Show 274 A Few Words About Symptom Control

The headline version for 2022 is medication, therapy, nutrition, body support and environment. Yes, I’ve changed things up just a bit.

But before we can get to that, I feel that we need to have an understanding about symptoms. 

Most people tend to think of treatment as getting rid of their symptoms.

Totally valid. And understandable.

I know I felt that way, if I could just get rid of the bug-a-boos, I could get back to normal.

It reflects we have been taught about health and health care. Take the pill, apply the spray, cover it up and move along.

The dictionary meaning symptoms is defined as subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance or something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder.

Your symptoms are indicators that there is a problem, and your mind and body are asking you to figure it out. 

There is more in this week's episode.

Resources Mentioned: 

From Anxiety Centre post on Can Anxiety Symptoms Change?

Anxiety Network page on Physical (Somatic) Symptom Shifting

Recognizing and easing the physical symptoms of anxiety via Harvard Health

US National Institute of Mental Health page on Anxiety Disorders

ADAA.org brochure on Treating Anxiety Disorders


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.

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 273 The WTH Phase Before Treatment

Not all treatment plans are the same. What works for Betty will not work for Veronica before I can do that. I need to start at a place. 

Many people won't start a treatment unless they recognize that they need to make a change. I like to refer to this as the, "What The Hell phase." 

In this episode, more about the What the Hell phase and the Oh, Snap phase that happens before you start your healing journey.

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: 

Helpguide.org page on Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Attacks

The UK charity Mind.org.uk has a 23 page downloadable PDF about anxiety and panic attacks.

Also on Helpguide, a page where you can access different types of meditations.

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 272 - Be Cautious with OTC Medications

I know that some of you are in a really bad spot. 

You're looking for an answer, a short way out of your problems and, and your predicaments. 

Some of you openly declare that you don't have time for this thing and what it dealt with quick, fast, and in a hurry.

I do understand. I was in your shoes too. There was so much, I didn't know about having a mental health.

There are people and companies that want to take advantage of that ignorance. 

There are others that really don't understand that being drowsy doesn't truly help when you are dealing with a mental health condition. 

You have to look at nutrition, environmental stressors, possibly past trauma. 

Are you lonely?  Grieving a lost? Or knowing that this isn't the life you envisioned for yourself?

No one medication can fix that kind of hurt and pain.

Medication can help for a limited time. But it has to be the right stuff for you and your body.

In this episode, a look at over the counter medication, and specifically antihistamines.

I also have a housekeeping item that I have concerns about the future of non-invasive podcasting. 

As many of you know, I do not accept advertising or affiliate marketing type income. I feel that it would be a conflict of interest for me to speak about a treatment option or service only to have an ad about a competitor pop up.

Some of the services that carry the podcast will have an ad in front of or at the end of the show. I have no control over the ad, type of add or placement.

There is a new technology coming down the road where ads with a photo can be injected into an audio podcast. My understanding is that Spotify is very interested in that tech, but the others will follow. 

I guess you can call them ad-based audiograms. 

Anyway, it makes me sad. The places and platforms where you can exchange information without ad intrusions are shrinking. I'm not anti-advertising. I'm anti-being besieged by the constant commandment to buy, buy and buy some more. 

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: 

State of Florida bill that will study the use of alternative medication for anxiety conditions.

Can Benadryl be used for Anxiety? Post from VeryWell Mind, providing clear reasons for and risks about using it.

Medline Plus information page on Diphenhydramine, what it is, the accepted uses for the product and warnings about side effects.

National Health Service UK information page on Diphenhydramine

Antihistamines: Understanding Your OTC Options from the Family Doctor.org.

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 271 Moving Past Denial and Doing the Work

Denial is not good or bad. It is a defense mechanism.

When you don't want to deal with the scary or hard thing.

Especially when it seems that thing is so big.

So dangerous.

Humans will do all kinds of things to avoid pain. Including accepting a small amount of pain to delay the bigger potential pain.

Doesn't have to be real.

Doesn't even have to have a direct connection to you. In this episode, a look at denial.

Resources Mentioned: 

The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety: Using CBT to Manage Stress and Anxiety, James Cowart, Ph.D from Crown House Publishing. You can also find it on Amazon and other book vendors.

Taking Control of Anxiety: Small Steps for Getting the Best of Worry, Stress, and Fear by Bret A. Moore, 

Living with Anxiety, a 48-page PDF from MentalHealth.org.uk

20 Common Defense Mechanisms Used for Anxiety from VeryWell Mind.

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.

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.