Therese Borchard likens herself to Goldilocks of the mental-health world: She tried six psychiatrists before she found one that was “just right.” One learned she was a writer and asked for help with a book proposal. Another put her on sleeping pills, ignoring her history of substance abuse. One even wanted to try hypnotic regression by candlelight to address unresolved childhood issues.
Finally, No. 7 diagnosed bipolar disorder, found medication that was effective, helped her to be less hard on herself and “salvaged the last crumb of my self-esteem,” says Ms. Borchard, who writes the popular “Beyond Blue” blog on Beliefnet.com.
The search for the right therapist can be baffling—and it comes at a time when would be patients are feeling most vulnerable.
(Image by Ryan Snook)
How did Lord Buddha walk through the trials and tribulations of life ?
Mindfulness is one of the latest but oldest and ancient ways of achieving a state of mind. A state of mind away from emotional turmoil , a way to live a more vital existence and feel more connected to what matters to you.
2,500 years ago, Buddha changed the life of millions of people, he was a prince who gave up everything, his kingdom his young beautiful wife and wealth to live the life of a monk. He gained enlightenment until the shade of the Bodhi tree.
“…whatever arises in your life, no matter how awful, no matter how dark, is workable,” Jon Kabat-Zinn co developer of MBCBT ( Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) says. – Counselling Northern Beaches. Continue Reading
Did you know that bipolar disorder is six times more common among people who are exceptionally creative?
Professor Greg Murray, of Swinbourne University suggests that it may have something to do with their changing moods, getting an insight when they are right down to their lowest level but being able to act when they move into their cycle of high or elevated mood. It also helps that these individuals have a strong drive to achieve. Continue Reading
This is a curious true story of the Romulus and “Rebus “of the Roman Catholic Church. It brings up questions of karmic pre-destiny and identity .
These brothers, identical twins with shared beliefs, natures, interests and professions lived monastic lives . .Did they choose to be born or…
did they choose to depart at the same time ? Free will and Determinism, Nature and Nurture – all these invented linguistic and philosophical paradigms pale into the realm of intellectual jousting, when faced with the conundrums of the unexplainable synchronicities and so called “”coincidences” of real life.
Their conjoined destinies spiraling in a double helix through the physical and spiritual world, Julian and Adrian took their first and last breaths together. Is this choice or chance ? Did they really finish each other’s “life” sentences ?
Reading like a labyrinthine Jorges Luis Borges’ tale, the brothers’ eternal bonding teases our imaginations in a world, where truth indeed gives birth to things stranger than fiction ! Can two truly live as one ? There’s more to this than our seemingly flat world psychology can explain …
To be continued..in the next world …
When I read the article about how a blind horse came to an animal shelter with an entourage of bodyguards, I marveled at the ingenuity and caring these farm animals had for one of their buddies. It was animation film come to life!
If only humans had the same idea, in our business world or our social world , we have to work hard to establish a network, of associates, of prospective customers of friends . It usually takes a lot of effort and humans usually have to have some gain from the process.
I got a good laugh out of reading the article by Reuters. It was an incredible story. if you are interested check it out……. Continue Reading
Walk into psychiatrist Drew Ramsey’s office in Manhattan and you’ll likely be greeted by Gus, a four-year-old shih tzu. After escorting you through the waiting room, he may hop onto the ottoman and go to sleep or sit beside you on the couch.
Some patients pat Gus while they talk to Dr. Ramsey. A few talk to Gus instead. And if they get emotional, Gus provides physical comfort that therapists can’t offer. “We can’t hug patients, but patients can hug Gus,” says Dr. Ramsey, who began bringing his dog to his office two years ago. Now, he says, “I think about Gus the way a cowboy thinks of his horse—he’s part of the job.”
A small but growing number of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other therapists are bringing their dogs to work in their private practices, where they help calm patients down, cheer them up and offer a happy distraction with a wagging tail. The job is similar to what therapy dogs do when they visit at hospitals or nursing homes, but these “canine therapy-assistants” often work full days and get to know the patients just as well as the doctors.
What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness?. Many people stigmatize mental illness and avoid professional help saying, “I’m not crazy, I don’t need to see anyone.” Mental health is something you can maintain.
If your life seems to be in shatters and still you uphold this belief of I’m OK, you could be doing yourself a disservice. You could rectify things in your life a lot quicker if you just have a chat with someone independently neutral. Gone are the days when you could stroll over to the village elder and smoke a pipe together for a yarn.
Mental Health Month in Australia is this month of October, and psychologists and Allied health professionals are working hard to bring people’s awareness to the facilities available to promote well being. Continue Reading
In many eastern cultures, it is known that the physical body has many lines along which energy flows. These are called meridian lines and Acupuncturists and Acupressurists are working with that knowledge. The web of intricate meridians link with your essential organs, such as your kidneys and lungs. These are vital sources of energy for your whole body.
Eastern therapists/healers insert needles or apply pressure at key meridian points to stimulate and release the energy of particular organs. This action floods the network and restores any imbalance into your tired, ol’ body.
How can this information improve your sex life? Ms Margot Anand, author of the “Art of Sexual Magic” explains how you can tap into those subtle meridians, to channel sexual energy right up the wassu. Interested? Click here to read more… Continue Reading
“Parents are just bad at risk assessment” says author Christie Barnes and mother of four. In her book “The Paranoid Parents Guide”, she claims parents constantly overestimate rare dangers while underestimate common ones.
Well what is she referring to? Most parents feel strongly that they do make right choices and would feel very offended if questioned about their care. Those protective, instinctual urges rise up like hairs on the back of one’s neck.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the five things most likely to cause injury to children up to the age of 18 are : car accidents, homicide usually at the hands of someone they know, child abuse, suicide or drowning.