tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13927778884023226382024-03-12T20:36:46.417-07:00One Broken Offone woman's experience with mental illnessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-85363722695248310172012-06-13T17:45:00.001-07:002012-06-13T17:45:41.797-07:00Suicide: Read This First<a href="http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/">Suicide: Read This First</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-13020261495313490002011-10-27T18:51:00.000-07:002011-10-27T18:51:22.996-07:00Probiotic Bacteria May Help Treat Depression | Gut-Brain Link | Mental Health & Psychiatric Disorders | LiveScience<a href="http://www.livescience.com/15822-embargoed-probiotic-bacteria-treat-depression.html">Probiotic Bacteria May Help Treat Depression | Gut-Brain Link | Mental Health & Psychiatric Disorders | LiveScience</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-6996857277314052652011-01-14T11:28:00.001-08:002011-01-14T11:32:37.150-08:00Please Watch and Share This--Help Fight Stigma<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HFRYpGx4Jo0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HFRYpGx4Jo0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="460.8" height="277.2"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-57659331097845227132010-11-02T16:02:00.000-07:002010-11-02T16:02:40.840-07:00The Insanity Virus | Mental Health | DISCOVER Magazine<a href="http://discovermagazine.com/2010/jun/03-the-insanity-virus">The Insanity Virus | Mental Health | DISCOVER Magazine</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-42102840159561836062010-09-22T18:27:00.000-07:002010-09-22T18:27:32.454-07:00Patient Voices: Schizophrenia - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/16/health/healthguide/te_schizophrenia.html">Patient Voices: Schizophrenia - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com</a><br /><br />I love to hear people speak in their own voices. Click the link for some stories of life with schizophrenia.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-40860203358611611202010-09-17T18:27:00.000-07:002010-09-17T18:28:45.510-07:00Feminist Mormon Housewives » Hitting close to home<a href="http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=3290">Feminist Mormon Housewives » Hitting close to home</a><br /><br />A great conversation about mental illness. Be sure to read the comments.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-48970434708689796472010-09-15T20:44:00.000-07:002010-09-15T20:44:48.750-07:00Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome - LoveToKnow Sleep<a href="http://sleep.lovetoknow.com/Delayed_Sleep_Phase_Syndrome">Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome - LoveToKnow Sleep</a><br /><br />This is so how I sleep. It turns out that it is common in those on the autistic spectrum.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-54708833780327717032010-09-14T10:12:00.000-07:002010-09-14T10:12:42.142-07:00Bipolar Disorder Not Linked to Violence | Bipolar Disorder For Dummies | Bipolar Beat<a href="http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar/2010/09/bipolar-disorder-not-linked-to-violent-crimes/">Bipolar Disorder Not Linked to Violence | Bipolar Disorder For Dummies | Bipolar Beat</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-56911066196972956642010-09-01T10:44:00.001-07:002010-09-01T10:47:01.224-07:00Closed for the Day<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinlabar/281211010/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/281211010_6c9f8236f8.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinlabar/281211010/">morning glory flower, unopened</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/martinlabar/">Martin LaBar</a>.</span></div><p>I am able to get out now much more than I have in a long time, but I still have a toll to pay afterwards.<br /><br />Yesterday I had a root canal performed in my mouth in the morning and in the afternoon I attended a memorial service and saw many dear old friends.<br /><br />Today I am like our backyard Morning Glories on a cloudy day: simply closed up for a while.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-19999853056372467442010-06-06T16:43:00.005-07:002010-06-06T16:49:02.123-07:00Still His Lamb<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2424370582/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2424370582_63c65de528.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2424370582/">365/106 Lamb</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rachelpasch/">justmakeit</a>.</span></div><p>This picture illustrates how I am feeling of late. I am still His lamb, but in a pen, waiting for a wider pasture. I know that I am loved and that nourishment is coming. But all is not well.<br /><br />I have loved ones who talk with me from outside the wire, but I am longing to have a friend who can fellowship with me from the inside. Is it you? Do you understand what I am going through? Will you visit with me?<br /><br />Let's discuss how to be friends from both sides of this barrier of mental dis-ease, shall we? I would sure appreciate it.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-57174232052304882342010-05-16T14:55:00.001-07:002010-05-16T14:58:00.703-07:00Why Know?<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkamp/2429091134/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2429091134_b829eb0d2c.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkamp/2429091134/">No Going Back</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mkamp/">Mariano Kamp</a>.</span></div><p>I found this list on the Internet today, and it really resonated for me. The article is called <a href="http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/tp/whygetasdx.htm">"Top Ten Reasons for Adults to Seek an Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis."</a><br /><br />Do you see yourself in this list, too?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-26645303849535664972010-04-22T14:19:00.001-07:002010-04-22T14:21:13.722-07:00More from Stomp the Stigma<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5oFIni5lGAg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5oFIni5lGAg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="480" height="288.75"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-17897629950920797262010-04-22T11:46:00.000-07:002010-04-22T11:50:40.133-07:00God is LoveThis little video expresses my feelings about God better than anything I've found for a long time. Thank you, Kate, for sharing it. (Moms beware: there is a little cursing here.)<br /><br />This <span style="font-style:italic;">will</span> make you cry.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8191217&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8191217&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8191217">Last Minutes with ODEN</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user814889">phos pictures</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-7962713739729105542010-04-09T15:42:00.000-07:002010-04-09T17:25:09.555-07:00A New View of Oz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-RTY0fugB8/S7-tkftk9hI/AAAAAAAAEKc/DKKBjypn0O0/s1600/green+stuff.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O-RTY0fugB8/S7-tkftk9hI/AAAAAAAAEKc/DKKBjypn0O0/s400/green+stuff.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458272115895891474" /></a><i>"Well, one day I went up in a balloon and the ropes got twisted, so that I couldn't come down again. It went way up above the clouds, so far that a current of air struck it and carried it many, many miles away. For a day and a night I traveled through the air, and on the morning of the second day I awoke and found the balloon floating over a strange and beautiful country.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"It came down gradually, and I was not hurt a bit. But I found myself in the midst of a strange people, who, seeing me come from the clouds, thought I was a great Wizard. Of course I let them think so, because they were afraid of me, and promised to do anything I wished them to.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"Just to amuse myself, and keep the good people busy, I ordered them to build this City, and my palace; and they did it all willingly and well. Then I thought, as the country was so green and beautiful, I would call it the Emerald City, and to make the name fit better I put green spectacles on all the people, so that everything they saw was green."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"But isn't everything here green?" asked Dorothy.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>"No more than in any other city," replied Oz; "but when you wear green spectacles, why of course everything you see looks green to you. The Emerald City was built a great many years ago, for I was a young man when the balloon brought me here, and I am a very old man now. But my people have worn green glasses on their eyes so long that most of them think it really is an Emerald City . . . </i>"(--<i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz </i>by L. Frank Baum, Signet Classic, 1984, 157-58.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been unwell for so long and not getting better. So, in some desperation, I finally dared to take off my green glasses and see things through pre-spectacled eyes. I was surprised at how immediately my recovery began. I feel happier than I have in a long, long time.</div><div><br /></div><div>No offense to the wizard or hard-feelings towards the citizens of Oz, but--as much as I love green-- I'm liking the view much better now. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Photograph by D Sharon Pruitt at </i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/"><i>flickr.com.</i></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-34009697186012955292010-03-13T11:56:00.000-08:002010-03-13T12:18:34.895-08:00Autism? Really?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-RTY0fugB8/S5vyCjZB-0I/AAAAAAAAEEc/0Mqk2inQ4tc/s1600-h/kevindooley+photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O-RTY0fugB8/S5vyCjZB-0I/AAAAAAAAEEc/0Mqk2inQ4tc/s400/kevindooley+photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448214299908635458" /></a><br />Maybe you will roll your eyes and say, "Oh really. What's next with this screwball?"<br /><br />The thing is, I took <a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html">this test</a> today and got a score of forty.<div><br /></div><div>I also started on medication for my recently discovered hypothyroidism. New thinks to think. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A thank you to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2938113856/">kevindooley</a> </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for sharing this photo</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on flickr.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-5942496355524891052010-03-10T12:41:00.001-08:002010-03-10T12:43:37.108-08:00Feeling the Fool<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertfrancis/569307310/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1115/569307310_a8f5d2b6c7.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertfrancis/569307310/">Why are clowns so depressing?</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/robertfrancis/">RobertFrancis</a>.</span></div><p>It is not a pleasant thing to have a brain that can't be trusted.<br /><br />How much walking would you do if you knew that at any moment your legs would buckle under you and you would crash to the ground? You would probably avoid walking in public at all. Of course, there are walkers and wheelchairs for that sort of an impairment.<br /><br />Not so with mental illness.<br /><br />So I think that I have some great new insights!<br />So I think that I am uber capable and creative!<br />So I think that I am headed into a permanent state of good health!<br /><br />And then a dear one alerts me that I am--once again--manic.<br /><br />Is it any wonder that I am afraid to use my mind, when it is so shaky and capable of sending me crashing at any time?<br /><br />So I am retreating again to what I know:<br />Jesus loves me and died for me.<br />I love my family and I am loved in return.<br />I can make quilts.<br /><br />These are about all the things I feel I can trust to be true right now. Right now, I think that they are enough.<br /><br />Thanks for listening.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-56187214292407671312010-02-21T12:28:00.001-08:002010-02-21T12:28:02.740-08:00Cana Island Lighthouse<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesjordan/3381428349/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3381428349_5821337278.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesjordan/3381428349/">Cana Island Lighthouse</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jamesjordan/">James Jordan</a>.</span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-11871487269051039922010-02-21T12:07:00.000-08:002010-02-21T12:27:34.633-08:00Succor<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;font-size:small;"><div id="body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.22em; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(50, 68, 101); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; ">I did a Google search this morning of "Jesus and the Mentally Ill." It was disappointing. This passage from lds.org was much better than anything else I found. You can see the entire page at <a href="http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-list/mental-illness">http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-list/mental-illness</a>. I have highlighted some of the phrases which have particular meaning to me.</h3><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.22em; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(50, 68, 101); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; "><br /></h3><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.22em; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(50, 68, 101); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; "><a href="http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-list/mental-illness"></a>Understanding Mental Illness</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Mental illness is often poorly understood. This keeps many people from seeking help and receiving treatment. It may be difficult for people with mental illness to talk about it and get support and understanding from others. When others respond with compassion, it can help the person feel more comfortable. The causes of these illnesses are complex. They are usually the result of problems in brain functioning, genetic vulnerability, trauma, chronic thinking patterns, or other emotionally difficult experiences. Sometimes people with mental illness may develop an addiction. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">People with mental illnesses cannot just will themselves to get better.</span> Blaming the person or others for the illness is harmful.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Most people with mental illnesses are neither violent nor dangerous</b>. Recent advances in treatment have made it possible to manage or treat most mental illnesses. Most people are helped by treatment from a trained mental health professional. Other people can help by providing loving concern, support, and spiritual strength. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "> </p><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.22em; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(50, 68, 101); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; ">Recognizing Mental Illness</h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Common symptoms include the following:</p><ul style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 1.22em; font-size: small; font-family: Arial; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Prolonged sadness, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">extreme feelings of unwarranted guilt</span>, hopelessness, and despair</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Changes in appetite, sleeping, energy, and the ability to concentrate</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><b>Severe anxiety; irrational fears; panic</b>; or recurring, unwanted thoughts</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Confused, disorganized thinking; delusions or hallucinations; extremely poor judgment</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Speech that does not make sense or is very rapid and rambling</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Difficulty doing normal daily activities; withdrawal from family, friends, and normal activities</span></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">The person may not recognize that he or she is ill. Many people try to feel better through addictions or substance abuse, but this makes the mental illness worse. Thoughts of suicide or self-harm should be taken seriously.</p></div><div class="back_to_top_wrapper" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; text-align: right; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(212, 205, 182); "><br /></div><div id="ways_to_help" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.22em; "><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.22em; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(50, 68, 101); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Georgia, serif; ">Ways to Help</h3><ul style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 1.22em; font-size: small; font-family: Arial; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Learn about mental illness from professional sources, LDS Family Services, and mental health professionals. A bishop may give a referral to a licensed therapist through LDS Family Services.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Treat the person with understanding and compassion. Reassure the person that Heavenly Father loves him or her.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Remember that mental illness is not a punishment from God.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Realize that a mental illness cannot be overcome by willpower alone. It does not indicate that a person lacks faith, character, or worthiness.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><b>Help the person develop confidence through knowing God supports his or her efforts to cope and build strengths.</b></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Do not take problems that are a result of the illness personally. People with mental illness may feel frustrated and upset because of the illness.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Include the person in Church activities and appropriate service opportunities. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Consult with the person, family members, and others who know the person well to identify limitations as well as strengths.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Do not argue with delusional ideas or pursue topics that increase agitation. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Be aware that stress can make the illness worse.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; line-height: 1.22em; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: url(http://disabilities.lds.org/shared/images/bullet_tan.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: auto; background-position: 0px 5px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Mental illness may require a person to make major life changes. Where appropriate, prayerfully consult with priesthood leaders, family members and caregivers, professionals, and the individual concerning a need for change.</li><div><br /></div></ul></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-64772488532114017042010-02-19T02:45:00.001-08:002010-02-19T02:45:47.044-08:00Awake<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stttijn/359853071/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/359853071_a5c15d8e5a.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stttijn/359853071/">Sleepless in Brussels...</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stttijn/">stttijn</a>.</span></div><p>My husband says a prayer, lays down, and within five minutes falls fast asleep. Every night. No matter what.<br /><br />How. Is. That. Possible?<br /><br />I have ordered yet another antidepressant through our mail-order prescription service. Should be here any day now. My doctor is hoping it will help me sleep.<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Me, too.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-79079646309728259772010-02-07T15:09:00.001-08:002010-02-07T15:09:02.278-08:00No Vitality<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16896642@N02/2883780130/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2883780130_74c25378a2.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16896642@N02/2883780130/"></a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/16896642@N02/">Katherine Squier</a>.</span></div><p>This is just a reminder that the opposite of depression is not happiness. The opposite of depression is vitality.<br /><br />Everything is just so, so hard to do.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-89389527041003545032009-12-08T16:21:00.001-08:002009-12-08T16:24:53.868-08:00Light in the Woods<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstar/109974710/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/109974710_40687fbade.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstar/109974710/">Dawn in the pine forest</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jstar/">J. Star</a>.</span></div><p>My husband applied and qualified for <a href="http://www.iam751.org/pages/09TAA.html">this</a>.<br /><br />Good, good news.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-19258636571725950042009-11-22T13:51:00.001-08:002009-11-22T15:51:30.042-08:00Puzzled<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetsun/227305524/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/72/227305524_c9f4aaf90c.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetsun/227305524/">A Course for Nowhere</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wetsun/">Wetsun</a>.</span></div><p>Did I mention that the government turned us down? We are in that in between place where we have too much income from unemployment assistance to get other aid, but too little income from unemployment assistance to live on.<br /><br />And this week I transferred the last of our savings into checking to cover our bills.<br /><br />I'm depressed now. Not the chemical kind. The sad kind.<br /><br />I'm depressed and puzzled. Where is Father taking us with all this?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-9073676598073519492009-10-23T13:28:00.000-07:002009-10-23T13:30:27.762-07:00Glenn Close Campaigns to End Stigma<embed src="http://blip.tv/play/hMYXgafJcAI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed> <br /><br />See more at <a href="http://www.bringchange2mind.org/">Bring Change 2 Mind.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-53422583344395373712009-10-14T10:55:00.000-07:002009-10-14T11:12:55.516-07:00Characteristics of Introverts<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;"><p><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I found this article today </span><a href="http://www.theintrovertzcoach.com/understanding_your_introverted_child.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and it described me so well (see below) that I wanted to share it. I feel strongly that pushing myself to act like an extrovert for many years contributed to my eventual meltdown. Mental illness is exacerbated by stress, and it is stressful to try too hard for too long to be what you are not.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/2257422675_68fb6d4674.jpg" alt="Manhattan Snapshots 1974-1975 by dsorine." /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:78%;">"Here are 20 characteristics universal to introverts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:78%;">Introverts ...<br /><br />1. love to read<br /><br />2. have a few close, true friends<br /><br />3. are excellent listeners<br /><br />4. do not like to contribute in class<br /><br />5. give people energy (extroverts take energy)<br /><br />6. love to go to their room and close the door<br /><br />7. may be exhausted by the social interaction required during a typical day at school<br /><br />8. do not like group work<br /><br />9. do not learn by repeating things out loud<br /><br />10. like to connect the dots and insist on turning information in to knowledge<br /><br />11. are very territorial<br /><br />12. like to know about expectations well ahead of time<br /><br />13. suffer from feelings of humiliation if they make a mistake in public<br /><br />14. are intense<br /><br />15. hate small talk<br /><br />16. prefer to write rather than talk and especially don’t like talking on the phone<br /><br />17. have a private and a public personality<br /><br />18. say what they mean<br /><br />19. prefer not to say anything unless it is significant<br /><br />20. need time alone to recharge their batteries" </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you see yourself in this list, too? If you are an extrovert, does this help you better understand someone you love?</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>A thank you to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/soulico/">dsorine</a> for sharing the photo at flickr.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392777888402322638.post-54663167396143597692009-10-13T10:44:00.000-07:002009-10-13T10:47:04.828-07:00A Reminder<b>1 Corinthians 13</b><br /><br />1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.<br /><br />2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.<br /><br />3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.<br /><br />4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,<br /><br />5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;<br /><br />6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;<br /><br />7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.<br /><br />8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.<br /><br />9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.<br /><br />10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.<br /><br />11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.<br /><br />12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.<br /><br />13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.<br /><br />King James Version (KJV)<br />Public DomainUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0