INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you think that you or someone you know may have avoidant personality disorder, the first step in getting a diagnosis is to see a doctor for an exam. The doctor will want to rule out any physical conditions that may be causing the symptoms. This appointment will consist of a physical exam, as well as a detailed examination of the patient's personal and family history. If no physical conditions are identified, the doctor will most likely refer the patient to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Mental health professionals are specially trained to diagnose personality disorders, including avoidant personality disorder. This appointment will consist of a detailed interview. The psychiatrist or psychologist will want to know all about the symptoms the patient is experiencing, when they started, and how they have progressed over time. There is not medical test that can be performed to diagnose avoidant personality disorder. A diagnosis is made based on the observations of the patient's behavior and reported symptoms. Once a patient is diagnosed, he or she will be encouraged to enter psychotherapy to help overcome the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder. Some people with avoidant personality disorder also suffer from other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. A thorough psychiatric evaluation should reveal whether any other conditions are complicating the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder. For patients who also suffer from anxiety or depression, medications may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Medications are typically not helpful for patients whose only diagnosis is avoidant personality disorder, however.

SUMMARY: Get a complete physical exam. See a mental health professional. Get co-existing conditions diagnosed.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You will be making enough foot scrub to last you several treatments, so you will need to store the extra scrub in an air tight container, such as a jar. Look for something that is wide enough for your to reach into. The jar should be able to hold at least 10 ounces (295.74 milliliters). Foot scrubs are meant to scrub away the dead skin cells, leaving your feet feeling refreshed and silky soft, so you will need 1 cup of Epsom salt, sea salt, or sugar. Here are the benefits of each exfoliant: Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfide. It not only scrubs away dead skin cells, but it also soothes muscles, reduces inflammation, and makes skin feel soft. It is perfect for tired feet. Sea salt has coarse grains, which makes it great at exfoliating away dead skin cells and buffing calluses. It is also rich in minerals and helps remove toxins from the skin. Sugar smells sweet, so it won't leave your feet feeling as refreshed, but it also has the smoothest grains, which makes it more suitable for those with tender skin. Without oil, the scrub will be dry and harsh. You can make it moisturizing by adding cup (56.25 milliliters) of sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. Slowly stir the oil into your salt or sugar until you get a wet, grainy consistency. If your scrub is too wet, add more salt or sugar. If you exfoliant is too dry, add more oil. Here are the benefits of each type of oil: Sweet almond oil helps clear dead skin cells. You might want to pass on this oil if you are allergic to nuts, however. Coconut oil is extra moisturizing. It comes in solid form, so you will need to soften it by heating it in the microwave for a few seconds. Olive oil is the most readily-available oil. You might even have it in your kitchen. Full of beneficial vitamins, it is also moisturizing, which makes it perfect for those with dry skin. How much essential oil you add will depend on how fragrant you want your scrub to be. The best types of essential oils for foot scrubs are those with clean, refreshing smells, such as eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, mint, orange, and peppermint. You can even combine essential oils to create new and unique fragrances. Here are some ideas: Cinnamon powder and peppermint essential oil will remind you of Christmas, and are best paired with sugar and olive oil. Avoid using peppermint oil if you're pregnant, however. Lavender and vanilla would work especially well in a sugar-based scrub. Citrus and mint smell refreshing, and would work especially well when paired with coconut oil. This will give you more of a tropical feel. Lemon and rosemary smell refreshing, and would work best in salt-based scrubs. Your foot scrub will be either white or a pale-golden color (depending on the oil you use). You can make it more interesting by adding a few drops of food coloring. Keep in mind that the food coloring will only add color to the scrub, so if your scrub has a golden tint to it and you add purple food coloring, you will get brown instead. Try matching the color of the scrub to the scent. Here are some ideas: If you have a lemon-scented scrub, either leave it white or use a few drops of yellow food coloring. If you have a eucalyptus, mint, or peppermint-scented scrub, leave it white or add a few drops of green food coloring. If you do not have green food coloring, then use yellow and blue food coloring instead. If you used lavender essential oil in your scrub, then tint it with some purple food coloring. If you do not have purple food coloring, then use red and blue food coloring instead. Stir everything with a spoon until everything is combined. The scrub will be wet and grainy. If you mixed everything in a bowl, transfer your scrub into a sealable container. Make sure that you can put the lid on tightly so that your scrub does not dry out. Consider decorating your container with a homemade label and some twine tied around the lid.

SUMMARY: Find a suitable container for your foot scrub. Choose your exfoliant. Add some oil. Consider adding some fragrance with essential oil. Consider adding some color. Combine the ingredients. Store in an air-tight container.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Bonsai trees, like all trees and plants, react to the change in seasons. If you're keeping a bonsai tree outside, it will have an even stronger reaction to the change in temperature, sunlight, and the amount of rainfall in the region. In some regions there are four distinct seasons, and in others the seasonal changes are more subtle. In any case, understand the way your tree species reacts to the seasons in your region, and let that information guide the way you care for it. Trees lay dormant during the winter; they aren't producing leaves or growing, so they don't use as much nutrition. During this season, watering the tree is about the only care it needs. Avoid trimming it too much, since it won't be able to replace the depleted nutrients until spring. In spring, trees begin using the nutrients they stored during the winter to sprout new leaves and grow. Since your tree is in transition during this time of year, it's a good time to repot the plant (adding extra nutrients to the soil) and begin trimming. Trees continue to grow during the summer, using up the rest of their stored nutrients. Be sure to water yours well during this period of time. In the fall, tree growth slows, and the nutrients begin accumulating again. This is a good time for both trimming and repotting. Your bonsai tree's light needs depends on the species and your climate, but most will thrive in a location that receives morning sun. Turn the tree 90 degrees every few days so all of the tree foliage can receive an equal amount of light. Indoor trees may need a light shade cloth over the window during hot, bright summer months. During the summer, it's fine for the tree to spend the majority of time outside. Bring it inside overnight when temperatures dip below about 40F (4C). In preparation for the winter, get your tree acclimated to spending more time indoors by moving it inside for a few hours at a time, and increasing the time it spends indoors every day until you bring it inside entirely. Fertilize the tree with a special fertilizer meant to keep bonsai trees healthy. When the soil begins to look dusty or dry, water the bonsai. The exact watering frequency depends on the tree species and the season. You may need to provide a little water every day during the summer, but only water once every few days during cold winter months.

SUMMARY:
Pay attention to the seasons. Give the tree morning sun and afternoon shade. Protect the tree from extreme temperatures. Provide food and water.