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Media

Maisie Williams on how ‘Game of Thrones’ stardom impacted on her mental health

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Nick Reilly May 16, 2019 10:13 am BST Read more at https://www.nme.com/news/tv/maisie-williams-says-game-of-thrones-stardom-affected-her-mental-health-2488647#ZzzRIZF429jpTWLX.99 “You can just sit in a hole of sadness” Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams has explained how finding fame on the hit show adversely affected her mental health. The actress, who has drawn widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Arya Stark, told Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast how it was tricky to navigate fame as a teenager. The star was just 13-years-old when she was cast in the role and said that she often became overwhelmed by negative comments on social media. “It gets to a point where you’re almost craving something negative, so you can just sit in a hole of sadness,” Williams said. While Williams now gives less attention to negative thoughts, she admits that she still considers how they affected her. Maisie Williams as Arya Stark ” I still lie in bed at, like, 11 o’clock at night telling myself all the things I hate about myself,” Williams said. “It’s just really terrifying that you’re ever going to slip back into it. That’s still something that I’m really working on, because I think that’s really hard. It’s really hard to feel sad and not feel completely defeated by it.” Describing her desire for a “normal life” after the show ends on Sunday, Williams admitted: “I don’t want any of this crazy, crazy world because it’s not worth it.” READ MORE: ‘Game of Thrones’ season 8 episode 5 review: Did Daenerys just jump […]

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Fun

Hero Biker Helps Father Get Unconscious Daughter To The Hospital Through Heavy Traffic #WATWB #24

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                    May 31, 2019 This is the incredible moment a hero biker saved the life of a young girl having an epileptic fit by rushing her to the hospital while her family was stuck in a traffic jam. Credit: Viral Press The girl’s father Sorachat Sadudee, 51, was driving home after picking up his two daughters from school in Phitsanulok, central Thailand last week. His youngest daughter Kaimook, 8, told him that she felt sick and very tired, so he tried to make his way home as quickly as he could. But the girl had a potentially deadly seizure and started to foam at the mouth before she eventually passed out on the passenger seat while they stuck at a junction. The father was trying to drive the child to the nearest hospital but he was stuck in heavy traffic. So, he opened the window and shouted for help. Passing biker Itthiphon Petchphibunpong, 28, noticed the panic-stricken family inside the black sedan frantically trying to wake the girl up. He offered to ride her to the hospital. Footage shows the motorcycle weaving through rows of cars waiting at junctions. Kaimook finally arrived at the emergency ward within four minutes – far quicker than her father would have been able to have arrived if he had stayed in the traffic jam. She was saved and later transferred to another hospital. “I couldn’t […]

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Media

We Need To Stop Focusing On the Mental Health of Mass Shooters

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By Deborah DoroshowDeborah Doroshow is a physician and historian of medicine at Yale University and the author of “Emotionally Disturbed: A History of Caring For America’s Troubled Children.”May 20 In the two decades since the massacre at Columbine High School, digging into the psychology of mass shooters has sadly become an all-too-familiar habit — now something we seem to do almost weekly. After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, media coverage pointed to the shooter’s odd behavior as a child and his near-mutism as a college student. After the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in 2012, newspapers described the shooter as “withdrawn and meek” and suggested that he might have had Asperger syndrome. The two people responsible for the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado on May 7 are already the subjects of forensic investigation of their presumed troubled pasts. This practice is not just a phenomenon of the post-Columbine era of mass shootings. It has its roots in the early 20th century, and it represents an effort to shift blame and find an area of consensus after massacres that could otherwise force uncomfortable conversations. In the process, this practice fosters stigma against one of the most vulnerable groups of Americans: the mentally ill. In the late 19th century, reports of mass shootings were typically very brief. But by the turn of the century, coverage grew more detailed, often describing how the shooter had […]

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Fun

Today in History May 30

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1806 Already infamous for his quick temper, Andrew Jackson challenges Charles Dickinson to a duel for publishing an article citing Jackson’s wife’s bigamy. America’s future seventh president takes a bullet that lodges near his heart, and then carefully aims at his foe, fires, and kills him. 1911 The world’s best drivers compete for a purse of $27,550 at the 1911 International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race, […]

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Moving Forward

My CBD Experience. (So Far)

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Originally posted on The Lessons of Lyme:
Lately I have been going on a lot about CBD products, and their benefits. I have tried quite a few, and have found what I think is going to be my go-to brand. I will share that with you in a moment. For the last 6 years, I have been plagued by Lyme Disease, and it’s lengthy list of symptoms. Mine is a chronic condition, and although I have tried to treat with many protocols, none seemed to quite do the trick. After reading up on the possible benefits of using CBD, I began trying different brands, and I will tell you from experience, that not all CBD is created equal. CBD, and Medical Marijuana use is on the rise, and many people, companies, and countries are trying to cash in. If you are truly seeking the health benefits, do your homework. Don’t buy Gas Station CBD. Disclaimer: The following is an unsolicited review, and recommendation. After doing a Google search for “Top CBD Brands” I came across a link for Lazarus Naturals.  It can normally be found based on reviews, within the top 5-10 brands listed. Lazarus Naturals was formed in 2014 and is one of the largest CBD companies in the Pacific Northwest (U.S.A.) They have dedicated themselves to delivering high-quality CBD products that are accessible to everyone, especially those who need them most. This is highlighted by their Assistance Program that offers…

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Fun

Weekend DIY Pool Sun Shade

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I enjoyed the swimming pool for the first time in years. Because of massive antibiotics to treat Lyme dieases I couldn’t be in sun for more than 5-10 minutes without a major burn. My husband installed a sun shade for my swimming enjoyment. Yeah! I hope you had a great holiday weekend. M

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Chronic Illness

Anesthesia for Chronic Pain?

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  Ketamine is an anesthesia used since the 1960s and has since been proven to work for Chronic Pain and Mental Illness. My pain levels have been through the roof and walking the last 15 days has been difficult. I made the decision to try something radically different. I had my first Ketamine treatment was yesterday. I  read about the LSD […]

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Fun

#Weekend Music Share Bon Jovi

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Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favourite music. Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.   Memorial Day Weekend is a day to honor our military who made the ultimate sacrifice. I will never say enough […]

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#SoSc

Stream of Consciousness Saturday Prompt *Rhymes with Rosy* #SoSC

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We’ve been working on the pool for weeks, cleaning, getting the chemicals just right, and stocking up on supplies. The highlight for me is being able to swim, I hear it is great therapy for pain. I haven’t swum in years because I get burnt very quickly from all the antibiotics taken during Lyme treatment. This year he is installing a wind sail over the pool with blocks most of the sun. I ask him about it every day. I sat outside yesterday for a few minutes talking to him about the install date, maybe tomorrow he said. I had SPF 50 all over my face and body but still got quite rosy. Third degree burns are what we’re trying to protect from, that’s what happened the first year on antibiotic therapy.   Short but fitting for a holiday weekend. Be safe and have a great time with family and friends.  Melinda   Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories   For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com   Here are the rules for SoCS: 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 sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words […]

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Health and Wellbeing

America’s Mental Health Crisis-Bring Change to Mind

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Bring Change To Mind Washington Post Live     Last week, our Co-Founder Glenn Close spent the day on Capitol Hill at the invitation of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to advocate for Stabenow’s Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act.This legislation would renew and expand funding for clinics that provide a comprehensive set of mental health and addiction treatment services. Glenn started the day with a Washington Post Live event on mental health and the addiction crisis and participated in a number of meetings with House and Senate leaders throughout the rest of the day.Photo: BC2M Co-Founder Glenn Close, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  Learn More

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Fun

Today in History May 23rd

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1934 A stolen Ford Deluxe is met with a hail of bullets as it passes an ambush of lawmen lying in wait on a rural highway in Louisiana’s Bienville Parish. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s car is hit by 130 rounds, and the FBI’s most wanted criminals are brought down after a 2-year manhunt. 1969 The Who release the double-album rock opera […]

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Chronic Illness

Fibromyalgia Thoughts #2

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The pain has moved to my lower body, it attacks every joint and muscle I have. For the past 10 days, my leg has caused a big problem, it’s hard to walk. Any pressure on my leg makes me scream out in pain. I can’t stand up by myself unless there are objects strong enough to pull me up. My husband isn’t a little guy and it takes two or three tries because I start to cry out. I have no idea what is happening, this level of pain is new for me. It’s not so much the level but the time in constant pain. I’ve been going to bed between 4:30-6:30 p.m. every night thinking resting is the only answer. So far that seems to be the case. I can now move my knee closer to a normal sitting position. Try getting on and off the toilet, it’s been a painful 10 days. I’ve forced myself to bed in order to get better. I’m not looking for total pain relief, that’s not my goal. Right now I want to be able to get out of a chair by myself. The rest of my body feels the normal everyday dull pain, my shoulder still screams out at night. Pain meds, topical patches and ointments the doctor gave me on Friday have provided no relief. I’m laying in bed with one leg balancing the computer, trying not to walk any more than […]

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#SoSc

#SoSC Weekly Prompt *Start with Adverb*

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Briskly I head to the garden to see what damage the storm did to our tomato plants. The rain is still pouring down, more storms are on the way, my flowers are getting their share of water. Now a weather alert comes on television and I worry about my flower garden but the tomatoes are our prized plants this year. Short but sweet this week. M ——————————————————————————————————- Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.comHere are the rules for SoCS: 1. 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. 2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. 3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started. […]

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Celebrate Life

Weekend Music Share

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Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post. Last week I shared a song that brought back sad memories from my teenage years. The song this weekend is one of my favorite songs, it gives me the boost that I can do anything, just do it. Though the song ends in death, overlook that part since that’s not my story. Thank you for reading/listening, have a great weekend.

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Friday Quote

Friday Quote

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I’m having problems with Brainy Quotes, it doesn’t allow me to copy the graphics. This is the second time, are you having a problem with their quotes? Find another…..there’s always another. Have a super weekend, I’ll be watching for the HummingBirds to start their migration to the south. Feeders out and we’re ready. M

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Fun

Today in History May 16th

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  1988 US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop reports on the addictive properties of nicotine, described as on par with cocaine and heroin. A dedicated campaigner against smoking, his public advocacy will be credited with helping spur declines in cigarette use during his tenure and beyond. 1929 On this day in 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out […]

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Health & Beauty

What Are Parabens—and Do I Need to Worry About Them?

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Real Simple By Eleni N. Gage Updated: October 12, 2017   These preservatives are common, but health concerns have cropped up.  Parabens have been widely used in products to prevent bacteria growth since the 1950s. “About 85 percent of cosmetics have them,” says Arthur Rich, Ph.D., a cosmetic chemist in Chestnut Ridge, New York. “They’re inexpensive and effective.” New York City dermatologist […]

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Child Abuse

Survivor & So Much More *First Posted 4/21/2014*

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I am alive, happy, productive and helping other Survivors. I’m very blessed. My childhood and teenage years were so difficult I truly believed suicide was the only answer. My first attempt was at 9 years old, I took all the pills in my dad’s medicine cabinet. I got a buzz then my stomach pumped. Suicide was always on my mind since the abuse was every day. If it wasn’t physical abuse, it was constant mental abuse by my mother. At the same time, I saw my mother physically and emotionally abused by my alcoholic stepfather. At 13 years old I left my abusive life behind. It sounds great but you are so wounded you don’t want to look anyone in the eye, they may hit you or call you names. My mind stripped down and filled with trash, my mother took every drop of confidence I had. Over time my confidence grew and I started building who I am today. I did get called names and had a couple good fights. Sounds like any teenager trying to spread their wings. I have many unresolved emotions, responses, and fears. Who doesn’t? What I can say for sure, I’m a survivor and so much more. Survivors have to dig really deep after being kicked down. It took years for me to discover what I liked and longer to get over my fear of failure. My mother told me I was stupid all the time. I know better […]

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Caregiver

For Kids With Anxiety, Parents Learn To Let Them Face Their Fears

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April 15, 20195:00 AM ETHeard on  Morning Edition ANGUS CHEN The first time Jessica Calise can remember her 9-year-old son Joseph’s anxiety spiking was about a year ago, when he had to perform at a school concert. He said his stomach hurt and he might throw up. “We spent the whole performance in the bathroom,” she recalls. After that, Joseph struggled whenever he had to do something alone, like showering or sleeping in his bedroom. He would beg his parents to sit outside the bathroom door or let him sleep in their bed. “It’s heartbreaking to see your child so upset and feel like he’s going to throw up because he’s nervous about something that, in my mind, is no big deal,” Jessica says. Jessica decided to enroll in an experimental program, one that was very different from other therapy for childhood anxiety that she knew about. It wasn’t Joseph who would be seeing a therapist every week — it would be her. The program was part of a Yale University study that treated children’s anxiety by teaching their parents new ways of responding to it. “The parent’s own responses are a core and integral part of childhood anxiety,” says Eli Lebowitz, a psychologist at the Yale School of Medicine who developed the training. For instance, when Joseph would get scared about sleeping alone, Jessica and her husband, Chris Calise, did what he asked and comforted him. “In my mind, I was […]

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Advocacy

Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey are joining forces on a new documentary series about mental health and well-being.

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by Imogen Calderwood  April 16, 2019 The pair will be co-creators and executive producers of the series, according to an announcement on Wednesday from Kensington Palace via Harry and Meghan’s new Instagram account, SussexRoyal.  The multi-part series is due to be broadcast next year on the recently announced US streaming service, Apple TV+, which will launch this autumn. It’s not yet known, however, how viewers in the UK will be able to watch.  According to the statement, the show will “focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive.”  The palace said the series would build on the Duke of Sussex’s extensive work on mental health.   Instagram Harry has previously spoken out about the “quite serious effect” the death of his mother, Princess Diana, had on his life, and said that he has “probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions.”  “I truly believe that good mental health — mental fitness — is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities, and a purpose-driven self,” said Harry, in a statement about the documentary.  He also revealed that he feels the “huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science, and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times.” “Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening, and inclusive — […]

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Abuse

Being Bullied Thru Junior High

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I was always the odd kid out, didn’t make friends easy, would only have one friend at a time, lied to get attention and cut myself to see who cared. When you’re abused as a child you keep your world silent, I told no one, that’s the key reason I didn’t want to have friends. My step-father was a drunk […]

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Childhood Learning

For school shooting survivors, trauma has no time limit

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Associated Press April 18, 2019 By TERRY SPENCER, KELLI KENNEDY and COLLEEN SLEVIN PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rozenblat can still hear the cries of a wounded boy calling for help as she hid from the gunfire that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last year. Talking to therapists at the school in Parkland, Florida, didn’t help. Each session had a different counselor, and she found herself rehashing traumas she had already expressed. She would rather turn to her friends, who understand what she went through. “There is slight pressure to get better as quickly as you can, and since it’s been a year, everyone thinks that you are better,” the 16-year-old said. The mental health resources after a school shooting range from therapy dogs and grief counselors at school to support groups, art therapy and in-home counseling. But there is no blueprint for dealing with the trauma because each tragedy, survivor and community is different. Many survivors don’t get counseling right away — sometimes waiting years — making it difficult to understand the full impact. The struggle is getting them to seek help in the first place. In the two decades since the Columbine High School massacre, a network of survivors has emerged, reaching out to the newest victims to offer support that many say they prefer to traditional therapy. As the anguish festers, the danger grows, illustrated by the recent suicides of two Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors […]

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Fun

Weekend Music Share *New Kid in Town*

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Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favourite music. My parents divorced when I was six, we moved around a lot until my mother remarried. I went to live with my father at age 12 and found myself the new kid in town. When this song came out, it reminded me of those lonely […]

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Friday Quote

Friday Quote

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No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln                                                     —————————————————————————————- To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. Reba McEntire ———————————————————————————————– […]

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Fun

Today in History

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1914 Since 1905, Anna Jarvis has lobbied various officials to adopt a holiday honoring mothers, and she’s succeeded in convincing many US states to take part. Today, President Woodrow Wilson proclaims the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day and a US federal holiday. 1958 A tale of manic obsession and cruel deception, Alfred Hitchcock’s latest thriller has its world premiere. ‘Vertigo‘ will disappoint at the box […]

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Moving Forward

Gallery Travels: The Palace Versailles Château Rive Gauche

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Originally posted on For the Love of Art:
A short train ride outside of Paris you will find The Palace Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. This is a must see, the experience is like no other. The museum compares to the top museums in Paris. The gardens are magnificent and perfectly manicured, beautiful waterfall statues are strategically placed. This is before you enter The Palace.  Enjoy!   Melinda Discover the Estate The Palace of Versailles, whose origins date back to the seventeenth century, was successively a hunting lodge, a seat of power and , from the nineteenth century , a museum. With the gardens and the Palaces of Trianon, the park of the Château de Versailles spreads over 800 hectares. « It’s not a palace, it’s an entire city. Superb in its size, superb in its matter.» – CHARLES PERRAULT, LE SIÈCLE DE LOUIS LE GRAND, 1687 With 60,000 artworks, collections of Versailles illustrate 5 centuries of French History. This set reflects the dual vocation of the Palace once inhabited by the sovereigns and then a museum dedicated “to all the glories of France” inaugurated by Louis-Philippe in 1837. Water features of all kinds are an important part of French gardens, even more so than plant designs and groves. At Versailles, they include waterfalls in some of the groves, spurts of water in the fountains, and the calm surface of the water reflecting the sky and sun in the Water Parterre or…

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Health & Beauty

Almohadillas desmaquillantes caseras

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Sauce y sabio por Stampington Necesitará alrededor de 14 almohadillas de algodón2 TB. bruja hazel1 TB. aloe vera gel1 TSP. aceite de almendras dulces 1/4 TSP. Jabón de castilla Jarra de 4 oz con almohadillas faciales de algodón con tapa 14 Para hacer Agregue los ingredientes a una jarra de 4 onzas. Agitar suavemente el frasco para combinar los ingredientes. Agregue las almohadillas faciales de algodón al frasco, presionando las almohadillas hacia abajo en la liguid. Las almohadillas absorberán la mayor parte (o todo) del líquido. Asegure la tapa del frasco y guárdela en la teperuture de la habitación. Para usar Quite la almohadilla facial humedecida de la jarra y limpie su cara con ambos lados de la almohadilla para quitar el maquillaje. Lávese la cara con un limpiador facial después de usar las toallitas. Dado que la solución solo contiene 14 almohadillas faciales, necesitará hacer una nueva solución cada dos semanas.

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Men's Sexual Abuse

Johnathon’s Story

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RAINN “I’ve been told my entire life that it was impossible for this kind of thing to happen to me.”  Johnathon Cassidy was sexually assaulted by a stranger he met while at a local bar. The perpetrator put a date-rape drug in Johnathon’s drink, sexually assaulted him in a car, stole his personal belongings, and left him unconscious at a bus stop. “When I was raped I was 6’4” and 220 lbs. I truly believed that I could go anywhere I wanted and no one would bother me—I’m part Samoan, I’m hefty, I wear cowboy boots that make me even taller—I was the defender. Everyone always said ‘Go with Johnny, you’ll be safe with him.’ I’ve been told my entire life that it was impossible for this kind of thing to happen to me.” A week after the assault, Johnathon told his best friend at the time what had happened. He reacted in an unsupportive way, making it seem like the assault was an inconvenience because it happened at their favorite bar. He told Johnathon that he wanted to go back to the bar and pressured him into returning. “I was too ashamed to say I was afraid to go and I didn’t want to make my friend feel awkward. So I went back. It was a horrible experience, and to this day he doesn’t realize the impact his response had on me.” Meet Johnathon 5 words that describe me: Creative Adventurous Determined Sarcastic Optimistic […]

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Chronic Illness

PAIN COMMUNITY UNITES TO RESPOND TO FEDERAL DRAFT REPORT

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May 1, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation The 90-day public comment period for the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force’s (PMTF) draft report came to a close April 1, with more than 6,000 individuals and organizations submitting feedback. Among those to comment was the Consumer Pain Advocacy Task Force (CPATF), a coalition of pain patient-related nonprofits, including U.S. Pain Foundation, which submitted a 25-page joint letter. In addition to U.S. Pain Foundation, the CPATF letter was signed by the Center for Practical Bioethics; CHAMP (Coalition For Headache And Migraine Patients); Chronic Pain Research Alliance; For Grace: Women In Pain; Global Healthy Living Foundation; Headache and Migraine Policy Forum; International Pain Foundation; Interstitial Cystitis Association; RSDSA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association); and The Pain Community. “We are very grateful that so many patient organizations joined together to respond to this report with one, unified voice,” says Cindy Steinberg, U.S. Pain Foundation’s National Director of Policy and Advocacy and the only patient advocacy representative on the PMTF. “While the draft report holds a lot of promise, from the patient perspective, we had a number of important suggestions for ways to improve or expand on its recommendations.” Of note, the CPATF letter commends the draft report’s emphasis on individualized care and encouraged further emphasis of that point. CPATF also urges PMTF to go further and recommend that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally revise and reissue their 2016 guidelines on opioid prescribing […]

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Chronic Illness

CLEARING UP 12 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR PAIN

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April 18, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation   Ellen Lenox Smith is Co-Director of Medical Cannabis for U.S. Pain and a U.S. Pain Board Member. She lives with two rare conditions: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and sarcoidosis. After years of struggling to find pain relief without side effects or adverse reactions, she discovered medical cannabis. A retired school teacher, Ellen is now a renowned patient advocate and works tirelessly to encourage safe, fair access to all treatment options, particularly medical cannabis. She has spoken at numerous conferences on cannabis access and been featured widely in the media on the topic. She is also the author of two books: It Hurts Like Hell!: I Live With Pain—And Have A Good Life Anyway and My Life as a Service Dog. Below, she clears up common myths surrounding medical cannabis for pain. MYTH #1: ALL  PEOPLE WHO USE CANNABIS MUST BE “STONED” OR “HIGH.” Truth: this only happens if you use too much medication. People living with pain get pain relief; people using it socially and not in pain, get high! In addition, medical cannabis is made of two components: THC, which causes the mental effects associated with feeling high, and CBD, which produces bodily effects. Various strains of cannabis have different ratios of THC and CBD, which means that not all strains create as much of a “high” feeling. MYTH #2: EVERYONE WHO USES THE SAME STRAIN EXPERIENCES THE SAME RESULT TO USING IT. Truth: Each body can have […]

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Chronic Illness

PAIN CONNECTION ADDS FOUR SUPPORT GROUPS AND NEW MONTHLY CALL

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May 1, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation   Finding community support is essential to living with chronic pain. With that in mind, Pain Connection, a program of U.S. Pain Foundation, continues to expand its in-person and conference call support group offerings nationwide. Along with three existing monthly “Pain Connection Live” support group calls, there will now be a morning call on the third Thursday of each month from 10-11 am EST. The first call will be May 16. Existing calls are held on one evening, one afternoon, and one Saturday each month. To learn more or register for a Pain Connection Live call, click here. In addition, four new in-person support groups have been added in CA, AL, and NJ. All support groups are led by a person with pain who has received intensive training from Gwenn Herman, LCSW, DCSW, Clinical Director of Pain Connection. Costa Mesa, CA  Date: Second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is May 14. Time: 11 am – 1 pm Location: Panera Bread at 3030 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA. (Meet against the back wall.) Contact: Kristie McCurdy, MSN, RN, at CRPSsurvivorsOC@gmail.com San Francisco, CA Date: Second and fourth Friday of each month. The next meetings are May 10 and May 24. Time: 12 – 1 pm Location: 1701 Divisedero Street, 5th floor conference room, San Francisco, CA. (Elevator available.) Contact: Cessa Marshal at cessamarshall@yahoo.com or 415-637-1812. Pell City, ALDate: The first meeting will be May 2. Time: 6-7:30 pm. Location: The Brook Besor Coffee Shop, 4204 Martin St. S., Cropwell, AL […]

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Chronic Illness

FDA, CDC REACT TO HARM TO PAIN PATIENTS

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May 1, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reacted to the unintended harm to people living with chronic pain as a result of policy measures intended to ameliorate the opioid crisis. On April 9, the FDA issued a Safety Announcement citing “serious harm,” including “withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, psychological distress and suicide” as a result of sudden discontinuation or rapid dose decreases in opioid pain medication. The FDA will now require changes to the prescribing information for health care professionals that will provide guidance on how to safely reduce or taper patients off opioid medications. The agency states that there is no standard opioid tapering schedule; rather, a schedule must be tailored to each patient’s unique situation considering a variety of factors, including the type of pain the patient has. The FDA is also warning patients not to suddenly stop taking their opioid medication, as this can result in serious problems. Even when patients gradually reduce these medications, they may still experience withdrawal symptoms such as chills and muscle aches. If these are excessive, patients are encouraged to contact their health care provider. Feeling the pressure from the FDA action, a letter from more than 300 health care practitioners, and increasing news coverage of harms to people with pain, three CDC Guideline authors, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, said the Guidelines have been misapplied and applied inflexibly in […]

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Health and Wellbeing

What doctors don’t learn about death and dying

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IDEAS TED.COM Oct 31, 2014 / Atul Gawande Dying and death confront every new doctor and nurse. In this book excerpt, Atul Gawande asks: Why are we not trained to cope with mortality?     I learned about a lot of things in medical school, but mortality wasn’t one of them. I was given a dry, leathery corpse to dissect in my first term — but that was solely a way to learn about human anatomy. Our textbooks had almost nothing on aging or frailty or dying. How the process unfolds, how people experience the end of their lives and how it affects those around them? That all seemed beside the point. The way we saw it — and the way our professors saw it — the purpose of medical schooling was to teach us how to save lives, not how to tend to their demise. The one time I remember discussing mortality was during an hour we spent on The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy’s classic novella. It was in a weekly seminar called Patient-Doctor — part of the school’s effort to make us more rounded and humane physicians. Some weeks we would practice our physical examination etiquette; other weeks we’d learn about the effects of socioeconomics and race on health. And one afternoon we contemplated the suffering of Ivan Ilyich as he lay ill and worsening from some unnamed, untreatable disease. The first times, some cry. Some shut down. Some hardly notice. […]

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Caregiver

The messy, complicated truth about grief

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IDEAS TED TALKS May 1, 2019 / Nora McInerny Mourning the loss of a loved one isn’t efficient, compact or logical, and it changes us forever, says writer Nora McInerny. She explains why. I quit my job shortly after my husband Aaron died in 2014 following three years with brain cancer. It made sense in the moment, but I needed money to keep my son and myself alive so I went to a networking event to hopefully make connections. I was introduced to a successful woman in her early 70s who everyone referred to as a “legend.” She wanted to meet me for coffee and I thought, “What could she possibly see in me?” What she saw in me was herself. She had been 16 when her boyfriend died. He was her first love and they were teenagers in a different era, when it was perfectly plausible that you would be married after high school. Instead, he went to the hospital one day and never came back. She learned later that he’d died of cancer, which his parents had kept secret from him and from his friends. They didn’t know how to talk about it, and they didn’t want him or his friends to worry. This boy had died decades ago. She was married, a mother and a grandmother. And she told me about his death as if it had happened weeks ago, as if she were still 16, still shocked and confused that […]

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#SoSc

#SoSC Prompt for week *fall from the sky*

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “fall from the sky.” Write about anything that falls from the sky–real, imagined, or idiomatic. Have fun! I have seen rain, hail, and tornado’s fall from the sky over the past few days. The weather trend will continue until the cold front passes. I get jacked up watching lightening, it’s so mesmerizing but it’s no longer fun when the thunder starts, especially when overhead leaving my ears ringing. I live in the DFW area of Texas, just three weeks ago hail as large as baseballs hit several large suburbs, every car window broken, house windows beaten down. People are trying all types of measures to prevent more damage to their cars. Not sure I buy into any I’ve seen.  Many years ago the same type of weather event happened at Mayfest, a large annual festival of arts, music and beverages.  There a huge crowd, having a great time and then pouring rain. People were running to get out of the rain when the baseball-size hail started, people ran for their cars to find them pulverized. Several people were seriously injured, it was terrible. I was home alone when it happened and had no idea clue what the noise was. I thought someone had a gun shooting at the house. The hail knocked out two skylights, two side windows and damaged roof and everything outside. I saved several pieces of hail to show the insurance adjuster just […]

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Friday Quote

Friday Quote

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Thank you for all the loving messages this week, you know how to make me feel alive. Which is better than being dead! Have a great weekend and be safe.  Melinda   Be stupid, be dumb, be funny, if that’s who you are. Don’t try to be someone that society wants you to be; that’s stupid. So be yourself. Christina Grimmie    

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Chronic Illness

Looking For The Light is Texas Ambassador for U.S. Pain Foundation

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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 Education Programs Take Control of Your Pain Learn About Your Pain Pain Medicine 411 Pain Education Portal (PEP) Talks Clinical Programs National Coalition of Chronic Pain Providers and Professionals To learn more, visit: uspainfoundation.org Melinda Sandor Ambassador-Texas U.S. Pain Foundation

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Moving Forward

Gentle Reminder: You’re Not Who You Think You Are

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Originally posted on Julie de Rohan:
Do you ever feel like a walking contradiction? Does it feel as though you hold conflicting beliefs about yourself simultaneously? It’s not unusual to have paradoxes within us.  The tension they create is often what brings us to counselling. Clients frequently share with me what they think about themselves – “I’m greedy”, “I’m lazy”,…

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Chronic Illness

I’ve Been Nominated For The Disability Award

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I’m blown away Stacey Chapman at https://fightingwithfibro.com awarded me The Disability Award. You have to check out her site, here’s the original award post,  https://fightingwithfibro.com/2019/04/27/the-disability-award/ Her sunny personality welcomes you with every post, she’s informative, topics are fresh, up to date and she reviews products we might be interested in. She is very knowledgeable. Following her is a must. As part of my nomination, I choose other Disability Bloggers to give this award to. They are as follows: Wendy at  simplychronicallyill.wordpress.com Patricia at  https://patriciajgrace.wordpress.com Colly at https://dopaminequeen.com Alyssia at https://fightingmsdaily.com Mackenzie at lifewithanillness.com Robert at https://robertmgoldstien.com Gavin at https://sedge.com Nominees: Please answer the questions, choose your own nominees and develop your own set of questions. Stacey’s questions are so good I’m going with her’s. Display the award badge. What was the first sign of your illness? My chest and right clavicle starting hurting and would not go away for months. What is your worst symptom and how do you cope with it? Whatever it takes, pain meds, a nap, meditation, looking at the flower garden, put feet in the pool, letting them float. What one thing about you has changed as a result of your struggles? I understand people with all types of disabilities better. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone else suffering? Accept it, embrace your illness as part of your daily life and work on what relieves your pain. Name one good thing that has come out of having […]

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#SoSc

#SoSC Weekly Prompt *XP*

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http://lookingforthelight.blog I want to explain what Parathyroids are, there are four small glands behind the Thyroid. The purpose of the gland is to monitor Calcium in the body. When your Parathyroid is not working properly, which shows up on lab test, the test will show your Parathyroid gland is working overtime trying to level your calcium levels. It’s weird but when the test shows high it’s not a good thing. What happens if you don’t have enough calcium, your body goes to your bones to get calcium which can cause Osteoporosis. If the Parathyroid isn’t working chances are there is a tumor on the gland that needs removing. High calcium is never a good thing. I have tumors on all four Parathyroid and scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks. My calcium has been low for some time because I already have the beginning of Osteoporosis in my right hip. The surgery is not a walk in the park but it’s not major surgery. The surgeon cuts an inch to inch/half to get behind the Thyroid gland to remove the Parathyroid tumors. If a tumor is not removed and it’s still causing high calcium you will need another surgery. I’ve watched the surgery on the Internet and the total surgery takes around 20-30 minutes. Recovery time is three weeks. I’ve included some information. Stream of Consciousness ADD LINK https://lookingforthelight.blog/2019/04/27/sosc-weekly-prompt-xp/ Parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in our blood. Everyone has four […]

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Moving Forward

We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB #23

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We Are The World  Blogfest: Spreading Stories of Positivity and Compassion in Social Media Please forgive the crazy layout, WordPress is still crazy!!!!! Have a great weekend. M https://lookingforthelight.blog/2019/04/26/we-are-the-world-blogfest-watwb-23/ https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3290/Nepalese-Army-Removes-Two-Tons-Of-Waste-From-Mount-Everest Nepalese Army Removes Two Tons Of Waste From Mount Everest April 20, 2019 The Nepalese Army has removed two tons of waste from Mount Everest under its Mount Everest cleanup campaign. Credit: Nepal Army According to the Nepalese Army, the cleanup campaign was launched on April 14, 2019 as part of the 24th annual “Wildlife Week”, a program organized by the Sagarmatha National Park Office. After the cleanup campaign was concluded, the army transported half of the non-biodegradable waste by helicopter to the Blue Waste To Value Company. The remaining ton of waste was taken to the army barraks in Okhaldhunga for treatment, according to a press release issued by the army. The Nepalese army has also pledged to provide the manpower and machines necessary for the Clean Mountains Campaign which will run until May 19, 2019. Welcome to #WATWB # 23! We are sharing stories about people doing good work and bringing hope to the world.  To learn more about this monthly blogfest, visithttps://www.damyantiwrites.com/we-are-the-world-blogfest/and the WATWB Facebook page for more positive posts. Please post on that Friday or over the weekend, or, If you have other schedule conflicts, you could post later within the week or add a positive news link and the WATWB badge with another of your regular posts. This Blogfest is all about spreading the love, […]

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Fun

Today in History

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  1950 The Boston Celtics select Chuck Cooper in the second round, making him the first African American drafted in the NBA. He will make his debut on Nov 1, 1950 and play for six seasons. After retiring, Cooper will get his master’s in social work and work in education and urban affairs in Pittsburgh. 1961 MIT graduate and cofounder […]

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Advocacy

VATIC Foundation’s Support for Trauma and PTSD

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  This organization is doing amazing work by helping people transition from a traumatic event. They offer support for those who suffer trauma-related symptoms and PTSD. Please visit their website, https://vaticfoundation.com for more information.  M OUR MISSION AT THE VATIC FOUNDATION After a traumatic experience, you will go through a period of transition. The Vatic Foundation backs people during the transitional phase who are wanting to start a new career or finish post-secondary education. The heart of the VATIC Foundation is to offer a lending hand to any individual recovering from a trauma-related event/PTSD. Our foundation awards educational grants to individuals looking for a new start. Our Aim: Ensure new career paths are met, Encourage participation in our community; Contribute a positive means for coping; Provide awareness; Protect people from further psychological harm; Return individuals to familiar routines; Make sure you’re not alone after a traumatic event. What does this mean for the VATIC Foundation?  It’s a cut-and-dried response; Our goal is to remain outspoken about mental health, trauma, PTSD, Complex-PTSD, while delivering the groundwork, strength, courage, or even the confidence we depend upon during a period of desolation.

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Health & Beauty

Frizzy Hair Remedies

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    Willow & Sage by Stampington At Home Remedies While regular conditioning is helpful to tame frizzy hair, there are more remedies that smooth the outer layer of hair while reparing it for healthy growing. Applying any of the following treatments can improve shine and make hair more managable. Honey Coconut Hot Oil Treatment You will need 1 TB. […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Parathyroid/Health Overview

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If calcium levels are low the body goes to your bones to look for calcium, this can lead to Osteoporosis. Anytime your calcium levels are high it shows the Parathyroid is working overtime trying to level your calcium, high calcium is a serious condition. All four of my Parathyroid Glands are not functioning properly and I have the beginning stages of Osteoporosis in my right hip. I have tumors on all four glands, two are small and the two lowers glands have tumors approx. 3-4 inches long. The surgeon will remove and possibly all four once the surgeon takes a look. The surgery itself is only 15-30 minutes with total recovery time approx. three weeks. I am waiting on my surgeon for the surgery date, I expect the surgery to happen in next two weeks. Please, read description and graphic below.  I’ll keep you posted on how the surgery goes and any other information I learn. M You have four Parathyroid Glands on the backside of the Thyroid, they are very small but play a very important role in your health, they keep calcium levels in the body and if calcium level become low the Parathriod Gland produces more hormone to compensate for the low calcium levels.   Illustration of the 4 parathyroid glands located on the back side of the thyroid. We all have 4 parathyroid glands.Parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in our blood. Everyone has four parathyroid glands, usually […]

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Moving Forward

The Musee’ d’Orsay​

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Originally posted on For the Love of Art:
Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris ? The Musée d’Orsay wishes to express its deep sorrow at the tragedy that has struck Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. We would also like to extend our gratitude to those men and women who fought to save this emblem of our capital and this monument that belongs to the heritage of humanity. The President of the French Republic has announced the launch of a national and international public appeal to rebuild the cathedral. In order to help raise money for this reconstruction, the Government has put in place a shared portal http://www.rebatirnotredame.gouv.fr that regroups four charitable establishments and foundations authorised to raise funds via donations: – The Centre des monuments nationaux – The Fondation Notre Dame / Avenir du Patrimoine à Paris – The Fondation du patrimoine – The Fondation de France These structures work to collect as many donations as possible from France and abroad while honouring certain commitments: full payment of all funds raised, secure payment and guaranteed transparency regarding fund-raising procedures.

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Moving Forward

Peace Over Violence Denim Day

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Greetings 1in6 Partners, This Wednesday, April 24th, millions around the world will join together in observance of Denim Day, the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign. We at 1in6 are reaching out to invite and encourage your military base or organization to participate.  For the last 20 years, Peace Over Violence’s Denim Day campaign has inspired and mobilized individuals, beginning with an accessible call to action: wearing jeans with a purpose. Denim Day recalls an Italian Supreme Court case that sparked international outrage when a judge overturned a lower court’s conviction of a rapist because the victim wore jeans. The judges ruled that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, thus implying consent.  In its 20th year, the campaign message remains consistent: There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape. Denim Day calls on all individuals, institutions and elected officials to challenge destructive attitudes and myths that surround sexual violence. Denim Day has garnered support from military bases across the country throughout its history, identifying the campaign as a tool that assists in bringing sexual violence education and resources to survivors in the armed forces. Events that have taken place include simply wearing jeans with a purpose, 5k runs, moments of silence, open mic nights and screenings of films like The Invisible War. Denim Day 2019 Registered Military Bases to date:
 ●    Army National Guard Professional Education Center●    1st Calvary […]

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Chronic Illness

How Many Pills A Day?

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44 pills a day Most of the medications I take are for Mental Illness and Chronic Illnesses. I am blessed we have good insurance which covers most of the cost. There are two prescriptions that cost over $500 after coverage. I don’t like to take pills and can only take one at a time which can take 10 minutes to […]

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Bipolar Disorder

Medication Check List

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How often do you update your medication checklist with all of your doctors? I make a habit of taking an updated list to every appointment. It’s up to me to keep everyone informed. That doesn’t mean side effects or mishaps don’t happen. I fired my Lyme doctor because he prescribed medicine in a class I was already taking. In this case, drugs from that class don’t mix with another in that category. It made me Psychotic for a week, walking in circles in the house 24 hours a day, I thought I learned a new language and was with my tribe of Indians. It was a horrible experience. It was half of my responsibility, doctors dispense too many medications to know all the side effects. My habit is to go to FDA.gov and read the Prescribing Instructions from the manufacturer. I can read all the side effect data and know what to look out for. In this case, I had put the medication aside for a week because I was too sick to look up the information and too stubborn to ask my husband for help. I paid the price. We have to manage our medications along with the doctor, they only have 15 minutes at best and most of the time new prescriptions aren’t written till the end of an appointment. Read the information given by the pharmacy. The information will at least include the most common side effects […]

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#SoSc

#SoSC Prompt for week *RIB*

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My immediate thought was crib, not baby crib so much as doggie crib. My granny had a stray poodle named Blackie that was another child, her youngest. She took my wooden baby bed, placed by her bed and Blackie slept there every night, that is when not on the bed. She had Blackie for 13 years and when we had […]

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Art

Gallery Travels: Tate London

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Originally posted on For the Love of Art:
I had the opportunity to visit England in 1990, we stayed in the countryside but I did get three days in London. The Tate Museum was on the top of my list. They have thousands of artworks in the permanent collection, this is a sampling.  Melinda Tate Britain (known from 1897 to 1932 as the National Gallery of British Art and from 1932 to 2000 as the Tate Gallery) is an art museum on Millbank in the City of Westminster in London. It is part of the Tate network of galleries in England, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is the oldest gallery in the network, having opened in 1897. It houses a substantial collection of the art of the United Kingdom since Tudor times, and in particular has large holdings of the works of J. M. W. Turner, who bequeathed all his own collection to the nation. It is one of the largest museums in the country. Tate Britain and Tate Modern are now connected by a high speed boat along the River Thames, which runs from Millbank Millennium Pier immediately outside Tate Britain. The boat is decorated with spots, based on paintings of similar appearance by Damien Hirst. The lighting artwork incorporated in the pier’s structure is by Angela Bulloch.[15] Vincent van Gogh Shoes 1886 Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Van Gogh came to Britain at the age…

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Fun

This Day in History

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Massachusetts silversmith Paul Revere saddles up and heads off into the night to alert his fellow colonial militia members of the British force’s imminent arrival and their intent to commandeer the American’s arms as well as to arrest patriots Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At 5:12 AM an extremely powerful earthquake, later estimated at 7.8 magnitude, convulses the bustling metropolis of San Francisco, California. The quake and resulting […]

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Childhood Learning

Constantly Evolving: Puberty and Menstruation — Guest Blogger Dr. Lori Gore-Green

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Constantly evolving is a new series documenting the ways in which women’s bodies change. Based on the time of the month or period of life, the series hopes to highlight the magnificence of the woman’s body. The previous “Constantly Evolving” article focused on external physical changes girls experience when going through puberty. In conjunction […] Constantly Evolving: Puberty and Menstruation — Dr. Lori Gore-Green

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Moving Forward

Be Your Own Advocate In Bipolar Medication Management

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Originally posted on The Dopamine Queen:
It seems many people with Bipolar Disorder are leaving their treatment plan completely up to their doctors. I often hear about how a med is not working for someone or how the side effects are making it not worth the benefits of taking it. When I ask these people if they’ve spoken to their doctor they often say no. Although I love to advocate for people and am happy to offer my opinions and experiences of the drugs I am aware of, I’m here to ask you to be your own advocate as well. For me, there is nothing more empowering than knowledge. When I first accepted my diagnosis (approximately seven years after being diagnosed) I dove head first into research. I read every book, article, study and paper on Bipolar Disorder. I also read hundreds of Bipolar medication forums with thousands of comments. I wanted the first hand knowledge of the people taking the pills, not what the manufacturer of the medication told a doctor it might do. When I started talking to my doctor about mood stabilizers and antipsychotics he was not impressed, he was worried and wanted to know if I thought I was manic. ABSOLUTELY YES. I mean, no one does research like manic me. I chose which medications I was going to take and my doctor assisted in getting me those medications and monitoring me for extreme side effects…

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Health & Beauty

What You’re Missing If You Think Self-Care Is Just Candles And Bubble Baths

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Womens Health By Marissa GainsburgApr 2, 2019 Pampering yourself is great, but challenging yourself? Way better.  I can’t believe I did that. The words flashed through my head over and over like a GIF as I walked alongside thousands of exhausted runners to exit Central Park. I’d just crossed the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon—my first 26.2—and my cheeks, wrinkled up to my eyes, ached almost as much as my legs. When a photographer snapped a picture, I broke out in happy tears until a weird but powerful calm came over me. I can’t. Believe. I did that. It’s a sentiment I’d chased several times over the past year, the first on a rock-climbing trip in Joshua Tree National Park, then during an intensive hike up two “14ers” (mountain slang for Colorado’s multiple peaks exceeding 14,000 feet). I’d spent months training for each of the three events, dedicating weekdays and Saturdays to workouts and Sundays to recovery—or self-care, as we call it: I foam-rolled, pretzeled my limbs in candlelit yoga, read novels in bed, splurged on $11 smoothies, slathered my skin and hair in masks…you know, the works. Yet even on my most Zen days, nothing came close to the perfect peace I felt after pushing my body to a point it had never been. At first, the fitness editor in me chalked up the bliss to endorphins. But as I melted into the massage table at Connecticut’s serene Mayflower […]

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Bipolar Disorder

Special education teacher’s “mental health check in” for students inspires other educators

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BY CAITLIN O’KANE APRIL 5, 2019 / 12:00 PM / CBS NEWS A special education teacher from Fremont, California, made a “mental health checklist” for her students. Now, teachers around the world are doing the same.  Erin Castillo posted a photo of her mental health poster on Instagram and it went viral. She made a version of it available to download for free, and teachers around the world are posting photos of the chart in their classrooms. The mental heath checklist asks kids if they are “great,” “okay,” “meh,” “struggling,” “having a hard time” or “in a really dark place.” Students are encouraged to write their names on the back of a post-it and stick it on the poster under the section describing how they’re feeling.  If they put their post-it in the “struggling” section, they know they should try speaking with an adult about their feelings. If they say they are “having a hard time,” or “in a really dark place,” Castillo checks in with them.  The teacher knows it’s important to take time and focus on mental health – especially for high school kids.  “My heart hurts for them,” Castillo wrote on Instagram. “High school is rough sometimes, but I was happy that a few were given a safe space to vent and work through some feelings.” Castillo teaches high school English to special education students, as well as a peer counseling class to general education students, she told CBS News. Her […]

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Moving Forward

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

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Contact Us 55 E Jackson Blvd, Suite 490Chicago, IL 60604 P: (800) 826-3632F: (312) 642-7243 Our Mission DBSA provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders. Crisis Information If you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, call (800) 273-TALK (800-273-8255) or 9-1-1 immediately. You can also text DBSA to 741-741. Or contact a medical professional, clergy member, loved one, friend, or hospital emergency room. Crisis Looking for asupport group? DBSA Support Groups for peers, friends, and family. Visit http://www.dsalliance.org to find a Support Group near you. I’m Living Proof Without success stories, it’s easy to think you will always feel this way and you won’t be able to have the life you had hoped for. Perhaps you remember this feeling when you were first diagnosed. Did life get better for you? Share your journey with teens experiencing mood disorders to give others hope because—you’re living proof! Matthew, 34 I was not formally diagnosed until I was 29 years old. It was only 2 months after marrying the love of my life. I became severely manic after suffering from undiagnosed mild depression as long as I could remember. I was first hospitalized in January, but when I was released I didn’t take my medication, then sure enough, 6 months later I had another manic episode, but this time was much worse. I fell into a bad psychosis, suffering from delusions, I even felt I didn’t want to […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Clear the toxins from your life-Avoid these ingredients

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People Magazine April 22, 2019 Three ingredients to avoid According to Nneka Leiba, Director of Environmental Working Group’s healthy-living science program. Parabens Often used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal-care products, the ingredient is believed to mimic estrogen and potentially cause hormone disruption. Formaldehyde Found in some nail polishes and hair smoothing treatments, it can lead to myriad skin irritations and was deemed carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Phthalates Commonly used as a solvent in the fragrances that scent aftershave, lotion, soap and more, the chemical has been linked to reproduction issues in men.

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Health and Wellbeing

Dementia Thoughts

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Dementia sucks, it’s fucking life sucking. I watched my granny die from Dementia, you don’t wish that type of death on anyone. Once she no longer knew who she or anyone else was it was crushing. I don’t want to die that way and have been vocal about it to the surprise of my husband, Therapist and Psychiatrist. My decision […]

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Moving Forward

People are finally talking about mental health. Now what?

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Originally posted on Shedding Light on Mental Health:
I’m a huge fan of all those who have been willing to talk about their challenges with their mental health. It’s wonderful to know that we are not alone. I love it when celebrities use their platforms for great causes. But…we also have to start asking the question what’s next? It’s one thing to be aware of mental health and it’s another to face the harsh reality of waiting for two months before one can see a psychiatrist. Not to mention the enormous challenges for emergency rooms across the country who are often the first stop for those experiencing a mental health crisis. I’m not worried about celebrities having access to care. They can afford to pay for private care if they have to. But I am concerned about the quality of care for everyone. The fact that medications don’t work immediately and the side effects can make the treatment impossible to stick with. Talking about mental health is important. I do it often. But figuring out ways to help others get the care they need when they need it may just be the most important problem that needs solved in a generation. Almost everyone is talking about mental health. Yay!!! Now let’s do something about the care people need.

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Advocacy

Taraji P. Henson Cries While Discussing Mental Health in the Black Community: ‘This Is a National Crisis’

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Variety ByDANIEL NISSEN Taraji P. Henson shed light on the history and stigma of mental health in the black community at Variety’s Power of Women NY presented by Lifetime.  Henson received the honor on Friday for her work with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. “Our vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health in the black community by breaking the silence and breaking a cycle of shame. We were taught to hold our problems close to the vest out of fear of being labeled and further demonized as weak, or inadequate,” said Henson. Breaking down in tears, she called the state of mental health for black people a “national crisis.” “My dad is one of the reasons I started this foundation, and my son, and my neighbor, and my friends, my community, our children is why I keep going,” she said. The actress named the foundation after her father, who experienced mental illness after returning from his tour of duty in Vietnam. She continued, “The history of mental illness for black people in America stretches all the way back 400 years, 15 million people, and an ocean that holds the stories.” Henson reflected on the roles in her career where she has depicted the experiences of black women during Jim Crow segregation. She referenced Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician who helped launch the first man in space, and Catana Starks, the first black woman to coach a college men’s golf team. Finally, […]

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Art

Art, Artists, Interaction and the Process of Change — Guest Blogger Art, Photography and Poetry

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Originally posted on For the Love of Art:
“Art will never be able to exist without nature.” Pierre Bonnard Art and form are linked with function and nature, with feeling and seeing, with emotion and the relationship between the observed and men and women’s particular unique situations and particular environmental circumstances; and their reaction to and interaction with it. “Art…

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#SoSc

Weekly Prompt “lip” #SoCS

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “lip.” Use it as a word, or find a word with “lip”in it. As always, use any way you’d like. Enjoy! I came up with several perfectly good words, flip, slip, and blip but the best fit for me is lip! One reason is, I usually aggravate my husband with plenty of lip about the long to-do list. I like to think my post are giving lip because they are honest regardless if someone gets their feelings hurt. My mother would say I starting giving her lip the minute I learned to talk.  M   Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories   For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link: https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: 1. 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. 2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. 3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will […]

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Childhood Learning

Actions Speak Louder…. Guest Blogger Army of Angels: Part 2

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This gesture is nice….but please don’t display blue pinwheels and claim to be against child abuse for the public eye, while treating victims with hate in private! I recently saw a school from our past, bragging about how much they care about this issue. Sadly, the AoA kids attended there during the worst of the […] via Actions Speak Louder…. — Army of Angels: Part 2

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Fun

This Day in History April 11th

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  I appreciate you stopping by, all comments are welcome!  M 1976 Just days after forming Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) with his friend Steve Jobs, computer hobbyist Steve Wozniak hand-builds and offers to the public a new machine boasting a 1MHz CPU and 4KB standard memory, dubbing it the Apple I. 1814 On this day in 1814, Napoleon […]

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Chronic Illness

HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO CHRONIC PAIN *U.S. Pain Foundation*

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March 4, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation By Deborah Ellis, ND, CTN If you’re like me, and millions of others, you’ve probably suffered with chronic pain for a year or longer. Chronic pain affects 50 million Americans, 20 million of whom have high-impact chronic pain. It has been linked to increased risk of major mental conditions including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Science understands a body in chronic pain continually sends stress signals to the brain, leading to a heightened perception of not only the pain itself but also the perceived level of threat. It’s a vicious cycle that’s hard to break or control. When a person is diagnosed with pain, the first line of treatment is typically pain medication. But while these medications may work for some people, in others, the side effects—ranging from nausea to heart complications—may outweigh the relief. For patients looking to explore a holistic pain management program, whether alone or in tandem with traditional medicine, there are a number of options to consider. Let’s review a few of the more common holistic strategies available today. Acupuncture Chiropractic Exercise Massage Stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness and meditation training Vitamin or herbal supplements Aloe vera ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture, common in Chinese medicine, involves inserting thin, tiny needles into certain points of the body. Traditional Chinese practitioners believe acupuncture balances the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi. Western practitioners see it as a way to […]

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Childhood Learning

I had a Brother

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we played with bubble wrap and watched the stars we swam and skipped rocks in the creeks near our house at nine years old we were separated we saw each other at the holidays no longer knowing each other he saw me drown in drugs he knew I was sent somewhere for a year no telling what he was told we didn’t […]

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Art

Gallery Travels: Spain and The Prado

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Originally posted on For the Love of Art:
In 1988 I had an opportunity to travel to Madrid, Spain with a small group from a popular radio station. The morning DJ took the trip with us, to some it was like traveling with a celebrity. That would not be me. This was my first trip to Spain and sitting at the hotel was not my idea of fun. I walked to Toledo, a famous city with the magnificent Castle of San Servando. Castle of San Servando Evidence exists of an ancient monastery attached to a basilica of the same name, possibly founded in the 7th century. In 1080, Cardinal Richard of St. Victor, a monk of the ancient Abbey of St. Victor in Marseille, was sent as the legate of Pope Gregory VII to the Council of Burgos held that year. One of his mandates was to ensure the adoption of the Roman Rite, replacing the ancient Mozarabic Rite used by the Christians of Iberia for centuries. He carried specific instructions for the restoration of San Servando and its adoption of Roman liturgical practice.[1] As you cross the bridge over the Tagus River you can see where cannonballs hit the Huge gates and surrounding walls protecting the Castle. ? The most famous museum in Madrid, Spain is the Prado.  Eugenio Lucas Velázquez – The Second of May 1808 Roger van der Wevden Descent from the Cross  ? ? Spain is known for many handmade…

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Moving Forward

Conversation 023 – Dealing with Toxic People

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Originally posted on Spirituality is the only way to solace:
This conversation is between me(Seeker 2) and my friend(Seeker 1) on how do we deal with toxic people – the people who bring in negative reactions, negative emotions and negative energy through their dealings. Seeker 2: They say we keep learning lessons till the last minute of our life and how true! Seeker 1: True…Cent percent! It always puzzled me why only good people suffer… Seeker 2: If you think it is suffering then it is suffering…it’s just the mindset…according to me it is evaluation of people in circumstances for our self-improvement. It is only between I and I! Seeker 1: What you are saying is correct in one way. Still these days I am seeing this a lot. You do things that’s morally correct but still  hell a lot of trouble awaits you. But people indulging in all sorts of incorrect/immoral activities are leading better lives and suffer less! Seeker 2: That’s why I said it is the mindset of people involved. Most of the time even the family is hostile to a person who lost earning capability. Where does the person go then? Seeker 2: Inner strength and self-belief is the key in such situation. That’s why scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatham holds the key. They can have a very positive effect while dealing with adverse circumstances. Seeker 1: “Inner strength is the key in such situation” – I…

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Bipolar Disorder

Overcoming the pain from disappointment — Guest Blogger Shedding Light on Mental Health

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Sometimes the worst part of mental illness are the dreams left behind. The shattered and tattered remnants of a life once filled with promise and opportunity. There is no greater healing than acknowledging the pain, feeling it and then moving forward with what can be. Things can really be difficult. It’s hard to always stay […] via Overcoming the pain from disappointment — Shedding Light on Mental Health

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