Bad News and Pain Without Love

Is there ever any good news out there? Forget the economy that's in shambles (double recession is already here), but for those with mental health issues, well it's never a good prognosis, everything is cut short from your temper to your life... http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/theme_news_detail.php?id=800730120&tab_id=116 Shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's simply not good news in a realm where good news can make all the difference. I can think of a friend who suffers from borderline personality disorder. The smallest thing in her life may set her off into a catatonic state. Joyful things used to be something she could -- well -- feel joyful about. Now it's a struggle, largely due to her struggles. What left her with a smile before is now fleeting; it's harder and harder to experience joy. So you'll find people in this type of situation resort to tactics 'normal' people may not fathom, cutting, suicide, self harm...... all to accent the need to feel-------feel something, anything.... I guess that song is true in some ways, 'I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all'.... Scary. A wake up call to catch the symptoms and address them before they snowball to a point joy becomes a whisper in your life.

Fallacy of BiPolar Diagnosis Rise in Kids

I was reading 'Sway' by Brafman (http://www.amazon.ca/Sway-Irresistible-Pull-Irrational-Behavior/dp/0385524382) and there was a chapter on Bi polar disorders.

The books deals with irrational behaviour and how even the most educated can be easily swayed by status quo or popularity.

In the case of bi-polar disorder the number of children diagnosed rose 40X (It was at least that, might have been more) in the past 20 years or so. However, correlating stats that should've increased if the diagnosis was correct did not increase. Teen suicides never increased (they in fact decreased), but drugs and programs continue to expand.

At what point do we acknowledge something is amiss? Yes, the way we diagnosis the disorder has changed, but just because a child is sad doesn't mean they have a psychological disorder. I pin this one on hypochondriacs and bad psychiatrists.

Explanation for Increases in BP in children?

I'm not a hypochondriac so I'm not one to advocate running out and getting kids tested for every seeming abnormal issue. It's startling to see how many kids these days are popping pills for maladies that didn't exist 40 years ago.

There has been a 400% increase in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in young children and a 40 times increase between 1995 to 2003 alone according

What are your thoughts? Is there a rash of doctors too eager to doll out bi-polar diagnoses for kids?

Read more in this article.

The Postmodern age of healthcare

Social media and our perceptions through this postmodern era have changed how we view medicine.

I was thinking a bit more after reading this article: http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.npr.org/2011/05/16/136283080/shop-for-a-pyschotherapist-to-avoid-the-lemons

It's true, in the age of the internet we no longer go to the neighborhood doctor and never think twice about a diagnosis. Now, there's so much more information for patients to arm themselves with, and also more options to check out who offers the best care. This is particularly important when it comes to therapy.

No longer is medicine the ivory tower it used to be, we trust information, not what someone in authority necessarily says.

That doesn't mean be an idiot and ignore your doctor, but it does mean you can shop around when it comes to finding a therapist that you like.

First Sheen Now Zeta Jones

Don't know the details but one thing is for sure in the past couple of months: bi-polar disorder is taking front stage in the headlines..... Well, mostly the tabloids.

Nonetheless there is an interesting air of publicity coming the way of a disorder that has been mostly swept under the rug. If there's anything good about Charlie sheen is a kind of sick awareness campaign to the mind has been raised.

I wonder how long before an organization picks up on the bi-winning slogan to raise somec ash for good. Actually, come to think of it that would be a bad idea, probably best to steer clear of anything Sheen related when it comes to bipolar.

What's sad is a fascination with people who have mental health problems.

Catherine Zeta jones is beautiful, powerful, and maybe bi-polar? (She hasn't confirmed as of yet.)

So what?

How about less interest on what 'might' happen if she flips out and more about how she's functioned over time.

Let's not assume and seek the worse in humanity, let's strive to celebrate the best.

Sheen is Bi Losing

http://youtu.be/h5aSa4tmVNM

What's not to love?

Um, a lot.

Destructive behaviour leads to funny conditions in humanity, both for the victim and for the voyeuristic onlooker.

Sheen is probably sick, and he's also capitalizing on the stupidity of regular folks like you and me....well maybe not since we don't have ticket so to his 'show'. But you get the point. Mr Sheen needs help, what kind I don't know, but he's also simultaneously spinning a money grab machine all at the same time.

Makes me wonder how much of the latest kerfuffle is actually true....

Quick Recipe - Curry Shrimp with Tumeric

I'm trying to pick up cooking,well i mean I'm trying to pay more attention to tastey neato food.

I cooked this last night, was tasty, but would add a couple more vegetables next time (snow peas?)


Start off with a hot pan with some oil. Add a teaspoon of corriander seeds for 1 minute. Add a chopped onion, let it turn golden brown. Once brown add 1 tsp tumeric and 1 tsp cayenne. Stir for 1 minute, turn down the heat.

You'll get some nice colors here for the next step, just add half a cup of coconut milk. Simmer.

Add 20-30 shrimp (peeled) depending on size.

Let cook until shrimp are done. Add chopped cilantro on top.

I would add snow peas and a red pepper if you can (will have to add a bit to the spices.)

Serve on a bed of rice.

Voila! Easy dinner for two.