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6A – Daily News – Thursday, February 18, 2010 Drop Off Sites in Downtown Businesses Thank you from D.R.B.B.A. Collecting until February 14th Food From the Heart Canned Food Drive ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ DW PLUMBING INC. Local Plumbers Serving all Your Plumbing Needs Since 1993 530 527-6403 Lic. No 679492 Major Credit Cards Accepted $ Money $ 2 Lend Cash 4 Notes McKinley Mortgage Co. CA DRE # 01773837 Call 530-241-0977 800-909-1977 Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Corning Calif. PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT Paid for by the committee to elect William Murphy WilliamMurphy4Judge.com For Judge Of The Superior Court Office Two, 2010 William Murphy in support of Wed., March 17th, 6pm-10pm St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Fundraiser Tehama County Fairground Tickets $20 Call 529-6647, email skysong@msn.com or go to WilliamMurphy4Judge.com Tickets available at the door or from committee members before the event. B.B.Q. Bud's 22825 Antelope Blvd. 528-0799 Best BBQ Around Cooked Fresh Daily FAST FRIENDY SERVICE 2 at 649 Main Street Downtown Red Bluff Planning aWedding? Come to Gayle's Tuxedo Rentals Best Selection Best Service Best Prices Dear Annie: My husband and I need some advice on how to approach a sticky situation concern- ing our daughter. In the past sev- eral years, ''Tri- cia'' has gained a t r e m e n d o u s amount of weight. We are genuinely concerned for her health, both physi- cal and mental. We don't know how to approach the subject without alienating her and causing resent- ment. Tricia is married, with a loving husband and two precious children. But we worry that if the weight situation continues, they may not have her around in a few years. How do we address this in a kind, non- judgmental manner? Any guidance will be appreci- ated. — Concerned Par- ents Dear Parents: We know it will be difficult to watch your daughter con- tinue to gain weight, but believe us when we say nothing you tell her will make an ounce of differ- ence. She knows she is overweight and that prop- er diet and exercise will help. She isn't ready. The best thing you can do is tell her you love her and that she is a wonderful person and you will always be there for her. Talk to your son-in-law about creating a healthy environment for the entire family — he may need to help more with the gro- cery shopping and meal preparation. Children eas- ily pick up their parents' habits — good and bad. Other- wise, we urge you to stay out of it. This is truly a do- it-yourself pro- ject. Dear Annie: I am bisexual. I am not going through a phase or trying to make up my mind. I am simply attracted to both males and females. Everyone seems to have a problem with this. My best friend (who is gay) insists I must be straight. My mother tells me it's OK that I am gay. ''Bipho- bia'' runs rampant even with people who are sup- portive of homosexuality. My sexual orientation is no one's business but my own. I do not bring up the subject with strangers or acquaintances who have no need to know. But close friends and relatives will eventually interact with whomever I choose to date, and I'd rather not have them think I've ''made up my mind'' every time I date one sex or the other. How can I make people understand and respect my sexuality? — Not Con- fused Dear Confused: You don't have to explain your sexual orientation, nor do you need to defend your- self. Bisexuality can be a difficult concept for some people to grasp, and the only way to make them understand is simply to live your life, letting them see for themselves how you choose your partners. In time, they will figure it out. There's no need to aggravate yourself trying to do it for them. Dear Annie: I am com- pelled to respond to ''K.R.,'' the wedding photographer who advises brides, espe- cially those who are well- endowed, to steer clear of strapless gowns. Every body type is dif- ferent, but it doesn't mean a large-busted woman cannot wear a strapless gown on the biggest day of her life. I was a size 18 when I married my true love and proudly and con- fidently wore a beautiful strapless gown. It all comes down to the fit. My dress was tailored beauti- fully, and I wore the cor- rect corset to support my cleavage. I agree that if you are not comfortable in a dress, it will come across in the pictures. So, ladies, choose a style that best flatters your shape and makes you feel special. As for that poor photographer having to Photoshop dim- ples, creases, stretch marks and unattractive cleavage, I think he is in need of a career change if it pains him so much to take a picture. — Strap- less, Confident Bride in Connecticut Dear Strapless: You have essentially made the same point — that women need to be careful when wearing strapless dresses. And we don't believe the photographer was com- plaining about the job, only warning that if he has to spend that much time getting rid of unattractive things in the photographs, it means you were show- ing all those things at the actual event. Worried about obese daughter Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: My adult son suffers from Tourette syn- drome and obsessive compul- sive disorder. Because it is a mild case, it doesn't warrant some of the medications and side effects that are used to treat TS, but daily life can be miserable. Do you know of any supplements or alternative treatments that are now being used to lessen his symptoms? DEAR READER: I must admit your question took me to my reference material before I could pro- ceed with an answer. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics that are classified as simple or complex. Simple tics are brief, repeti- tive movements that involve a limited number of muscles. These may include eye blinking, head or shoulder jerks, facial grimacing and more. Vocalization includes grunting, sniff- ing, throat clearing and other sounds. Despite popular belief, vocal tics are uncommon, occurring in less than 15 percent of sufferers. Complex motor tics involve a greater number of mus- cles and may include shoulder shrug- ging, head twisting, hopping or jump- ing, inflicting bodily harm by punch- ing oneself and touching things. Ver- bal tics may include the use of profan- ity and the repetition of words or phrases. Some TS sufferers find the compul- sion to repeat words or phrases a spe- cific number of times before the urge subsides. Tics can vary in type and severity; stress or periods of excite- ment can exacerbate them. The disorder typically presents from early adolescence into teenage years, but before the age of 18. The condition can be chronic and symp- toms can last a lifetime, yet most peo- ple experience their worst symptoms during their early teens. Improvement can occur in the later teens, continu- ing into adulthood. A diagnosis of TS is made following verification that both motor and vocal tics have been present for at least one year. Most people do not require medica- tion for control of symptoms. Neu- roleptics, such as haloperidol and pimozide, are often prescribed when medication is necessary. Psychothera- py may be effective in helping a per- son cope with the social and emotional aspects of the disor- der. The National Tourette Syn- drome Association (TSA) is an appropriate resource for learn- ing more about the disorder and current treatment recom- mendations. They have pub- lished a brochure of alterna- tive therapies but warn that there are many unsubstantiat- ed claims about holistic and other therapies. They have found that some are ineffective, others may work but only for a short period, and still others may cause more harm than good. They have also received many case reports that certain environmen- tal and chemical additives may worsen symptoms, and they welcome more anecdotal information to determine whether this (and other claims) is a possibility worth further investigation. Interestingly, most people with Tourette's also suffer from learning and behavior disorders such as obses- sive complusive disorder and attention deficient disorder. About 60 percent have ADD, 50 percent have OCD, 23 percent have learning disorders, and 15 percent have oppositional behavior or conduct disorders. OCD generally presents as obsession and/or compulsions of hand washing, counting or many other man- ifestations. I suggest you and anyone interested in learning more contact the TSA. Their Web site can be found at www.tsa-usa.org. There is an e-mail form available on the site, or you call them at (718) 224-2999. There are local and international chapters, which may be able to provide infor- mation specific to your area, such as specialists in the area or support groups. In the meantime, tell your son to try to identify certain foods, chemicals or additives that may worsen his symp- toms. Simple avoidance may lessen his tics and allow him to lead a more productive, active life. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Alternative treatment for Tourette syndrome Dr. Peter Gott