Category: Mental Health
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Bipolar is a Progressive, Organic Brain Disease. Medication Helps Stop Damage to Brain.
Excellent post summarizing research on the negative effect of bipolar disorder on the brain over time. Medication, lithium in particular, heals and protects the brain. Take your meds, folks. Mania is damaging.
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Ambivalent about My Dogs
I am ambivalent about posting these dog photos. Although I love my dogs, I am still suffering from PTSD from an incident in which I could not control them, and they viciously attacked a greyhound who had just been attacked by another standard poodle the previous week. I took full responsibility for the attack and…
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For People Who Want To Help
This post is excellent. I’ve already shared it, as well as quotes from it, all over the place. Perhaps reblogging it is redundant. Oh, well, here goes…
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Brain is a Brain
When I was visiting with my father to celebrate Thanksgiving, he asked me why what he suffers – dementia, a memory disorder, a neurological disorder – is any different than what I have – bipolar disorder, a mental illness, a psychiatric disorder? Why these distinctions? Why is stigma attached to one and not another? Why do so many…
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My Dad and Dementia
My dad has dementia – not Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia – but dementia nonetheless. His dementia has slowly progressed over many years and is greatly exacerbated by his heavy drinking. I am genetic heir to alcoholism, fear it, and drink minimally because of it. Because I am feeling pain and anxiety over…
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Holidays and Dementia
Quoted from the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org): Holidays and Alzheimer’s Families | Caregiver Center | Alzheimer’s Association. 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association Helpline: 800.272.3900 The holidays are a time when family and friends often come together. But for families living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, the holidays can be challenging. Take a deep breath. With some planning and adjusted expectations, your…
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The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
Received this call to action from NAMI yesterday: Help Support Suicide Prevention for Our Military and Veteran Heroes “This is an opportunity for the NAMI community to make a difference for the 22 veterans who die by suicide every single day,” Daniel Williams, Chair, NAMI Veterans and Military Council. Please contact your United States Senators…
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Review: An American’s Resurrection
An American’s Resurrection: My Pilgrimage from Child Abuse and Mental Illness to Salvation by Eric C Arauz My rating: 5 of 5 stars On November 9, 2014, I had the pleasure of hearing Eric Arauz’s presentation on Conscious Storytelling at the International Bipolar Foundation’s Annual West Coast Meeting. He gave us each a copy of…
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Holiday Drinking Triggers Me
Originally posted on STIGMAMA.com at Holiday Drinking Triggers Me, by Kitt O’Malley. Holidays I find unsettling. Not only are the days far too short, but visiting family can destabilize me and trigger bipolar symptoms. I acutely feel a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, drinking minimally, but craving intoxication, more so when triggered. The holidays trigger me for…
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Exercise Treatment for Mood Disorders
[vimeo 100803652 w=500 h=312] Exercise Treatment for Mood Disorders: A Neurobiological Rationale Dr. Mohammad Alsuwaidan shares that evidence has shown time and time again that exercise is health-promoting for the body and the mind. More recently, studies have demonstrated positive effects of exercise in mood disorders (primarily unipolar depression). What remains unclear is the underlying…