| How to Recognize Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Posted: 18 Jul 2016 05:00 PM PDT Everyone has their own way of doing things and sometimes this can interfere with the way others operate. Most of us are able to find common ground and compromise to work together in relationships, with friends or in the workplace. However, there may be times when you find someone, or maybe you find yourself, unable to understand why you or someone you know seems completely unable to change or compromise. It is possible that this person has Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose OCPD, but you can learn to recognize some of its characteristics. EditRecognizing Common Features of OCPD - Look for an emphasis on efficiency, perfectionism, and rigidity. People with OCPD are perfectionists. They are overly disciplined and preoccupied with processes, procedures and rules. They spend a great deal of time and energy in planning, but their perfectionism may keep them from actually accomplishing tasks.[1][2]
- People with OCPD have an eye for detail and their need to be perfect in each and every aspect pushes them to control every facet of their environment. They can micromanage people despite resistance.
- They strongly believe in going by the book and also that rules, processes and procedures are meant to be followed and any deviation from them would result in producing imperfect work.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 1 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Observe how the person makes decisions and completes tasks. Indecisiveness and an inability to complete tasks are hallmarks of people with OCPD. Because of his/her perfectionism, a person with OCPD has a strong urge to exercise caution in trying to decide what, when, and how things need to be done. S/he will often research the most minute of the details irrespective of relevance to the decisions at hand. People with OCPD are extremely averse to impulsivity or risk-taking.[3]
- This difficulty with decisions and tasks extends even to very small things. Precious time is lost in weighing the pros and cons of each proposition, no matter how minor.
- The emphasis on perfection also causes people with OCPD to perform tasks repetitively; for example, a person might proofread a document for work 30 times and thus fail to get it in on time. This repetition and the person's unreasonably high standards often cause dysfunction for them in the workplace.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 2 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Consider how the person interacts in social situations. People with OCPD can often come across to others as "cold" or "heartless" because of their focus on productivity and perfection, to the exclusion of things like social and romantic relationships.[4]
- When a person with OCPD does go on a social outing, s/he will generally not appear to enjoy it, instead worrying about how it could be done better or that s/he is "wasting time" having fun
- People with OCPD may also make others uncomfortable during social events because of their focus on rules and perfection. For example, a person with OCPD might become extremely frustrated by "house rules" in Monopoly because they are not the written "official" rules. The person might refuse to play, or spend a lot of time criticizing others' play or seeking ways to improve it.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 3 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Observe the person's sense of morality and ethics. An individual with OCPD is excessively concerned about morals, ethics and what is right and wrong. S/he is excessively concerned about doing the "right thing" and has very rigid definitions of what that means, with no room for relativity or mistakes. S/he is constantly worried about any rules he might have broken or which he might have to break. S/he is usually extremely deferential to authority and will comply with all rules and regulations, no matter how insignificant they may seem.[5]
- People with OCPD extend their concepts of morality and values to others. It is unlikely for a person with OCPD to accept that another person, for example from a different culture, could have a sense of morality if it is different from their own.
- People with OCPD are often harsh on themselves as well as others. They may see even minor mistakes and infractions as moral failures. "Extenuating circumstances" do not exist for people with OCPD.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 4 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Look for hoarding behavior. Hoarding is a classic symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but it can also affect people with OCPD. A person with OCPD may refrain from disposing of even those items that are useless or are of little or no worth.[6] S/he may hoard with an intention that there is nothing that is of no use: "You never know when this might come in handy!"[7]
- This goes from old, leftover food to receipts to plastic spoons to dead batteries. If the person could imagine that there could ever be a reason it might be useful, it stays.
- Hoarders truly value their "treasure" and any attempts by others to disturb their collection greatly annoys them. The inability of others to understand the benefits of hoarding surprises them.
- Hoarding is very different from collecting. Collectors get enjoyment and pleasure out of the things they collect, and they don't experience anxiety about getting rid of worn-out, useless, or unneeded items. Hoarders generally feel anxiety about discarding anything, even if it is no longer functioning (like a broken iPod).[8]
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 5 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Look for trouble delegating responsibility. People with OCPD are often perceived as "control freaks." They find it very hard to delegate responsibility for a task to others, because the task might not be performed in the way they believe it should be. If they do delegate tasks, they will often provide an exhaustive list of instructions on how to perform even simple tasks like loading the dishwasher.[9]
- People with OCPD will often criticise or attempt to "correct" others who are doing a task in a way other than they themselves would do it, even if the other technique is effective or makes no difference to the final result. They do not like to have others suggest different ways of doing things, and may react with surprise and anger if this happens.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 6 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Observe the person's spending behaviors. People with OCPD not only have trouble getting rid of useless things, they also are perpetually "saving for a rainy day." They are usually reluctant to spend money even on necessities because they are worried about saving for a future catastrophe. They may live well below their means, or even in a standard of living that is lower than is healthy, in an attempt to save money.
- This also means that they cannot even part from money by giving it to somebody in need. They will usually attempt to dissuade others from spending money too.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 7 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
- Consider how stubborn the person is. People with OCPD are extremely stubborn and inflexible. They do not like and cannot take people questioning them, their intentions, actions, behaviors, ideas and beliefs. For them, they are always on the right side and there is no alternative to what they do and how they do things.[10]
- Whoever they feel opposes them and fails to submit to their dominance is not cooperative and responsible.
- This stubbornness often makes even close friends and family unhappy to interact with the person. An individual with OCPD will not accept questioning or suggestions even from loved ones.
- This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 8 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).
EditRecognizing OCPD in Relationships - Look for friction. People with OCPD do not restrain themselves from imposing their ideas and views on others, even in situations where most other people would consider such behavior inappropriate. The idea that this kind of attitude and behavior could upset people and lead to friction in relationships often does not occur to them, nor will it stop them from doing what they intend to do.[11]
- A person with OCPD is not likely to feel guilty when crossing the boundaries even if it means monitoring, controlling, meddling and intruding into other people's lives so that there is perfection and order in everything.
- They get upset, angry and depressed if other people are not following their directions. They may become angry or frustrated if it seems like people are not aligned with them in their effort to bring everything under control and to make everything perfect.
- Look for work-life imbalance. People with OCPD generally spend a considerable part of their waking hours at work -- and they do it by choice. They are hardly left with any time for leisure. Their leisure time, if any, is spent on trying to "improve" things. Because of this, the person may not have many (or any) friendships.
- If a person with OCPD tries to spend his/her leisure time on a hobby or some activity such as painting or some sports such as tennis, s/he does not paint or play for the fun of it. S/he is constantly in the pursuit to master the art or the game. S/he will apply the same theory to family members and expect them to set out on a pursuit to excel rather than trying to have fun.[12]
- This interference and meddling gets on the nerves of the people around them. This not only ruins the leisure time but can cause damage to relationships.
- Observe how the person displays emotion to others. For most people with OCPD, emotions are a waste of precious time that could be otherwise used in their quest for perfection. They are generally very tight-lipped when comes to expressing or displaying feelings.
- This reticence is also due to a worry that any expression of emotion must be perfect; a person with OCPD will wait for an extremely long time to say anything to do with feelings in order to make sure that it is "just right."[13]
- People with OCPD may come across as stilted or overly formal when they try to display their feelings. For example, they may try to shake hands when the other person goes in for a hug, or use overly stiff language in an effort to be "correct."
- Consider how the person responds to emotions in others. People with OCPD not only have trouble expressing emotion, they also have difficulty tolerating its presence in others. People with OCPD may visibly display discomfort in a situation where people are emotional (such as at a sporting event or family reunion).[14]
- For example, most people would likely consider greeting a friend whom they haven't seen in awhile as an exciting, emotional experience. A person with OCPD may not experience it this way, and might not even smile or offer a hug.
- They may seem to feel "above" emotions and look down on people who display them as "irrational" or inferior.
EditRecognizing OCPD in the Workplace - Consider the person's work schedule. Satisfying people with OCPD through their work is a herculean task, let alone impressing them. They are the definition of workaholics, but workaholics who make things difficult for others at work. People with OCPD see themselves as loyal and responsible workers and put in long hours at work, even though those hours are often unproductive.[15]
- This behavior is a usual practice for them and they expect all other employees in the company to follow suit.
- In general, people with OCPD put in long hours at work but are very poor role models. They have an inability to set a good precedent for people working under them and with them. They are more task-oriented and less people (relationship) oriented. They cannot strike a balance between tasks and relationship. They often fail at encouraging people to follow them and their directions.
- It's important to acknowledge that some cultures place a very high value on working long hours or spending most of one's time at work. This is not the same as OCPD.
- For individuals with OCPD, it is not a compulsion to work, but a willingness to work.
- Watch interactions with others. People with OCPD are rigid and stubborn in how they approach situations, including those with colleagues or employees. They may be "over involved" in the personal lives of their coworkers and do not allow room for personal space or boundaries. They will also assume that the way they behave at work is the way everyone should behave.[16]
- For example, a manager with OCPD might deny an employee's request for personal leave because s/he would not take leave for the reason given. S/he might believe that the employee's first loyalty should be to the company, rather than any other obligation (including family).
- People with OCPD do not consider that something could be wrong with them and their way of functioning. They view themselves as the epitome of perfection and order; if this attitude irks somebody then it is because s/he is not dependable and does not believe in working for the welfare of the organization.
- Watch for signs of interference. People with OCPD feel that others are not aware of how to do things in a better manner. According to them, theirs is the only way and the best way to do things. Collaboration and cooperation are not valued.
- A person with OCPD is likely to be a "micromanager" or a terrible "team player," as s/he will generally try to force everyone to do things his/her way.
- A person with OCPD is not comfortable with letting others do the job their way lest they make mistakes. S/he is generally reluctant to delegate responsibilities and will micromanage others if s/he must delegate. His/her attitude and behavior convey the message that s/he does not trust others and does not have confidence in them and their abilities.
- Look for missed deadlines. Very frequently, people with OCPD get so caught up in the pursuit of perfection that they miss deadlines, even important ones. They have a lot of difficulty with effective time management because of their compulsive attention to every single minor detail.
- Over a period of time their nature, fixations and attitude gives rise to dysfunctional conflicts which push them into isolation as more people tend to express their displeasure at working with them. Their intractable attitude and perception of themselves complicates things at work and can go to the extent of pushing peers/subordinates away from them.
- When they lose the support system, they become even more adamant about proving to the others that there is no alternative to how they do things. This can further alienate them.
EditSeeking Treatment - See a mental health professional. Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose and treat people with OCPD. Fortunately, treatment for OCPD is generally more effective than it is for other personality disorders.[17] An appropriate mental health professional would be a psychologist or psychiatrist; most family doctors and general practitioners do not have the training to recognize OCPD.
- Participate in therapy. Talk therapy, and particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is usually considered to be a highly effective treatment for people with OCPD.[18] CBT is done by a trained mental health professional, and involves teaching the person how to recognize and change unhelpful ways of thinking and behaving.[19]
- Ask your doctor about medication. In most cases, therapy is sufficient to treat OCPD. In some cases, your physician or psychiatrist may also recommend a medication such as Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).[20]
EditUnderstanding the Disorder - Learn what OCPD is. OCPD is also called anankastic personality disorder (depending on where you live in the world).[21] As the name suggests, it is a personality disorder. A personality disorder is where there is ongoing maladaptive patterns of thinking, behaviours and experiences that transcend different contexts and significantly affect much of the person's life.
- As such with OCPD, there is a preoccupation with the need for power and control over one's own environment. These symptoms must involve a pervasive pattern of a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, interpersonal and psychological control.
- Such control must come at the expense of efficiency, openness and flexibility as there is a strong level of rigidity in one's beliefs that often interferes with the ability to complete tasks.
- Distinguish between OCPD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCPD is a completely different diagnosis from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), although it shares some of the same symptoms.[22]
 - An obsession, as the name suggests, means the individual's thoughts and feelings are completely dominated by a persistent idea. This, for example, could be cleanliness, security or many other things that have significant meaning to the individual.
- A compulsion involves performing an action repeatedly and persistently without leading to a reward or pleasure.[23] These acts are often performed to make the obsessions go away, such as repeatedly washing one's hands due to an obsession with cleanliness or repeatedly checking one's door is locked 32 times due to an obsession that if this does not occur, someone may break in.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder involving intrusive obsessions that must be addressed through acting out on compulsive behaviours. People who suffer from OCD often recognize that their obsessions are illogical or irrational but feel like they cannot avoid them.[24] People with OCPD, which is a personality disorder, often do not recognize their thoughts or pervasive need for inflexible control of all areas of their lives as irrational or problematic.[25]
- Recognize the diagnostic criteria for OCPD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V) states that in order to have the diagnosis of OCPD, the patient needs to have four or more of the following symptoms present in a variety of contexts that interferes with the individual's life:[26]
- Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost
- Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)
- Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)
- Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)
- Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value
- Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things
- Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes
- Shows significant rigidity and stubbornness
- Recognize the anankastic personality disorder criteria. Similarly, the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Disease 10 specifies that the patient must satisfy the general diagnostic criteria for a personality disorder (as mentioned above) and have three of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with anankastic personality disorder:
- Feelings of excessive doubt and caution;
- Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization or schedule;
- Perfectionism that interferes with task completion;
- Excessive conscientiousness, scrupulousness, and undue preoccupation with productivity to the exclusion of pleasure and interpersonal relationships;
- Excessive pedantry and adherence to social conventions;
- Rigidity and stubbornness;
- Unreasonable insistence by the individual that others submit exactly to his or her way of doing things, or unreasonable reluctance to allow others to do things;
- Intrusion of insistent and unwelcome thoughts or impulses.
- Know some risk factors of OCPD. OCPD is one of the most common personality disorders; the DSM-V estimates that between 2.1-7.9% of the general population suffer from OCPD.[27] It also appears to run in families, so OCPD may have a genetic component.[28]
- Men are about twice as likely to have OCPD as women.[29]
- Children who grew up in controlling, rigid homes or environments may be more likely to develop OCPD.[30]
- Children who grew up with parents who were too stern and disapproving or overly protective may be more likely to develop OCPD.[31]
- 70% of people with OCPD also suffer from depression.[32]
- About 25-50% of people with OCD also have OCPD.[33]
- It is important to note that only a qualified health professional can diagnose a person with this disorder.
- You or someone you know may have 3 or more of the criteria for anankastic personality disorder or 4+ of the relevant symptoms/signs for OCPD, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition. Counseling support may still be beneficial for this group of people.
- Use the above information as a guide to see if you or someone you know should seek help.
- The WHO and the APA (American Psychological Association) work on two separate texts, the DSM and the ICD. They should be viewed in conjunction with each other.[34]
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| How to Survive the First 10 Days of an Atkins Diet Posted: 18 Jul 2016 09:00 AM PDT The Atkins diet is a popular weight loss plan that focuses on a low-carb diet. Weight loss will vary person to person, but overall, most low-carb diets result in fairly quick weight loss. There are a few phases of the Atkins diet with the first initial phase being the most difficult. The induction phase or first phase of the diet may come with some typical side effects of very low carb diets. These could include: headache, moodiness, bad breath, fatigue, changes in your bowels, nausea, and mental fatigue.[1] Although the first phase of the Atkins is difficult, it'll be worthwhile in the long run. EditDealing with Side Effects of the Atkins Diet - Drink coffee and tea. One typical side effects of following a very low-carb diet like the Atkins diet is putting your body into ketosis. This is where your body uses ketones for energy instead of it's usual glucose (a carbohydrate). Headaches are one of the most common side effects of headaches.[2]
- An easy and all natural way to help fight headaches is to sip on a caffeinated beverage. Studies have shown that caffeine is a promising headache reliever.[3]
- Many times, headaches are from enlarged blood vessels in the brain pushing on your skull. Caffeine serves as a vasoconstrictor and makes those enlarged blood vessels become smaller and more narrow and thus relieving your pain.[4]
- Caffeine works quickly and you may notice some relief within 30 minutes. In addition, the effects may last up to three to five hours.[5]
- Both tea and coffee are sources of caffeine with coffee being higher in caffeine. Most 8 oz cups of coffee have around 80 – 200 mg of caffeine.[6] Try drinking one to two cups for headache relief.
- Although you can find caffeine in drinks like sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks, these are generally not on the approved beverage list for the Atkin's diet.
- Try over-the-counter medications. In addition to headache, ketosis and low-carb diets may also make you feel a little nauseous or change your bowel habits up.[7] Try taking some OTC medications to help relieve any of these side effects.
- If drinking a hot cup of joe doesn't help with your headaches, try taking an OTC headache medications. These are generally safe for most healthy people and will provide you with some relief. In addition, look for a headache medication that contains caffeine as this helps the medication work more quickly and effectively.[8]
- If you experience any constipation or diarrhea you may want to consider taking some OTC medications for these side effects as well. Take a gentle laxative or stool softener at the first sign of constipation.[9] If you let constipation go for too long, it can get worse and require more aggressive treatment like an enema.[10]
- Nausea is another side effect that can make the first few days or weeks of the Atkins's diet difficult. Drink fluids often to help prevent nausea. Try hot ginger tea, club soda or ginger ale but avoid dairy products as these can make nausea worse.[11] You can also take an OTC anti-nausea medication for additional help.
- Stock up on mints and sugar-free gum. Another temporary side effect of the Atkin's first diet phase is bad breath.[12] Again, this is typically due to ketosis, but can be remedied very easily.
- Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is always a good way to prevent bad breath. Consider purchasing a small travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste to keep with you in your purse, car or office. Brush more often and make sure to brush the back of your tongue thoroughly.[13]
- There are some mouthwashes that are also formulated with antibacterials to help get rid of bad breath as well.[14]
- In addition to a more rigorous dental hygiene program, consider sucking on sugar-free mints or chewing sugar-free gum. Make sure to check the sugar and carb content to ensure they'll fit into your diet.
- Do minimal physical activity. Being a little tired, fatigued or having some mental fogginess on the first few days or week of the Atkin's diet is common as well.[15] Limit your physical activity until these side effects have passed.
- Due to the fact that Atkins is a diet that is restrictive, especially on carbs, it is essential that you do not overdo it physically.
- It's typically recommended to do about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical cardio plus one to two days of strength training each week.[16] This might be too much right at the beginning of your diet. Instead of doing moderate-intensity cardio, try doing the same amount of low intensity cardio. Activities like walking or a leisurely bike ride might be more easy (and fun) to do while you're doing a very strict diet.
- Exercise may also help you keep a positive mindset on this difficult part of the diet.
- Go to bed earlier. It's not surprising to feel a little tired or even a little moody the first few days of the Atkin's diet. Get enough sleep to help blunt these effects.
- You typically need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you don't currently get this amount, you might really notice that fatigue or mental fogginess common to low-carb diets.[17]
- Try going to bed earlier each day your on the first phase of the Atkin's diet. Stay in bed later if you can as well.
- Build a support group. With any diet it is helpful to have a support group to encourage and motivate you to stay on track.
- Many studies have shown that regardless of the diet type, dieters that had friends or family members supporting them did much better with their diet and lost more weight compared to those without a support group.[18]
- Tell friends or family members about the Atkin's diet and your goal to lose weight. Ask if they would support you and even ask if they'd be interested in joining you.
- In addition, the Atkin's diet has many options of support on it's own website. Check it out for more support resources.
- Build a support group. With any diet there will be challenges. Having a support group can provide you with the motivation and encouragement to stick to your new diet plan.
- Ask friends, family members or coworkers to be your support group. Tell them about your new diet and long-term weight goals. They may even want to join you.
- A support group can also help you with the mental difficulties of following a diet. It can be challenging day after day to stick to a more strict plan like the Atkin's diet.
- Studies show that those people who have a support group can follow a diet longer, stick to the plan and lose more weight than those who do not.[19]
- Start a journal. Journaling about your new diet and long-term goals can be a great coping mechanism for the difficulties that sometimes come along with following a diet. Sometimes the act alone of journal ling is enough to keep you sane and accountable to yourself.
- Use a pen and notebook, journaling app or online site to start your journal. You don't have to journal everyday, but it might help you get all you thoughts out on paper.
- You can also use your journal to keep track of your weight progress or food journal throughout your Atkin's diet.
EditStarting the Atkins Diet - Review allowed foods and approved recipes. Whenever you're starting a new diet, it's important to have a full understanding of exactly what you're allowed to have and what you're not. This will make your transition to the diet much easier.
- The Atkins diet is a very specific type of low-carb diet. It's divided into four phases with a specific list of approved foods and serving sizes in each phase.
- In phase one, you're allowed to have: full-fat cheese, fats and oils, fish and seafood, poultry, eggs, meat, herbs and non-starchy and green vegetables (known as foundation vegetables).
- Stock up on these foods in your home so that you have all the approved foods at your fingertips to prepare meals and snacks.
- Eat every two to three hours. Eating every few hours is a good way to prevent hunger, but is also a recommendation made specifically by the first phase of the Atkins diet.[20]
- This diet recommends eating three meals daily plus two snacks or going for five to six small meals a day. Do not go more than three hours without eating.
- Waiting a long time in-between meals or skipping snacks can make you more hungry and more likely to eat an unapproved food since you're so starving.[21]
- Pack meals and snacks in advance to keep with you at all times. This can help prevent a situation where it's time to eat, you're hungry but have nothing that fits into the phase one approved foods list.
- Eat the right amount of carbohydrates. During each phase of the Atkins diet you'll notice they provide you with a very specific amount of carbohydrates to eat each day. It's important to follow this guideline strictly.
- The first phase of the diet limits you to a total of 20 g of carbs daily. It recommends not going above the 20 g of carbs daily, but also ensuring you eat at least 18 g of carbs daily.[22]
- Eating less than 18 g of carbs daily doesn't increase or speed up your weight loss and also most likely means you're not eating enough of your foundation vegetables.[23]
- Spread your 20 g of carbs throughout the day. This can help keep you feeling a little more even keel throughout the day. If you spend all 20 g of carbs at breakfast, you may notice more of those low-carb diet side effects in the afternoon.
- Drink adequate fluid. The Atkin's diet along with most other diets recommend consuming adequate amounts of fluid each day.[24]
- Water is essential for your general health even when you're on a diet. In addition, drinking adequate fluids as mentioned before can help combat nausea and constipation associated with a very low-carb diet.
- The Atkins diet recommends drinking eight 8-oz glasses of fluid each day. However, more general recommendations suggest drinking up to 13 glasses of water daily. This will depend on your age, gender and activity level.[25]
- You shouldn't feel thirsty throughout the day and your urine should be very pale yellow by the end of the day if you're adequately hydrated.
- Consider taking supplements. The Atkins diet suggest staying in phase one for at least two weeks or until you're about 10 – 15 pounds from your goal weight.[26] If you have a more significant amount of weight to lose, you might consider taking some dietary supplements.
- The first phase of the Atkins diet is very limited and cuts out several food groups (like fruits, starchy vegetables and grains). If you plan on staying on this phase for an extended period of time, it might be a good idea to take some dietary supplements to help prevent any nutrient deficiencies.[27]
- A great "backup" vitamin is a general multivitamin. Take one a day to help cover a variety of your nutrients each day.
- You may also want to consider taking 500 – 1000 mg of calcium daily since many dairy foods are restricted.
- Don't forget to get 12 to 15 grams of carbs per day from foundation vegetables. The fiber in vegetables will help you to feel full longer.
- Feeling tired, cranky and shaky on the first few days of Atkins is common. You can curb this by drinking plenty of fluids, taking vitamins and focusing on B12 for energy and withdrawal symptoms.
- Always talk to your doctor before starting any new diet program. Also, talk to your doctor if any symptoms do not go away or are making you physically ill or uncomfortable.
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| How to Determine the Sex of a Lovebird Posted: 18 Jul 2016 01:00 AM PDT Lovebirds can be wonderful and endearing pets. They tend to have cute chatter and beautiful coloring, in addition to being very social creatures. Most species that are kept as pets, however, cannot be easily sexed. If you are interested in getting some lovebirds, but don't want them to breed, it is important that you figure out their sex before you put them in the same cage. If you don't, you could end up with more birds than you expected or wanted. EditDetermining the Sex With Physical Tests - Give your lovebird a physical exam. If you are just curious about the sex of a lovebird, and are comfortable with the possibility of being wrong, a physical exam can give you some clues. For example, feeling the distance between the pelvic bones can help you determine the sex.[1]
- Female lovebirds need more width in the pelvic region in order to pass eggs through it. This means that you may be able to determine a male from a female by comparing the width of several lovebird's pelvic bones.
- Take the bird into your less-dominant hand so that it is held upside down and its head is away from you. Take the pointer and middle fingers of your dominant hand and gently feel around the pelvic area of the bird. You should be able to feel the pelvic bones through the feathers and skin.
- Then compare how one bird's pelvic bones feel compared to others. This is the only way you can determine which ones are wider.
- Get a blood test. The best and most conclusive way to find out a lovebird's sex is to get a blood test. Your bird's DNA will be examined in a lab and you will have a conclusive answer as to the sex of the bird.[2]
- There are online services that will test your bird's DNA. The company will send you a collection kit, you send it back to them after following their directions, and then they will send you the results.[3]
- Get your bird surgically sexed. With this procedure, the bird will be put under anesthesia, a small incision will be made in its abdomen, and the veterinarian will inspect its reproductive organs. This is an invasive procedure that is not usually suggested for pet birds. Instead, it is predominantly used by bird breeders.[4]
- Surgical sexing is usually cheaper than DNA sexing but it has many more downsides, such as the risk of illness and death associated with surgery.
- Once a bird is surgically sexed, a tattoo is usually applied to the bird to permanently mark it as male or female.
EditAvoiding Common Sexing Mistakes - Determine if you have a breed of lovebird that has unique sex characteristics. Most lovebirds can't be sexed based on a visual examination. In fact, the most common type kept as a pet, the peach-faced lovebird, has to be DNA tested to truly determine the sex.[5][6]
- Some people argue that female lovebirds are generally smaller than male lovebirds. This is only visible in certain breeds of lovebirds.[7]
- Some people also assert that a female lovebird's feet are perched wider apart than a male's feet. This has to do with the assumption that a female's pelvis is wider than a male's.This depends on the species.
- Unlike many other types of birds, most types of lovebird coloring does not differ based on sex. There are some exceptions, however, such as the Madagascar lovebird. The male Madagascar lovebird has grey on its head, while the females are solidly colored green.[8]
- Do not rely on paper shredding and nest-building behavior to sex your bird. In general, when lovebirds are interested in mating they tend to shred paper, whether they are male or female. This seems to be true across species, with Fischer's and peach-faced lovebirds, for example, exhibiting the same behavior regardless of sex. [9][10]
- While some argue that females are better at paper shredding, and so can be spotted by their skill and precision, this seems to be a difficult wary of determining sex.[11]
- Some suggest that birds that tuck the paper into their tail feathers are likely to be females.[12]
- Don't assume that a bonded pair of lovebirds are male and female. If lovebirds are kept in a pair, they tend to form an intense bond. It does not matter what the sex of the birds are. Birds kept together will become a unit. Bonded pairs of the same sex are even known to work on nesting together.[13]
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