Show 241 - Learning from Ernest Hemingway

I generally don't talk about famous people unless they self-declare their illness or there is a compelling reason. Not in a million years did I think that I would have something to say about Ernest Hemingway. 

I knew he was a writer. I knew that he seem to love adventure and liked the ladies both within and outside of the bonds of matrimony. And that he was thought of as a manly man. 

So when I heard that there was going to be yet another documentary about Hemingway, I couldn't drum up any reason to watch. 

Until I learned more about the man. There are multiple levels to his physical and mental pain.

You got family trauma. Not to mention an undiagnosed hereditary disease attacking his organs.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder with two other mood disorders s riding in the backseat.

Arthritis. Depression and anxiety. Self-Treating with alcohol. 

Indeed he was a messed up man. Who wrote great books. Who was given the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

He was a pip but he was also human. Sometimes good. Sometimes a jerk.

In this episode, a quick look at the things that in hindsight, Ernest Hemingway can teach us about dealing with our situation and being proactive about taking care of our bodies.. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Hemingway - A film documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novic. 

Ernest Hemingway: a psychological autopsy of a suicide by Christopher D. Martin.

PBS News Hour How mental health struggles wrote Ernest Hemingway’s final chapter by Dr. Howard Markel. 

The American Chronic Pain Association has a number of links to pain management resources. Mr. Hemingway would have been eligible for at least six of them.

There is good stuff at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.  They have information about Hemochromatosis.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance FAQ page about depression and mood disorders. They also have on-line support groups. There are also resources at ADAA.org and the National Institute of Mental Health and Medline Plus pages on Bipolar disorders.

If you suspect that someone you know is trying to take themselves off planet there are somethings you can do to help. Bethe1to offers five action steps to help a person in need.

The Gospel at Colonus a retelling of the Greek play with an African-American twist. It is available on DVD but your could take a gander at the play on YouTube. The music is therapeutic and provides another example of somebody having a rough road in life.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 240 - Cracking the Egg

You can find ways to deal with your symptoms. For some of us, there is medication. 

It isn't for everybody. 

Or you may choose to use a coping skill or relaxation technique. 

It isn't for everybody. 

What is important to know is that you have choices on how you want to handle your symptoms. 

In this episode, a look at some of my process and a few resources to check and hopefully use to make yourself more comfortable.

You don't have to suffer. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

BetterUp Coaching website provide a matching service for people that are looking for support in their personal or professional goals. It is not a therapy site but some folks do not read beneath the headlines. 

Harvard Health Publishing has a post on Progressive Muscle Relaxation and other exercise based relaxation tips. 

For those that prefer audio, there is a progressive muscle relaxation at Helpguide.org

Mindful.org post on 10 minute gratitude practice to shift, notice and re-wire the brain.

Dental Fear Central - excellent site for those of us that get the shakes when a dentist says open wide.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 239 There is grief in anxiety too.

One of the great things about WandaVision is that there was a shared communal place for joy, life and grief. Now the comic book nerd in me is huffing and puffing about conflating three different story arcs in the series.

I normally don't like it but WandaVision gets a special dispensation for just how well it can be done.

This episode is about grief. Anxiety can be a dance partner with it or make it presence know. But grief is a powerful thing. Do not disrespect when it walks into the room. 

Have all the feelings. Yes.

Don't ignore it. Don't pretend like it isn't there and life goes on. 

It will find you and make you listen.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Social Anxiety Kyle is a website that has some free resources, a link to the Social Ninjas podcast and a course for those of you that have social anxiety.

My father was famous as John Le Carre, my mother was his crucial covert collaborator. Essay on The Guardian website.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control page on Grief and Loss, learn about the symptoms and what you can do to help your healing. 

Grief is love with no place to go by Fred Guttenberg. Mr. Guttenberg has written a book called Find the Helpers: what 9/11 taught me about recovery, purpose and hope.  

Mental Health America has coping tips and suggestions on dealing with grief. 

Modern Loss is a website that talks about grief. All of the forms of grief and the ways other people have found to make their way through. Excellent resource. Start with 10 Ways to Overcome Grief-Related Anxiety, how to find the way back to yourself.

One more for the road, the American Psychological Association Grief: Coping with the loss of your loved one.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode 238 Walking Out the Door

So, I’m going to lay out a more realistic approach or tips to help folks deciding to walk out the door. I got my sources. I got some real-life experience and not much more than that. 

There are folks on Twitter who are struggling on how to make the right decision for them. As it often happens, there are jerk faces who will pop in and state that you gotta man-up and stop being what they perceive to be weak. 

Or they will share that they never put on a mask. They never stopped living their lives. To that I say, Ok. Good for you.

But your experience is not mine. I and others made an informed choice based on the information we had at the time and the rising number of people dying. Some of those people we knew and loved.

In this episode, a look at a few tips on how to prepare for re-entry. Those of us that have pre-existing conditions are going to find it a bit hard. Not impossible. Just hard.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

CNet Health and Wellness has a post on Jump rope workout: How to get a full body workout and have fun. Those of you that have issues with your knees or hips might want to consult your doctor before engaging in exercise.

There is a Beginner Jump Rope tutorial that explains how to use the jump rope to exercise. 

Tiny Buddha post on 50 Things You Can Control Right Now.

From Psychology Today and post on How to Cope With “Re-Entry Anxiety

ADAA.org 10 Tips to Manage Re-Entry Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Them Changes Anxiety Version

There is a lot going on. People are going to need to start thinking about re-entry into their world. 

Those those of us that have anxiety conditions and disorders that can be ruff. What you want to do might conflict with what you are able to do.

If you've been on long term lockdown, your brain might put up a fuss about being outside.

I speak from experience. I'm zero for three on it. I did it, but there was a commotion from deep inside about it.

I have a link to a musician's "audiogram" video by the name of Buddy Miles.  Classic thumping track of Them Changes.

In this episode, a suggestion to try to look beyond what you currently know or do about your anxiety. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Them Changes from Buddy Miles. How two or more truths occupy the same space.

Helpguide.org has an article on the role of medication in anxiety treatment. The website leans away from suggesting medication as a primary treatment; but they do recognize that for a certain segment of the population it is necessary for a limited. time.

Mental Health America response to My loved one doesn’t want to take meds.

ADAA.org page on the types of therapy for anxiety. 

Prior episodes on finding a therapists, Don't know where to start and Before You Commit to the Couch.

The Basics of Mindfulness Meditation from Ten Percent Happier. Has video instructions, guided meditations and other services. There is an app for Android and iOS devices.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.