Greetings
Some days I feel so normal. I recently watched an episode of Anderson Cooper Live and they had a woman on who has an extreme fear of cats. It is so extreme that it effects her daily life, she will not go into places where she thinks she may see a cat. She has lost a job and friends over this extreme fear. When asked how cats make her feel she responded , " I feel scared, and I run, and I scream" this is not just cats in real time, pictures of cats in magazines or on the television trigger her. She feels as if they look evil. She by the way has a name by the way, which is Staci.
When Staci was in 2nd grade she woke up from her top bunk bed surrounded by strange cats, just purring and sleeping. Her bed was located next to a window and the cats got in from digging out the insulation in the window, it was cold, they were cold. This is when she became afraid.
Staci was working in a photo lab developing pictures, and was prone to random melt downs due to cat pictures and she eventually lost her job.
Anderson brought on Mike Dow MS PsyD. Dr. Dow said a phobia is the minds way of saying this is dangerous. Over coming a phobia is a gradual process unteaching this thought pattern is slow baby steps.
Dr. Dow took Staci on the first step of her journey by simply introducing a picture of a cat. By all practical means your average person would find this cat to be adorable, it was a little fluffy kitten with big eyes. She didn't like it, She thinks cat eyes are evil. Dr. Dow took her to the next level and brought an actual cat out on stage, she is at a level 10 anxiety level. Lulu is an older sweet rescue cat. From five feet away Staci quakes in her sisters arms.
Dr. Dow is going to continue to work with Staci over the next weeks and months to overcome this extreme phobia.
Dow proposed that she think of the worst case scenario. What is the likely hood that is is actually going to happen? How bad will the outcome actually be? Maybe this is something we all need to think about in dealing with our stress and anxiety, those three simple queations:
Whatis the worst case scenario?
How likely is this actually going to happen?
How bad will the actual outcome be?
Good luck Staci on your journey to wellness!
Love and Light!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
What would Jesus do???
Greetings,
I have been pondering this an awful lot as of late, I guess with Easter coming up it is starting to bother me a little more.
Being agoraphobic one does not necessarily get out as much as they should, or function properly when they are out for that matter.
I was paging through my churches directory and found I was no longer in it. I thought how odd? As other people who I know that have actually left the church and joined other churches are still listed in the directory. I had my Dad investigate this, which was a bad choice, I should have just left him out of it. Any how the office secretary informs my Dad that I was with drawn from the church in 2001, interesting news to me, now mind you had I not picked up that directory I would not have known. I had moved out of town and worked weekends. I had always worked weekends however. The church secretary said that after being "inactive" for so long I was withdrawn. Here is the thing of it, even when I was out of town I come to church just as much as the next Christmas Catholic, now I should not be "proud" of that, and I am not, I am simply stating a fact. Within that time frame we had some baptisms, a funeral, your random holiday services....I had gone. I didn't stop going, and even if I had maybe stop a second and check on the woman who lost her baby daddy, or check on the kid himself!
I am agoraphobic, I do my best. Maybe a little out reach would have been nice from them, maybe toss me a prayer shawl. When I moved back to town they had a wonderful Monday night service that was very small and intimate, and I went, my son even went. He has a hard time sitting in the church that is where the funeral service for his father was, this Monday night service was in a separate room.
I felt much safer in the smaller setting, and I went. Well they stopped having that service and I try to go Sundays but it is very hard. Too many people freak me out. I am agoraphobic, going up for communion freaks me out, and the hand bells really freak me out BAD. I guess all of these times I had been going to church they had a book I was supposed to be signing, being that my son or a nephew is usually who signs me in, I guess "Mommy" or "Auntie" are not very good for keeping score. I do on occasion sign in myself, and I keep filling in "member", maybe some one should have said something.
The thing of it is, I never stopped considering it my church, it kind of makes me sad that they just stopped considering me.
I was informed I can rejoin the church, which again, I never actually thought I had left and we all know how well I would do in a class with strangers...I thought when I was baptised in that church, when I took communion in that church, and when I was confirmed in that church I was a member. Not to mention being married in that church and baptising my son (and husband) in that church, now I have to take a class to become a member.
Next week is my favorite church service, I love the Easter Service. From all of the pretty dresses, to the flowers, and the music(horns don't freak me out)to the scripture....HE HAS RISEN! I love that service and I am not sure if I am going to be going, at least to "my church".
Before you dismiss some one maybe you should actually see what the circumstances are.
Love and Light
I have been pondering this an awful lot as of late, I guess with Easter coming up it is starting to bother me a little more.
Being agoraphobic one does not necessarily get out as much as they should, or function properly when they are out for that matter.
I was paging through my churches directory and found I was no longer in it. I thought how odd? As other people who I know that have actually left the church and joined other churches are still listed in the directory. I had my Dad investigate this, which was a bad choice, I should have just left him out of it. Any how the office secretary informs my Dad that I was with drawn from the church in 2001, interesting news to me, now mind you had I not picked up that directory I would not have known. I had moved out of town and worked weekends. I had always worked weekends however. The church secretary said that after being "inactive" for so long I was withdrawn. Here is the thing of it, even when I was out of town I come to church just as much as the next Christmas Catholic, now I should not be "proud" of that, and I am not, I am simply stating a fact. Within that time frame we had some baptisms, a funeral, your random holiday services....I had gone. I didn't stop going, and even if I had maybe stop a second and check on the woman who lost her baby daddy, or check on the kid himself!
I am agoraphobic, I do my best. Maybe a little out reach would have been nice from them, maybe toss me a prayer shawl. When I moved back to town they had a wonderful Monday night service that was very small and intimate, and I went, my son even went. He has a hard time sitting in the church that is where the funeral service for his father was, this Monday night service was in a separate room.
I felt much safer in the smaller setting, and I went. Well they stopped having that service and I try to go Sundays but it is very hard. Too many people freak me out. I am agoraphobic, going up for communion freaks me out, and the hand bells really freak me out BAD. I guess all of these times I had been going to church they had a book I was supposed to be signing, being that my son or a nephew is usually who signs me in, I guess "Mommy" or "Auntie" are not very good for keeping score. I do on occasion sign in myself, and I keep filling in "member", maybe some one should have said something.
The thing of it is, I never stopped considering it my church, it kind of makes me sad that they just stopped considering me.
I was informed I can rejoin the church, which again, I never actually thought I had left and we all know how well I would do in a class with strangers...I thought when I was baptised in that church, when I took communion in that church, and when I was confirmed in that church I was a member. Not to mention being married in that church and baptising my son (and husband) in that church, now I have to take a class to become a member.
Next week is my favorite church service, I love the Easter Service. From all of the pretty dresses, to the flowers, and the music(horns don't freak me out)to the scripture....HE HAS RISEN! I love that service and I am not sure if I am going to be going, at least to "my church".
Before you dismiss some one maybe you should actually see what the circumstances are.
Love and Light
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
One Little Picture
Greetings,
I have been pondering many things these days, between juggling school and babies my brain is working on over load. Sometimes I get into a place of self pity. It is an ugly place that I am not really fond of, but it happens.
My parents were not raised in a generation where therapy was acceptable, it is not like this was beated into out heads or we had debates about it over Sunday dinner, it is just something I know to be true. I don't really like talking to them much about it, it makes me feel weak and like less of what I am supposed to be(I know I usually don't go here).
Today I signed on to Facebook and my Mom posted this on my page:
When I saw it a tear streaked down my face, one little picture for me. My Mom gets it. Maybe I am not weak, maybe I am not lesser, maybe I have just tried to remain strong for way too long...
Thank You Mom. I love you!
Love and Light!
I have been pondering many things these days, between juggling school and babies my brain is working on over load. Sometimes I get into a place of self pity. It is an ugly place that I am not really fond of, but it happens.
My parents were not raised in a generation where therapy was acceptable, it is not like this was beated into out heads or we had debates about it over Sunday dinner, it is just something I know to be true. I don't really like talking to them much about it, it makes me feel weak and like less of what I am supposed to be(I know I usually don't go here).
Today I signed on to Facebook and my Mom posted this on my page:
When I saw it a tear streaked down my face, one little picture for me. My Mom gets it. Maybe I am not weak, maybe I am not lesser, maybe I have just tried to remain strong for way too long...
Thank You Mom. I love you!
Love and Light!
Friday, March 15, 2013
My Head is Shrinking My Head is Shrinking
Greetings,
It is that time of year, well it is supposed to be but it
does not feel like it, spring is right around the corner which means that it is
time for this agoraphobic gurl time to come out of hiding. Not that I have
actually been hiding, so some progress is being made, it is more of a coming
out of hibernation for me. If you follow me, you know I don’t do particularly
well in the “dark” months. Well the days are getting longer and staying
brighter so pretty soon it is time to be stepping out a little more. For
example I need to make my appointment with Doctor Bob (my therapist), I know I
know, I still have not done it. I probably should make an appointment with my
OB/GYN too, but that is a whole different ball game that you probably don’t
need to know about. It is just getting close to my time to venture out on my
own. That is the REALLY hard part, the on my own.
I was talking to someone today and I realized that a certain amount of progress has been
made in my life. I reflect back to the point a few
years ago when I would hide on the floor if my landlord, or the Schwan’s man
were outside, so progress is being made. Not quick progress, but at least we
are heading in the right direction. One should not be hiding from the Schwan’s
man, he has products containing chocolate!
I think it is time to revisit some “technical” stuff. What
is the cause of agoraphobia? Well, experts are not
completely sure what the exact causes of agoraphobia are. Most believe that
they are a result of physical and/or psychological factors. A “rouge”
complication of a panic disorder gone wrong.
According to the DSM-IV
Diagnostic Criteria for Agoraphobia, a patient suffers from agoraphobia if:
·
The person
is anxious about being in a place or situation where escape or help may be
difficult in the event of a panic attack, or panic like symptoms. Examples are
being in a crowd or travelling on a bus.
·
The person
avoids these places (described above).
·
The person
endures these places (described above) with extreme anxiety.
·
The person
endures these places (described above) only with the help of a friend or
companion.
·
There is no
other underlying condition that may explain the person's symptoms.
We need to remember that anxiety disorders come in different
forms. So what is an anxiety order EXACTLY? They can be a couple of things,
none of which are fun.
·
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
·
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
·
Panic
Disorder
·
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)
·
Social Phobia
(or Social Anxiety Disorder)
I might be missing something here, please remember I am not
a professional, I have just been trying to educate myself in my personal
journey to insanity…and back.
A person with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a person who
worries A LOT!
- Worry about everyday things
- Have trouble controlling their worries
- Know that they worry much more
than they should
- Not be able to relax
- Have a hard time concentrating
- Be easily startled
- Have trouble falling asleep or
staying asleep
- Feel tired all the time
- Have headaches, muscle aches,
stomach aches, or unexplained pains
- Have a hard time swallowing
- Tremble or twitch
- Be irritable, sweat a lot, and
feel light-headed or out of breath
- Have to go to the bathroom a lot.
The bathroom thing is a reoccurring theme with all of your
anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia. My old therapist told me that the
term “scared shitless” did in fact come from somewhere.
People with A Panic Disorder may:
·
Sudden and repeated attacks of fear
·
A feeling of being out of control during a panic attack
·
An intense worry about when the next attack will happen
·
A fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred in the past
·
Physical symptoms during an attack, such as a pounding or racing heart,
sweating, breathing problems, weakness or dizziness, feeling hot or a cold
chill, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, or stomach pain.
·
Have to go to the bathroom a lot.
Not everyone who has panic attacks will end up with a panic disorder, so
don’t freak out too much if you have had a panic attack. Women are actually
more prone to panic disorder, but this is not gender specific. It can happen to
anyone. It is really a pain in the ass, because you don’t want to go out and
have another panic attack, because you feel ashamed or embarrassed.
People with a Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder may:
- Be very anxious about being with
other people and have a hard time talking to them, even though they wish
they could
- Be very self-conscious in front of
other people and feel embarrassed
- Be very afraid that other people
will judge them
- Worry for days or weeks before an
event where other people will be
- Stay away from places where there
are other people
- Have a hard time making friends
and keeping friends
- Blush, sweat, or tremble around
other people
- Feel nauseous or sick to their
stomach when with other people. (This falls into that bathroom thing).
Post Traumatic Stress happens when something life altering happens, a
really big change, a really horrible change, people who come back from war
often can get Post Traumatic Stress, people who have been sexually abused,
physically assaulted. A lot of people who witnessed 9-11 ended up with Post
Traumatic Stress.
I often joke about wishing I was OCD, and I probably shouldn’t, as it has
to suck for those who actually have it. It would be horrible to be germ a phobic! But my house would be so
sparkly clean.
People with OCD
may:
- Have repeated thoughts or images
about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders;
acts of violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with
religious beliefs; or being overly tidy
- Do the same rituals over and over
such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping
unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again
- Can't control the unwanted
thoughts and behaviors
- Don't get pleasure when performing
the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts
cause
- Spend at least 1 hour a day on the
thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily
life.
I do not believe
the “bathroom thing” is one of the traits of a person suffering from OCD.
However, I don’t really know for sure. Really ever one can vary, it depends on
the case. It depends on you! The most
important thing to remember is TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! The longer you wait to
actually get some help the worse off you
are in your head, and the more “shrinking” you need…like me.
I guess that is
where I leave off for the night. Almost 3 am and I have a baby too watch bright
and early.
Remember you are
not alone!
Love and Light!
“Even
though you cannot control everything that happens, you can control your
attitude toward what happens. And in that, you will be mastering change rather
than allowing it to master you.”-Unknown
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Amazing People
Greetings,
I had the television on for background noise and something, or I should say some one caught my attention. Kevin Michael Connolly, that is an amazing man. Kevin was born without legs, and he sure does not let that stop him. Student, athlete, world traveler...nothing holds this man back. Oh yeah, he won a silver medal at the X-games too.
His preferred mode of transportation is a skateboard. He can get around quickest with the skateboard. He had prosthetic legs but compared them to walking around on stilts all the time, which yeah that would suck. I can see that. He does have a wheel chair he will use occasionally for cooking and a few other activities, but he prefers his skateboard.
As we are all aware most people lack a filter or common sense, so naturally he gets a lot of questions and a lot of strange looks. therollingexhibition.com Kevin has put together a pictorial I guess you would say, yeah he takes pictures of the way people respond to him. Culturally people respond differently. Some people try and hand him money and some people think he is a Holy man. I am pretty sure he just thinks of himself as Kevin, but what an amazing man. From New Zealand to Romania this man gets around (I am proud when I make it to Wal-Mart).
Kevin has a reality show coming to the Travel Channel called Armed & Ready. He has also penned a book called Double Take, which I plan on adding to my reading list (it might take me awhile to get to it, my new class load is killing me).
I would say courage, I am pretty sure for him it is just a way of life. Again I have to say this man is simply amazing!
Shout out to Kevin-You Are The Man!
Love and Light!
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
Anais Nin
I had the television on for background noise and something, or I should say some one caught my attention. Kevin Michael Connolly, that is an amazing man. Kevin was born without legs, and he sure does not let that stop him. Student, athlete, world traveler...nothing holds this man back. Oh yeah, he won a silver medal at the X-games too.
His preferred mode of transportation is a skateboard. He can get around quickest with the skateboard. He had prosthetic legs but compared them to walking around on stilts all the time, which yeah that would suck. I can see that. He does have a wheel chair he will use occasionally for cooking and a few other activities, but he prefers his skateboard.
As we are all aware most people lack a filter or common sense, so naturally he gets a lot of questions and a lot of strange looks. therollingexhibition.com Kevin has put together a pictorial I guess you would say, yeah he takes pictures of the way people respond to him. Culturally people respond differently. Some people try and hand him money and some people think he is a Holy man. I am pretty sure he just thinks of himself as Kevin, but what an amazing man. From New Zealand to Romania this man gets around (I am proud when I make it to Wal-Mart).
Kevin has a reality show coming to the Travel Channel called Armed & Ready. He has also penned a book called Double Take, which I plan on adding to my reading list (it might take me awhile to get to it, my new class load is killing me).
I would say courage, I am pretty sure for him it is just a way of life. Again I have to say this man is simply amazing!
Shout out to Kevin-You Are The Man!
Love and Light!
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
Anais Nin
Monday, March 11, 2013
STIGMA
stig·ma
Definition
of STIGMA
1
c: an identifying mark or
characteristic; specifically: a specific diagnostic sign of a
disease
2
astigmata plural: bodily marks or pains resembling
the wounds of the crucified Jesus and sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy
Related Words
black eye, discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, guilt,
ignominy, infamy,
obloquy, odium,
opprobrium, reproach, shame;
corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquity, licentiousness, sin,
unscrupulousness, vice
Mental illness is common. It affects
thousands people. It affects their
friends, families, and work colleagues. One
in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their
lives.
- Around one in ten children experience mental health
problems.
- Depression affects around one in 12 of the whole
population.
- 450 million people world-wide have a mental health
problem.
Many people’s problems are made worse by the stigma
and discrimination they experience – from society, but also from families,
friends and employers.
"People
with Mental Illness Enrich Our Lives"
“Abraham Lincoln
The revered sixteenth President of the United States suffered from severe and incapacitating depressions that occasionally led to thoughts of suicide, as documented in numerous biographies by Carl Sandburg.
Virginia Woolf
The British novelist who wrote To the Lighthouse and Orlando experienced the mood swings of bipolar disorder characterized by feverish periods of writing and weeks immersed in gloom. Her story is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.
Lionel Aldridge
A defensive end for Vince Lombardi's legendary Green Bay Packers of the 1960's, Aldridge played in two Super Bowls. In the 1970's, he suffered from schizophrenia and was homeless for two and a half years. Until his death in 1998, he gave inspirational talks on his battle against paranoid schizophrenia. His story is the story of numerous newspaper articles.
Eugene O'Neill
The famous playwright, author of Long Day's Journey Into Night and Ah, Wilderness!, suffered from clinical depression, as documented in Eugene O'Neill by Olivia E. Coolidge.
Ludwig van Beethoven
The brilliant composer experienced bipolar disorder, as documented in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb.
Gaetano Donizetti
The famous opera singer suffered from bipolar disorder, as documented in Donizetti and the World Opera in Italy, Paris and Vienna in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century by Herbert Weinstock.
Robert Schumann
The "inspired poet of human suffering" experienced bipolar disorder, as discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.
Leo Tolstoy
Author of War and Peace, Tolstoy revealed the extent of his own mental illness in the memoir Confession. His experiences is also discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Inner World of Mental Illness: A Series of First Person Accounts of What It Was Like by Bert Kaplan.
Vaslov Nijinsky
The dancer's battle with schizophrenia is documented in his autobiography, The Diary of Vaslov Nijinksy.
John Keats
The renowned poet's mental illness is documented in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Broken Brain: The biological Revolution in Psychiatry by Nancy Andreasen, M.D.
Tennessee Williams
The playwright gave a personal account of his struggle with clinical depression in his own Memoirs. His experience is also documented in Five O'Clock Angel: Letters of Tennessee Williams to Maria St. Just, 1948-1982; The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of Tennessee Williams by Donald Spoto, and Tennessee: Cry of the Heart by Dotson.
Vincent Van Gogh
The celebrated artist's bipolar disorder is discussed in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb and Dear Theo, The Autobiography of Van Gogh.
Isaac Newton
The scientist's mental illness is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb.
Ernest Hemingway
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist's suicidal depression is examined in the True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Ernest Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him by Denis Brian.
Sylvia Plath
The poet and novelist ended her lifelong struggle with clinical depresion by taking own life, as reported in A Closer Look at Ariel: A Memory of Sylvia Plath by Nancy Hunter-Steiner.
Michelangelo
The mental illness of one of the world's greatest artistic geniuses is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.
Winston Churchill
"Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished," wrote Anthony Storr about Churchill's bipolar disorder in Churchill's Black Dog, Kafka's Mice, and Other Phenomena of the Human Mind.
Vivien Leigh
The Gone with the Wind star suffered from mental illness, as documented in Vivien Leigh: A Biography by Ann Edwards.
Jimmy Piersall
The baseball player for the Boston Red Sox who suffered from bipolar disorder detailed his experience in The Truth Hurts.
Patty Duke
The Academy Award-winning actress told of her bipolar disorder in her autobiography and made-for-TV move Call Me Anna and A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness, co-authored by Gloria Hochman.
Charles Dickens
One of the greatest authors in the English language suffered from clinical depression, as documented in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb, and Charles Dickens: His Tragedy and Triumph by Edgar Johnson.”
It is time we detach the stigma that is attached to mental illness. It is time to embrace the people around us who may in fact be different.
A few thoughts for the day…
Be brave even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Never give up; miracles happen every day.
Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.
Remember that nobody makes it alone.
Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on what’s to come.
Love and Light!!
Reference
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma
http://www.nami.org/
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Really Dr. Phil?
Greetings,
The other day I happened to be watching an episode of Doctor Phil, which really is not part of my normal routine. I guess I was meant to watch the show HOWEVER I think I have discovered the reason I may not generally watch the show. The topic was fear and anxiety. The show aired on
"NBA rookie Royce White recently made headlines when he was suspended by the Houston Rockets for “refusing to provide services as required by his Uniform Player Contract," after he failed to report to his D-league assignment. Royce, who has an anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, says he wanted a mental health clause added to his contract — and he wouldn’t play until that happened. “Mental health needs to be addressed in the NBA, period,” he says. Royce is the first NBA prospect to disclose that he suffers from mental illness" (http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013)
“I’ve had anxiety my whole life,” he says, revealing it’s often tied to his organization rituals. “When an anxiety attack is coming on, it feels like death. I’ve had my feet go numb, my hands go numb, my vision go blurry and my heart pounds really hard.” He says he also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and says he’s hyper-vigilant about his surroundings. On the court, though, he says he feels at ease.."(http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013) "The Houston Rockets' Media Relations Director issued the following statement on behalf of the team:
"The Houston Rockets and Royce White have today reached an agreement that addresses the major issues that they have been discussing, provides a new start, and gives Royce the best opportunity for long-term success as a Houston Rocket. This has been a learning process for both parties. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have approved the settlement. Royce is no longer suspended and is re-instated effective immediately. He will report to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on February 11, 2013." (http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013) I guess all ends well in this story.
What I found to be extremely disturbing about this show was the segment on the woman named Jodi.
She has a lot of anxiety about flying, heights, crossing, bridges, and her family basically feels that at the rate she was going she would end up like me, agoraphobic. Afraid to leave the house. I love that therapists such as Doctor Phil will treat and give after care to those who need it, that may not otherwise get it HOWEVER this segment screamed of horse shit to me.
Jodi shares her fears with Doctor Phil, and her husband shares his fears too. They are worried about messing up their eight year old. I get that I really do. They have Jodi sit in the car while she is being driven over some bridges.Naturally she is having anxiety attacks.
Next they bring out "the expert" Dr. Lawlis. Dr. Lawlis teaches Jodi some simple relaxation techniques. Then, she tackles driving over the bridge again. “It's nothing like what I experienced this morning.” At first she is having anxiety attacks and pretty soon it becomes second nature, she is calmly sitting in the car chatting....now really. Dr. Lawlis works on breathing and relaxation with her and gives her a meditation/relaxation CD. I could wall paper my living room with my meditative/relaxation CD's. I really mean no disrespect to Dr. Phil or Dr. Lawlis, especially Dr. Lawlis as I really know nothing about him, but come on. This is not the norm people.
You have your average viewer with anxiety/agoraphobia watching wondering what they are doing wrong, they followed all of the steps, the went over what ever that bridge they might be facing, and we bought the CD's! No one "recovers" that quickly. I wish Jodi all of the best and I hope she actually gets her kid to Disney, but come on Doctor Phil don't set the rest of us up for failure. It would appear that you "healed" her in two or three days, which was broken down into a one hour segment, which leaves the rest of us wondering where did we go wrong?
Not everything is so simple. Lets keep it real.
Love and Light!
Reference
http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.
The other day I happened to be watching an episode of Doctor Phil, which really is not part of my normal routine. I guess I was meant to watch the show HOWEVER I think I have discovered the reason I may not generally watch the show. The topic was fear and anxiety. The show aired on
February 28, 2013.
"Dr. Phil talks to NBA rookie Royce White, who was suspended by the Houston Rockets for breach of contract after he failed to report to his D-League assignment, while he and the team disputed over his battle with anxiety and fear of flying. And, Jodi says her fear of flying has cost her higher paying jobs — and is now cheating her 8-year-old daughter out of great opportunities." Another woman was supposed to be on the show, her name was Billie and she just could not get on that plane. She started out very determined like nothing was going to stop her and she ended up hiding in her closet for four hours. I get that. That was realism, and Billie where ever you are my heart goes out to you. One day at a time, and one step at a time.
I thought the Royce White segment of the show was very interesting, he has a fear of flying, a very extreme fear. It is much easier for him to drive where ever it is he has to go. Well this has led to many issues with him and his position with the NBA. First I want to say I LOVE that a big strong athletic man was "representing" for those of us with anxiety issues. This big strong man is probably not who you may normally picture. Mr. White was under a lot of public scrutiny, people feeling that if you knew you had anxiety issues and you knew you had issues flying you should not have signed on to the Rockets. Here is the thing, we start out with the best of intentions. We start out pushing forward towards our goals and dreams with every intention that they will happen and that fear creeps in. It starts chewing away at your brain, it works its way down to your stomach and you can just wind up being one hot mess. Do you think we really sign up for failure? Do you think the bench is where this man wants to be? In the end this man is going to be fine. I think we could spare some of the criticism towards him, as I stated we start out with the best of intentions. No one wants to end up on the bench.
"NBA rookie Royce White recently made headlines when he was suspended by the Houston Rockets for “refusing to provide services as required by his Uniform Player Contract," after he failed to report to his D-league assignment. Royce, who has an anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, says he wanted a mental health clause added to his contract — and he wouldn’t play until that happened. “Mental health needs to be addressed in the NBA, period,” he says. Royce is the first NBA prospect to disclose that he suffers from mental illness" (http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013)
“I’ve had anxiety my whole life,” he says, revealing it’s often tied to his organization rituals. “When an anxiety attack is coming on, it feels like death. I’ve had my feet go numb, my hands go numb, my vision go blurry and my heart pounds really hard.” He says he also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and says he’s hyper-vigilant about his surroundings. On the court, though, he says he feels at ease.."(http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013) "The Houston Rockets' Media Relations Director issued the following statement on behalf of the team:
"The Houston Rockets and Royce White have today reached an agreement that addresses the major issues that they have been discussing, provides a new start, and gives Royce the best opportunity for long-term success as a Houston Rocket. This has been a learning process for both parties. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have approved the settlement. Royce is no longer suspended and is re-instated effective immediately. He will report to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on February 11, 2013." (http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013) I guess all ends well in this story.
What I found to be extremely disturbing about this show was the segment on the woman named Jodi.
She has a lot of anxiety about flying, heights, crossing, bridges, and her family basically feels that at the rate she was going she would end up like me, agoraphobic. Afraid to leave the house. I love that therapists such as Doctor Phil will treat and give after care to those who need it, that may not otherwise get it HOWEVER this segment screamed of horse shit to me.
Jodi shares her fears with Doctor Phil, and her husband shares his fears too. They are worried about messing up their eight year old. I get that I really do. They have Jodi sit in the car while she is being driven over some bridges.Naturally she is having anxiety attacks.
Next they bring out "the expert" Dr. Lawlis. Dr. Lawlis teaches Jodi some simple relaxation techniques. Then, she tackles driving over the bridge again. “It's nothing like what I experienced this morning.” At first she is having anxiety attacks and pretty soon it becomes second nature, she is calmly sitting in the car chatting....now really. Dr. Lawlis works on breathing and relaxation with her and gives her a meditation/relaxation CD. I could wall paper my living room with my meditative/relaxation CD's. I really mean no disrespect to Dr. Phil or Dr. Lawlis, especially Dr. Lawlis as I really know nothing about him, but come on. This is not the norm people.
You have your average viewer with anxiety/agoraphobia watching wondering what they are doing wrong, they followed all of the steps, the went over what ever that bridge they might be facing, and we bought the CD's! No one "recovers" that quickly. I wish Jodi all of the best and I hope she actually gets her kid to Disney, but come on Doctor Phil don't set the rest of us up for failure. It would appear that you "healed" her in two or three days, which was broken down into a one hour segment, which leaves the rest of us wondering where did we go wrong?
Not everything is so simple. Lets keep it real.
Love and Light!
Reference
http://drphil.com/shows/show/1987/,2013
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.
Friday, March 8, 2013
"I am a worthy human being."
Greetings,
In my great quest for power and knowledge (insert chuckle here) one of the things that you hear often is about the power of affirmations. The most moving would be from Stuart Smalley, in my humble opinion."I deserve good things, I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with." Stuart Saves His Family, 1995).
Positive affirmations are said to be one of the most powerful tools you can use in your quest for happiness, fulfillment, emotional freedom and general well-being. Once you have identified things in your life that you would like to transform, creating and using affirmations can really bring positive changes.
Using affirmations stops you from feeling that you are not doing anything to improve your situation. Many positive changes come as a result of internal rather than external work. Some very powerful affirmations are self affirmations, which focus on transforming negative beliefs or feelings about your own abilities, self worth and self image. Positive affirmations work by reprogramming your thinking and beliefs. The way to get effective results is with constant repetition.
I am a worthy human being.
I am a worthy human being.
I am a worthy human being.
Friday night and here I sit spreading the word of a fictional character, but you have to love Stuart!
I am not sure really how this whole affirmation thing works in the grand scheme of things. I have done it. I don't really feel anything mystically changing in the depths of my soul BUT reprogramming the negative things, the negative hurtful words that live within us... that takes some talent.
Some where some how in my own head I became not good enough and not strong enough, and taking that back is so important.
In yesterdays post in a comment I made reference to essentially NOT doing this, not falling prey to others telling me what I can do. I was refering to my own demons that I have created in my head yesterday. However once I was that person that was weak and submissive. I would crumble, so that old part of me is gone. Now I would say fuck you, in that respect I am a stronger woman.
Too many people get beaten down with words, words hurt so much more than hands and trust me I know this. Words, especially from some one you love telling you that you are not worthy, that you are stupid, that you are ugly...whatever the hurtful word is it burrows into your brain and you need to take it back. A person who needs to attack you with words to make themselves feel better they are the one with the issues. Don't own the illness, shortcomings, and disease that belong to some one else. Just take it back. Take back your power. Take back your control. Know that you are strong and amazing.
Remember how important it is to watch your words...once you put them into the air, once they are heard, you can't take them back.
Love and Light!
“Yes, I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can find his way by moonlight, and see the dawn before the rest of the world.” – Oscar Wilde
In my great quest for power and knowledge (insert chuckle here) one of the things that you hear often is about the power of affirmations. The most moving would be from Stuart Smalley, in my humble opinion."I deserve good things, I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with." Stuart Saves His Family, 1995).
Positive affirmations are said to be one of the most powerful tools you can use in your quest for happiness, fulfillment, emotional freedom and general well-being. Once you have identified things in your life that you would like to transform, creating and using affirmations can really bring positive changes.
Using affirmations stops you from feeling that you are not doing anything to improve your situation. Many positive changes come as a result of internal rather than external work. Some very powerful affirmations are self affirmations, which focus on transforming negative beliefs or feelings about your own abilities, self worth and self image. Positive affirmations work by reprogramming your thinking and beliefs. The way to get effective results is with constant repetition.
I am a worthy human being.
I am a worthy human being.
I am a worthy human being.
Friday night and here I sit spreading the word of a fictional character, but you have to love Stuart!
I am not sure really how this whole affirmation thing works in the grand scheme of things. I have done it. I don't really feel anything mystically changing in the depths of my soul BUT reprogramming the negative things, the negative hurtful words that live within us... that takes some talent.
Some where some how in my own head I became not good enough and not strong enough, and taking that back is so important.
In yesterdays post in a comment I made reference to essentially NOT doing this, not falling prey to others telling me what I can do. I was refering to my own demons that I have created in my head yesterday. However once I was that person that was weak and submissive. I would crumble, so that old part of me is gone. Now I would say fuck you, in that respect I am a stronger woman.
Too many people get beaten down with words, words hurt so much more than hands and trust me I know this. Words, especially from some one you love telling you that you are not worthy, that you are stupid, that you are ugly...whatever the hurtful word is it burrows into your brain and you need to take it back. A person who needs to attack you with words to make themselves feel better they are the one with the issues. Don't own the illness, shortcomings, and disease that belong to some one else. Just take it back. Take back your power. Take back your control. Know that you are strong and amazing.
Remember how important it is to watch your words...once you put them into the air, once they are heard, you can't take them back.
Love and Light!
“Yes, I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can find his way by moonlight, and see the dawn before the rest of the world.” – Oscar Wilde
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Turning on autopilot....
Greetings,
Today I found myself asking the question where do you draw your strength from? I know with uncertainty my biggest "reason" for being, the place in which I gather my strength is from my son. By no means am I a perfect Mom, but I do my best every day for him.
Some people turn to God, faith , and the church community...I don't really have that church community relationship any more. We will save that story for another day. I am spiritual and I believe in a higher power.
Some people might say they draw strength from within. I am resilient and hopeful. Even in my weakest moments I try to pull out that inner strength, that was once very alive and vibrant. Well, I thought it was.
Some would say they draw strength from their children, from loving them, from their love, and from my hopes for them. AMEN! The love of a child makes you capable of things you didn't even know were possible.
You can draw strength from your family, if you are blessed with a family. A supportive family would be optimal. I am lucky to have two wonderful parents, and two wonderful sisters. I wish I would have understood the importance of them when I was younger. Friends come and go but your sisters are forever.
A wise old farm guy said, "After 57 years, I don't think its strength. I'm just hanging on to see what comes next! Its been interesting and full of challenges but I've ended up with a lot of smiles thru it all..." Maybe that is what it all about, just hanging on and seeing what's next. Maybe it is simply about enjoying the ride and savoring the smiles.
Where do you draw your strength from?
Love and Light!
“Strength is the capacity to break a Hershey bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.”
― Judith Viorst, Love & Guilt & The Meaning Of Life, Etc
On the lighter side...One of my favorite blogs is back!!! Random Mornings With Megan. It is just whimsical tid bits about the life of Megan. The one thing you don't necessarily know, and it probably not my place to share but Megan is like a real life super hero. She is one of my hero's. She is an amazing young lady and nothing will stop her! She would never crawl into her house and turn into me. You can find her at http://onehotepileptic.tumblr.com/ Love you Megan!
Today I found myself asking the question where do you draw your strength from? I know with uncertainty my biggest "reason" for being, the place in which I gather my strength is from my son. By no means am I a perfect Mom, but I do my best every day for him.
Some people turn to God, faith , and the church community...I don't really have that church community relationship any more. We will save that story for another day. I am spiritual and I believe in a higher power.
Some people might say they draw strength from within. I am resilient and hopeful. Even in my weakest moments I try to pull out that inner strength, that was once very alive and vibrant. Well, I thought it was.
Some would say they draw strength from their children, from loving them, from their love, and from my hopes for them. AMEN! The love of a child makes you capable of things you didn't even know were possible.
You can draw strength from your family, if you are blessed with a family. A supportive family would be optimal. I am lucky to have two wonderful parents, and two wonderful sisters. I wish I would have understood the importance of them when I was younger. Friends come and go but your sisters are forever.
A wise old farm guy said, "After 57 years, I don't think its strength. I'm just hanging on to see what comes next! Its been interesting and full of challenges but I've ended up with a lot of smiles thru it all..." Maybe that is what it all about, just hanging on and seeing what's next. Maybe it is simply about enjoying the ride and savoring the smiles.
Where do you draw your strength from?
Love and Light!
“Strength is the capacity to break a Hershey bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.”
― Judith Viorst, Love & Guilt & The Meaning Of Life, Etc
On the lighter side...One of my favorite blogs is back!!! Random Mornings With Megan. It is just whimsical tid bits about the life of Megan. The one thing you don't necessarily know, and it probably not my place to share but Megan is like a real life super hero. She is one of my hero's. She is an amazing young lady and nothing will stop her! She would never crawl into her house and turn into me. You can find her at http://onehotepileptic.tumblr.com/ Love you Megan!
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