Stigma No More

Live Above The Influence

2012-01-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

Hello, I came across this great campaign for teens. It is a supportive community on the web, and on Facebook, where teens who want to live a life free of drugs and Alcohol can connect with each other. They share posts and videos of their "unwasted weekends", I love that, unwasted weekends!! I wish something like this was around when I was younger, it may have had a good influence on me. Growing up in my hometown was all about getting wasted on the weekends. IMO everyone should learn to live above the influence because from my own personal experiences, Above is so much better than Under. Please share this with any teens you know.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

About Above The Influence: "This campaign is inspired by what teens have told us about their lives, and how they deal with the influences that shape their decisions. Every teen's life is filled with pressure, some of it good, some of it bad. Our goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures, or influences. The more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them, including the pressure to use drugs, pills, and alcohol. We're not telling you how to live your life, but we are giving you another perspective and the latest facts. You need to make your own smart decisions. We want teens to live Above the Influence."

LIVE ABOVE THE INFLUENCE

Hey, we are not kids anymore, right?
There won't always be someone
helping us learn what's right or what's wrong.
We are all trying to figure it out,
using whatever we've learned along the way.
More and more, it's up to us.

Trouble is, wherever we're hanging out,
you can be sure influence will show up too.
"Try one," "This is so cool!" "C'mon, it's no big deal..."
In a matter of seconds, you could make a decision
that will affect the rest of your life.

Easy? No way. You won't always get it right.
But here's the thing—it's your call. Your life.
Your chance to define yourself.
To stand up for who you are,
instead of letting others define you.

Every single day, we need to think about how we're going to live.

Above the influence? Or, under the influence?
I am Above the Influence. How about you?

http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/

Lies Your Treasure

2012-01-23T23:37:00.002-05:00

Hello, I love this quote by Joseph Campbell. How true it is, that when we think we are in our darkest hour, somehow, someway, we find a "treasure" that has been lying in wait within ourselves, to begin again.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

It is by going down into the Abyss
that we recover the treasures of Life,
Where you Stumble,
there lies your Treasure
Joseph Campbell

Flashback Friday

2012-01-20T13:32:00.001-05:00

Hello, Happy Friday! I came across this cute happy dance photo of Laural and Hardy on Photobucket. So it gave me the idea to check out their Official Website. I liked their website so much I thought I would share some of what I found on there with you. I enjoy watching the classic comedians of our day sometimes. It's just simple, silly, slapstick comedy. My brothers and I always watched the Three Stooges growing up, so I had to include a video clip of them. And come to find out they are coming out with a new movie of the Three Stooge in the spring! I hope you enjoy flashing back to these classics as much as I did, and may your weekend involve something that makes you want to do a happy dance!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

This is in English

Did You Know?
by Richard W. Bann

The official date of death of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy:
Hardy: Aug 7, 1957.
Laurel: Feb 23, 1965.

8x7=56. 2x23=46. 56-46=10. Laurel was 75. Hardy was 65. 75-65=10.

Hardy died at 65 in '57, which is 75 backwards, Laurel died at 75 in '65, which is the age when Hardy died in '57, which is 75 backwards, which is the age when Laurel died, in '65, at age 75, which is '57 backwards, which is when Hardy died, at age 65, to infinity to the tenth power, which is how long Laurel & Hardy will continue entertaining a world in need of laughter ... if we have anything to do with it!

At one point, Stan Laurel had married his first wife once, his second wife twice, and his third wife three times. 1-2-3. Then he spoiled that arithmetic progression, but created a different symmetry. He went back and married his second wife, a third time, and concluded by marrying his fourth wife once. 1-3-3-1. What does this mean? TWICE TWO? Maybe TWICE THREE? You tell us. Perhaps Oliver Hardy had the answer in SONS OF THE DESERT when he said, "I never realized that such a deplorable condition existed in your home.

In addition to fishing, Stan's other interests included raising ducks and hydroponic gardening (a process in which plants are grown in chemical solutions rather than soil). He once successfully cross-bred a potato and an onion, but couldn't get anyone to sample the results.

Mental Health First Aid

2012-01-18T23:51:00.000-05:00

Hello, I hope your doing well today. This is a critical first aid program that has been long overdue in our society. I'm happy to read that the numbers are growing of people who are certified. I hope to take this myself someday soon. There is a link at the bottom of the article if you are interested in this training for personal or professional reasons.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Dictionary.com defines the term "first aid" as emergency aid or treatment given to someone injured, suddenly ill, etc., before regular medical services arrive or can be reached

When you add the words "mental health" in front of it, it doesn't necessarily change its meaning, it simply redirects it towards assisting someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis--such as helping an individual who is having a panic attack, contemplating suicide or has overdosed on drugs or alcohol

Mental Health First Aid Comes to the U.S.

Mental Health First Aid is a relatively new program, introduced to the United States in 2008. Seeing a need for improved mental healthcare, the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare partnered with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to bring the program from Australia where it was created in 2001 by a respected mental health literacy professor and a health education nurse

Since its creation, the program has been replicated in 16 countries worldwide, and since its introduction to the U.S., more than 15,000 people have taken the course--including those with backgrounds that vary from EMS professionals and law enforcement officials to human resource experts, business leaders and those who work with youth and are members of faith-based communities

The course is intended for a variety of audiences such as this, as well as friends and family members of individuals with mental illness or addiction, influential professionals within communities, school and college leaders and anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction

"Just like a traditional first aid program teaches people what to do when someone has a heart attack, has trouble breathing or is injured, Mental Health First Aid helps people know what to do when someone exhibits the signs and symptoms of mental illness," explains Meena Dayak, vice president, marketing and communications, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

The Five-Step Action Plan

The 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course is led by certified instructors who teach participants through a five-step action plan, ALGEE:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm;
Listen nonjudgmentally;
Give reassurance and information;
Encourage appropriate professional help;
Encourage self-help and other support strategies

An important component of the training is for participants to practice the intervention strategy rather than just learn about it.

"We cover a range of mental health issues, everything from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to alcoholism and drug abuse," explains Dayak. But the program digs deeper by connecting people with resources and linking them to support groups. "We let them know who to call for help," she says. "And we teach people how they should respond or talk to someone who is experiencing any mental health issues. In the case of an EMS provider, the program can help them in their job because it teaches them how to respond appropriately to someone who may have a mental health issue. It can help them understand where the victim is coming from and what they may be responsive to."

There is Help Available

The need for such training is apparent, Dayak notes. "We find there are a lot of stigmas around mental health," she says. "It can be difficult for people to accept that a mental illness is an illness. You can go to a doctor and get help

"When we heard about the program, we knew it could really help people in crisis," she continues. "We knew it could help remove the stigma and let people know it's okay to get help. Overall, the program has proven to be an eye opener for participants. People have become more aware that mental illness is just like any other illness such as cancer, diabetes or a heart condition. It can be common and it is treatable. Most of all, it's gratifying for people to learn that help is available and to find out where it is"

To learn more about Mental Health First Aid and to find a course offered near you, visit
http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/program_overview/

We Must Dare

2012-01-16T08:44:00.000-05:00

Hello, In a world where our best efforts to live by these virtues can easily be discouraged, courageous are we, who do still dare!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

In a world filled with Hate, we must still dare to Hope,
In a world filled with Anger, we must still dare to Comfort,
In a world filled with Despair, we must still dare to Dream,
And in a world filled with Distrust, we must still dare to Believe....
Michael Jackson

Bipolar Disorder

2012-01-12T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hello, I hope your doing well today. It has been a couple of years since I posted about Bi-Polar Disorder on this blog. I felt it would be good to re share this information for some of my new readers. I hope that this information will help anyone out there who may feel they suffer from it or know someone who already does.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Take Care,
Janet :)

Bipolar Disorder

* Introduction: Bipolar Disorder
* What is bipolar disorder?
* What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

This booklet discusses bipolar disorder in adults. For information on bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, see the NIMH booklet, “Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent’s Guide.”
What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years. At least half of all cases start before age 25.1 Some people have their first symptoms during childhood, while others may develop symptoms late in life.

Bipolar disorder is not easy to spot when it starts. The symptoms may seem like separate problems, not recognized as parts of a larger problem. Some people suffer for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.

Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.

A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:
Mood Changes

* A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood
* Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired."

Behavioral Changes

* Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts
* Being easily distracted
* Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects
* Being restless
* Sleeping little
* Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities
* Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable,
high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
Mood Changes

* A long period of feeling worried or empty
* Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.

Behavioral Changes

* Feeling tired or "slowed down"
* Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
* Being restless or irritable
* Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
* Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

In addition to mania and depression, bipolar disorder can cause a range of moods, as shown on the scale. Scale of Severe Depression, Moderate Depression, and Mild Low Mood

One side of the scale includes severe depression, moderate depression, and mild low mood. Moderate depression may cause less extreme symptoms, and mild low mood is called dysthymia when it is chronic or long-term. In the middle of the scale is normal or balanced mood.

At the other end of the scale are hypomania and severe mania. Some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania. During hypomanic episodes, a person may have increased energy and activity levels that are not as severe as typical mania, or he or she may have episodes that last less than a week and do not require emergency care. A person having a hypomanic episode may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. This person may not feel that anything is wrong even as family and friends recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, however, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.

During a mixed state, symptoms often include agitation, trouble sleeping, major changes in appetite, and suicidal thinking. People in a mixed state may feel very sad or hopeless while feeling extremely energized.

Sometimes, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression has psychotic symptoms too, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to reflect the person's extreme mood. For example, psychotic symptoms for a person having a manic episode may include believing he or she is famous, has a lot of money, or has special powers. In the same way, a person having a depressive episode may believe he or she is ruined and penniless, or has committed a crime. As a result, people with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms are sometimes wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness that is linked with hallucinations and delusions.

No Where

2012-01-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

Hello, Words to remember to keep our Spirit strong!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

~ In life you will always have constant critics whose intent is to put your Spirit down. And when reason is tired of explaining itself--let the wind take their criticisms where they rightfully belong.....no where~

Dodinsky

Poor Child

2012-01-05T12:06:00.001-05:00

Hello, A Short story to help remind us of how rich we really are! A reminder I can truly appreciate, I hope you do too.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from the trip, the father asked his son, How was the trip?

It was great, Dad

Did you see how poor people live?
the father asked

Oh yes, said the son
So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?
asked the father

The son answered:
I saw that we have one dog and they had four

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden
and they have a creek that has no end

We have imported lanterns in our garden and
they have the stars at night

Our patio reaches to the front yard and
they have the whole horizon

We have a small piece of land to live on and
they have fields that go beyond our sight

We buy our food, but they grow theirs

We have walls around our property to protect us,
they have friends to protect them

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added:

Thanks, Dad for showing me how poor we are!

Largest Source of Autism Research Data to Date

2012-01-02T23:17:00.001-05:00

Hello, I hope your doing good today. I have an update link on my browser to NIMH that I often check for information and updates for this blog. I am always encouraged when I read news like this, because sharing critical information on these databases will help lead to better treatments and possible breakthroughs in understanding ASD. If you have been following my recent posts about ASD, or know someone with ASD, I think you will be encouraged by this colabration as well.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

NDAR Federation Creates Largest Source of Autism Research Data to Date

A data partnership between the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR), and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) positions NDAR as possibly the largest repository to date of genetic, phenotypic, clinical, and medical imaging data related to research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

“The collaboration between AGRE and NDAR exemplifies the efforts of government and stakeholders to work together for a common cause,” said Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, part of NIH. “NDAR continues to be a leader in the effort to standardize and share ASD data with the research community, and serves as a model to all research communities.”
NDAR is supported by the National Institutes of Health; AGRE is an Autism Speaks program.
NDAR’s mission is to facilitate data sharing and scientific collaboration on a broad scale, providing a shared common platform for autism researchers to accelerate scientific discovery. Built around the concept of federated repositories, NDAR integrates and standardizes data, tools, and computational techniques across multiple public and private autism databases. Through NDAR, researchers can access results from these different sources at the same time, using the rich data set to conduct independent analyses, supplement their own research data, or evaluate the data supporting published journal articles, among many other uses.

Databases previously federated with NDAR include Autism Speaks’ Autism Tissue Program, the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Interactive Autism Network (IAN), and the NIH Pediatric MRI Data Repository. AGRE currently houses a clinical dataset with detailed medical, developmental, morphological, demographic, and behavioral information from people with ASD and their families.
Approved NDAR users will have access to data from the 25,000 research participants represented in NDAR, as well as 2,500 AGRE families and more than 7,500 participants who reported their own information to IAN.

NDAR is supported by NIMH, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the NIH Center for Information Technology.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T13:44:00.001-05:00

Hello, Happy New Year!! My wish for all of you is that this year brings you all you want and need and then some! To close out the year on this blog I thought I would share some of my favorite Christmas pictures with you. Have a great New Years Eve.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

My first Great Nephew Kellan was born in October
and it made this Christmas even more special
Especially for my niece and her husband who lost
their daughter Kendall halfway through the
pregnancy in 2010. Watching my sister be
over the moon now that she is finally a
Grandmother was some of the best moments
of my year :)

Bri and Chris with their cousins

My camera shy husband is hiding in the corner
next to my son LOL!

The Purpose Of Fear

2011-12-27T00:16:00.000-05:00

Hello, I hope all of you had a great holiday with your loved ones. I enjoyed my holiday very much. I thought as the New Year approaches and many of us make resolutions to change or fix something about ourselves, that this might be a good read for you. Making changes in our lives is hard, and I think even more so as we age. We are naturally creatures of habit, and even if the changes are good for us, we will want to return to the comfort of what is familiar when anxiety or fear start to overtake our emotions. I can say I have done that many times. So I'm going to try to take in this perspective that my fears are not always a bad thing when it comes to certain changes in my life. And hopefully I won't keep returning to my comfort zones when I shouldn't. I hope this helps you too.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Anything worth doing will always have some fear attached to it. It helps to remember that this type of fear is good. It is your way of questioning whether you really want the new life these changes will bring. It is also a potent reminder that releasing and grieving the past is a necessary part of moving into the new.

Fear has a way of throwing us off balance, making us feel uncertain and insecure, but it is not meant to discourage us.

"Its purpose is to notify us that we are at the edge of our comfort zone, poised in
between the old life and a new one"

Whenever we face our fear, we overcome an inner obstacle and move into new and life-enhancing territory, both inside and out. The more we learn to respect and even welcome fear, the more we will be able to hear its wisdom, wisdom that will let us know that the time has come to move forward, or not. While comfort with fear is a contradiction in terms, we can learn to honor our fear, recognizing its arrival, listening to its intelligence, and respecting it as transformation. Indeed, it informs us that the change we are contemplating is significant, enabling us to approach it with the proper reverence.

Acknowledge your fears by sitting quietly in meditation and listening or by journaling. Writing down whatever comes up—your worries, your sadness, your excitement, your hopes—is a great way to learn about yourself through the vehicle of fear and to remember that fear almost always comes alongside anything worth doing in your life....
Author Unknown

Feel Good Story

2011-12-23T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hello, A feel good story to help remind us of what the Holiday Season is all about. I'm so happy for all the troops that were in Iraq and are now able to be home this Christmas with their loved ones, safe and sound. I hope all of you have are enjoying your Holiday with your loved ones this year as well.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

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Scars Are Symbols Of Strength

2011-12-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

Hello, I came across these beautiful words of compassion today. It was if someone looked inside my soul, uncovered pains I have experienced throughout my life, and somehow put those pains into the words I could never find to speak of them myself. By the time I finished reading these words of an author unknown, I felt comfort. I am sure you will too.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Wounds... They cover your soul from the words and actions that have shredded your heart. The worst kind of wounds are the ones no one can see. The ones you feel bleeding out inside of you and you have no way to stop them. It’s an endless flow of pain and sorrow that darkens everything you once held so dear including you.

Someone you loved made you powerless, weak, vulnerable, and then they left you barren, desolate, and covered in these wounds. You lie there in a field of misery unable to find any aid. Shivering and aching from all that you’ve endured.

I just want to tell you I’ve been there. I have laid in that field of misery on a bed of sorrow with rain as heavy as the tears inside of me pouring down and drowning my screams. I have felt that utter hopelessness and sadness. I have been shattered. I have been abandoned. I have been betrayed. I have been defeated…

You are not the only one. You are not alone in this.

There are others who have made it out of their misery and found shelter from their sorrow. You will not hurt like this forever. The aches and the anxiety and the questions will become silent and still in time. You will learn how to breathe again, and more than that you will learn that you were never broken or destroyed. Your wounds will heal, and although they might leave scars, you will recover. Those scars are nothing to be ashamed of. After all they are symbols of your strength, your faith, and your courage.

You will find peace from this chaos. You will find warmth to take away the chill they left you with. You will learn to live again and write chapters beyond this dark one. Ones filled with happiness, love, joy, and light. These ghosts that haunt you will fade into the shadows and you will see that all along you had it within you to overcome this.

I just want to tell you that I’m rooting for you. You will heal as I have healed and you will find the way out of your sadness. When you do don’t look back at what was. Let it go and start this new chapter…

Christmas Cheer

2011-12-18T00:00:00.047-05:00

Hello, I hope your all doing well this Sunday. This weekend I'm feeling the Christmas Spirit and wanted to share some of my favorite holiday songs. I have to credit my grandchildren most of all for lifting my spirits this year, they are just so filled with the magic of the season that so many of us lose as we get older, that you can't help but feel it again. The Little Drummer Boy has always been my favorite Christmas song and story since I was a child. I don't know why, but it touched me deeply. I use to enjoy singing it as a kid too when I would go Christmas Caroling with my neighbors. Sad to see that tradition is gone. The Celtic women make these songs all the more beautiful! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Guideposts

2011-12-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Hello, Beautifully said, don't you think?
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Drawing On Your Courage

2011-12-12T13:51:00.000-05:00

Hello, I was looking online for some inspiration the other day and this poem from by Caroline Kent is just what I needed. Each and every day, for the past year and a half, I get up to the same situation, unemployed and broke. This Christmas is going to be tough. I can barely afford Christmas gifts for my kids and grandchildren. And how I just want to give them the simplest of gifts, nothing extravagant. I have learned to live quite frugal. And with all my efforts I thought by this time last year I would be all set, but no, here it is, another Christmas, same situation. I feel like giving up, rejection, after rejection, for some reason I don't. I keep trying. The strength to keep trying must be coming from courage deep down inside, in which I am drawing on like never before. This poem is for you too if something in your life is forcing you to draw upon your courage in ways you never thought it would.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet

Courage is admitting that you're afraid and facing that fear directly. It's being strong enough to ask for help and humble enough to accept it

Courage is standing up for what you believe in without worrying about the opinions of others, It's following your own heart, living your own life, and settling for nothing less than the best for yourself

Courage is daring to take a first step, a big leap, or a different path, It's attempting to do something that no one has done before and all others thought impossible

Courage is keeping heart in the face of disappointment and looking at defeat not as an end but as a new beginning, It's believing that things will ultimately get better even as they get worse

Courage is being responsible for your own actions and admitting your own mistakes without placing blame on others, It's relying not on others for your success, but on your own skills and efforts

Courage is refusing to quit even when you're intimidated by impossibility. It's choosing a goal, sticking with it, and finding solutions to the problems

Courage is thinking big, aiming high, and shooting far, It's taking a dream and doing anything, risking everything, and stopping at nothing to it make it a reality

~ Caroline Kent ~

Funny Christmas

2011-12-09T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hello, Happy Friday! I thought I would do a Friday Funnies post and being the Christmas season, I chose these. I hope you enjoy a laugh or two and have yourself a great weekend!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Other Conditions Of ASD

2011-12-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

Hello, Autism Spectrum Disorder can also be diagnosed with other conditions, which can add another layer of difficulty for both Parent and Child. I have seen the dual conditions in my work experience with Autism clients. I can say that with the proper behavioral and medical treatment of the other conditions, their life can be managed on a daily basis without much effort, and they can enjoy a good quality of life, but it is important to be aware of these other issues that can arise. I hope this information helps anyone who is concerned that more may be going with anyone who has the diagnosis of ASD.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Sensory problems
Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) either overreact or underreact to certain sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes. For example, some may: Dislike or show discomfort from a light touch or the feel of clothes on their skin. Experience pain from certain sounds, like a vacuum cleaner, a ringing telephone, or a sudden storm; sometimes they will cover their ears and scream. Have no reaction to intense cold or pain. Researchers are trying to determine if these unusual reactions are related to differences in integrating multiple types of information from the senses.

Sleep problems
Children with ASD tend to have problems falling asleep or staying asleep, or have other sleep problems. These problems make it harder for them to pay attention, reduce their ability to function, and lead to poor behavior. In addition, parents of children with ASD and sleep problems tend to report greater family stress and poorer overall health among themselves. Fortunately, sleep problems can often be treated with changes in behavior, such as following a sleep schedule or creating a bedtime routine. Some children may sleep better using medications such as melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. Like any medication, melatonin can have unwanted side effects. Talk to your child's doctor about possible risks and benefits before giving your child melatonin. Treating sleep problems in children with ASD may improve the child's overall behavior and functioning, as well as relieve family stress.

Intellectual disability
Many children with ASD have some degree of intellectual disability. When tested, some areas of ability may be normal, while others—especially cognitive (thinking) and language abilities—may be relatively weak. For example, a child with ASD may do well on tasks related to sight (such as putting a puzzle together) but may not do as well on language-based problem-solving tasks. Children with a form of ASD like Asperger syndrome often have average or above-average language skills and do not show delays in cognitive ability or speech.

Seizures
One in four children with ASD has seizures, often starting either in early childhood or during the teen years. Seizures, caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, can result in a short-term loss of consciousness, or a blackout. Convulsions, which are uncontrollable shaking of the whole body, or unusual movements

Staring spells
Sometimes lack of sleep or a high fever can trigger a seizure. An electroencephalogram (EEG), a nonsurgical test that records electrical activity in the brain, can help confirm whether a child is having seizures. However, some children with ASD have abnormal EEGs even if they are not having seizures. Seizures can be treated with medicines called anticonvulsants. Some seizure medicines affect behavior; changes in behavior should be closely watched in children with ASD. In most cases, a doctor will use the lowest dose of medicine that works for the child. Anticonvulsants usually reduce the number of seizures but may not prevent all of them. For more information about medications, see the NIMH online booklet, "Medications". None of these medications have been approved by the FDA to specifically treat symptoms of ASD.

Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder and is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability, causing symptoms similar to ASD. The name refers to one part of the X chromosome that has a defective piece that appears pinched and fragile when viewed with a microscope. Fragile X syndrome results from a change, called a mutation, on a single gene. This mutation, in effect, turns off the gene. Some people may have only a small mutation and not show any symptoms, while others have a larger mutation and more severe symptoms. Around 1 in 3 children who have Fragile X syndrome also meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD, and about 1 in 25 children diagnosed with ASD have the mutation that causes Fragile X syndrome. Because this disorder is inherited, children with ASD should be checked for Fragile X, especially if the parents want to have more children. Other family members who are planning to have children may also want to be checked for Fragile X syndrome. For more information on Fragile X, see the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website.

Tuberous sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes noncancerous tumors to grow in the brain and other vital organs. Tuberous sclerosis occurs in 1 to 4 percent of people with ASD. A genetic mutation causes the disorder, which has also been linked to mental retardation, epilepsy, and many other physical and mental health problems. There is no cure for tuberous sclerosis, but many symptoms can be treated.

Gastrointestinal problems
Some parents of children with ASD report that their child has frequent gastrointestinal (GI) or digestion problems, including stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, vomiting, or bloating. Food allergies may also cause problems for children with ASD. It's unclear whether children with ASD are more likely to have GI problems than typically developing children. If your child has GI problems, a doctor who specializes in GI problems, called a gastroenterologist, can help find the cause and suggest appropriate treatment. Some studies have reported that children with ASD seem to have more GI symptoms, but these findings may not apply to all children with ASD. For example, a recent study found that children with ASD in Minnesota were more likely to have physical and behavioral difficulties related to diet (for example, lactose intolerance or insisting on certain foods), as well as constipation, than children without ASD. The researchers suggested that children with ASD may not have underlying GI problems, but that their behavior may create GI symptoms—for example, a child who insists on eating only certain foods may not get enough fiber or fluids in his or her diet, which leads to constipation. Some parents may try to put their child on a special diet to control ASD or GI symptoms. While some children may benefit from limiting certain foods, there is no strong evidence that these special diets reduce ASD symptoms. If you want to try a special diet, first talk with a doctor or a nutrition expert to make sure your child's nutritional needs are being met.

Co-occurring mental disorders
Children with ASD can also develop mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or depression. Research shows that people with ASD are at higher risk for some mental disorders than people without ASD. Managing these co-occurring conditions with medications or behavioral therapy, which teaches children how to control their behavior, can reduce symptoms that appear to worsen a child's ASD symptoms. Controlling these conditions will allow children with ASD to focus more on managing the ASD.

Right Place

2011-12-03T00:07:00.000-05:00

Hello, The older I get the more I believe in this saying! Sometimes in life we think we've made the wrong choices and we are going to suffer the consequences forever, only to realize those choices have brought us to a better place of being.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Cognitive Bias Modification

2011-11-29T15:04:00.000-05:00

Hello, I hope all of you had a great holiday with your loved ones. I enjoyed mine very much! This is an exciting break through for treating Anxiety Disorders and other Mental Health issues. Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM), uses techniques to retrain our thought patterns instead of just medicating them. I think the best part of this is that it will offer new hope for many people who are not able to get the help they need from medicine, or suffer serious side effects from the medicine they have to take. I hope to be able to share more information on this treatment as progress develops.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Imagine a method to treat anxiety and other mental health disorders that was inexpensive, effective after a few short treatments, and didn't require drugs or trained mental health professionals. "It does sound like science fiction, doesn't it?" says Colin MacLeod, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Western Australia.

Yet that's the hope of experts studying cognitive bias modification (CBM), a new technique that aims to alter harmful thought patterns. The technique isn't ready for prime time yet. "This is quite a young field of science," says Emily Holmes, PhD, a clinical psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Oxford. But she and others say the nascent field has great promise.

Holmes describes cognitive biases as "habits of thought." "Some people might have a habit of looking at a teacup and seeing it as half empty, and others see it as half full," she says. That example is what's known as an interpretation bias. The glass-half-full type has a positive interpretation bias, while the glass-half-empty type interprets the same information with a negative bias. People with anxiety are more likely to interpret ambiguous information in a negative way — ascribing disapproving or unfriendly intentions to neutral facial expressions, for instance.

Then there are attention biases — things you notice subconsciously and automatically in the world around you. One person coming into a colleague's office might immediately take in the images on a computer screen, Holmes says, while someone with a spider phobia would be instantly drawn to a web in the corner of the window. Similarly, a person with anxiety is more likely to be tuned in to any potential (or perceived) threats in his or her environment.

To date, most studies of cognitive bias have centered on attention biases in anxiety. Numerous studies have demonstrated a link between the two, MacLeod says. The classic method of ferreting out these biases is the use of computerized dot-probe tests. In these tests, probes such as slanting lines or patterns of dots are alternately flashed on the screen near to or far from emotional images (such as disgusted versus neutral faces) or words (with negative or neutral meanings). Subjects are asked to identify the probes as quickly as possible when they appear.
Individuals with anxiety are faster to spot probes that pop up in that region of the screen where negative words or images had just been, indicating that's where the subjects had focused their attention. In other words, anxious individuals are automatically drawn to negative information.

The discovery of these negative attention biases hatched a chicken-and-egg problem: Does anxiety cause a negative attention bias, or does the bias cause anxiety? "It's kind of like a feedback loop, where the fears feed into the cognitive biases and those cognitive biases may maintain or even exacerbate the fears over time," says Brad Schmidt, PhD, who directs the anxiety and behavioral health clinic at Florida State University.

Intriguingly, though, studies show that by altering the bias, one can dial emotional vulnerability up or down. Most of these studies simply use a modified version of the dot-probe test. In a 2002 study, for instance, MacLeod and colleagues used a dot-probe task to train students either to attend to or avoid negative words. Seeing the probes flash repeatedly in particular areas of the screen, the subjects learned where to focus their attention — either on or away from the negative stimuli. Later, subjects were given a stressful anagram task to complete. Immediately following the stress test, the students who were trained to focus on negative stimuli showed increased anxiety compared with the students trained to avoid them (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. 111, No. 1).

"That was the start of showing this could be useful," MacLeod says, not only as a treatment, but also as a tool to study the cognitive roots of anxiety and other mental health conditions. "We can modify one facet of attention or another specifically so we can see which have an emotional impact in the laboratory," he says.

After just eight 15-minute sessions — a mere two hours of active treatment — 72 percent of patients in the treatment group no longer met diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder, compared with 11 percent of patients in the control group. Even more startling, the diagnostic differences were still evident at a follow-up exam four months later.

For the full article click the link below
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/11/behavior-change.aspx

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T15:48:00.002-05:00

Hello, Happy Thanksgiving, My wishes for each and everyone of you today.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Finding Your New Normal

2011-11-22T13:52:00.002-05:00

Hello, I hope your all doing well this Holiday week. As the holiday's are approaching this year I wanted to write about what many people are going through at this time of year. As we all know, depression rises throughout the holidays. The main reason people experience some depression at the Holidays is probably because they are experiencing the pain of a lost loved one, be it through death or a broken relationship. The first time I felt any type of depression at the Holiday's was when my Father passed away in 1987. I didn't realize it back then, but through those feelings of depression at the holiday, I was learning to live with what they call a "New Normal". And once again, my normal was shifted three years ago when my mother passed away and my siblings and I began to grow apart. My sister and I are still pretty close, but I also have four brothers that I may only see once a year now. And although I'm grown and have a family of my own, the changes in my sibling relationships have been painful, never mind the pain of losing my Parents. So IMO losing these first loves, as I call them, will have a deep impact on your life. They are your foundation in life, your roots as they say. So through my own experiences,I have learned that life can throw losses at you on many different levels, with many different people. You can constantly be forced to live in a new normal,(or as normal as life can get!) forced to let go of what you don't want to. Say goodbye to people you really love and care about. So I thought I would share with you some of ways that have helped me to transition to my life's changing normal, especially during the holiday season, to hopefully help any of you who may be experiencing the same.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

1) Acknowledge all types of loss

2) Allow yourself to feel the loss, cry if you need
to, simply get it out, it will help you to heal and
move on

3) Allow yourself to go through the stages of
grief when it comes to a death. Don't let anyone
tell you you need to get over it already. We
all grieve in our way and in our own time

4) If you are having problems getting over the
loss of a relationship, it could stem from allowing
that relationship to have power over you. Realize
no one is worth having any power over you

5) Learn that those lost relationships
are not all your fault. Some of the people
we allow to hurt us have their own issues,
and it is really not about us

6) If your left with anger from any relationship,
it can turn into depression. One way to get rid
of that anger is write it out in a letter or a
journal. If it is in a letter, wait before sending
it out to that person to see if the situation changes

7) Exercise to release depression and anger,
even if it is just a short walk each day

8) Keep your focus on the good relationships in your life

9) Cherish the good memories of your loved ones that
have passed on. The happy times that I chose to remember
help keep my love for them alive and ease the pain of
their loss

10) Talk it out with others, find support where you can!

Love Me In My World

2011-11-17T15:58:00.001-05:00

Hello, I was moved to tears today thinking of my Mother when I watched this video. I still think of her everyday as it is, and some days those thoughts go back to the dark days of her struggle with Mental Illness. I am sure at times she had these fears. But I also take comfort when those memories return that she was able to tell me before she passed away that she survived her struggles because my Father, my siblings and I never abandoned her. This is actually one of the songs we played at her funeral as well. Please watch if you know someone who has a Mental Illness. You will read what they may not be able to express to you in times of dispear. And most important of all, no matter what they do or what they have done, please give nothing but compassion and unconditional love, they need it more than you know.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet

Social Aspects Of ASD

2011-11-15T09:22:00.001-05:00

Hello, I hope you are doing well today, I am doing good. This is part 2 of the information I will be sharing on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Catching the early signs of this disorder can lead to early intervention and improve the quality of life for the child. I'm sure this aspect of the Autism Spectrum Disorder is incredibly heart breaking for Parents. Hopefully with early intervention the characteristics of non engagement can improve for the Parent Child relationship.
Thank you for visiting,
Janet :)

Social Symptoms
From the start, typically developing infants are social beings. Early in life, they gaze at people, turn toward voices, grasp a finger, and even smile. In contrast, most children with ASD seem to have tremendous difficulty learning to engage in the give-and-take of everyday human interaction. Even in the first few months of life, many do not interact and they avoid eye contact. They seem indifferent to other people, and often seem to prefer being alone. They may resist attention or passively accept hugs and cuddling. Later, they seldom seek comfort or respond to parents' displays of anger or affection in a typical way. Research has suggested that although children with ASD are attached to their parents, their expression of this attachment is unusual and difficult to “read.” To parents, it may seem as if their child is not attached at all. Parents who looked forward to the joys of cuddling, teaching, and playing with their child may feel crushed by this lack of the expected and typical attachment behavior.

Children with ASD also are slower in learning to interpret what others are thinking and feeling. Subtle social cues—whether a smile, a wink, or a grimace—may have little meaning. To a child who misses these cues, “Come here” always means the same thing, whether the speaker is smiling and extending her arms for a hug or frowning and planting her fists on her hips. Without the ability to interpret gestures and facial expressions, the social world may seem bewildering. To compound the problem, people with ASD have difficulty seeing things from another person's perspective. Most 5-year-olds understand that other people have different information, feelings, and goals than they have. A person with ASD may lack such understanding. This inability leaves them unable to predict or understand other people's actions.

Although not universal, it is common for people with ASD also to have difficulty regulating their emotions. This can take the form of “immature” behavior such as crying in class or verbal outbursts that seem inappropriate to those around them. The individual with ASD might also be disruptive and physically aggressive at times, making social relationships still more difficult. They have a tendency to “lose control,” particularly when they're in a strange or overwhelming environment, or when angry and frustrated. They may at times break things, attack others, or hurt themselves. In their frustration, some bang their heads, pull their hair, or bite their arms.

My Wish

2011-11-10T08:42:00.000-05:00

Hello, Beautiful wishes that I wish for you today and always!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

This is my wish for you:
"Comfort on difficult days,
smiles when sadness intrudes,
rainbows to follow the clouds,
laughter to kiss your lips,
sunsets to warm your heart,
hugs when spirits sag,
beauty for your eyes to see,
friendships to brighten your being,
faith so that you can believe,
confidence for when you doubt,
courage to know yourself,
patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.”

Autism Spectrum Disorders

2011-11-07T15:31:00.000-05:00

Hello, In today's world so many Parents have to worry about this disorder because it is now effecting approximately 3 out of every 1000 children. I hope that someday soon we can get to what is the root cause of this disorder and stop the increase in it's numbers. I have worked in two residential communities with adults who have
intellectual and related developmental disabilities which included Autism. Within that time I had the privilege of working one to one with a man with Autism for about 5 yrs. It became so much more than work, it was a life altering experience for me. As I was teaching him skills for life, I learned so much about life from him too. Everyday that I would go into work thinking I had an issue or two to deal with in my life, there he would be happy and grateful just to see me and it would make all my problems go right out the window. I learned from him that if he could get up everyday and smile, just be happy to be, with all he had working against him, then I could too. Through the years with unconditional love and support I saw him grow in so many ways. I saw the person he was come through more and more as he developed trust. He continues to grow to this day from what I hear. I often wish I was still there working with him, but sometimes life takes us on different paths. I know without a doubt, I am a better person for having had him in my life. He will always be in my heart. If you ever cross paths with someone with ASD please remember that these children and adults are just like you and me inside. Do not treat them any different because of this disorder, unless you are told otherwise because of specific issues. They just simply learn and grow differently than you and I. Their brains are just wired a little different so to speak. They deserve and need the same amount of love and respect as you and I. There is so much information on this disorder, that this is just part 1. I will continue to post further information in the coming weeks.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

What Are the Autism Spectrum Disorders?

The autism spectrum disorders are more common in the pediatric population than are some better known disorders such as diabetes, spinal bifida, or Down syndrome. A recent study of a U.S. metropolitan area estimated that 3.4 of every 1,000 children 3-10 years old had autism. The earlier the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner the child can be helped through treatment interventions. Pediatricians, family physicians, daycare providers, teachers, and parents may initially dismiss signs of ASD, optimistically thinking the child is just a little slow and will “catch up.”

All children with ASD demonstrate deficits in 1) social interaction, 2) verbal and nonverbal communication, and 3) repetitive behaviors or interests. In addition, they will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences, such as certain sounds or the way objects look. Each of these symptoms runs the gamut from mild to severe. They will present in each individual child differently. For instance, a child may have little trouble learning to read but exhibit extremely poor social interaction. Each child will display communication, social, and behavioral patterns that are individual but fit into the overall diagnosis of ASD.

Children with ASD do not follow the typical patterns of child development. In some children, hints of future problems may be apparent from birth. In most cases, the problems in communication and social skills become more noticeable as the child lags further behind other children the same age. Some other children start off well enough. Oftentimes between 12 and 36 months old, the differences in the way they react to people and other unusual behaviors become apparent. Some parents report the change as being sudden, and that their children start to reject people, act strangely, and lose language and social skills they had previously acquired. In other cases, there is a plateau, or leveling, of progress so that the difference between the child with autism and other children the same age becomes more noticeable.

ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors that can range from the very mild to the severe. The following possible indicators of ASD were identified on the Public Health Training Network Webcast, Autism Among Us.

Possible Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Does not babble, point, or make meaningful
gestures by 1 year of age
Does not speak one word by 16 months
Does not combine two words by 2 years
Does not respond to name
Loses language or social skills

Some Other Indicators:
Doesn't smile
Poor eye contact
Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
Excessively lines up toys or other objects
Is attached to one particular toy or object
At times seems to be hearing impaired

Promise Yourself

2011-11-04T23:18:00.000-04:00

Hello, I hope you are enjoying your weekend. These are hard, but good promises we should keep to ourselves!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

National Drug Facts Week

2011-11-02T16:23:00.001-04:00

Hello, I feel this is a critical topic to discuss with teens. Knowledge is power, so share this information to help educate and empower our kids to make better choices for themselves.
Thank you,
Janet :)

National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. Through community-‐based events and activities on the Web, on TV, and through contests, NIDA is working to encourage teens to get factual answers from scientific experts about drugs and drug abuse.

Prevention Is the Key
Drug addiction is a preventable disease. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many events and cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, when youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. Thus, education and outreach are key in helping youth and the general public understand the risks of drug abuse. Teachers, parents, medical and public health professionals must keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if one never abuses drugs.

Click on these buttons
to learn more:

You can find material to participate through tweeting,
your blog or Facebook at the link below.
http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/cybershoutout.php

A great Facebook page for teens
https://www.facebook.com/AbovetheInfluence

Sunday Funnies

2011-10-30T00:05:00.000-04:00

Hello, I hope you are having a great weekend. I'm listening to the winds howl outside my window right now, we are having quite a northeastern here in Ma. Luckily I am not getting as much snow as the others in my state are. I'm not ready for that snow yet!! Here is a little Halloween humor that I thought you might enjoy.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Story of my life LOL!

Be Done With It

2011-10-26T13:22:00.000-04:00

Hello, Some words of inspiration for you today.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Source: None via Dorothy on Pinterest

Plenty Of Room For Blame

2011-10-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

Hello, I was so horrified by this story that I don't think I can ever put it into words. Of all the reports I watched on this story, I think the Dr. Drew show on HLN touched on what is the most important part of this story. This is just another example of how the Mentally Ill in our country are ignored and abandoned by society. So many of them as well, live on the streets because of Budget Cuts and Insurance Limits. There is plenty of blame to go around in this story. And the blame should begin with each and every one of us.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet

Transcript from the Dr. Drew show on HLN
PINSKY: This story, it just -- you know, some of these stories we report here leave me speechless. So, this is another one of them. The more detail you tell us, the more just sort of stunning this becomes. Our Philadelphia CNN affiliate, KYW, recently talked to three of the people believed to have been held captive. Watch this.

And Lisa, I`m going to ask you two questions. Can we learn anything from this story? Let me ask you sort of positive story. And then, you know, whenever we hear about these people being held captive, there`s always weird sexual acting out and stuff on them. One of these women had two children in captivity. Do you think that was part of the torture these poor people went through?

BOESKY: Well, let me answer the first question first, which was what we can learn from this is there are millions, millions of individuals with severe mental health and developmental disabilities that don`t have anybody to protect them. We`ve had severe cuts in mental health budgets and more are probably coming. So, there aren`t people looking out for them.

So, one of the things is this is such a wake-up call for people if they have family members, neighbors, or friends, to know what these people are doing, who they`re interacting with, where their money is going, because they`re so ripe for this kind of abuse and neglect. But I also think it`s a wake-up call to some of our government-assisted programs.

Footloose Michael Jackson Style

2011-10-17T12:36:00.001-04:00

Hello, I was looking around on Youtube for a music video from the new Footloose movie. I did not like the new sound of this song at all! Then I found this version that someone made with the old song. I think it is perfectly fitting for the King of Pop because nobody ever has done, or probably ever will do, Footloose quite like him. Happy Music Monday my friends, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did !
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Beautiful Already

2011-10-13T11:09:00.003-04:00

Hello, Simple words, that we need to hear to remind us that yes, no matter what, to the ones who truly know us, we are always and forever, Beautiful inside and out!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

To the people who love you,
you are Beautiful Already,
This is not because they’re
blind to your shortcomings,
but because they so clearly
see your soul…

Bullying It Stops here!

2011-10-10T12:41:00.005-04:00

Hello, I hope your doing well today. I remember the stresses of being a teenager. That desire to fit in, to be a part of, and accepted among my peers. I was fortunate enough to get through those years without bullying and ridicule. So I can't help but feel for these kids today that face this bullying on a daily basis. We need to talk about this, when ever possible, to help stop the bullying now!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

CNN, Facebook, Cartoon Network and Time Inc. have teamed up for a special multi-platform effort aimed at taking a stand to help stop the bullying crisis. Anderson Cooper 360° will air a week-long series focused on bullying in addition to a town hall hosted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, marking the one year anniversary of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi.’s death.

Anderson Cooper will reveal the results of a six-month long pilot study that provide new insight about why kids bully each other and how parents and educators can more effectively stop the problem. In partnership with University of California sociologist Dr. Robert Faris, this groundbreaking investigation involving over 700 junior and high school students will explore the complex social dynamic of bullying, and how certain students hold the key to stopping the problem.

“Too many kids have died already; too many kids are living in fear. At AC360 we decided to look into the problem by sponsoring an extensive study of bullying in one school to better understand the dynamics “said Cooper “what we learned by focusing on one school was eye opening. The problem of bullying is far more complex than it is often portrayed, and while there are no easy solutions, we’ve learned some things that lead me to believe that with enough attention, we can make life better for kids”

Bullying: It Stops here, An Anderson Cooper Special Report will feature guests including actor and bullying prevention activist Jane Lynch , psychologist and talk-show host Dr. Phil McGraw; who has testified before Congress about bullying prevention, talk show host and mother of three Kelly Ripa, and Rosalind Wiseman; best-selling author “Queen Bees and Wannabees”. Along with a special audience of students, parents, educators and policy makers, Cooper and guests will question whether new legislation, laws and significant media attention has helped the bullying prevention efforts.

The town hall, titled Bullying: It Stops Here will premiere Sunday, October 9 at 8pm ET and will re-air on October 14 at 8 and 10 pm ET.

Beginning October 10, Anderson Cooper 360° will air a week-long series which will move the conversation forward with solution oriented, original research that will help families and educators to better understand this serious problem impacting children. Cooper sheds new light into the world of bullies, uncovering counter intuitive information about what motivates kids’ aggression that might surprise viewers. Cooper will uncover some universal truths about bullying in schools across the country by speaking with UC sociologist Faris and bullying expert Rachel Simmons, best-selling author of “Odd girl Out”. Anderson Cooper 360° airs weeknights at 8 and 10pm ET on CNN.

Earlier this month, Facebook and Time Warner Inc. announced the launch of the Stop Bullying: Speak Up Social Pledge App, an interactive social media pledge that enables educators, parents and students to make a personal commitment—and recruit others to join them—to help stop bullying.

What Is Mental Illness

2011-10-06T15:42:00.000-04:00

Hello, I hope your doing well. This year for Mental Illness Awareness Week I wanted to get back to the basic facts about Mental Illness. Unfortunately there is still many misconceptions about the illnesses and treatments. Sadly in 2011, Stigma is still a part of the daily struggle for many people. I strongly feel that if we all advocate and educate, in any way big or small, we could help to end the Stigma that should have been gone long ago. There is no need for anyone to feel an ounce of shame, simply because of a treatable disease in this day and age!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

What Is Mental Illness?
Mental illnesses include such disorders as schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.

These disorders can profoundly disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, moods, ability to relate to others and capacity for coping with the demands of life.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing.

Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people with serious mental illness need medication to help control symptoms, but also rely on supportive counseling, self-help groups, assistance with housing, vocational rehabilitation, income assistance and other community services in order to achieve their highest level of recovery.

Here are some important facts about mental illness and recovery:

Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's "character" or intelligence.

Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity. The most serious and disabling conditions affect five to ten million adults (2.6 – 5.4%) and three to five million children ages five to seventeen (5 – 9%) in the United States.

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability (lost years of productive life) in the North America, Europe and, increasingly, in the world. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports; Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; By getting people the treatment they need early, recovery is accelerated and the brain is protected from further harm related to the course of illness.

STIGMA erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down!

Shadows

2011-10-03T12:12:00.000-04:00

Hello, I feel this quote is a perfect metaphor for the struggles in life. Letting go of the fear of pain, and just allowing ourselves to feel it, will only help us to heal and begin again.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Never fear shadows, They simply mean
there's a light shining somewhere nearby
~Ruth Renkel~

Friday Funnies

2011-09-30T00:04:00.000-04:00

Hello, Happy Friday! I hope all of you have a good weekend planned for yourselves. And what better way to start off the weekend than with a little laughter!!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

After nearly 50 years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed one evening, when the wife felt her husband, begin to massage her in ways he hadn't in quite some time. It almost tickled as his fingers started at her neck, and then began moving down past the small of her back. He then caressed her shoulders and neck, slowly worked his hand down, stopping just over her stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, working down her side, passing gently over her buttock and down her leg to her calf. ... Then, he proceeded up her thigh, stopping just at the uppermost portion of her leg. He continued in the same manner on her right side, then suddenly stopped, rolled over and became silent. As she had become quite aroused by this caressing, she asked in a loving voice, 'Honey, that was wonderful. Why did you stop?' To which he responded: 'I found the remote.'..

Fatal Conclusion

2011-09-28T00:17:00.006-04:00

Hello, I have always been a trial watcher, O.J. Simpson, Phil Specter, Casey Anthony. I grew up with Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, so this trial has me even more gripped. The hardest part of watching this trial for me so far is thinking of Michael's children. I could not help but tear up every time they spoke of them. They lost their father way too young. I can truly empathize, because I did as well. Michael's death is so tragic. We should not judge him now because of the choices he made in order to live his life. He lived in a world that none of us could ever imagine. With much of his success, came much torment. What we all should do now is let his tragic ending raise even more awareness of the dangers of addiction and enabling the addict!! Together they lead to a fatal conclusion. Here is the audio clip they played today in opening statements of Michael. In it you will hear a man, descending deep into addiction. A man who just wanted to bring back his glory days, and care for the children of the world.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet

Untie The "Knots"

2011-09-24T23:45:00.001-04:00

Hello, I hope your having a great weekend! How true is this! Don't we tend to go through life tying ourselves up in "Knots". So here is a little prayer to help us untie ourselves.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Source: boogieways.blogspot.com via Julio-Vanessa on Pinterest

Jacquelin's Story

2011-09-20T16:31:00.001-04:00

Hello, In honor of Recovery Month, I wanted to share a story of Recovery from Mental Illness. Jacquelin's story is very inspiring, and like Jacquelin we all can recover from the darkest of days, if we have even one person who believes in us. Never stop believing in someone, no matter what! For more inspiring stories please visit the link below.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Jacquelin's Story

In the spring of 1998, my world came crashing down. I lost my home, my job, my car, my mind, and almost my life.

I was hospitalized for the first time in March of that year. Diagnosis: major depression with suicidal ideation. I was put on medication and assigned a psychiatrist and a therapist. After this first hospitalization I would fight with myself to stay out, but every eight months I'd be back in the hospital. The second time was a longer stay, and upon being discharged I was put on 13 medications.

I decided that my third hospitalization (when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder) was going to be my last. Trying to function with the help of medications, a therapist, and sheer force of will, I was able to stay out after that.

For a long time, I could feel my illness inside my head: a dark little creature that I had built a wall around. It was waiting for me to let my guard down so it could escape and wreak havoc. It took a long time for me to banish this monster, but I am finally free.

The first step toward freedom was when I reluctantly agreed to participate in a program called "Stepping Stones Clubhouse," and I am forever glad I did! I came into the program a scared little rabbit; I couldn't look anyone in the face and had no confidence in myself. With great encouragement, I reluctantly tried doing tasks on the computer, and I was thanked and praised for my accomplishments. With time (three years), I began to see and eventually believe that I was intelligent and capable and that my work—as well as I—was valued.

A small candle of hope began to burn, and I started to think about going back to work. It soon turned into a bonfire of belief in myself.

I started work at the clubhouse as a part-time peer trainer, teaching computer skills. My confidence grew by leaps and bounds. Six years after being diagnosed with a mental illness, I am now working full-time as a psychiatric rehabilitation caseworker, helping others understand their illnesses and work towards their own recovery. I am also a mentor and someone my fellow members want to emulate.

In addition, I am on the Governor's Advisory Committee on Personal Care Homes and the secretary of the Pennsylvania Clubhouse Coalition. I advocate for myself and others, and, for fun, I work part-time as a DJ. I am proof that it is possible to survive and regain a productive life.

The clubhouse has helped me find my voice, and I am active and involved as well as more assertive. I am down to two medications: Lamictal, a mood stabilizer, and Concerta, for ADHD.

I have come through the fire a stronger, better person. I am on my way to achieving my level of greatness and helping others achieve theirs. With encouragement and support, everyone can.

Jacquelin

http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/listen.asp?nav=nav03&content=3_0_listen

A Laugh Or Two

2011-09-17T13:56:00.002-04:00

Hello, Happy Saturday! Here are few clips from one of my favorite movies. I hope you enjoy a laugh or two.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Massage Time

Couples Retreat

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Encouragement!

Couples Retreat

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Let It All Hang Out

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Spiritual Mysteries

2011-09-13T12:45:00.001-04:00

Hello, A Daily Inspiration for you and me,
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

God (or your higher power)
writes Spiritual Mysteries on our heart,
where they wait silently for discovery

♥Rumi♥

Suicide Prevention Day

2011-09-10T23:05:00.001-04:00

Hello, Today is Suicide Prevention Day. I encourage anyone who has a blog or are on a social network to post about this cause. I have personally lost friends throughout my life that needed these supports and were not able to receive them. I almost lost my mother to this as well. By taking a few minutes of your time to spread awareness and information, you can truly help save a life.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

If you, or someone you know, is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Lifeline Network answers thousands of calls from people in emotional distress. There are many reasons for their calls. Please call with for any of the following reasons:
* Suicidal thoughts
* Information on suicide
* Information on mental health/illness
* Substance abuse/addiction
* To help a friend or loved one
* Relationship problems
* Abuse/violence
* Economic problems
* Sexual orientation issues
* Physical illness
* Loneliness
* Family problems

Who should call?
* Anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal.
* Family and friends who are concerned about a loved one.
* Anyone interested in mental health treatment and service referrals.

Who and where am I calling?
* When you dial 1-800-273-TALK, you are calling the crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. To find out what center is closest to you search the Crisis Center Locator.
* Lifeline’s service is free and confidential.
* The hotline is staffed by trained counselors.
* We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
* We have information about mental health services in your area that can help you.

What will happen when I call?
* You will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
* You will hear hold music while your call is being routed.
* You will be helped by a trained crisis worker.
* You will be given mental health services referrals if needed.

* If you are a TTY user, please use our TTY number: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889).
* Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Isaac

2011-09-09T23:35:00.004-04:00

Hello, I hope your doing well. This is a spiritual song, with a moving stage performance, that speaks to me of the struggle the spirit must go through as it crosses over from this world to the next. You may interpret it differently. Because of my interpretation of the song, today I dedicate it in memory of all the beautiful souls who must of struggled with unimaginable fear before they crossed over on September 11th, 2001.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Staring up into the heavens
In this hell that binds your hands
Will you sacrifice your comfort
Make your way in a foreign land
(Leave what you know, and make your
way to the unknown)

Wrestle with your darkness
Angels call your name
Can you hear what they are saying
Will you ever be the same

Mmmm mmm mmm
Im Nin'alu, Im Nin'alu
Mmmm mmm mmm
Im Nin'alu, Im Nin'alu

Remember, remember
Never forget
All of your life has all been a test
You will find the gate that's open
Even though your spirit's broken

Open up my heart
Cause my lips to speak
Bring the heavens and the stars
Down to earth for me

Wrestle with your darkness
Angels call your name
Can you hear what they are saying
Will you ever be the same

Recovering Your Light

2011-09-04T13:08:00.003-04:00

Hello, I hope your having a great Labor Day Weekend! I was excited to come across this movement to celebrate and raise awareness about recovery. When it comes to recovery with an addiction, I know everyone has their own beliefs and or theory. Some believe in the disease aspect of it, others believe it is just a matter of individual behavior. I am still not 100 percent sure which theory I believe in. One thing I do know now, absolutely 100 percent, is that we grow up in a society that "conditions" us to the idea that the ideal way to go through life, have fun, on such a weekend as this, is to have a few alcoholic drinks, get a high to enhance the "good time"! I was fully conditioned to that ideal off and on, until last year. Thankfully, I can say now, through a series of unfortunate events, I have been "unconditioned". As strange as that may sound to some, thankful? How can anyone be thankful through a series of unfortunate events? Not be bitter or angry? I would answer that by telling you (although I'm sure you have heard it before!) sometimes you have to truly know the "dark" to recover the "light", the light that is your spirit, your natural self, free of anything that alters that light within you. Recovering, tapping into your light, I promise you this, will be the best substance you have ever had. Indeed I am the lucky one to know a better way to enhance my good times now, I am on the best high of my life. By sharing this, my wish is for all of you who need to find this feeling, that you were innately born with, will do so. I suggest to any of you who are concerned about yourself, take simple and small steps. Try to spend a weekend such as this without the substances. Simply change the conditions you have been accustomed to, and if it becomes a problem to do so, then seek help. I will be sharing more insight and information through out the month that will also include recovery from Mental Illness.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

‘I wish I could show you, when you are
lonely or in darkness, the astonishing
light of your own being.’ ~ Hafiz ~

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Recovery Month is a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a substance use disorder and/or mental health problem to live a healthy and rewarding life. The highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and health lives on long-term recovery and also honors the treatment and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/

At The Twilight

2011-09-02T11:12:00.001-04:00

Hello, Happy Friday my friends :) The poems of Rumi speak with such depth of spirituality and beauty, I hope you feel that too.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

At the twilight, a moon appeared in the sky;
Then it landed on earth to look at me
Like a hawk stealing a bird at the time of prey;
That moon stole me and rushed back into the sky
I looked at myself, I did not see me anymore;
For in that moon, my body turned as fine as soul
The nine spheres disappeared in that moon;
The ship of my existence drowned in that sea
♥Rumi♥

Recovering From Schizophrenia

2011-08-31T11:20:00.001-04:00

Hello, This is part 1 of an article about Recovery From Schizophrenia. Because it is a long article, I will post the rest of it soon, or if you want to read on further, I included the link below. As a child my mother was diagnosed Paranoid Schizophrenic. My memories tell me that, yes, at that time that it is what she had. I remember her being delusional and having psychotic episodes. Ranging from her putting cups over the car locks so no one would break into her car to her pouring shampoo over my head because I wanted to take a shower before school, and also chasing me with a hammer because I walked up and down the stairs. Absolute fear I lived in as I grew up, never knowing what would transpire next. I truly believe now that is why when I moved out of the house I developed Anxiety Disorder, it was from years of that fear and some PTSD. After I moved out though, she received new treatment and emerged a different person. Ever since then I have always thought she was misdiagnosed. But after reading this I can't help but wonder if maybe she did recover for the disease. I guess I'll never know for sure, but I am thankful that she did have those years of recovery, years of being non delusional, non psychotic and eventually becoming my best friend. If you have a loved one or family member that is suffering with this mental illness, know there is hope and most importantly, never, never give up on them.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

John Nash's Genius Is Extraordinary, Recovering From Schizophrenia Is Anything But

The end of "A Beautiful Mind," the Oscar-nominated movie based loosely on the life of Nobel Prize winner John Forbes Nash Jr., depicts the Princeton mathematician's emergence from the stranglehold of paranoid schizophrenia, the most feared and disabling of mental illnesses. Moviegoers who have watched the cinematic metamorphosis of actor Russell Crowe from the disheveled genius who furiously covers his office walls with delusional scribblings to the silver-haired academic perfectly at home in the rarefied company of fellow laureates in Stockholm might assume that Nash's recovery from three decades of psychosis is unique.

But mental health experts say that while Nash's life is undeniably remarkable, his gradual recovery from schizophrenia is not.

That contention is likely to surprise many people, including some psychiatrists, who continue to believe the theory, promulgated a century ago by Sigmund Freud and his contemporaries, that the serious thought and mood disorder is a relentless, degenerative illness that robs victims of social and intellectual function, invariably dooming them to a miserable life in a homeless shelter, a prison cell or, at best, a group home.

Psychiatric researchers who have tracked patients after they left mental hospitals, as well as a growing number of recovered patients who have banded together to form a mental health consumer movement, contend that recovery of the kind Nash experienced is not rare.

"The stereotype everyone has of this disease is that there's no such thing as recovery," said Washington psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey, who has written extensively about schizophrenia, an illness he has studied for decades and one that has afflicted his younger sister for nearly half a century. "The fact is that recovery is more common than people have been led to believe. . . . But I don't think any of us know for sure how many people recover."

The notion that Nash's recovery is exceptional "is very pervasive even though the facts don't support it, because that's what generations of psychiatrists have been taught," said Daniel B. Fisher, a board-certified Massachusetts psychiatrist and activist who has fully recovered from schizophrenia for which he was hospitalized three times between the ages of 25 and 30.

"Many of us who have spoken about our recovery are confronted with the statement that you couldn't have been schizophrenic, you must have been misdiagnosed," added Fisher, 58, who holds a PhD in biochemistry and went to medical school after his hospitalizations.

The belief that recovery from schizophrenia occurs only occasionally is belied by at least seven studies of patients who were followed for more than 20 years after their discharge from mental hospitals in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. In papers published between 1972 and 1995, researchers found that between 46 and 68 percent of patients had either fully recovered they had no symptoms of mental illness, took no psychiatric medication, worked and had normal relationships or were, like John Nash, significantly improved but impaired in one area of functioning.

Although the patients received a variety of treatments, researchers speculate that the improvement may reflect both an ability to manage illness that accompanies age coupled with the natural decline, beginning in the mid-forties, in the levels of brain chemicals that may be linked to schizophrenia.

"One reason nobody knows about recovery is that most folks don't tell anybody because the stigma is too great," said Frederick J. Frese III, 61, who was hospitalized 10 times for paranoid schizophrenia in his twenties and thirties.

Despite his illness, Frese, who considers himself "definitely not fully recovered but in pretty good shape," earned a doctorate in psychology and was, for 15 years, director of psychology at Western Reserve Psychiatric Hospital in Ohio, the state's largest mental hospital. Frese holds faculty appointments at Case Western Reserve University and Northern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

He has been married for 25 years and is the father of four children as well as past president of the National Mental Health Consumers Association. These achievements are hardly consistent with the prognosis Frese was given at 27, when a psychiatrist told him he had a "degenerative brain disorder" and would probably spend the rest of his life in the state mental hospital to which he had recently been committed.

http://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/articles/beautiful-but-not-rare-recovery/menu-id-64/

Smooth Criminal

2011-08-29T13:41:00.004-04:00

Hello, Happy Music Monday! As I wrote on My MM post on DDD, I'm so glad to be able to join in today as I just got my power back on. Irene left us without power for almost 24 hours. We were lucky enough to have a generator to run our DVD player. When the guys went to bed I put on "This Is It" and once again escaped in the magic of Micheal's music. At the end of the movie this time, I did not feel as sad about his passing as I did last year when I watched it, even though it is still such a tragedy. I felt how lucky we all are that he was here in the first place. I thought about what a lifetime of great music he made that demonstrated, fun, love, peace, and humanitarian causes that will live on forever! So I decided to share his magic with all of you today,
Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Micheal would have been 53 years young today. The
strange thing is I did not even realize it was his
Birthday until after I did this post!

Angels Protect You

2011-08-27T22:45:00.003-04:00

Hello, I'm sending out a Prayer tonight for everyone in Irene's path. Especially for my daughter and her family who live in the Buzzard Bay area!
Take Care,
Janet :)

I said a Prayer straight
from the heart,
God knew I was sincere...
As I prayed for us,
The Angels gathered near

I asked God for
protection throughout
the storm, this day and
night
I told him Angels were
needed by our side

Mental Health Monday

2011-08-22T15:02:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone, Yes, unfortunately it's good ol' Monday again!! I thought for Mental Health purposes, I would share a couple of clips from the the new season of Curb your Enthusiasm. I think Larry Davids perception on life is so funny. Having a laugh for yourself can only help get your week off to a good start! Right? Right!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Ethnicity or Great Sex?

Chat And Cut!

Ep. 77: Clip - Larry on… Bisexuals

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Bloggers Unite: World Suicide Prevention Day

2011-08-19T23:50:00.001-04:00

Hello, This cause is very important to me. Growing up with a Mother who suffered with a Mental Illness I witnessed her attempt suicide twice. But for the Grace of God she did not succeed. In the years that followed, she recieved better treatment for her illness. She enjoyed her life in a way she never had before. We had many good years together. It was hard enough to lose her 3 years ago from the effects of a double stroke. I can't imagine how much harder it would have been to lose her to suicide. Please share any information on this matter to help spread awareness on the warning signs and prevention. Your blog post may just save a life!
Thank you for visiting,
Janet :)

September 10th, 2011

Objective:
To promote worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.

World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September promotes worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. On average, almost 3000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.

With the sponsoring International Association for Suicide Prevention, WHO and other partners advocate for the prevention of suicidal behaviour, provision of adequate treatment and follow-up care for people who attempted suicide, as well as responsible reporting of suicides in the media.

At the global level, awareness needs to be raised that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death. Governments need to develop policy frameworks for national suicide prevention strategies. At the local level, policy statements and research outcomes need to be translated into prevention programs and activities in communities.

http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/world-suicide-prevention-day-1

Addiction Is A Chronic Brain Disorder

2011-08-16T00:06:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone, I personally find this new definition of Addiction a welcomed one. Now if Society will accept it, remains to be seen. I feel addicts are treated with less sympathy or empathy because of the common beliefs of others that "You can just stop","You should be able to control that behavior". Even worse, addicts are just labeled "Crazy"! It makes sense, when you think about it from the Heart Disease point of view as they talk about in the article below. You may know something is wrong with your heart by noticing the physical symptoms you have heard about. But most people don't do something about it until they truly have to. Same with an addict, the only difference is the signs of addiction, more often than not, show up through behavioral issues, not physical issues, so treatment for addictions are usually put off longer, just expecting the person to change on their own. So I'm curious, do you agree or disagree with the new definition?
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Addiction is a chronic brain disorder and not simply a behavior problem involving alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex, experts contend in a new definition of addiction, one that is not solely related to problematic substance abuse.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) just released this new definition of addiction after a four-year process involving more than 80 experts.

"At its core, addiction isn't just a social problem or a moral problem or a criminal problem. It's a brain problem whose behaviors manifest in all these other areas," said Dr. Michael Miller, past president of ASAM who oversaw the development of the new definition. "Many behaviors driven by addiction are real problems and sometimes criminal acts. But the disease is about brains, not drugs. It's about underlying neurology, not outward actions."

The new definition also describes addiction as a primary disease, meaning that it's not the result of other causes, such as emotional or psychiatric problems. And like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, addiction is recognized as a chronic disease; so it must be treated, managed and monitored over a person's lifetime, the researchers say.

Two decades of advancements in neuroscience convinced ASAM officials that addiction should be redefined by what's going on in the brain. For instance, research has shown that addiction affects the brain's reward circuitry, such that memories of previous experiences with food, sex, alcohol and other drugs trigger cravings and more addictive behaviors. Brain circuitry that governs impulse control and judgment is also altered in the brains of addicts, resulting in the nonsensical pursuit of "rewards," such as alcohol and other drugs.

A long-standing debate has roiled over whether addicts have a choice over their behaviors, said Dr. Raju Hajela, former president of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and chair of the ASAM committee on addiction's new definition.

"The disease creates distortions in thinking, feelings and perceptions, which drive people to behave in ways that are not understandable to others around them," Hajela said in a statement. "Simply put, addiction is not a choice. Addictive behaviors are a manifestation of the disease, not a cause."

Even so, Hajela pointed out, choice does play a role in getting help.

"Because there is no pill which alone can cure addiction, choosing recovery over unhealthy behaviors is necessary," Hajela said.

This "choosing recovery" is akin to people with heart disease who may not choose the underlying genetic causes of their heart problems but do need to choose to eat healthier or begin exercising, in addition to medical or surgical interventions, the researchers said.

"So, we have to stop moralizing, blaming, controlling or smirking at the person with the disease of addiction, and start creating opportunities for individuals and families to get help and providing assistance in choosing proper treatment," Miller said.

For more great articles visit:
http://www.livescience.com/health/

Be Thankful

2011-08-11T23:38:00.002-04:00

Hello, A Poem that helps remind us to keep our lives in the best perspective possible. I like that, and don't we all need to be reminded from time to time! I know I do.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn

Be thankful for the difficult times
During those times you grow

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference

It is easy to be thankful for the good things
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings

Author Unknown

Happy Shiny People

2011-08-08T00:00:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy Music Monday! I love this song and video. I hope your day is filled with Happy Shiny People!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Life On The Other Side

2011-08-05T23:54:00.005-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. I love to hear the stories of "Life On The Other Side". Being raised Catholic I was taught to believe in Heaven and God and all that entailed, but in a conditional way. Now that I've grown I still believe in all I was taught, but without the fear that was instilled in me if I did not follow all of God's rules. The fear that I could wind up in Hell. When I heard the stories on this special, especially from the women featured in this video, I felt such a sense of peace. I am pretty sure if you watch this program, you will too.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

http://abc.go.com/watch/primetime-nightline-beyond-belief/SH55131205/VD55138047/the-other-side?rfr=google

Courage And Wisdom

2011-08-02T16:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, So true are these words written by Edgar.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Actually, we have no problems -
we have opportunities for which we should give thanks…
An error we refuse to correct has many lives.
It takes Courage to face one's own shortcomings,
and Wisdom to do something about them.

~ Edgar Cayce ~

Forget It Pill

2011-07-29T22:34:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. The other night on my local news they had a story on this Drug Metyrapone that blocks bad memories. I think it is a good break through for people who suffer severe PTSD, like veterans, but I'm also concerned that if it was marketed again, it may be abused to just forget bad memories instead of working through them. I could not get the code to share the video of the story below, so I found some videos that 60 minutes did on this topic a while ago. Watch the videos if you are curious about this forget it pill and decide for yourself, would you want it or not?
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

From the Boston Channel: Rachel Caesar, a career soldier and mother of two teenage boys, spent nine months in Afghanistan serving her country. When she came home, her experiences still haunted her.

“I was at the hospital one day and I saw a child about my kids' age who was burnt from a land mine. And I kept having dreams about that," said Caesar. “I could only sleep during the day because at nighttime I was having nightmares," said Caesar.

Eventually, Rachel was diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which one in five returning veterans deal with once back at home.

New research out of Canada, however, may hold the key to preventing PTSD before it even begins. Relief could come in the form of a pill that blocks a patient's ability to recall bad memories.

“The goal is really to reduce bad memories that prevent people from living normally,” said Marie-France Marin, the lead author of the study and a doctoral student at the Centre for Studies on Human Stress of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital in Quebec, Canada.

When in a stressful environment, such as a war zone, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Too much or too little cortisol affects memory function too.

In one study, Canadian researchers gave a group of men the drug metyrapone, known to lower cortisol levels, after showing the men both neutral and negative images.

“What we notice is that people who recalled the story under two doses of metyrapone have lower memory for emotional segments of the story, but the neutral memories are not affected,” said Marin.

The negative memories were gone, even days later when the drug was out of their systems. The neutral memories remained unaffected. To Caesar and other veterans, the research means hope.

“I would love to forget how I was treated, a lot of things that went on,” said Caesar.

One major hurdle to the research, however, is that metyrapone is no longer commercially produced. Even so, researchers said the study's success may motivate pharmaceutical companies to re-invest in the drug.

Above story in video is at this link
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/28685474/detail.html

Know Peace

2011-07-26T00:02:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Some words of inspiration for you today. I hope you have a great day!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Intervention

2011-07-21T13:45:00.005-04:00

Hello, In my series on Addiction, I have shared information on how to identify what an Addiction is to Co-Dependance. The next step is Intervention, "if and when" a person, and or family, realize the addiction has become unmanageable. The signs of it being unmanageable range from the physical damage to their bodies, to the mental damage that is caused by life altering experiences. I listed some steps to help with an intervention, just as a rough idea of what it should entail. As suggested below, it is best to talk with a counselor or a trained professional first. At first the person will probably be extremely angry and still in denial, but in the long run, you may have just saved their life. And some day, when they are feeling the Grace that comes with recovery, you'll hear the words "Thank You".
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

1
Plan for a direct intervention at the meeting with family members, friends, and anyone else who is concerned about the individual and can attest to the way that his actions have negatively affected his or her own life, and that of others. It is best to involve 3-6 people, and no children.

Communicate openly with one another and take notes of what the loved one is doing that is harmful to himself and others. Gather the facts about the person you are dealing with. Make confidentiality a clear rule for this meeting for all partakers in the meeting and for the offender's mutual protection.

Plan what each person will say and the sequence of events for the intervention. Ensure there is no contradiction or repetition. Repeating the same negative experiences and statements will only cause more stress and resistance.

Predict ways in which you think the offender will respond, and anticipate ways you can address any anticipated denials.

2
Meet with a professional, such as a therapist or counselor, prior to the intervention. Guidance can be helpful when preparing for the intervention. The last thing you want to to is make the offender feel victimized, abused or belittled.

3
Rehearse the intervention with the professional to enable you to receive an objective opinion on the expected responses from your loved one, how to stay calm and steadfast both during and after the intervention and how to react to these responses.

4
Create and discuss a list of actions and behavioural patterns by the loved one that will no longer be tolerated. Next to each activity, write what your action will be if he/she does continue these behaviors.

5
Present a list of probable and already experienced losses. Present to the addict every possible loss which the family can recount. This can include jobs, possessions, or relationships.

6
Highlight Consequences and Ultimatums. Prepare a list of consequences to actions and explain any required ultimatums to the loved one. Most important here is the willingness to follow through on consequences you have agreed to implement as a family to aid the loved one. Do not state consequences that you are not willing to enforce!

7
Follow-through with the consequences or else the plans will turn into empty threats. Refusing to loan money can be a simple consequence, or one can be as painful as threatening to leave a spouse, and to take the children from the home. Make appropriate preparations, just in case. For example, if his wife tells him that she will be leaving him unless he agrees to treatment, have clothes packed and a place to stay.

8
Make arrangements for treatment. Make plans and organize any necessary treatments that should immediately follow the intervention. The professional that you meet with should be able to recommend appropriate treatment given the nature and severity of the problem at hand. Choose the facility and make prior arrangements, considering all elements including location, quality of treatment , good fit for the offender and financial implications of the treatment.

9
Arrange for seating, so that each person has a place to sit. This should all be in place before you begin, as you don't want people moving around once the intervention commences.

10
Confront the individual with everyone present in a private room. Ensure the safety and security of the environment beforehand ie. no disruptions etc. Do all you can to begin with your loved one in a calm state, and if the issue is drug addiction or alcoholism, he should be sober. Gently explain to him that you are all there because you are concerned for his well-being.

Vogue!

2011-07-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, Here is a fun classic song to help perk you up this Monday Morning. I hope you all have a great week :)
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Sacred Instructions To Live By

2011-07-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I find the teachings and prayers of the Native Americans to be some of the most Beautiful and truly Spiritual reads I have ever come across. If all of us were to live by these simple, sacred instructions, imagine what a better world it would be :)
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

"Native American Ten Commandments"
Sacred Instructions Given By The Creator To
the Native People At The Time Of Creation

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect
Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
Do what you know to be right
Look after the well being of mind and body
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
Be truthful and honest at all times
Take full responsibility for your actions

Grace Under Fire

2011-07-09T11:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Yesterday the world lost a great women who demonstrated to all of us how to have "Grace Under Fire". Although her legacy included advocating for many causes. I will always be grateful to her for her advocacy for recovery. By having the courage to speak out about her story, she helped pave the way for women like me and so many others who suffered with addiction to Alcohol and drugs. She gave us all back our Grace and Dignity! Thank you Betty, Thank you.
Have a Great Saturday,
Janet :)

Betty Ford proved to be a very atypical First Lady. She wore a mood ring and spoke openly about very controversial issues such as premarital sex, experimentation with drugs and alcohol, the Equal Rights Amendment and feminism, and gun control. She openly supported a woman's right to choose, and raised awareness about breast cancer when she had a mastectomy in 1974.

When the Fords retired to Rancho Mirage, a golf community. Gerald Ford spent much of his time away, giving speeches and playing in golf tournaments. Home alone, deprived of her exciting and purposeful life in the White House, Mrs. Ford drank.

By 1978 her secret was obvious to those closest to her. "As I got sicker," she recalled, "I gradually stopped going to lunch. I wouldn't see friends. I was putting everyone out of my life." Her children recalled her living in a stupor, shuffling around in her bathrobe, refusing meals in favor of a drink.

Her family finally confronted her and insisted she seek treatment. "I was stunned at what they were trying to tell me about how I disappointed them and let them down," she said in a 1994 Associated Press interview. "I was terribly hurt – after I had spent all those years trying to be the best mother, wife I could be. ... Luckily, I was able to hear them saying that I needed help and they cared too much about me to let it go on."

She credited their "intervention" with saving her life.

Mrs. Ford entered Long Beach Naval Hospital and, alongside alcoholic young sailors and officers, underwent a grim detoxification that became the model for therapy at the Betty Ford Center. In her book "A Glad Awakening," she described her recovery as a second chance at life. And in that second chance, she found a new purpose.

"There is joy in recovery," she wrote, "and in helping others discover that joy."

In her elder years Betty continued to lobby for the issues she cared about, which included the ERA, the feminist movement. In 1991, President George H. R. Bush presented Ford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she also received a Congressional Gold Medal in 1998. In 2003, Betty Ford received the Woodrow Wilson Award for public service

Sociopathic Mother

2011-07-06T13:10:00.001-04:00

Hello, I truly do not like to be anyone's Judge or Jury, but when it comes to a Murder of an innocent little child like Caylee, I can't help but have judgments. This girl was Murdered IMO, I mean really, think about it, who throws a child away like trash, in the case of an accident?? It is just common sense! Common sense that was lost on this jury. Circumstantial evidence is evidence. Casey Anthony demonstrated most of these Sociopathic traits listed below throughout the past 3 years. I couldn't believe she didn't even mouth Thank You to the Jury, at least OJ did that! I think she was even surprised she got off by the look on her face, another sure sign of guilt, like I said IMO! And even if I am wrong, and all the others that think she is guilty, and it comes out to be an accident, what Mother would still be able to go out and Party and carry on by getting a Bella Vita tattoo, like nothing happened to her child?? The answer to that is a Sociopathic Mother! No doubt about it in my mind. Soon this will all be forgotten and life will go on without any Justice for Caylee, sad, truly sad.
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Dr. Hare's Checklist (Sociopathic Traits)

1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Sociopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A sociopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Sociopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Sociopaths often have low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.

5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and un empathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.

20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes

Happy 4th Of July

2011-07-04T00:08:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy 4th of July! I am so grateful for my freedom even more so this year. Last year I was in a rehab going through a terrible time and in a lot of pain. A place I will never be again. Have gratitude for your freedom today no matter what your life circumstances are, and remember those who have fought so hard for all us to have it!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

This Independence Day, Remember: "The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them, they fight because they love what's behind them"

Blessing

2011-06-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well today. This is my favorite blessing. I wish it for all of you, each and every day of your life!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Stand Up Again!

2011-06-27T13:20:00.001-04:00

Hello, Happy Music Monday! Here is the first track from Lenny Kravitz new album Black And White America, due to be released in August. It is a great up beat song, in my opinion, of how we have to keep getting up when life knocks us down. Enjoy and have a great day!

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes!

2011-06-21T12:47:00.000-04:00

Hello, I got these Dear God letters from children in an email. I thought they were so funny and cute. I had to share them with you, it's so true when they say out of the mouths of babes!
Have a great day,
Janet :)

Sunday Funnies

2011-06-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy Fathers Day to all of you Dad's out there. I thought I would share some funny perspectives on this day :) Have a great day!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Remember This

2011-06-15T16:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well, when you feel less then because others have put you down, either to your face or behind your back, remember this!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Source: None via Dorothy on Pinterest

Co-Dependency

2011-06-09T23:15:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. This is a very prevalent issue in addiction. It is the big Elephant in the room for dysfunctional relationships. I have been a co depenant myself. It was in my twenties that I learned this about myself. I did a six week Adult Children of Alcoholics group and it helped give me the tools to change my behavior. I highly recommend Al Anon and Adult Children meetings if you find yourself to be one too. I will follow up with more information on how to heal yourself from this dysfunction. Once you change, you will be on your way to having healthy relationships in your life. One of the most important issues, I personally feel, is to break the cycle, be it for your children, or just simply for yourself.
Thank you for visiting,
Janet :)

Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another. It is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive. The disorder was first identified about ten years ago as the result of years of studying interpersonal relationships in families of alcoholics. Co-dependent behavior is learned by watching and imitating other family members who display this type of behavior.

Who Does Co-dependency Affect?

Co-dependency often affects a spouse, a parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker of a person afflicted with alcohol or drug dependence. Originally, co-dependent was a term used to describe partners in chemical dependency, persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person. Similar patterns have been seen in people in relationships with chronically or mentally ill individuals. Today, however, the term has broadened to describe any co-dependent person from any dysfunctional family.

What is a Dysfunctional Family and How Does it Lead to Co-dependency?

A dysfunctional family is one in which members suffer from fear, anger, pain, or shame that is ignored or denied. Underlying problems may include any of the following:

* An addiction by a family member to drugs, alcohol, relationships, work, food, sex, or gambling.
* The existence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
* The presence of a family member suffering from a chronic mental or physical illness.

Dysfunctional families do not acknowledge that problems exist. They don’t talk about them or confront them. As a result, family members learn to repress emotions and disregard their own needs. They become “survivors.” They develop behaviors that help them deny, ignore, or avoid difficult emotions. They detach themselves. They don’t talk. They don’t touch. They don’t confront. They don’t feel. They don’t trust. The identity and emotional development of the members of a dysfunctional family are often inhibited

Attention and energy focus on the family member who is ill or addicted. The co-dependent person typically sacrifices his or her needs to take care of a person who is sick. When co-dependents place other people’s health, welfare and safety before their own, they can lose contact with their own needs, desires, and sense of self.

How Do Co-dependent People Behave?

Co-dependents have low self-esteem and look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better. They find it hard to “be themselves.” Some try to feel better through alcohol, drugs or nicotine - and become addicted. Others may develop compulsive behaviors like workaholism, gambling, or indiscriminate sexual activity.

They have good intentions. They try to take care of a person who is experiencing difficulty, but the caretaking becomes compulsive and defeating. Co-dependents often take on a martyr’s role and become “benefactors” to an individual in need. A wife may cover for her alcoholic husband; a mother may make excuses for a truant child; or a father may “pull some strings” to keep his child from suffering the consequences of delinquent behavior.

The problem is that these repeated rescue attempts allow the needy individual to continue on a destructive course and to become even more dependent on the unhealthy caretaking of the “benefactor.” As this reliance increases, the co-dependent develops a sense of reward and satisfaction from “being needed.” When the caretaking becomes compulsive, the co-dependent feels choiceless and helpless in the relationship, but is unable to break away from the cycle of behavior that causes it. Co-dependents view themselves as victims and are attracted to that same weakness in the love and friendship relationships.

Characteristics of Co-dependent People Are:

* An exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions of others
* A tendency to confuse love and pity, with the tendency to “love” people they can pity and rescue
* A tendency to do more than their share, all of the time
* A tendency to become hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts
* An unhealthy dependence on relationships. The co-dependent will do anything to hold on to a relationship; to avoid the feeling of abandonment
* An extreme need for approval and recognition
* A sense of guilt when asserting themselves
* A compelling need to control others
* Lack of trust in self and/or others
* Fear of being abandoned or alone
* Difficulty identifying feelings
* Rigidity/difficulty adjusting to change
* Problems with intimacy/boundaries
* Chronic anger
* Lying/dishonesty
* Poor communications
* Difficulty making decisions

Questionnaire To Identify Signs Of Co-dependency

This condition appears to run in different degrees, whereby the intensity of symptoms are on a spectrum of severity, as opposed to an all or nothing scale. Please note that only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis of co-dependency; not everyone experiencing these symptoms suffers from co-dependency.

1. Do you keep quiet to avoid arguments?
2. Are you always worried about others’ opinions of you?
3. Have you ever lived with someone with an alcohol or drug problem?
4. Have you ever lived with someone who hits or belittles you?
5. Are the opinions of others more important than your own?
6. Do you have difficulty adjusting to changes at work or home?
7. Do you feel rejected when significant others spend time with friends?
8. Do you doubt your ability to be who you want to be?
9. Are you uncomfortable expressing your true feelings to others?
10. Have you ever felt inadequate?
11. Do you feel like a “bad person” when you make a mistake?
12. Do you have difficulty taking compliments or gifts?
13. Do you feel humiliation when your child or spouse makes a mistake?
14. Do you think people in your life would go downhill without your constant efforts?
15. Do you frequently wish someone could help you get things done?
16. Do you have difficulty talking to people in authority, such as the police or your boss?
17. Are you confused about who you are or where you are going with your life?
18. Do you have trouble saying “no” when asked for help?
19. Do you have trouble asking for help?
20. Do you have so many things going at once that you can’t do justice to any of them?

If you identify with several of these symptoms; are dissatisfied with yourself or your relationships; you should consider seeking professional help. Arrange for a diagnostic evaluation with a licensed physician or psychologist experienced in treating co-dependency.

http://www.nmha.org/go/codependency

Burn Baby Burn!

2011-06-08T17:09:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well today. Here is a fun song and video to help you get through your hump day. Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting,
Janet :)

Believe

2011-06-05T00:00:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well, I am doing good. I wanted to share some words of inspiration with you today.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Janet :)

Managing Stress

2011-05-31T23:41:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. Stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Especially in these tough economic times. I personally feel the stress and depression of being unemployed each day. And now that work is getting slow for my husband, I feel it twice as much. I decided to read some articles on stress at the American Psychological Association's website. I thought I would share this article with any of you who may be going through what I am or having a tough time in this economy.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Janet :)

Managing your stress in tough economic times

Money is on the minds of most Americans. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2010 Stress in America survey, over three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) cite money as a significant cause of stress. And while the economy appears to be becoming healthier, personal financial problems still worry many Americans. But, like most of our everyday stress, this extra tension can be managed. There are healthy strategies available for managing stress during any difficult financial time for you and your family. The American Psychological Association offers these tips to help deal with your stress about money and the economy:

Pause but don’t panic.
There are many negative stories in newspapers and on television about the state of the economy. Pay attention to what’s happening around you, but refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision making. Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Remain calm and stay focused.

Identify your financial stressors and make a plan.
Take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes you stress. Write down specific ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. Then commit to a specific plan and review it regularly. Although this can be anxiety-provoking in the short term, putting things down on paper and committing to a plan can reduce stress. If you are having trouble paying bills or staying on top of debt, reach out for help by calling your bank, utilities or credit card company.

Recognize how you deal with stress related to money.
In tough economic times some people are more likely to relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. The strain can also lead to more conflict and arguments between partners. Be alert to these behaviors—if they are causing you trouble, consider seeking help from a psychologist or community mental health clinic before the problem gets worse.

Turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change.
Times like this, while difficult, can offer opportunities to take stock of your current situation and make needed changes. Think of ways that these economic challenges can motivate you to find healthier ways to deal with stress. Try taking a walk—it’s an inexpensive way to get good exercise. Having dinner at home with your family may not only save you money, but help bring you closer together. Consider learning a new skill. Take a course through your employer or look into low-cost resources in your community that can lead to a better job. The key is to use this time to think outside the box and try new ways of managing your life.

Ask for professional support.
Credit counseling services and financial planners are available to help you take control over your money situation. If you continue to be overwhelmed by the stress, you may want to talk with a psychologist who can help you address the emotions behind your financial worries, manage stress, and change unhealthy behaviors.

This tip sheet was made possible with help from APA member Nancy Molitor, PhD.

We Are The Champions

2011-05-28T00:12:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your having a great weekend. I'll be enjoying lots of time with my honey and my family :) I'm just lovin this weather! This video has been going around on facebook, I'm sure you will see a few familiar faces from your shopping days at Walmart LOL!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Janet :)

For the Boston Bruins, Way to Go!

Enabling, When Helping is Actually Hurting

2011-05-23T11:11:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed if you are living with someone who is in the depths of an addiction. Letting go is the hardest thing to do, but it is also the best thing you can do for the addict.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Janet :)

Enabling – When Helping is Actually Hurting

It is difficult to be in a relationship with an addict and not get sucked into enabling behavior. When somebody you love is suffering with an illness or a disease you naturally want to help. As a result, loved ones often step in to save the addict from the devastating consequences of their actions.

Family members believe that they are doing the right things when they help to save the addict’s job, help him or her to stay out of jail, help to pay their overdue bills, or save them from whatever horrific thing is getting ready to happen. Unfortunately, this is not helping. Instead, it is making it easier for the addict to continue drinking or using drugs, because the consequences aren’t bad enough to convince him or her to stop.

So how do you make a change if you’ve been in the habit of enabling your loved one? It is difficult to make a complete turn around overnight. Change takes time. The first step is understanding which behaviors are actually enabling, and then work on turning those behaviors around.

Following are some examples of actions that fall under the category of enabling:

You take on the addict’s responsibilities because they can’t seem to do them on their own. For example; you pay their overdue bills, clean their house, fill their car with gas, or buy them groceries.
You tell lies for the addict, such as ‘calling in sick’ for them, when they are actually too hung over to work.
You make excuses for the addict’s behavior. Perhaps they act out in public, and you make the excuse that the addict has been working a lot of hours, so their behavior is due to stress.
You bail the addict out of jail.
You finish a project that the addict failed to complete.
You clean up after the addict. Perhaps they throw a tantrum, throwing things around and breaking them, and you clean it up.
You threaten to leave the addict, or kick the addict out if he or she uses again, but fail to follow through on your threats.

Are any of these behaviors familiar to you? Enabling behavior comes from the desire to help your loved one. Nobody wants to watch a person they love fall apart. When it comes to addiction, however, the more you protect the addict from the consequences of his or her actions, the stronger the addiction will become.

It is a difficult thing to let go and allow your loved one to face the consequences of their actions, especially since it can affect your well-being as much as theirs. You don’t want your life to become more stressful. You don’t want your spouse to lose his or her job. You don’t want to admit to family and friends how bad things have gotten. So you do everything in your power to keep the outside world from finding out.

Here is the tough reality: things need to start crumbling around your loved one in order for him or her to realize their need for help. As long as they are not forced to face the consequences or their actions, they will never see the need for help.

Stopping enabling behavior does not mean you stop caring. You can show compassion for the addict without their problems becoming yours. You can listen with a loving ear without taking on their responsibilities. You can offer guidance without belittling.

It is important to have a strong support system as you make these changes. One of the best forms of support available, for those involved with an addict, is Al-Anon. Through family support groups such as Al-Anon, you will find the guidance needed to make healthy changes in your family dynamic.

While common themes play out in most addictive households, every situation is unique. It is important to consult a qualified health-care professional for evaluation and advice. Addiction is a complicated disease, but when family members learn to take on new healthy behaviors, they really can make a difference in the recovery of their loved ones.

by Lisa Espich
http://soaringabovecodependency.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/enabling-when-helping-is-actually-hurting/

Myths & Facts About Mental Health

2011-05-18T11:00:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well today. I am happy to be participating in this years Mental Health Blog Party! Please join in if you can to help raise awareness. We need to end the Stigma that so many people today still suffer from. There is no need for anyone with a Mental Illness in this day and age to feel ashamed. With new treatments and science, Mental Illness is a treatable disease like most physical diseases. I have personally witnessed a remarkable recovery with my own Mother, through the care of good Doctors and a supportive family. I hope this article helps anyone one out there that still has questions or concerns about the most common Myths that still exist today.
Thank you for visiting my blog,
Janet :)

Often people are afraid to talk about mental health because there are many misconceptions about mental illnesses. It's important to learn the facts to stop discrimination and to begin treating people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity.

Here are some common myths and facts about mental health.

Myth: There's no hope for people with mental illnesses.
Fact: There are more treatments, strategies, and community supports than ever before, and even more are on the horizon. People with mental illnesses lead active, productive lives.

Myth: I can't do anything for someone with mental health needs.
Fact: You can do a lot, starting with the way you act and how you speak. You can nurture an environment that builds on people's strengths and promotes good mental health. For example:

Avoid labeling people with words like "crazy," "wacko," "loony," or by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is a "schizophrenic" say "a person with schizophrenia." Learn the facts about mental health and share them with others, especially if you hear something that is untrue. Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, as you would anybody else. Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don't discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education. Like other people with disabilities, people with mental health needs are protected under Federal and State laws.

Myth: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: In reality, the vast majority of people who have mental health needs are no more violent than anyone else. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don't even realize it.

Myth: Mental illnesses cannot affect me.
Fact: Mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America. Mental illnesses do not discriminate-they can affect anyone.

Myth: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.
Fact: The two are distinct disorders. A mental retardation diagnosis is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses-health conditions that cause changes in a person's thinking, mood, and behavior-have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

Myth: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character.
Fact: Mental illnesses are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Research has shown genetic and biological factors are associated with schizophrenia, depression, and alcoholism. Social influences, such as loss of a loved one or a job, can also contribute to the development of various disorders.

Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who have received effective treatment and have recovered, tend to be second-rate workers on the job.
Fact: Employers who have hired people with mental illnesses report good attendance and punctuality, as well as motivation, quality of work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) show that there are no differences in productivity when people with mental illnesses are compared to other employees.

Myth: Once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover.
Fact: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown that having hope plays an integral role in an individual's recovery.

Myth: Therapy and self-help are wastes of time. Why bother when you can just take one of those pills you hear about on TV?
Fact: Treatment varies depending on the individual. A lot of people work with therapists, counselors, their peers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers in their recovery process. They also use self-help strategies and community supports. Often these methods are combined with some of the most advanced medications available.

Myth: Children do not experience mental illnesses. Their actions are just products of bad parenting.
Fact: A report from the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health showed that in any given year 5-9 percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances. Just like adult mental illnesses, these are clinically diagnosable health conditions that are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, social, and sometimes even genetic factors.

resource: http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/publications/myths_facts.aspx

Thinking About You

2011-05-16T12:57:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy Music Monday! This classic song from the 80's popped in my head the other day :) I love when that happens :) Enjoy,
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Coming Around Again

2011-05-12T09:10:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Today I'll be listening to this inspirational song as go about my day and smiling all the while. I thought I would spread the inspiration on to you as well :) Remember whatever you may be going through, or have gone through, everyday we have another chance to be coming around again! Have a great day,
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

I been sitting in the darkness
But the sunlight’s creeping in
Now the ice is slowly melting
In my soul and in my skin
All the good times my friend
Are coming around again
Oh yeah

I been thinking reminiscing
Of better nights and better days
Hiding in a refuge
Of memories I've made
I got a feeling within
It’s coming around again

It's coming around again
We been so long waiting
For the all time high
We got a damn good reason
To put your troubles aside
And all your winter sorrows
hang ‘em out to dry
Throw it away
Gotta throw it away
All the colorful days my friend
Are coming around again

That’s right
Yeah yeah Mmm

I got someone waiting for me
It's been so long since we met
And I may not be your salvation
but I’ll offer nonetheless
And if like me u wanna take
that chance, It's coming around
again, Ooh yeah!

Yeah yeah Mmm

I can feel a change of fortune
No more riding on my love
Feel the weight is off my shoulders
As my feet become unstuck
And all the good times on which
we do depend, Oh it’s coming around again

The Beaver

2011-05-10T00:00:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing well. I was a little sad, but also not surprised to see this movie did not do well at the box office over the weekend. People just don't like different, or watching what is obvious a mentally ill man, I don't think it is just the Gibson issue. With the movie A Beautiful Mind it was not so "out there" for everyone to notice. I Still plan on seeing it sometime and I hope if some of you read this review by Rolling Stone do too. I am grateful and inspired though, that Jodie Foster was brave and courageous enough to do a movie that shows society the struggles that so many families living with someone with a Mental Illness go through, because I lived it myself growing up. This is some of what she had to say in her interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "It is a story of a families struggle with depression. “This is not a mainstream movie,” she says. “It does have mainstream actors, but that’s not this film. I don’t need to make those kinds of movies because my career as a director is a personal spiritual path. I don’t need to succeed in that way in order to have an identity. I already have one.”
Thank you for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Rolling Stone
By Peter Travers
May 5, 2011

The internet darts being hurled at The Beaver are many and unvaried, all focused on the question of who in hell wants to see a Mel Gibson movie in which the star, vilified as "Hollywood's most vocal Jew-hater" and despised racist, homophobic, misogynistic, abusive, alcoholic, trigger-tempered paranoiac, pours out his heart to a beaver hand puppet?

The answer is: You do. If you can get past your feelings for the troubled Gibson, you get to watch a high-wire performance of the highest caliber. It's your call. My call is that The Beaver, directed by Jodie Foster from a script by fearless first-timer Kyle Killen, is operating on a plane far above multiplex formula. This flawed but heartfelt movie has the power to sneak up and floor you. Foster, Gibson's pal since they co-starred in 1994's Maverick, directs with blunt honesty and disarming grace. Her subject, as in the two other films she's directed — 1991's Little Man Tate and 1995's Home for the Holidays — is the pain and dark humor of family dysfunction.

Foster also brings her uncanny acting instincts to the role of Meredith, a wife and mother of two whose world is coming apart. She blames her husband, Walter Black (Gibson), the CEO of a toy company who has watched depression rot his career and his marriage. Walter can't get off the couch, except to reach for another drink. His teen son, Porter (the outstanding Anton Yelchin), loathes Walter, keeping Post-its to help him erase any resemblance to father. Younger son Henry (the gifted Riley Thomas Stewart) still adores Walter but can't sleep. No wonder Meredith throws the bum out.

In a hotel room, Walter tries to off himself by leaping from a balcony. Instead, he accidentally collapses into bed with a beaver puppet he picked up in a liquor-store dumpster. "Wake up," says the Beaver now attached to Walter's hand. Yup, the puppet talks. And in a Cockney croak that Gibson cleverly develops to sound like Michael Caine on a contact high. Walter moves his lips, but it's the Beaver giving orders to Walter on how to live his life.

This is the moment that separates the true movie lover from the popcorn eater in it for a quickie. In a style more European than American, Foster shows no fear of abstraction. The Beaver is Walter's id run amok. At first, Meredith believes Walter's lie that the Beaver is a "prescription puppet." The therapy results in a bout of wild sex that may be the kinkiest three-way ever. Yo, Beaver. Henry is just happy to have his dad back. Porter, understandably, is creeped out. Not just by Walter, but by himself. Porter's dream girl, Norah (Jennifer Lawrence, an Oscar nominee for Winter's Bone, again proves her shining skill), reminds him that his lucrative business in writing personal essays for students has removed him from his own emotional life. Foster uses her experience as a child actor to bring out the nuanced best in these young performers, who are touching without ever slipping into sappy.

Jennifer Lawrence Enters Oscar Country

Still, it's the hell Walter has made for himself that keeps pulling you in. An anniversary dinner with Meredith, in which she demands he dump the Beaver at home, leaves him a shaking wreck. He resents her gift of a memory box filled with photos of their past, claiming it's depression he suffers from, not amnesia. All of which leads Walter to potentially tragic alternatives.

It may not be possible to totally disengage Walter's crisis from Gibson's own. If you haven't seen the darkness gnawing at Gibson in the films he's directed, from Braveheart to The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto, then you haven't been paying attention. Foster has. For all its tonal shifts, The Beaver is a potent provocation about the bruises inflicted from just being human. Foster's film and Gibson's grieving performance bring that point forcefully and feelingly home.

Mother's Day

2011-05-06T12:47:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy Friday! Here is a little Mother's day humor for you :) May all of you Mom's out there have a great, well-earned, day!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Have a great weekend,
Janet :)

Mental Health Blog Party

2011-05-01T13:54:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your doing well. May is Mental Health Month! I think this idea of a blog party day is a great way to spread awareness and help end the Stigma, so please join in and help make a difference:) If there is anything I have learned in the past year, while attending groups and with blogging the past couple of years, is that you might not think that what you have to say or share will make any difference, it's not that important, but it just may be what someone needed read that day, and your story and information you share can truly help heal, comfort, and even empower others! Don't underestimate yourself! When the badge becomes available I will post it on both of my blogs. Some of the links you can just copy and paste, I did not have time to do them all. I look forward to reading all of your posts if you join in.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Have a great day,
Janet :)

Mental Health Month Blog Party – May 18th

Mental health affects everyone and everything we do. Yet, mental health is a topic many don’t feel comfortable discussing. Join us on May 18, 2011, to spread the importance of good mental health and reduce its stigma.

May is Mental Health Month, and on May 18 bloggers will come together for a Mental Health Month Blog Party to educate the public about mental health, decrease stigma about mental illness, and discuss strategies for making lasting lifestyle and behavior changes that promote overall health and wellness.

You can see some of the great blogs that contributed to the event last year at our 2010 Mental Health Month Blog Day Round Up post.

Event Background
Mental health: it’s the way your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect your life. Having good mental health helps you make better decisions and deal with daily stressors at home, at work, and in your family. Sometimes, you may need help from a professional to take care of your mental health, especially if feelings or problems seem beyond your control.

Congress designated May as Mental Health Month in 1949 to illustrate the importance of mental health issues to the overall health and well-being of American citizens.

How can you help people recognize the importance of good mental health, overcome stigma, and seek out professional mental health services when needed?

* Join us on May 18 and publish a post on your blog about mental health’s importance, how we can diminish stigma, or the challenges of making lifestyle and behavior changes. Tell your story. Share your experience. Mental health affects everything we do. No matter what you regularly blog about, there’s a way to incorporate mental health.
* We’ll update this blog throughout the day with highlights of what people are writing about and sharing.
* Share stories, tips, and personal experiences about mental health to reinforce the shared challenges we face when it comes to managing our overall health and wellness.
* Post a video on YouTube, talking about why mental health matters to you. Or maybe you’d like to upload photos to Flickr. Let us know what you’ve done, so we can share it with others.
* Get resources about mental health, mind/body health, and family well-being at:
www.apa.org/helpcenter
www.youtube.com/apahelpcenter
http://www.ymca.net/healthy-family-home/
http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/index.html
http://www.realwarriors.net/
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may
* Follow @apahelpcenter on Twitter for updates about the blog party and mind/body health. If you want us to easily find your blog or tweet, use the hashtag #mhblogday
* Post an “I’m Blogging for Mental Health” badge on your blog and help proudly spread the word about the importance of mental health. (We’ll be providing this year’s badge in the next few days.)
* Be a fan of the American Psychological Association on Facebook and join in on our series of Facebook chats throughout the month of May.

Greatness Comes

2011-04-28T15:39:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing good. I'm lucky enough to have some people in my life today that inspire me when I least expect it, and when I need it the most! So I believe in "paying it forward" as they say, and hopefully I inspire some of you today with these quotes :)
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

F*#k You!

2011-04-25T14:14:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing good this Monday. I came across this sign language version of Cee Lo Green's song on Feeling Flirty's Blog, http://www.feelingflirty.com/ and I just loved it! Great job by the girl who performed it. I personally think for mental health reasons, we should all have a day (or more!) to drive around and say or sign "Fuck You" to all of those people who we just can't stand and piss us off to no end LOL! Don't you? I included the official video by Cee Lo too, Happy Music Monday to all of you :)
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Sunday Funnies

2011-04-24T00:14:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, I thought you might get a laugh out of these. Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate the holiday.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Have a great day,
Janet :)

New Medications for Women

St. Mon's Wort
Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to six hours.

E m p t y N e s t r o g e n
Highly effective suppository that eliminates melancholy by enhancing the memory of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out.

P e p t o b i m b o
Liquid silicone for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and improves flirting.

D u m e r o l
When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low I.Q., causing enjoyment of country western music.

F l i p i t o r
Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.

A n t i b o y o t i c s
When administered to teenage girls, is highly effective in improving grades, freeing up phone lines, and reducing money spent on make-up.

M e n i c i l l i n
Potent anti boyotic for older women. Increases resistance to such lines as, "You make me want to be a better person ... can we get naked now?"

B u y a g r a
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency and duration of spending spree.

J a c k A s s p i r i n
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your anniversary or phone number.

A n t i-t a l k s i d e n t
A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers.

And the best:
D a m i t o l
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 hours.

THIQ and Crossing The Line Into Alcoholism

2011-04-20T09:12:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone, I received this information in a group I attend. I thought it was important to share with all of you in my series on addiction. Reading this article helped me understand the effects Alcohol had on me. I'm sure you have all heard terms such as "Wet Brain" in reference to an Alcoholic. Science now tells us it is true. The brain is eventually effected after years of drinking Alcohol. If someone becomes a chronic drinker, such as daily use, chances are they will eventually cross the line into Alcoholism. T.H.I.Q will build up in a person's brain because physically our bodies are not meant to handle all that Alcohol, it is toxic, it is like a poison. The good news is we all can recover from the effects of THIQ when we abstain from alcohol. This is also why you hear many people in recovery talk about not being in a fog anymore, and the crazy part is that you don't even realize you are in a fog, not seeing everything as clearly as you should, until you go into recovery. I hope this information helps you or someone you may be concerned about in the way that it helped me. Most of all I hope this helps you to be more understanding and compassionate towards an Alcoholic.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

T.H.I.Q. --Biochemical Culprit

T.H.I.Q. was discovered in brains of alcoholics in Houston, Texas by a scientist named Virginia Davis who was doing cancer research. For her study she needed fresh human brains and used bodies of homeless winos who had died during the night and were picked up by Houston police in the morning. She discovered in the brains of those chronic alcoholics a substance that is closely related to Heroin. This substance, known to scientists, is called Tetrahydrolsoqulnoline or THIQ. When a person shoots heroin into their body, some of it breaks down and turns into THIQ. The Alcoholics studied had not been using heroin so how did the THIQ get there? When the normal adult drinker takes in alcohol, it is very rapidly eliminated at the rate of about one drink per hour. The body first converts the alcohol into something called Acetaldehyde. This chemical is VERY TOXIC and if it were to build up inside us, we would get VIOLENTLY SICK AND COULD DIE. But Mother Nature helps us to get rid of acetaldehyde very quickly. She efficiently changes it a couple of more times - into carbon dioxide and water - which is eliminated through kidneys and lungs. That's what happens to normal drinkers. It also happens with alcoholic drinkers, but with alcoholic drinkers something additional happens. What Virginia discovered in Huston has been extensively confirmed since. In alcoholic drinkers, a very small amount of poisonous acetaldehyde is not eliminated. Instead it goes to the brain. There through a very complicated biochemical process, it winds up as THIQ.

Research has found the following:
1. THIQ is manufactured in the brain and only occurs in the brain of the alcoholic drinker. It is not manufactured in the brain of the normal social drinker of alcohol.
2. THIQ has been found to be highly addictive. It was tried in experimental use with
animals during the Second World War when we were looking for a painkiller less addicting than morphine. THIQ was a pretty good pain killer but it couldn't be used on humans. It turned out to be much more addicting than morphine.
3. Experiments have shown that certain kinds of rats cannot be made to drink alcohol. Put in a cage with very weak solution of vodka and water, these rats refuse to touch it. They will literally thirst to death before they agree to drink alcohol. However, if you take the same kind of rat and put a minute quantity of THIQ into the rat's brain -- one quick injection -- the animal will immediately develop a preference for alcohol over water.
4. Studies done with monkeys, our close animal relative in medical terms, show the
following:
A. Once the THIQ is injected into a monkey's brain, it stays there.
B. You can keep the monkey dry, off alcohol, for 7 years. Brain studies show that THIQ remains in place in the brain.
The alcoholic's body, like normal drinkers, changes the alcohol into acetaldehyde and then it changes most of it into carbon dioxide and water, which in the end kicks out through the kidneys and lungs. However, the alcoholic's bodies won't kick all these chemicals out. The Alcoholic's brain holds a few bits back and transforms them into THIQ. As THIQ is accumulated in the brain of an alcoholic, at some point, maybe sooner, maybe later, the alcoholic will cross over a shadowy line into a whole new way of living. It is not known by medical science, at this time, where this line is or how much THIQ an individual brain will pile up before one crosses this line. Some predisposed people cross the line while they're teenagers, or earlier. Others cross in their 30's or 40's and others after retirement. But once this happens the alcoholic will be as hooked on alcohol, as he would have been hooked on heroin, if he'd been shooting that instead. With the loss of control, the complex symptoms have become chronic. All aspects of physiology have become progressive and incurable. Now it is clearly a disease.

GOOD NEWS:
1. Alcoholism is a disease.
2. Alcoholism is not the alcoholic's fault.
3. Alcoholics can get proper treatment for the disease,
which begins with telling them these facts.
4. The alcoholic can be relieved of guilt.
5. The alcoholic can take on responsibility for
arresting their disease.
6. The alcoholic can refuse to put more THIQ in their
brains and refuse to activate the THIQ that is already there.
7. Alcoholics can and do recover!

Shallow Society

2011-04-16T00:06:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your enjoying your weekend :) As most of you have heard by now Catherine Zeta Jones has spoke out about her battle with Bipolar Disorder II. I have mixed feelings on the attention it is bringing to society through the media. It is always a good thing to talk about it, as I advocate for on here, to help end the stigma and shame of mental illness. At the same time it angers me in a way because I get the impression that because it is her, a beautiful women, with a good marriage, a great career, no outbursts or crazy incidents (although they have been showing clips of her getting maybe too "excited" to accept an award and the incident with the paparazzi, which of course is now being viewed in a different light!) to finally make it ok to have this disorder, or a Mental Illness, to really end the stigma? That speaks volumes to me of what a shallow society we live in. A compassionate-less, scared society that cannot de-stigmatize Mental Illness with the common person, or the homeless man or women on the street. Sad don't you think? How do you feel about this, I'm sure a lot of you already feel the same way from your own personal experiences. I have lived with the stigma from the time I was born, having a mother with the illness and that is probably why I feel that little bit of anger, because she, and everyone who has this illness has always and will always deserve the respect that Catherine is getting. Time will tell if she does make a difference so stayed tuned!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

The revelation that the seemingly unshakable actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder illustrates the hallmarks of the disease: it can strike at any time in a person's life and is often brought on by prolonged stressed.

Zeta-Jones, 41, fell victim to the disorder's wild mood swings after her husband Michael Douglas went through a high-profile battle with stage IV throat cancer and then endured a court fight with Douglas' first wife over proceeds from the "Wall Street" movie sequel.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a mental illness characterized by mood swings between the two psychological pulls of depression and euphoria.

"It can start at any time in a person's life and it's a lifelong illness," Dr. Igor Galynker, director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center told ABC News OnCall.

Zeta-Jones is said to have been diagnosed with bipolar II, which is a form of the disorder which is characterized by longer low periods.

Stress is one common trigger for bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. The condition can also be spotted if someone has a prolonged feeling of agitation, trouble sleeping, major changes in appetite, and thoughts of suicide.

Zeta-Jones has had plenty of stress over the past year. Last year, Douglas, 66, the father of Zeta-Jones' two children, was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer. While Douglas announced in January that he was cancer free, he and Zeta-Jones have more recently had to battle Douglas' first wife, Diandra, who is suing Douglas for a portion of the royalties from his movie, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her bipolar II disorder," Zeta-Jones publicist said in a statement.

According to Galynker, there's hope for most who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

"It is not curable, but it is treatable with medications and psychotherapy." said Galynker. "People with bipolar illness can have productive lives like anybody else, once they're in treatment and compliant with treatment."

Sailing

2011-04-12T13:52:00.000-04:00

Hello My Friends, How are you, I am doing great today. I am feeling spring in the air around me today, even though the sun is not shining, I am starting to feel renewed. I feel the fog in my head lifting after a long cold lonely winter. I notice I don't want to go back to sleep after my son goes off to school in the morning anymore, I am accomplishing more around my house and I have been walking a little longer on my treadmill. There were days sitting here, that I truly felt I couldn't make it another day, the isolation was just unbearable. No job, no license to go out anywhere, no friends, no Mom around the corner. I honestly thought I might just snap and wake up in a padded room! But thanks to my family and my supporters and friends here on my blogs and online, I made it, I sailed through. This is for all of you who are sailing too, remember whatever your struggling with, it will pass. Strength comes from within us and to us when we least expect it.
Have a great day,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Sunday Funnies

2011-04-10T00:00:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone, I hope your doing good, I am doing much better after yesterday's vent on my other blog :) Thanks again for understanding if you read it. I am also still getting a good laugh out of Tosh.O. Remember now, it is Adult Content, but IMO not that bad, so enjoy!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Tosh.0
Tags: Tosh.0 Videos,Daniel Tosh,Web Redemption

Four Immeasurables

2011-04-06T13:26:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your doing well. I am doing good. I have been reading Buddha teachings online and I wanted to share this one with all of you. I think it is a great way for all of us to try and live our lives everyday.
Have a great day,
Janet :)

The Buddha taught the following to his son Rahula

"Rahula, practice loving kindness to overcome anger. Loving kindness has the capacity to bring happiness to others without demanding anything in return.

Practice compassion to overcome cruelty. Compassion has the capacity to remove the suffering of others without expecting anything in return.

Practice sympathetic joy to overcome hatred. Sympathetic joy arises when one rejoices over the happiness of others and wishes others well-being and success.

Practice non-attachment to overcome prejudice. Non-attachment is the way of looking at all things openly and equally. This is because myself and others are not separate. Do not reject one thing only to chase after another.

I call these the four immeasurables. Practice them and you will become a refreshing source of vitality and happiness for others.

2gether

2011-04-03T14:03:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to share this great online community with all of you. Some of the best ways to deal with Mental Illness is to know your not alone and talk about it with someone who truly understands. Talking will also keep you from feeling ashamed. Do not not allow society, in this day and age, to keep you isolated by the Stigma. And once you open up and share, you never know how your story may just help and inspire someone else out there who needs it!
Thank you for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Welcome to 2gether, an online community for friends of those living with mental health problems. Join the conversation and share your stories and experiences. Help other friends support their friends in the recovery process. Together, we will make a difference.

http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/2gether/

The Mental Health Hotline

2011-03-31T09:09:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, I thought you might get a laugh out of these. Enjoy your day!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

The new answering service greeting recently installed on the "Mental Health Institute Hotline"

"Hello, and welcome to the Mental Health Hotline."

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5, and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.

If you are a manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press: no-one will answer.

If you are dyslexic, press 969696969696969.

If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line.

"Hello, and welcome back to the Mental Health Hotline!

"(We know when it's you!)!"

If you have amnesia, press 8, and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number, and your mother's maiden name.

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, slowly and carefully press 000.

If you have bi-polar disorder, please leave a message after the beep, or before the beep. Or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self esteem, please hang up. All our operators are too busy to talk to you.

Some Funny Thoughts :)

A perfectionist is one who takes great pains, and give them to everyone else.

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again

Insanity is my only means of relaxation.

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

The measure of a man’s intelligence is inversely proportional to the amount of time he keeps his mouth open.

Barbie Comes Of Age!!

Post-Menopausal Barbie. This Barbie wets her pants when she sneezes, forgets where she puts things, and cries a lot. She is sick and tired of Ken sitting on the couch watching the tube, clicking through the channels. Comes with Depends and Kleenex. As a bonus this year, the book “Getting In Touch with Your Inner Self” is included.

Hot Flash Barbie. Press Barbie’s bellybutton and watch her face turn beet red while tiny drops of perspiration appear on her forehead. Comes with hand-held fan and tiny tissues.

Recovery Barbie. Too many parties have finally caught up with the ultimate party girl. Now she does Twelve Steps instead of dance steps. Clean and sober, she’s going to meetings religiously. Comes with a little copy of The Big Book and a six-pack of Diet Coke.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

2011-03-27T23:29:00.005-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your all doing well. I am doing good. I wanted to post about this subject as a part of my series on addiction. I would have to say from a personal stand point I do think Marijuana is the least harmful of all the drugs out there and I do think it should be legal. Alcohol is legal and I definitely think it causes far more damage to a person and society as a whole. But I have to wonder about daily, heavy, long term use of this drug, because through the years I have seen some changes in people I know who fit the heavy use category change for the worse, they seem to have to have it everyday. I have seen the changes in their mental health as well, deep denial, distorted reality, lack of comprehension, to name a few. On the other hand I have seen recreational users who show none of those effects. Then there are people who need it for medical purposes, so which is the lesser of the two evils? Read the article if you have a concern for yourself, or anyone you care about and then decide whether or not you agree with it.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Is There a Link Between Marijuana Use and Mental Illness?

Research in the past decade has focused on whether marijuana use actually causes other mental illnesses. The strongest evidence to date suggests a link between cannabis use and psychosis (Hall and Degenhardt 2009). For example, a series of large prospective studies that followed a group of people over time showed a relationship between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. Marijuana use also worsens the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia and can produce a brief psychotic reaction in some users that fades as the drug wears off. The amount of drug used, the age at first use, and genetic vulnerability can all influence this relationship. One example is a study (illustrated) that found an increased risk of psychosis among adults who had used marijuana in adolescence and who also carried a specific variant of the gene for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) (Caspi et al. 2005), an enzyme that degrades neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

In addition to the observed links between marijuana use and schizophrenia, other less consistent associations have been reported between marijuana use and depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances. One of the most frequently cited, albeit still controversial, is an amotivational syndrome, defined as a diminished or absent drive to engage in typically rewarding activities. Because of the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating mood, these associations make a certain amount of sense; however, more research is needed to confirm and better understand these linkages.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction; that is, people have difficulty controlling their drug use and cannot stop even though it interferes with many aspects of their lives. It is estimated that 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. The number goes up to about 1 in 6 in those who start using young (in their teens) and to 25-50 percent among daily users. Moreover, a study of over 300 fraternal and identical twin pairs found that the twin who had used marijuana before the age of 17 had elevated rates of other drug use and drug problems later on, compared with their twin who did not use before age 17.

According to the 2008 NSDUH, marijuana accounted for 4.2 million of the estimated 7 million Americans dependent on or abusing illicit drugs. In 2008, approximately 15 percent of people entering drug abuse treatment programs reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse; 61 percent of persons under 15 reported marijuana as their primary drug of abuse, as did 56 percent of those 15 to 19 years old.

Marijuana addiction is also linked to a withdrawal syndrome similar to that of nicotine withdrawal, which can make it hard to quit. People trying to quit report irritability, sleeping difficulties, craving, and anxiety. They also show increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.

How Does Marijuana Use Affect School, Work, and Social Life?

Research has shown that marijuana's negative effects on attention, memory, and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off (Schweinsburg et al. 2008). Consequently, someone who smokes marijuana daily may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level most or all of the time. Not surprisingly, evidence suggests that, compared with their nonsmoking peers, students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school (Fergusson and Boden 2008). A meta-analysis of 48 relevant studies—one of the most thorough performed to date—found cannabis use to be associated consistently with reduced educational attainment (e.g., grades and chances of graduating) (Macleod et al. 2004). However, a causal relationship is not yet proven between cannabis use by young people and psychosocial harm.

That said, marijuana users themselves report poor outcomes on a variety of life satisfaction and achievement measures. One study compared current and former long-term heavy users of marijuana with a control group who reported smoking cannabis at least once in their lives but not more than 50 times. Despite similar education and income backgrounds, significant differences were found in educational attainment: fewer of the heavy users of cannabis completed college, and more had yearly household incomes of less than $30,000. When asked how marijuana affected their cognitive abilities, career achievements, social lives, and physical and mental health, the majority of heavy cannabis users reported the drug's negative effects on all of these measures. In addition, several studies have linked workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover. For example, a study among postal workers found that employees who tested positive for marijuana on a pre-employment urine drug test had 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries, and a 75-percent increase in absenteeism compared with those who tested negative for marijuana use.

Does Marijuana Use Affect Driving?

Because marijuana impairs judgment and motor coordination and slows reaction time, an intoxicated person has an increased chance of being involved in and being responsible for an accident (O'Malley and Johnston 2007; Richer and Bergeron 2009). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths. A recent survey found that 6.8 percent of drivers, mostly under 35, who were involved in accidents tested positive for THC; alcohol levels above the legal limit were found in 21 percent of such drivers.

For more info
http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/marijuana/marijuana4.html

Heartprints

2011-03-24T16:12:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope you are doing well, I am doing good. I'm sorry I have not posted since Saturday, but my week got busier than I thought it would be. Here is an inspirational saying I came across that I wanted to share with all of you. What a great way to go about our day, each and everyday, hopefully leaving heartprints where ever we go!
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

A Mother's Legacy

2011-03-19T13:16:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are doing well, Today my Mother would have been 75 yrs old. She was my inspiration for this blog. How I miss her, but now I try to stay focused on the good memories, the laughs, and her beautiful smile. The other day I was spring cleaning one of my closets and I found a bag of her things from the nursing home. I pulled out one of her night shirts she slept in. It still has her scent, oh how I held it in my arms and up to my face, I felt both sad and happy at the same time, hard to explain really. I put it back in the bag and there it will stay, the scent too, hopefully forever! After she passed away I began thinking about what her legacy is to me and my family. In what light would I view her life to have been and what influence did it have in shaping who I am. This is what my thoughts are on her legacy.

My mother was born on St. Joseph’s day, thus her name Josephine. Her nickname was Dolly. I was told she was a very happy, bubbly baby and would make her mother laugh and laugh. Her mother stopped laughing when she was two years old. She died from stomach cancer. Her older siblings took care of her, but she always missed having her mother she told me. She graduated 2nd in her class, had an IQ of genius. She grew into a beautiful woman who was also a ballerina. My mother married my father at the young age of 20. Being a Catholic woman in those days meant for the most part that you stayed home and began a family. By the time she was 25 she had 4 children. The first three all a year apart. When the 4th child arrived, she had a nervous breakdown. I know I would have. All that work without much of a support system around her. I think she had a case of post partum psychosis or manic depression, that disease can have psychotic episodes. In the sixties they considered her schizophrenic. As we grew up she endured many years of shock therapy and did the Thorazine shuffle as I call it. Heavily medicated. Two times she attempted to take her own life because she could not stand what was going on with her. She did not want to be sick, who would. The grace of God saved her and she continued on this path of illness until 1989. My brother Jim had taken my mother to Pembroke Hospital and she received a new treatment. They just put her on Lithium. When she came home we saw a new person emerging. It was like watching someone come out of a state of darkness and back into the light. She never went back into a Mental Institution again. She became much more functional than before, we would go out to lunch, we would go shopping together. She took care of herself like never before. She enjoyed her 10 grandchildren. The last 19 years with her were the best years of our lives together. So to get back to her legacy, I can see it clearly now. She was the greatest teacher I have ever had in my life. She taught me to be brave and endure what life hands you. Acceptance of others who are different from the norm and love them all the same. I learned forgiveness for not having the perfect childhood and realized she was really the victim, not me, as I often felt that way because she was not June Cleaver. She thought me compassion as she shared a story with me once. while in the Mental Institution suffering herself, she told me of a day where she saw another women screaming and suffering. She went to her room and said a prayer for her. That touched me in more ways than I can say. Even in the end of her days in the nursing home she demonstrated dignity to me. When they would come around and put bibs on them to eat, she asked me to buy her an apron. When I did you would have thought I bought her gold. I will never forget how happy she was to get such a simple item. So she put gratitude in a whole new light for me as well. She had a great sense of humor and I enjoyed many a laugh with her, how I miss that so much today. So to me my Mother’s legacy is truly a beautiful one, one of a Mother that taught me more than she will ever know. She will never really be gone because she has left behind a big and beautiful family, 6 children, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and her spirit lives on in all of us. If there is Heaven up above, I know she is teaching Angels how to love! I hope this video plays well for all of you, it was the first one I ever made and some parts may sound a little like a skip, but it still sounds good.
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this special post.
Love ya,
Janet :)

Everything Happens For A Reason

2011-03-16T15:53:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your doing well. I wanted to share this inspirational video with all of you today. Thanks Bing for sharing it with me:) Some days, whether we like it or not, life happens!! I feel the best way to deal with what we can't understand is to reflect on the situation and accept that "Yes" everything happens for a reason! It always helps me to let go of what I can't control, what I am unhappy about. I hope it helps you too.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Tears Of An Angel

2011-03-14T15:13:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, I hope your doing well. I am doing good. This Music Monday selection I would like to dedicate to all the victims in Japan. It is so heartbreaking to see all the damage and destruction. It is so devastating, that I'm sure, even the Angels have shed a tear. This is my prayer for all of them as well.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

I said a Prayer straight from
the heart,
God knew I was sincere...
As I prayed for you,
The Angels gathered near

I asked God to give you strength
to face life's tide...
I told him an Angel was
needed by your side

I asked him to toss your
hurt into the deep blue sea...
and let it's healing waters
remove the memory

Tears are Heavenly raindrops
God must send to cleanse the soul,
The storm will quickly be replaced...
with the beauty of his rainbow

Being

2011-03-09T23:23:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone, here's a little inspiration for you and me, "just being" sounds good doesn't it :)
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

Being...
It is the letting go of all the
should's, the must's, the have-to's,
the have-nots, the cannots,
the doubts and the guilt.

It is allowing your thoughts to come forth -
without judgement.

It is allowing yourself to feel -
without judgement.

It is allowing yourself to do what you want -
without judgement.

It is allowing yourself to be who you are -
without judgement.

When you allow yourself to be,
You find Peace, Freedom, Love
and Joy Within you.

Author Unknown

Fun and Useless Facts

2011-03-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Hello, Happy Sunday! I thought I would share some of these fun, but probably useless facts to know for a little amusement today! I hope your having a great weekend.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

The tradition of brides carrying a bouquet of flowers started with the brides trying to hide their body odor

The human brain is 80% water(that explains alot huh!)

A Playboy magazine survey found more women talk dirty during sex than men

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Coca-Cola was originally green

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. treasury

The average American consumes enough caffeine in one year to kill a horse

Enough beer is poured every Saturday across America to fill the Orange Bowl

Barbie's full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts

Its impossible to smoke oneself to death with weed. You won't be able to retain enough motor control and consciousness to do so after such a large amount

In Arizona it is illegal to have more than two dildos in one house

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers in the US

During good sex, endorphins are released, which are powerful painkillers. So headaches are in fact a bad excuse not to have sex

In the US, Americans eat about 18 acres of pizza a day

In South Africa it is a law that single ply toilet paper must have 500 sheets in the roll

The longest flight of a chicken is about 13 seconds

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar

Ants never sleep

Everyday, 15 billion cigarettes are smoked worldwide!

Lima beans contain cyanide

Fortune cookies were actually invented in America (not China), in 1918, by Charles Jung

What Is Addiction?

2011-03-02T22:29:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone, How are you? Good I hope. I have been wanting to start a series of posts on Addiction and Mental Health. Although I am sure you are all learning plenty thanks to Charlie Sheen right?? Wrong LOL! I'm sorry, but enough of him already!! The media I believe, does what it believes is it's best to inform people, but is often to caught up in the sensationalism of celebrities and not truly giving enough information. Alcohol and Cocaine are not the main drugs that people are addicted to, I know plenty of people who are also addicted to other drugs such as Pot and Pills, I know plenty of people that have addictions other than drugs and alcohol. Addiction can be either physically and mentally or both at the same time. I was saddened to see the amount of young people in rehab that were in there for Heroine and Oxycontin. Those two drugs must be the most popular drugs of choice these days among their age group, so please if you have teens or young adults you need to be aware of the signs. A drug is a drug, is a drug, as they say, and no, beer is no better than whiskey, just ask your Doctor to check your liver after drinking beer heavily for 30 yrs! A shopaholic is probably no better off than a gambler once they cross that line (I will talk about the line in upcoming posts) I want to start of my series of posts with the basic understanding of addiction and build on the series from this. Addiction is a major Mental Health issues that effects so many people across all socio economic classes and races. No one is immune from it. I hope this helps anyone out there who may be concerned about themselves or a loved one.
Thank you for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)

What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a habit that is often hard to stop and that increasingly interferes with a person’s life. The habit could involve a substance such as alcohol or another drug, or an activity such as gambling. Not everyone agrees about the exact meaning of addiction, but the checklists for determining if someone has an addiction usually include these items:
* the person cannot stop the substance use or the activity, despite trying to stop again and again
* the substance or the activity has become the focus (or preoccupation) of the person’s life
* the person continues the use or activity despite severe negative consequences, (e.g., imprisonment or financial disaster)

According to the World Health Organization:
* 76.3 million people worldwide have alcohol use disorders
* at least 15.3 million people worldwide have drug use disorders
* about one third of the world’s population over the age of 15 smoke tobacco.

Gambling is an activity that is growing in popularity, and so the concern about problem gambling is growing as well, for example:
* in 2004, Canadians gambled roughly $12.4 billion on some form of government-run gambling activity
* roughly 332,000 people in Ontario are experiencing problems as a result of their gambling.

What Causes Addiction?
It's puzzling why some people become addicted and others do not. No single answer has been found. It seems that people develop addictions through a mixture of factors such as:
* genes
* the way a person’s brain works
* difficulties during childhood
* mental health problems
* stress
* cultural influences.

While researchers continue to study the mysteries of addiction, some things are clear: nobody chooses to become addicted, and addiction is not simply due to
personal weakness or character flaws.

Risk Factors for Addiction
While the exact cause of addiction is not known, researchers have found that certain things raise the risk of becoming addicted. People usually start trying out substances and activities that could become addictive in their youth, so research has focused on this age group.
The risk factors for addiction in youth include:
* alcohol or other drug problems among family members
* poor school performance
* poverty
* family conflicts, chaos
* stress
* having friends who drink or use other drugs
* not fitting in socially
* emotional, physical or sexual abuse

How Does Addiction Develop?
Experimenting
1. Start using a substance or an activity such as gambling for fun, curiosity, to be part of a group.
2. Find the use/activity brings good feelings, more confidence, escape from problems.
Repetitive use
1. Repeat use/activity to feel good again or to cope with stress.
2. Come to rely on use/activity to escape problems or bad feelings.
3. Body and mind get used to the good feeling; need more use/activity to get the desired effect (tolerance is developing)
Result
1. Need more energy, money for use/activity; have less time for other things, such as relationships.
2. Health, social life, finances, work start to suffer, creating more problems to be escaped through the use/activity.
3. Spend less time with people not involved in the use/activity; become isolated from those who might help with problem use/activity.
4. Continue use/activity despite negative effects, such as loss of job, relationships, home; serious health problems; conflicts with the law.
5. Use/activity is now the focus of life; attempts to stop or cut back fail - addiction results.

Addiction Affects Both Mind and Body
Addiction is sometimes referred to as "dependence." When it comes to substance use, there are two kinds of dependence:
Psychological dependence occurs when a person feels he or she needs the drug to function or feel comfortable.
Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body has become used to the presence of a drug. Tolerance has developed, which means that the person needs to use more of the drug to get the same effect. When the person stops using the drug, symptoms of withdrawal occur. People often think that psychological dependence is not as serious as physical dependence. This is not necessarily true. Cocaine, for example, does not cause physical dependence, but it is considered one of the easiest drugs to get hooked on and one of the hardest to give up.

Forgive Them Anyway

2011-02-26T23:18:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone, I absolutely love this saying!! It has been proven true to me time and time again as I go through life. I am sure it has to you, whether or not your even aware of it. I have seen, most of all in my life's experiences, of these character defects, Jealousy, especially in certain women that were once friends, sad really! But in the end, all I can do is just let it go and keep on as Mother Theresa suggests in this poem, because they are the one's who chose to live in that place, the ones who will never know true happiness for themselves or others. This is I feel, the best way to live your life, knowing your motives are pure.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Love ya,
Janet :)