U.S. Pain Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with chronic conditions that cause pain. HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE OFFER: Awareness & Advocacy Programs INvisible Project Advocacy Program Pain Awareness Month Points For Pain Medical Cannabis Program Support & Empowerment Programs Pain Connection Pain Ambassador Network Pediatric Pain Warriors Share Your Story […]
Looking For The Light is a proud member of the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network. I joined six months ago and want to remind others who may be interested in joining or utilizing the resources they have available. If you suffer from a Chronic Illness and want more information or to join, you can find us at http://www.chronicillnessbloggers.com.
A Publication of the American Counseling Association DOWNLOAD By Bethany Bray Licensed professional counselor (LPC) Ruth Drew oversees the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour helpline, which offers support to those facing the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, including families and caregivers. The fact that the helpline receives more than 300,000 calls each year hints at the heart-wrenching issues that accompany a dementia diagnosis, not just for the individual but for the person’s entire support system. “We receive a wide range of questions, from someone worried about the warning signs of cognitive decline or dealing with a new diagnosis, to an adult son whose mother didn’t recognize him for the first time, or a wife wondering how to get her husband with Alzheimer’s to take a bath. Whatever the reason for the call, we meet callers where they are and endeavor to provide the information, resources and emotional support they need,” says Drew, director of information and support services at the Chicago-based nonprofit. Professional counselors are a good fit to help not only individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, but also those in their care networks, Drew says. Whether counseling individuals, couples or even children, the far-reaching implications of dementia mean that practitioners of any specialization may hear clients talk about the stressors and overwhelming emotions that can accompany the diagnosis. “People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases are going through profound life changes — coping with the realities of an incurable disease […]
I found out about this exciting group from a fragrance advertisement for Hope, Hope Sport, and Hope Night, all available at Bergdorf Goodman.com. All net profits support Hope For Depression Research Foundation. Learn more at HOPEFORDEPRESSION.ORG Please check out their site, it’s packed full of information and resources. Melinda Our Mission The mission of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) is to fund cutting-edge, scientific research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and its related mood and other emotional disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety disorder and suicide. In 2010, HDRF launched its Depression Task Force (DTF) – an outstanding collaboration of seven leading scientists, at the frontiers of brain science, from different research institutions across the U.S. and Canada. These scientists have developed an unprecedented research plan that integrates the most advanced knowledge in genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and brain imaging. To accelerate breakthrough research, they share ongoing results, in real time, at a centralized data bank, the HDRF Data Center. HDRF was founded in April 2006 by Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother, Hope, who suffered from clinical depression. Every dollar raised goes directly to research. Founder’s Message My mother Hope suffered from depression for most of her late adult life. My sisters, father and I witnessed decades of misdiagnosis, trials of medication, troublesome side effects and the psychic pain and life-sapping loss of energy that is a mark […]
The block editor allows for a smoother drafting experience – now possible on any screen size. The Block Editor is Now Supported on the WordPress Native Apps — The WordPress.com Blog
Jan 07,2020 Jeff Grabmeier Ohio State News grabmeier.1@osu.edu Study suggests friends don’t encourage them to seek help When college students post about feelings of depression on Facebook, their friends are unlikely to encourage them to seek help, a small study suggests. In fact, in this study, none of the 33 participating students said their friends told them they should reach out to a mental health professional to discuss their problems. Instead, most friends simply sent supportive or motivating messages.Scottye CashBut that may not be good enough for people who are truly depressed – as some of the people in this study probably were, said Scottye Cash, lead author of the study and professor of social work at The Ohio State University. “It makes me concerned that none of the Facebook friends of students in this study were proactive in helping their friend get help,” Cash said. “We need to figure out why.” The research, published online recently in the journal JMIR Research Protocols, is part of a larger online study of health outcomes of 287 students at four universities in the Midwest and West. This study included the 33 students in the larger study who reported that they had “reached out on Facebook for help when depressed.” The students reported what type of post they made and how their friends responded. They also completed a measure of depression. Results showed that nearly half of the participants reported symptoms consistent with moderate or severe […]
IDEAS.TED.COM Jan 6, 2020 / BJ Fogg Krystal Quiles It doesn’t take 21 days to wire in a habit, says psychologist BJ Fogg. Sometimes, all you need is a shot of positive feeling and emotion, a dose of celebration. Celebrating is a great way to reinforce small changes — and pave the way for big successes. Psychologist BJ Fogg is the founder and director of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University — he’s coached over 40,000 people in his behavior change methods and influenced countless more. His Tiny Habits method states that a new behavior happens when three elements come together: motivation, ability and a prompt. If we really want to make lasting changes in our lives, Fogg believes we need to break them down into specific, easy behaviors (what he calls Tiny Habits), and find ways to trigger and reward them. Taking 30 seconds or less, a Tiny Habit is fast, simple and will grow For example, instead of having “get in shape” as a vague and intimidating goal, do two push-ups every time you make your morning coffee — that’s your Tiny Habit. After a while, you can increase the number of push-ups and expand into different exercises. In working with thousands of people, Fogg has found one thing really helps fledgling habits to stick: Celebrating them. Here, he explains how the power of celebration can wire new behaviors into our lives — and make us feel great in the process. Linda had […]
I’m so glad you stopped by today. I appreciate you and so glad to be a part of your day. Melinda
Your prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “movie title.” Take the title of the last movie you watched (just the title, not the premise of the movie), and base your post on that . It’s been years since I’ve watched a new movie, I like to keep watching my funny ones over and over. Not much on movie theaters these days or remembering the ones I want to see by the time they come around to rent. My husband and I have the same sense of humor and find Caddy Shack an all time favorite, now how am I going to write a post from that movie title. This may take a minute. Turns out it was much easier than first thought. We’ve had new windows installed on the house and new siding where there is wood vs. brick. It has been a head pounding adventure of me the the paw puppies, trying to get my older dog from escaping from the fence is a daily game. I had him by the tail on day when a work came to me defense. The work here has been going on for three weeks and out back and side yards are loaded with material, left overs, tools, pretty much any size ladder available on the market. When I take the dogs outside I do see a resemblance to the Caddy’s shack in the movie because our back yard has everything but a sofa […]
Have a great day, I wish you could see the smile on my face! Thanks for stopping by today. Melinda
By Diane Cleverly, PhD, Founder of Concierge Conversations DID YOU KNOW THAT BY 2020, THERE WILL BE A SHORTAGE OF ABOUT 46,000 PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS IN THE U.S.? Not only that, but Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements per patient have dropped. That means physicians are increasingly pressured to see more patients per day. What does this mean for you, the patient? For one thing, your doctor has basically taken a pay cut. So it’s more important than ever to walk into a doctor’s appointment prepared in order to help you connect with your doctor on a personal level. But we all know that pain interferes with communication. It may cause you to get less sleep, or take meds that make you a little foggy; both of these can affect cognition. Pain is subjective—it’s hard to talk about even in the best of circumstances. So how can you ensure that you and your doctor understand each other? Pain Intensity Scale Doctors will often ask you to describe your pain intensity on a scale of 1-10—with 1-3 being pain that doesn’t bother you much at all and 9-10 constituting an emergency. But people with chronic pain often downgrade their pain—in part, because you’re so used to dealing with it that it doesn’t register the same way it might for someone who’s just stubbed their toe. A good thing to remember when using the pain scale is that giving a range of numbers can […]
Dear pain warriors, You’ve probably heard of yoga before and thought to yourself “there’s no way I could do that!” But you may not realize that there is a style or type of yoga for every level and ability. Gentle yoga, for example, is perfect for individuals with chronic pain and disability. There are plenty of options and modifications–you can even participate sitting in a chair! We’re excited to offer you a chance to explore yoga from the comfort of your home on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 1 pm EST during a free interactive class and live Q&A with Ryan Drozd, a yoga instructor and wellness expert. Drozd lives with chronic pain himself, so he’s well-versed in helping find movements that are right for you and your body. Register now >> We hope you can join us live, but if not, all of our webinars are recorded and posted within a few days on our website. If you have questions, email contact@uspainfoundation.org. If you have specific concerns about the safety of yoga for your health situation, please check in with your health care provider. Sincerely,Emily LemiskaDirector of CommunicationsU.S. Pain Foundation U.S. Pain Foundation contact@uspainfoundation.org | uspainfoundation.org 670 Newfield Street Suite B Middletown, CT 06457
Have a great day! I’m smiling, I love this song, it makes me want to move! M
Originally posted on Help for Partners of Sex Addicts:
Being part of a group of betrayed partners and spouses was nothing I envisioned in a million years. For who of us expects to be betrayed by their spouse, or expects to be married to a sex addict? It’s not the kind of thing you ever think or dream about. And…
Please join me in welcoming Ann Bale from Don’t Lose hope to Survivors Blog Here. We are excited to have her as a Contributor and look forward to a great 2020. Ann has a Master’s Degree in Psychology, a Diploma in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling, and has completed a year of psychotherapy training. She has worked as a counsellor in private practice, and has taught in schools and colleges (both online and in classroom settings.) In addition to this, she has written accredited certificate, diploma and degree courses in counselling and psychology, in the UK and in North America. Ann has been working in education, counselling and psychology for over 30 years. Ann’s blog Don’t Lose Hope, http://sexaddictionpartners@wordpress.com supports, helps heal and educate partners of sexual addiction. We are committed to sharing knowledge and offering support to those whose lives have been affected by addiction, are dealing with a crisis, have experienced a trauma, are walking through a period of grief and loss, or who are working on relationship issues. You can reach Ann at ann@coachingskillsintl.com. Please stop by, welcome Ann and be sure to check out her website. Melinda
You don’t have to be rich like Lady Gaga to reduce fibromyalgia pain! Here are twenty things everyone can do to make living with fibromyalgia less painful. 20 Things Lady Gaga and You Should do to Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain — The Disabled Diva’s Blog
IDEAS.TED.COM Dec 21, 2017 / Susan David Sacha Vega Psychologist Susan David explains why a simple switch from “I must go to the gym three times a week” to “I want to go to the gym three times a week” can put your goal within reach. Ted was a London-based client of mine who became a good friend. He was forty pounds overweight and, because he traveled a lot for work, he found it difficult to get into a healthy routine. After a long flight, he’d show up at a hotel tired, hungry and missing his family. He’d seek out comfort in a cheeseburger and a couple of beers, then he’d graze from the minibar. His wife and doctor were after him to lose weight and exercise, but somehow, knowing what he “had to” do never got him to do it. Ted married late in life, and he and his wife adopted a boy from Romania named Alex. Alex had been orphaned at a young age and had spent his early years in heartbreaking circumstances. He’d barely been held, touched or spoken to, and was so malnourished he developed long-term learning disabilities. Despite these difficulties, Alex was a very talented artist. One day, when he was 10, he drew a picture of himself alone, desolate and abandoned. He titled his picture “The Orphan.” Ted was not surprised at the theme — Alex often depicted his early memories — but this time, Ted […]
Had a maintenance ECT session today and it was a whopper! Dizzy and woozy all day, slept for hours and hours. Still not quite steady on my feet. It hasn’t been going very well recently, so we’re going to stick with a two week repetition for the maintenance sessions. Saw my psychologist for the last […] Holy Cow! — a Scarlet D
From the moment I stepped into a psychiatric hospital during Christmas 2008 I knew I had a very long journey ahead of me. I had no idea the additional challenges that would unfold. I couldn’t have imagined how much my life could have been turned upside down. Untreated and under treated serious mental illness is […] Conquering an Invisible Disability — Shedding Light on Mental Health
Check out my top 19 chronic illness blog and social media posts of 2019 ! Did your favorite make the list? My Top 19 Chronic Illness Blog and Social Media Posts of 2019 — The Disabled Diva’s Blog
My diagnosis of fibromyalgia has been problematic. During one visit I mentioned my diagnosis of fibromyalgia and he said, and I quote “That’s not a real disease.” I Don’t Believe in That Disease — The Disabled Diva’s Blog
Great suggestions from Willow and Sage by Stamptington Simple Sleep Remedies Set a consistent sleeping schedule. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate your internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and get up in the morning refreshed. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, but stop at least two hours before […]
Willow and Sage by Stampington Great for people who suffer from chronic pain. For an additional benefit add apple cider vinegar to water when running the bath. You Will Need 4 cups Epsom salt 1/2 cup sea salt (optional) 25-30 drops of essential oils 3/4 cup baking soda Large Bowl Airtight containers To Make Mix the Epsom salt, sea salt, essential oils, and baking soda in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to airtight containers, such as a small glass jar for gifting. You can use any desired scent in your bath salts, but first, make sure to research the type of scent of essential oil that you’ll be using to ensure it’s safe for the bath.
Spring 2019 Willow & Sage by Stamptington Headaches fall into four categories-migraine, tension, sinus, or sugar and each category can be treated with essential oils to ease the pain. A migraine is often caused by insomnia, stress, anxiety, or hormonal changes, while a tension headache usually comes from stress or strain. A sinus headache occurs when the nasal passages […]
From Jules Dowler Shepard Ingredients 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter or nondairy alternative (Earth Balance Buttery Sticks) 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) shortening (or Earth Balance Shortening Stick) 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated cane sugar 3/4 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract (Neilson Massey Madagasgar Bourbon Vanilla) 2 large eggs (or reconstituted Ener-G […]
Gluten-Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD with Susie Flaherty Ingredients: 1 1/2 to 2 pounds salmon (wild-caught preferred with skin on) Juice from 2-3 limes Olive Oil Sesame Seeds Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and coat very lightly with olive oil. Place salmon, skin side down, on parchment paper in the pan. Squees the juice of 2-3 limes into a bowl. Use a pastry brush to coat salmon with lime juice. Coat the top of the salmon with sesame seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Be careful to not overcook.
“But we, insofar as we have power over the world and over one another, we must learn to do what the leaf and the whale and the wind do of their own nature. We must learn to keep the Balance.” -URSULA K. LE GUIN, The Farthest Shore
It’s difficult to work if you only have part of the picture. This is so true of dyslexia. A few days back we explored how difficult it is for a child with dyslexia to answer school questions without help. A help which is often absent. Our son is dyslexic. He has found a way of […] Need the full picture AGAIN — A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent.
I wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season. Your friendship, walking the journey with me, your loving and many times hilarious comments, just being there…..I deeply appreciate you and look forward to what we share in 2020.
Willow and Sage by Stampington This combination smells lovely and helps to soothe anxious feelings. You can keep one in your purse to have on hand throughout the day. YOU WILL NEED Carrier oil: fractionated coconut oil/grapeseed oil/jojoba oil Glass roller bottle 10-ml. 6 drops lavender essential oil 6 drops orange essential oil 6 drops patchouli essential oil 4 drops frankincense essential oil TO MAKE Add the carrier oil to the glass roller bottle. Add essential oils to the bottle, and shake to combine.
‘When I was dropped off at rehab, I thought it was the end of my life,’ says Dunham Clémence MichallonNew York @Clemence_Mcl Monday 28 October 2019 16:42 Lena Dunham attends the Friendly House 30th annual awards luncheon on 26 October, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. ( Vince Bucci/Getty Images for Friendly House ) Lena Dunham has opened up about her prescription drugs addiction and her newfound sobriety. The actor was named Woman of the Year by Friendly House, an addiction treatment facility for women in Los Angeles. “I didn’t think that I was a drug addict,” Dunham, who has previously said she used to misuse prescription medication, said while accepting the honour at a luncheon this weekend, according to Variety. Speaking in more detail about her former struggle around drugs, she added that “pills that I thought dulled my pain actually created it”. Dunham, who has been sober for 18 months, first disclosed her history of drug abuse last year in a podcast with Dax Shepard. At that time, she told the actor she had “misused [benzodiazepines]” for three years, adding: “Nobody I know who are prescribed these medications is told, ‘By the way, when you try and get off this, it’s going to be like the most hellacious acid trip you’ve ever had where you’re f****** clutching the walls and the hair is blowing off your head and you can’t believe you found yourself in this situation.” During this weekend’s event, Dunham explained how media portrayals had skewed her […]
Willow and Sage by Stampington Great for people who suffer from chronic pain. For an additional benefit add apple cider vinegar to water when running the bath. You Will Need 4 cups Epsom salt 1/2 cup sea salt (optional) 25-30 drops of essential oils 3/4 cup baking soda Large Bowl Airtight containers To Make Mix the Epsom salt, sea salt, essential oils, and baking soda in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to airtight containers, such as a small glass jar for gifting. You can use any desired scent in your bath salts, but first, make sure to research the type of scent of essential oil that you’ll be using to ensure it’s safe for the bath.
I’m so glad you stopped by today. I appreciate you and so glad to be a part of your day. Melinda
From Helen Allan Christchurch, New Zealand For your next birthday party, make a “pavlova” – a delicious meringue shell filled with whipped cream and topped with fresh fruit. With it’s sweet, fluffy interior and crunchy crust, meringue is a favorite for kids of all ages. The desert, which is claimed by both New Zealand and Australia, was created for the great imperial Russian ballerina, Anna Palova, during her tour in the 1920’s. INGREDIENTS: 4 egg whites 1 cup fine granulated sugar (castor sugar) 1 teaspoon white vinegar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon whipping cream 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (if desired) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Strawberries and kiwi fruit Preheat oven 250 degrees. Beat eggs whites on high speed until they look like ribbons when dropped from the beater. Add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition. Beat meringue mixture until it forms stiffs peaks but isn’t dry. Fold vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla into mixture. Using parchment paper on a cookie sheet, spoon the meringue mixture into a circle on the sheet about six to eight inches in diameter ( a rubber spatula really helps with this step.) Bake 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and open the door, leaving the meringue to cool. The meringue shell will fall as it cools but that is okay.- that’s when whipped cream is for. When the meringue shell is cool, whip the […]
Thank you for stopping by today, I really appreciate you. Sending good karma your way for a wonderful weekend. M
If you’ve watched daytime television you’ve heard every get rich quick scheme, start your own business and make $3,000 this month………I’m getting off track. I enjoy making money! I keep it simple by making money on purchases I’m already making. There are tons of apps that do coupons, check prices and anything imaginable if you want to be a SUPER […]
I’m thankful for my two paw children today and every day.
Friday, November 22, 2019 The team from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions. Find a charity to support today I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year. For a few weeks, it feels like […]
As we close in on the end of the year, it makes me stop and think about how thankful I am for you, for following and your helpful and often funny comments. You don’t have to celebrate Thanksgiving to be thankful, I pray you have much to be thankful for in your life. Melinda
Dear U.S. Pain Foundation advocates, We wanted to let you know about an opportunity to take action on a federal bill that would expand and coordinate scientific research of cannabidiol (CBD) or marijuana-derived products, allowing researchers to better understand their potential efficacy and safety. While medical cannabis is increasingly available in a number of states nationwide, too often, there is little clinical data available to help patients and health care providers make informed decisions about whether it would work well for their specific condition, or how much and what type to use. Introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Grassley, and Brian Schatz, The Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act (S. 2032) would streamline the research process, eliminating the lengthy delays and roadblocks researchers face when trying to study medical marijuana and CBD-derived products. Why U.S. Pain supports S. 2032We believe people with chronic illness and pain should have access to all safe, effective treatments, including medical cannabis. Research is critical as it would lead to increased understanding about cannabis as a therapeutic option (including efficacy, safety, proper dosing, best delivery methods, etc.) and may lead to new, FDA-approved treatment options for people with pain. Now is the time to take action U.S. Pain has created two online campaigns for advocates on this issue because we’d like to accomplish two goals: 1. Have the Senate Committee on the Judiciary schedule a hearing on the bill2. Gain additional cosponsors of the bill Click here and see if your Senator sits on […]
No need to wait until Black Friday! Start saving today! Pre-Black Friday Sale on My Favorite Wellness Products — The Disabled Diva’s Blog
Have a happy and healthy weekend! 🙂 M
You’ve made my day by stopping by today, I always enjoy seeing you. Thanks for all the great comments, I take request too. M
It’s hard to believe it’s been seventeen years, so many have been spent caring for loved ones or being sick. I’ve lost so many years, no they weren’t technically lost, I was present during the first three years of our marriage, we had fun cooking together, enjoying a late-night swim and grocery shopping together. When your vows say for better or worse you don’t think the worst will come so soon. You also don’t realize those years aren’t the worst, they get worse. I was caring for my ill and dying grandparents over an eight-year period during the last years of their life. I stayed for weeks at a time. Absent, absent from my husband, our life and myself. It’s not a pity party today, it’s a real reflection of how marriage can be so different than you plan. The year my gramps died I started getting sick and a year-long journey with a neurologist started. Every test was abnormal but she could not make a diagnosis. Luckily, I learned Internet search skills from my previous job and could start my research. I narrowed my guesses to eight autoimmune diseases and took a wild guess at Lyme. This is one of those times I wish I were wrong. Lyme and the illnesses it brings along have been in the driver seat since 2012. This post isn’t about me, it’s about my husband. I’ve been absent, mentally unavailable, sick and dying […]
Science News Research in animals shows brain’s immune system is activated by stress during pregnancy October 21, 2019 Source: Ohio State University Chronic stress during pregnancy triggers an immune response in the brain that has potential to alter brain functions in ways that could contribute to postpartum depression, new research in animals suggests. The study is the first to show evidence of this gestational stress response in the brain, which is unexpected because the immune system in both the body and the brain is suppressed during a normal pregnancy. The Ohio State University researchers who made the discovery have been studying the brain biology behind postpartum depression for several years, creating depressive symptoms in pregnant rats by exposing them to chronic stress. Chronic stress during pregnancy is a common predictor of postpartum depression, which is characterized by extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion that can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself or her baby. Stress is known to lead to inflammation, which prompts an immune response to protect against inflammation’s harmful effects. Based on what they already know about compromised brain signaling in rats stressed during pregnancy, the scientists suspect the immune cells in the brain responding to stress may be involved. If that’s the case, the immune changes may create circumstances in the brain that increase susceptibility to depression. In unstressed pregnant rats, the normal suppression of the immune system in the body and the brain remained […]
Dear U.S. Pain volunteer advocates, We wanted to make you aware of an opportunity to submit public comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, the FDA would like the public’s views on two main issues: 1. What criteria the FDA should use to evaluate new opioids to treat pain2. What new incentives are needed to better support and encourage the development of new treatments for painOn Sept. 17 the FDA held a public hearing called “Standards for Future Opioid Analgesic Approvals and Incentives for New Therapeutics to Treat Pain and Addiction.” While the public hearing has passed, the FDA is accepting written comments until Nov. 18. How to submitWritten comments are to be submitted to the Division of Docket’s Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Electronic comments can be submitted by using the button below.All comments must be identified with the docket number FDA-2019-N-2514. Please keep in mind that all comments submitted to the docket are public.Why advocates should engageWe think it is important for people with pain to let FDA know your thoughts on these issues. A number of people and organizations at the hearing said that they thought no new opioids should be allowed on the market. What’s your opinion about this?People with pain need new optionsThere has long been a lack of new non-opioid medications approved for pain. We encourage you to tell FDA what impact pain has had on your life and how speeding up the development of new […]
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “dream.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! Dream or dreaming would seem like an easy topic to write about but dreaming comes in many forms. Dreams I have for the world, for my friends, dreams I have for family and not least dreams I have for myself. I believe one should dream, set a bar higher from where you are and visualize it with all your heart. The problem with dreaming is some people never get past dreaming about something instead of doing something to make the dream come true. In my early 20’s, I wasn’t meeting the type of men I wanted to have a long term relationship with. I dreamed of a nice man to share a respectful relationship with but it was not happening. I had to make a change, get way out of my box and go to where I thought nice men would be. I enrolled in college courses, mostly art, attended wine tastings even though I knew nothing about wine and I went to art galleries to see what my classes were talking about when it came to masterpieces. I’m not a rocket scientist, it didn’t take long, I met professional men, some I dated, others became good friends and most of all I learned a lot about myself. You have to do something to make a dream come true or it just […]
By Anna Quigg One of my favorite sweet treats during that ravenous time in my second trimester was a homeade peanut butter cookie. The recipe is so quick and it’s easy, it’s a snap. INGREDIENTS 1 beaten egg 1 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter Mix well and drop on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 dgrees for 10 minutes until golden.
I’m happy you stopped by today, I love seeing my friends and truly appreciate the comments. Melinda
Get up and move this morning! It’s good for your heart and mental health. Have a fun, I’m dancing away right now!!!!!! M
October 16, 2019 Psychiatry Advisor Contributing Writer Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Share by Email Researchers are hailing ketamine as the most significant new development in psychiatry given its high efficacy for treating major depression. Recent evidence has shown that in addition to depression, ketamine may also be a promising treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a number of other treatment-refractory neuropsychiatric disorders. In a recent paper published in Drug Discovery Today, researchers explore ketamine’s role in revolutionizing new mental health treatments and discuss how this drug’s mechanism of action has led to an influx of new research and studies on depression treatment. Ketamine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970 as an anesthetic and safe alternative to phencyclidine. The therapeutic benefits of ketamine as an antidepressant were explored years later because of a stigma on from its widespread recreational use during the late 1960s and 1970s, and this agent was initially only administered intravenously. In 2000, researchers found that ketamine had strong, fast-acting, and long-term effects in depression. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design study, patients with depression received 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine or saline on the first day of testing. Treatments were switched 1 week later. Researchers found that the antidepressant effects of ketamine began within 4 hours, peaked at 72 hours, and lasted for 1 to 2 weeks thereafter.1 In a 2006 study, this finding was […]
BC2M 4th Annual SF Student Summit 300 BC2M High School club members gathered in San Francisco on November 2nd to mark our 4th Annual Student Summit. Thanks to our amazing host, Pinterest, these teens spent an afternoon engaging in mental health conversations, participating in exciting activities, and meeting other students from around the Bay Area. We are so grateful for our keynote speaker, Jen Gotch, CCO and founder of ban.do, in sharing her personal story and path to successfully managing her mental illness. She spent hours engaging in Q&A following her time on stage!After a morning filled with various speakers and an exciting activity fair, our students dispersed into breakout sessions where they chose workshop tracks covering the following topics: Advocacy in High School and Beyond; Mental Health & Interpersonal Relationships; Mental Health in the 21st Century; and Identity and Mental Health. The track system was a hit and our students gave us amazing feedback on this new change we implemented. The BC2M Summit is one of the biggest highlights of the year for the students and allows them to learn from one another, build a movement of change in their community, deepen their understanding of mental health topics, and make life-long friends. With the inspiration and hope that filled the room, we know that these students will put an end to stigma and create a more empathetic and compassionate world. Special thanks to our sponsors for making the event possible: […]
With Recurring Payments, your supporters become your sustainers, and a reliable income stream frees you to push your creative boundaries. A New Way to Earn Money on WordPress.com — The WordPress.com Blog
Words are never enough to thank you for serving America and the sacrifices you’ve made. I pray for you and your family.
Willow and Sage by Stampington YOU WILL NEED Yields 1 cup 1/2 cup coconut oil Glass bowl 1 cup granulated sugar 12-15 drops peppermint essential oil Glass jars Candy cane, finely crushed TO MAKE Melt the coconut oil in a glass bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and let cool for five minutes. Stir in the sugar and essential oils until combined. Package the peppermint sugar scrub in airtight glass jars, and sprinkle finely crushed candy cane on top; mix the candy cane into the scrub if desired. To use, gently massage a small amount into clean, dry skin. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and pat dry. Store the sugar scrub in a cool dry place for up to six months. Buy jars with hinged lids for a spa look and attach a ribbon and small spoon.
Willow and Sage by Stampington Spiced Citrus Room Spray YOU WILL NEED 2 oz. witch hazel Glass spray bottle: 4 oz 14 drops orange essential oil 6 drops cinnamon essential oil 6 drops clove essential oil 4 drops ginger essential oil 2 oz. filter water TO MAKE Add the witch hazel to the spray bottle. Add the essential oils. Top it with the filtered water. Shake before each use. You can tie a ribbon around, this would make a perfect inexpensive holiday gift.
I’m so glad you stopped by today. I appreciate you and so glad to be a part of your day. Melinda
I am excited to share that we have reached 127 percent of our total goal to bring ‘A Potter’s Dream: Myths & Legends’ to print. Which means that in less than a month I will be holding a physical printed copy of my first book ever in my hands! The End Is Near — The Alchemist’s Studio
Willow and Sage by Stampington The Danish concept of hygee never gets old. It’s all about slowing down and taking your time, creating space for warmth, coziness, and being in the moment. Although it’s not specific to wintertime, hygee lends itself well to the season. Here are a few ideas on how to infuse hygee into your cozy living this winter. Snuggle up with blankets and pillows Use soft lighting and candlelight Decorate with natural items Wear thick soaks and wooly sweaters Drink warm apple cider or hot cocoa Pay attention to textures Declutter your home Make soup from scratch Reread a favorite book Handwrite letters to friends or family Eat dinner by candlelight Practice embroidery
This woman is talking to me, maybe you. She talked about her shame in away I’m unable to articulate, she can see her failures in a light when I’m in the dark. Please watch the video, maybe she will touch your life too. Melinda
Annabel Driscoll and Mina Husain The Guardian Mon 21 Oct 2019 11.04 EDT With films playing a key role in shaping attitudes to mental health, two doctors say Joaquin Phoenix’s troubled supervillain perpetuates damaging stereotypes As junior doctors who work on acute inpatient psychiatric wards, serious mental illness is our daily reality. We have, therefore, watched the controversies around Todd Phillips’s Joker – in which Joaquin Phoenix plays a troubled loner who turns to violence – with professional interest. The film’s dominance in the debate about portrayals of mental illness in the movies comes at a curious time. Recently, we’ve witnessed great leaps of awareness about relatively common mental-health issues such as depression and anxiety, and with that awareness, increasing dismissal of the sort of unhelpful prejudices that used to surround them. These are now readily discussed without shame and often represented in the media with a well-informed grasp of the facts, thanks to effective information campaigns. Joker review – the most disappointing film of the year 2 out of 5 stars. Read more However, severe mental health conditions, such as psychotic illnesses, remain shrouded in stigma and are consistently misrepresented and misunderstood. Portrayals of mental illness in film can perpetuate unfounded stereotypes and spread misinformation. One of the more toxic ideas that Joker subscribes to is the hackneyed association between serious mental illness and extreme violence. The notion that mental deterioration necessarily leads to violence against others – implied by the juxtaposition of Phoenix’s character Arthur stopping […]
Dear Subscriber, Most people with Lyme disease should take probiotics while they are in treatment. However, not all probiotics are created equal. And there are different types of probiotics for different situations. In Probiotics in Lyme Treatment I explain the different kinds of probiotics. Preventing yeast requires a different probiotic strategy than treating active yeast infection. Some on antibiotics may also develop an intestinal infection problem called C. Difficile. In Probiotics in Lyme Treatment I show you which probiotic products to use for each of these situations and describe how to dose them. In Health, Marty Ross MD Read Now Spread the Word! ShareTweetForward Quality Matters. See the various probiotic products I use successfully in my practice at Marty Ross MD Healing Arts. Look Now
When you first got your diagnosis of fibromyalgia, did you ever wish you had a guidebook to help you find your way through this ‘new On My Bookshelf: Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia — Reclaiming HOPE
October 16, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation/ 0 Comments October 11, 2019 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Comments on the Request for Information (RFI) on the Development of a CMS Action Plan to Prevent Opioid Addiction and Enhance Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment The U.S. Pain Foundation is pleased to respond to CMS’s request for information to inform the development of a CMS Action plan to prevent opioid addiction and improve the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The U.S. Pain Foundation is the largest 501 (c) (3) organization for people who live with chronic pain from a myriad of diseases, conditions and serious injuries. Our mission is to connect, support, educate and advocate for those living with chronic pain, as well as their caregivers and healthcare providers. Chronic pain is an enormous public health problem. The CDC and NIH have reported that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain and 19.6 million live with high-impact chronic pain that interferes with their ability to 1 There are currently very few highly effective treatments for many pain conditions. Managing pain is a matter of finding the right combination of treatments that allows pain sufferers to function and have some quality of life. We believe people with chronic pain should have access to a wide range of therapies and treatments because pain is very individual – what helps one person living with pain will not necessarily help another.Most people living with chronic pain spend […]
October 31, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation/ 0 Comments Interim CEO Nicole Hemmenway was one of three keynote speakers at the closing session of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) national convention last weekend in Indianapolis, IN. In her talk, “Massage for Chronic Pain: What our community wants you to know,” Hemmenway shared her personal journey with complex regional pain syndrome and why she’s dedicated herself to helping others with pain through the U.S. Pain Foundation. She gave attendees a glimpse into the programs and services U.S. Pain offers, and provided insight into the scope of the chronic pain health crisis in America. The emphasis of Hemmenway’s remarks was on the barriers to multidisciplinary care, particularly massage, and how massage therapists can best help people with pain. “It truly was a privilege to be invited by the AMTA to speak at their annual convention,” Hemmenway says. “There is a greater need, maybe now more than ever, for affordable access to multidisciplinary care, such as massage therapy. I was so impressed with the therapists I spoke to who are genuinely invested in patient’s overall wellness. But like the pain community, they also feel discouraged by the lack of access. That is why it is so important for us to use our voices to fight for better coverage of options like massage.” Hemmenway shared feedback from the pain community about what they wanted massage therapists to know, including: People with pain have bodies that are […]
Our raku pottery vase today, ‘Tiresias’ Prophecy’ tells the tale of blind creation, an ancient oracle, an instant gender reassignment, a spat between gods, and a lesson all men should be sure to take heed of – the woman is always right. 557 more words Women: 90% More Right Than Men — The Alchemist’s Studio
Thanks for your thoughts Linda
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nuts.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! This is an easy prompt because I’ve been called nuts many times in my life and I love nuts. Let’s start with why someone would call me nuts. I was and still am a tomboy and would do any dare or anything to keep up with the boys when I was younger. We played football, had a bike ramp, used the city culverts as bike ramps and I can’t forget the nutty games we played in the pool. I don’t feel the need to compete with boys/men today but still am a tomboy. Noone is going to limit what I can do or learn. Growing up my grandparents had these 100 year old pecan trees and finding plenty of nuts was never a problem. When I was little gramps and I would collect off the nuts off the ground and sit in lawn chairs cracking, eating and feeding some to the squirells. Gramps reached a point where the squirells would come right up and take a nut out of his hand. I was able to do it one time but as cute as squirells are they carry rabies and I don’t want to find out. I could talk about nuts all day because of gramps, he never went a day without eating pecans, usually grow in the back yard. Have a great […]
Pupils seeking support online are being affected by latest trend Eleanor Busby Education Correspondent Tuesday 1 October 2019 07:38 A new social media trend called “sadfishing” is threatening teenagers’ mental health, report finds. Youngsters facing genuine distress who seek support online are being accused of jumping onto the same publicity bandwagon as celebrities, according to research commissioned by headteachers. “Sadfishing” has been used to describe when someone posts about an emotional problem in an attempt to attract attention, sympathy or hook an audience. The term was coined after a number of celebrities, such as Kendall Jenner, were accused of teasing details about personal issues on their social media sites to drum up publicity and attract more likes. A new study, by Digital Awareness UK (DAUK), says sadfishing is among the new trends that damage teenagers’ self-esteem, with teenagers reporting that they have been bullied as a result. The report, which is based on face-to-face sessions with more than 50,000 pupils aged 11 to 16, argues that students can be left feeling disappointed at not getting the support they desire and it can subsequently make their emotional or mental health problems worse. One Year 7 student told researchers that he used Instagram to share his feelings when he was feeling down due to problems at home. “I got a lot of people commenting on and ‘liking’ my post but then some people said I was sadfishing the next day at school for attention,” the student said. “Sharing […]
I’m so glad you stopped by today. I appreciate you and so glad to be a part of your day. Melinda
Nearly half the women and men in the U.S. say they’ve endured psychological aggression from intimate partners. OCT. 4, 201903:45Oct. 4, 2019, 6:22 AM CDTBy Bianca Seidman Domestic abuse is a leading problem in American homes and it can take many different forms. When the abuse leaves no physical marks, outsiders may not recognize when all is not well and the abused person can find it challenging to translate what’s happening. “Gaslighting” — a term that became popular after the 1944 movie “Gaslight,” in which a husband slowly makes his wife think she’s going crazy through a long game of deceptions — is an insidious form of psychological abuse. It’s an intricate web of lies woven to break down one partner’s sense of self-worth and perception of what is real. “When you’re black and blue, you can point to the bruises and you can say ‘This happened to me,’” Dr. Robin Stern, associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, told TODAY. “But when somebody is undermining your reality and you simply have this feeling that there’s something wrong … women moreso than men, but men too, tend to point their fingers at themselves and say, ‘I did something wrong.’” Nearly half of all women and men in the U.S. said they’ve been subjected to psychological aggression by an intimate partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How couples can spot warning signs of domestic abuse OCT. 3, 201906:42 […]
By Dana BelletiereLast updated: 3 Oct 2019~ One of my friends tells her story of growing up with a mother with “issues” rather matter-of-factly, but the details are pretty grim to listen to. “She would stop talking to me for no reason, for days at a time, and put a gift on my bed when she decided she was done being mad at me. We never talked about why she was angry, and most of the time I didn’t know. I just knew not to talk to her until she left something on my bed, and then I’d hold my breath until the next time she got upset about something.” My friend’s mother sometimes disappeared for lengths of time without anyone knowing where she went or when (or if) she would return. When she fought with my friend’s father, she frequently brought my friend into the arguments as a mediator, despite her being a child. “Everything was about her,” my friend says. “Even as an adult, forty years later, everything is still about her.” Whether we are born into families with difficult people, or enter into relationships with them as friends, coworkers, partners, etcetera, it can be challenge to know how to best respond to someone who is emotionally unwell. In order to do so effectively, it is paramount that we understand that the behaviors that are being presented are not our fault, develop firm and clear boundaries about what we will and will […]
Gluten-Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD with Susie Flaherty Ingredients: 1 1/2 to 2 pounds salmon (wild-caught preferred with skin on) Juice from 2-3 limes Olive Oil Sesame Seeds Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and coat very lightly with olive oil. Place salmon, skin side down, on parchment paper in the pan. Squees the juice of 2-3 limes into a bowl. Use a pastry brush to coat salmon with lime juice. Coat the top of the salmon with sesame seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Be careful to not overcook.
Dear pain warriors,Each November, U.S. Pain Foundation organizes a month-long educational campaign for the pain community. Recognizing that art and writing can help kids and adults cope with and/or express chronic pain and its effects on their lives, this year’s KNOWvember campaign will focus on creativity.During the month, titled “Art through Pain: How Creativity Helps Us Cope,” U.S. Pain will be:hosting three virtual events, soliciting visual art submissions to showcase at a later date,and highlighting information about art and pain on social media (#ArtThroughPain).If you’d like to submit your artwork, you have the option of sharing it with us privately or allowing us to use it in a future project (such as in a blog post on Remedy or an INvisible Project magazine) through the link below. Submit your artwork >>
For healthcare to work, we the patient, need to be heard. Find out what I am doing to give the medical community a better understanding of what is important to us. Why Patient Advocacy is Important — The Disabled Diva’s Blog
Originally posted on For the Love of Art: Please welcome Jay Jasper from The Alchemist at https://rakupottery.ca, He is a self-taught Raku pottery artist. He’s on the eve of publishing his first book, A Potter’s Dream: Myth and Legends. Jay takes an interesting approach to each piece of pottery by associating it with myths and legends… Interview with Jay Jasper from The Alchemist — The Alchemist’s Studio
Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD with Susie Flaherty Ingredients: Spicy Italian sausage (one per person) One 7 oz. jar sliced, sweet red pepper hulls One 8 oz. can tomato paste Heat a large skillet or frying pan. Add sausages and cover halfway with water. Cook over medium heat until sausages are halfway cooked (15-20 minutes). During the process, prick […]
This week the DFW area was hit with 10 tornadoes, several in densely populated areas, most neighborhoods. Thankfully no one was killed and only a few injured. Several of the neighborhoods had 100-year-old trees that were torn out by the roots, it was heartbreaking. More heartbreaking was to see the number of homes with roofs were torn off, some mostly destroyed and so many displaced until repairs and clean up could take place. A nearby Home Depot was severely damaged and workers were unable to go to work so they went to the hardest-hit neighborhoods and help with clean up. HEB the grocery store chain brought out a semi-truck that served as a restaurant serving meals to those impacted. Several churches in the area were damaged, a couple beyond repair, the members of the church set up food lines in the parking lot for the neighbors who needed a hot meal. Many big cities have their problems and I can complain all day about our own but when the chips are down, we somehow put everything aside and come together to serve. Here is the link to read more. https://krld.radio.com/media/audio-channel/home-depot-workers-helping-tornado-victims-dallas-area Melinda “We are the World” Blogfest” aims to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts, Sylvia McGrath, Lizbeth Hartz, Shilpa Garg, Mary Giese, and Belinda Witzenhausen welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future […]
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “dress.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun! I’ve read several posts this morning talking about a favorite dress, I have one too. My granny made this black velvet dress with red lace trim for me when I was around 7-8 years old. Oddly enough, I still have the dress, it’s in perfect condition which hard to believe since I was such a tomboy. I also have a purple dress that was my granny’s that I played dress up with as a little girl. I’m not a hoarder by any means……but it’s hard to part with items attached with memories from my grandparents. I have her thimbles, pin cushion, even some sewing needles. I cherish their wedding rings, my gramps wore his on the key ring because he was a mechanic and couldn’t wear jewelry. Maybe I need to address where my head is at this morning since I’m rambling on. Thinking about a dress brought so many memories flooding in, I could write all day about them, but I won’t. Have a great weekend. Thanks for reading, I appreciate you and your awesome comments. Melinda Here are the rules: Your post must be Stream of Consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One […]
Thank you for stopping by today, I’m so glad to see you. Have a great weekend. Pass some love forward! M
1857 Sheffield is a goliath of steel manufacturing in South Yorkshire, England, and now claims the world’s first football team, as Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest meet to form the Sheffield Football Club. The sport will kick around Britain awhile before scoring worldwide popularity. 1945 The United Nations charter, written earlier in the year at a conference in San Francisco, takes effect. The first meetings of the General Assembly and Security Council will take place the following January in London. The New York headquarters will be completed in 1952. 1962 His studio cuts can be mind-blowing, but James Brown and his fans know there’s nothing like seeing the R&B dynamo live, fronting his Famous Flames. When a recording of tonight’s session at the Apollo Theater in Harlem is released as an album, it will rocket up the charts. 2018 A lucky South Carolina resident takes the top Mega Millions prize of $1.537 billion (or a lump sum payout of $877.8 million), the largest lottery prizeever won by an individual. As South Carolina is one of only six states whose laws permit jackpot winners to accept the prize anonymously, the winner’s identity remains a mystery.
Willow and Sage by Stampington Kristy Doubet Haare columnist Willow and Sage YOU WILL NEED: Funnel 2 TB. jojoba oil Dropper bottle: 8 oz. 8 drops tea tree essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil TO MAKE: Use funnel to pour jojoba oil into dropper bottle. Add the tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil to the […]
Willow and Sage by Stampington Kristy Doubet Haare columnist fro Willow and Sage YOU WILL NEED: 2 TB. sugar 1 TB. Coconut oil 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar Dish: small 1 tsp. honey 3 drops rosemary essential oil TO MAKE: Combine the sugar, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar in a small dish. Mash with fork until a scrub-like […]
