketing business to business regulation that remained for the public sector and is communicated by a set of policies and standards called Corporate Governance, (Citation; YR). The neo-classical approach was created from a capitalistic

Dimensions Of Physical And Mental Health †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Dimensions Of Physical And Mental Health. Answer: Overview of Mental Health According to WHO (2014, mental health refers to ones well-being status where they can individually realize their potential, cope with usual stresses in life, productively work and further, contribute to their community. It thus encompasses their psychological, emotional and social well-being. Mental health impacts on ones thinking, feelings and actions. From the definition, it is clear that mental health determines how one handles stress, their relationship with others and their approach to decision making.To enhance the mental health of a population there is need to; carry out health promotion in the society on the importance of mental well-being; prevent mental disorders; prevent violations against human rights and; provide care for those suffering from mental disorders. Mental illnesson the other hand refers to variousmental health conditions including disorders which alter ones mood, their way of thinking and also, their behavior. Mental illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar depression and addictive behaviors (WHO, 2014). Considering Georgias symptoms from the case study, it is clear that she has a social anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can be classified into four categories. They include; panic disorder whereby a feeling of terror strikes at random; social anxiety disorder where one has a social phobia; specific phobias and; generalized anxiety disorder (Uher et al, 2013). Given the descriptions, Georgias case includes both social and panic disorders. The two disorders are usually evidenced by symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, sleep problems and fear (Versella et al, 2016). She experiences these in the event of an assignment or examinations. Various factors including biological factors, life experiences and a family background of mental health problems contribute makes one likely to develop mental illnesses (Gambini, 2016). All humans are genetically vulnerable to developing mental illness which may be triggered by different stress experience levels in ones life. Common triggers for mental disorder include for instance, drug abuse, work-related stress, relationship stress, and cases of traumatic events (Versella et al, 2016). It is evident that Georgias case is similar to that of her mother as they both present with anxiety and the inability to cope with the disorder. The condition is thus genetic in a way considering this similarity in symptoms and signs. The anxiety disorder arises from Georgias stress due to school-related workload. The condition has also made it difficult for her to concentrate in her studies as it presents with panic, worry, a lack of concentration and withdrawal from ones social life. Symptoms and Early Warning Signs Early warning signs of anxiety disorder according to Uher et al (2013) include insomnia; where there the affected individual experiences little or no sleep as it is in Georgias case. She finds it difficult to sleep and also wakes up very exhausted. Another early warning sign of this particular disorder includes the tendency to be often exhausted (Greener, 2014). Thirdly as described in Versella et al (2016), withdrawal from social life and the tendency to want to be in isolation is also a sign of social anxiety disorder. The patient in the case study has not seen her friends for four weeks because she their declines invitation. The social anxiety has also seen her avoid any romantic relationships for about two years (School ofNursing Midwifery, 2017). The feelings of exhaustion particularly make individuals with the social anxiety disorder to be unable to perform daily tasks (Wright et al, 2016). Having been overwhelmed by the workload in her studies, Georgia decides to change from full-time to part-time in the current semester. Difficulty in concentration is also a clear indication of social anxiety disorder. In her studies too, Georgia finds it difficult to concentrate in her class work and inability to complete her assignments. According to Versella et al (2016) anxiety disorder presents with panic and worry. Georgia has been described to be always panicky and worried whenever there is an assignment or an exam indicating that she has the disorder. In addition, individuals with the disorder also present with shortness of breath, increased heart rate and a sense of impending doom (Wright et al, 2016). More warning signs for individuals with anxiety disorder according Asakura (2015) include unusual confusion or anger or fear, severe mood swings, change in eating habits that are had not been nutritionally advised and unexplained pain. The relationship between physical health and mental health Physical health and mental health are both critical determinants of an individuals general health (Shioiri, 2015). Determination of an individuals health and well-being relies on the state of both their mental and physical health. According to the World Health Organization (2014), health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition therefore indicates that physical health just like mental health guarantees the complete state of well-being. Some mental conditions have been associated with chronic physical conditions (Bhattacharya Sambamoorthi, 2013). Chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease may cause withdrawal from social interactions and is highly associated with depression. Such conditions may also make it difficult to diagnose and assess mental health illnesses like depression according to Depression and Anxiety Issue Information (2017). Also, mental illness poses a high risk of experiencin g chronic physical conditions. Similarly, chronic physical illnesses increase the risk of developing mental ill-health. Mental fatigue particularly contributes to physical withdrawal from activities as is in the case of social anxiety disorder. While mental fatigue does not impact on the performance of the heart and/or muscles, it influences the perception of performance of different activities (Spielberg et al, 2014). In view of Georgias case, it is evident that she is mentally fatigued from the workload of her studies. This has resulted to her always being tired physically thus unable to perform her usual daily activities like early evening walks (School ofNursing Midwifery, 2017). Her perception of performance has therefore, been affected. Another relationship between physical and mental health can be seen from the examination of the connection between ones physical health and anxiety (Subramaniapillai, 2014). In this regard, mental illness as is the case of anxiety disorder brings about fear, worries and panic. This makes an individual to physically avoid particular places and also shun from participating in social activities (Versella et al, 2016). Physical health in itself influences ones mental health. Indulging in physical exercises which enhance ones mood and reduces irritability shows the positive effect of physical health on mental health (Talbott, 2012). Physical health problems increase the risk of mental illness. Depression can cause insomnia, fatigue and high sensitivity to pain resulting from abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters. It is thus rational to conclude that mental health goes hand in hand with the physical health of an individual. Personal recovery There are different ways that individuals with social anxiety disorder can manage to achieve personal recovery through reconciling physical and mental health determinants within their environment. According to Fang et al (2013), participation in regular body exercise is highly recommended in improving ones mental health. Exercise helps the body to release hormones like endorphins and serotonin which reduces anxiety and depression. Therefore, Georgia is highly advised to take up daily exercise routines in order to release the pressures of class work load that will cause her to relax and be able to do more and better in her studies. Secondly, according to Singh (2016), a healthy diet increases brain function and provides energy that reduces the possibility of developing fatigue. It has been shown that diets with low nutrients tend to increase the risk of anxiety and depression. Since proper dieting is advised, skipping meals should be discouraged as it contributes to fatigue and irrita bility due to surges in stress hormones (Singh, 2016). Georgia lives alone in a flat and this poses a high risk of unhealthy eating. It makes her more likely to eat snacks which are particularly low on balanced nutrient content. It is therefore, important that she gets support from friends and family members in order to always maintain healthy eating habits. Thirdly, personal recovery for anxiety disorder as well as other mental health cases requires individuals to have a normal uninterrupted sleep (Asakura, 2015). Lack of enough sleep is often associated with stress, anxiety and depression as seen in Georgias case. In cases of insomnia, one is advised to relax before bed, lower the intake of caffeine or have a strict sleep schedule(Singh, 2016).In Georgias case, it is advised that she should keep a strict sleep schedule for her to relax more and reduce the fatigue. She should also seek foe medication in order to be treated for insomnia. Lastly, it is advisable to always reach out to friends and relatives for social support according to Fang et al (2013). Georgia has very low support which has made her more vulnerable to mental illness. Her parents reside in the Country which is far away from her while her brother is in London. She therefore lacks direct family care and thus brings a feeling of loneliness. She has also declined invitations from friends which show lack of support from the friends (School ofNursing Midwifery, 2017). She therefore should be encouraged to reach out to her friends and be able to communicate with them on her status and reduce the feeling of loneliness and dealing with the situation alone. These approaches will be important in solving her mental and physical ill-health. Recognizing and Responding to Mental Health Condition Mental health illnesses are best diagnosed by a psychiatrist in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Since there are no definitive physical tests in the diagnosis of mental disorders, symptoms and medical history are used to diagnose them (Weeks et al, 2013). Mental disorders vary in severity and causes thus determining the ways of managing them. Mild disorders can easily be managed by understanding and providing support to the patient (Fang et al, 2013).The more severe ones require the attention of psychologists or psychiatrists. Medications like antidepressants can be used in the treatment of mental illnesses as they reduce anxiety and depression (Ehrlich Dannapfel, 2017).Psychotherapy is also necessary to address the emotional responses to the mental disorder. Cognitive behavior therapy is also advised; which teaches the patient to recognize triggers of anxiety and change the thought patterns in order to avoid panic (Asakura, 2015). The specialists should come up with a mental health care plan. In order to communicate with mentally ill patients it is important to give them time in order express themselves, and listen to all the verbal and non-verbal ques (Greener, 2014). Therefore, the patient or the care-giver should ensure that the diagnosis of the disorder is properly done, know the professional support network, have the relevant information about the disorder and the treatment, know how to give self-care and finally know the danger signs and the relevant responses.It would be best if Georgia would seek family support to manage the anxiety disorder with the help of mental health professionals. Implications of practice of health professionals Implications for practice and/or conclusions that can be drawn from this analysis for health professionals in this field include majorly, the need to adhere to legal and ethical guidelines. These include policy pieces which are aimed at protecting majorly the patient and the health professional as well. One of the ethical and legal obligations is the need for confidentiality in the provision of care. Patients have the right talk to health professionals in complete confidence(Kress et al, 2013). The health professionals can only breach confidence in very few circumstances, especially when the patient poses as a threat to his/ her surroundings. The information of the patient may be given to another person, especially their care givers, with the consent of the patient. For the case of Georgia, her parents can be given information on her health status with her permission. The consent according to (Greener, 2014) should be documented clearly and any changes in its consent should be noted. Secondly, there is the right to treatment for everyone including those with mental disorders. Every mental illness patient has the right to access and get assessed, diagnosed and treated. The health professionals have the duty of giving treatment that will be helpful to the patient. Further, informed consent in the provision of mental health is an imperative issue for professional in this field (Kress et al, 2013). It is the duty of the mental health professional to provide information to the patient regarding the disorder, the treatment options and possible side effect of the options (Asakura, 2015). This helps the patient to give their medical background and also make informed decisions regarding management and treatment of the disorder. It is very important that Georgia is informed of her disorder and the causative agents and well advised on how to manage it. The health professionals should also be made aware of the medical history and family background of Georgia given that the mother has a history with anxiety disorder. In conclusion, mental health has a significant association with physical health and the two should not be treated as separate entities but rather use integrated approaches. Mental health illness can be managed and treated successfully not overlooking the physical health challenges. Georgias case can be managed through social and medical support to avoid severity of the case. References Asakura, S. (2015). Diagnosis and Clinical Evaluation of Social Anxiety Disorder.Anxiety Disorder Research, 7(1), pp.4-17. Bhattacharya, R. and Sambamoorthi, U. (2013). Excess risk of chronic physical conditions associated with obesity and common mental health conditions: Depression and/or anxiety. Value in Health, 16(3), p.A58. Depression and Anxiety Issue Information. (2017).Depression and Anxiety, 34(5), pp.383-389. Ehrlich, C. and Dannapfel, P. (2017). Shared decision making: People with severe mental illness experiences of involvement in the care of their physical health.Mental Health Prevention, 5, pp.21-26. Fang, A., Sawyer, A., Aderka, I. and Hofmann, S. (2013). Psychological treatment of social anxiety disorder improves body dysmorphic concerns. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27(7), pp.684-691. Gambini, O. (2016). Psychiatric disorders associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Mental Illness, 8(1). Greener, M. (2014). Managing generalised anxiety disorder.British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 3(3), pp.100-104. Kress, V., Hoffman, R., Adamson, N. and Eriksen, K. (2013). Informed Consent, Confidentiality, and Diagnosing: Ethical Guidelines for Counselor Practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 35(1), pp.15-28. Singh, K. (2016). Nutrient and Stress Management. Journal of Nutrition Food Sciences, 6(4). Spielberg, J., Miller, G., Warren, S., Sutton, B., Banich, M. and Heller, W. (2014). Trans-diagnostic Dimensions Of Anxiety And Depression Moderate Motivation-Related Brain Networks During Goal Maintenance. Depression and Anxiety, 31(10), pp.805-813. Subramaniapillai, M. (2014). Physical Activity and Mental Health.Mental Health and Physical Activity, 7(2), pp.87-88. Talbott, J. (2012). Associations between Physical Activity and Physical and Mental HealthA HUNT 3 Study. Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, 2012, pp.257-258. Uher, R., Payne, J., Pavlova, B. and Perlis, R. (2013). MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IN DSM-5: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE AND RESEARCH OF CHANGES FROM DSM-IV.Depression and Anxiety, 31(6), pp.459-471. Versella, M., Potter, C. and Heimberg, R. (2016). Socially-relevant Panic Symptoms in Social Anxiety Disorder. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology. Weeks, J., Howell, A. and Goldin, P. (2013). GAZE AVOIDANCE IN SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER.Depression and Anxiety, 30(8), pp.749-756. WHO (2014). Mental health: A State Of Well-Being. Retrieved on 22/9/2017 at https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/ Wright, K., Lebell, M. and Carleton, R. (2016). Intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, health anxiety, and anxiety disorder symptoms in youth. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 41, pp.35-42. Ying, S. (2015). Research on the Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy Treating Mental Illness. The Open Cybernetics Systemics Journal, 9(1), pp.1539-1543.

Nothins Gonna Stop The Flow Essays - , Term Papers

Nothins Gonna Stop The Flow Nothin's Gonna Stop the Flow ?Yo, do you like these I asked Damian. He was sitting on my bed, disinterestedly watching me model half my wardrobe in front of the mirror. He shrugged, tendrils of smoke creeping from the corners of his mouth. ?I guess.? As he spoke, a huge plume of smoke leapt from his lips, filling the room with a sweet smell. ?Lemme get a hit of that,? I gestured towards the glass pipe. He handed it to me, and I quickly lost interest in finding the right pair of pants. ?You like this I asked him, nodding towards the stereo speakers. Jungle beats were pounding from them. ?Yeah. Did you mix this ?Nah. Chris made it for me.? I returned the colorful bowl to him. My hands, now empty, began to flow in sync with the music. Soon they were dancing in circles around me as my feet led the way. I watched myself in the mirror, satisfied with my body's response to the music. Damien watched approvingly, moving his head in response. ?You gonna go to Burst tonight ?I'm waiting for Chris. He's supposed to spin later, but if he doesn't call me, I think I might just chill on the corner over by Nick's.? ?Well, I'm gonna go pick up a 40 and head down to the park up on 218th in a little bit if you want to come along.? ?Nah. I'm gonna hang around for Chris for a while, but I might stop by later.? ?Alright, cool.? Damien stood up to leave. ?Later,? he said offering me his hand. ?Later.? I joined hands with him and patted his on the back as he made his way to the door. I returned to the mirror almost immediately. I continued to dance in front of it, completely stoned, for what seemed like only a few minutes. By the time the phone's ring interrupted my movement, I was already starting to sweat. ?Yo.? ?What's up It was Chris. ?What's up ?I'll meet you on the avenue in twenty minutes, and we'll jump on the bus.? ?And then take the 7 I asked. ?Yeah. That'll leave us right by Palladium.? ?Alright, later.? Chris and I hung up. I picked a brightly striped shirt off of the heap of clothes on the side of my room and flung it over my sticky shoulders. I pounded down the stairs, ran into the bathroom, and squirted a gob of gel into my hair. Blond spikes poked up in all directions. Perfect. I grabbed my wallet off of the television in the living room and sauntered into the kitchen while tucking it slyly into my back pocket. ?Dad He was sitting at the kitchen table, going over some papers from work. ?What He reacted sharply, as always. ?Can I borrow, like, twenty bucks ?Twenty dollars He questioned me as though I had asked for a thousand. ?Yeah.? ?Where are you going ?Chris' house.? ?And when will you be home ?I don't know. Whenever.? ?Hmm, I see.? He paused. ?And why do you need twenty dollars to go to Chris' house ?I owe him money.? ?For what The questions were killing me. ?Dad! Can I have the money or not?!? I threw my arms out at my sides. He got me so frustrated, I couldn't help shouting. ?My wallet's on the television.? ?Alright,? I sighed, relieved that our conversation was over. I walked back into the living room and located his wallet above the stereo. Unfolding the worn leather, I counted the bills inside. Forty-six dollars. I plucked a twenty and two tens out of the creased material and tucked them into my pocket. He'd never notice. ?Goodnight, ma!? I shouted upstairs. She was probably asleep anyway. She had a lot on her mind these days. I walked outside and was greeted by the sounds of my neighborhood. Police sirens wailed nearby, I could hear the baby next door screaming, and the barking of dogs could be heard coming from every tiny, chain-linked yard on the block. I walked quickly down the street and ducked into the bodega on the corner. I picked up a 40 and walked up to