tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post5650486726358986713..comments2024-03-14T03:16:23.482-05:00Comments on Everyone Needs Therapy: SADS is backtherapydochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-51223650854215111792008-12-01T15:50:00.000-06:002008-12-01T15:50:00.000-06:00Yesterday I met a Wii for the first time. One of ...Yesterday I met a Wii for the first time. One of our patients, an eighteen year old who'd come out out of isolation not long ago (bone marrow transplant) was swinging the Wii remote (wand? joystick? who knows?) and getting fantastic scores at virtual golf. He was smiling, active... the whole room was cheering. Fantastic. I'm all for the therapeutic Wii.<BR/><BR/>(And I'm all for thick soup, too, and compact fluorescents, even in still-sunny places.)<BR/><BR/>You have cold -- but at least you got those beautiful trees first. That always amazes me, that thing trees do.A Living Nadneydahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14365370597831368062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-60285974993774643452008-11-24T11:25:00.000-06:002008-11-24T11:25:00.000-06:00Or buy a light box. One of around $200 ones. The...Or buy a light box. One of around $200 ones. The much cheaper ones are cheaper for a reason.Tigermomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15525962425980447155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-43445332394665934692008-11-24T09:02:00.000-06:002008-11-24T09:02:00.000-06:00this is great! I love it. I do most of these, but ...this is great! I love it. I do most of these, but am hindered by a horrible cold...today, on my way back from the pharmacy, I was thinking "this is a good day to take a walk" to get my spirits up since I've been in bed all week. But alas, fits of coughing says it can't be so. I am praying for a Wednesday walk.<BR/><BR/>p.s. I just made my holiday cards!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-30690678621642952392008-11-23T15:58:00.000-06:002008-11-23T15:58:00.000-06:00I'm a big fan of "daylight bulbs" -- the bulbs tha...I'm a big fan of "daylight bulbs" -- the bulbs that cast light in a fuller spectrum, not the yellowish light of normal incandescent bulbs. You can get them in compact fluorescent. The light is bluer than what we usually use inside. It helps me see better for reading and also picks up my mood. (I originally purchased the daylight bulbs for my painting studio, in order to get a truer color palette, but since that room is also my reading room, retreat and meditation room, I found I enjoy that light for everything.) <BR/><BR/>I'm kind of a sunlight addict, if there is such a thing, which I why I enjoy living in Texas. But even here, the days do grow shorter, darker, and gloomier around about now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-19991908003125518412008-11-23T13:32:00.000-06:002008-11-23T13:32:00.000-06:00pinky said...I like plain yoga. I put my mat in th...<B>pinky said...</B><BR/><I>I like plain yoga. I put my mat in the center of my living room and just break into a few poses here and there.</I><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0022.html" REL="nofollow">Micky said...</A><BR/>“If you’re not seeking the God of the Bible, His power, then by default you’re in the other <A HREF="http://www.michaeldorf.org/2007/02/is-yoga-unconstitutional.html" REL="nofollow"> camp,” </A>Cummings said.<BR/><BR/>Yoga turns kids’ minds toward Hindu gods, Cummings said. “The other source of supernatural power is <A HREF="http://www.new-life.net/satan.htm" REL="nofollow">Satan.</A>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07940745178193985942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-29450064348941201132008-11-22T17:25:00.000-06:002008-11-22T17:25:00.000-06:00Feel better, Retriever. Fantastic.Feel better, Retriever. Fantastic.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-45920634599381322822008-11-21T22:07:00.000-06:002008-11-21T22:07:00.000-06:00all good suggestions. I've always just thought th...all good suggestions. I've always just thought that SADS was a less stigmatizing way of describing bipolar mood fluctuations. That non-sufferers don't think a reaction to the lack of light is that threatening, so one can call one's symptoms that without many negative reactions. As alternately caregiver for relatives with and periodic sufferer from the black dog, I tediously intone "MOm's list" to the family: walk at least 3 miles a day at midday Uthe brighter the sun the better), take care of lots of house plants when the outside garden freezes, knit, read something hard and new and something funny every day, read the bible every morning, call at least one friend a day whether you want to or not, do one good deed anonymously each day, give up one luxury and donate the money to charity instead, keep lots of furry pets allergies or not and hug andslobber over them, go to work every day no matter how ill you feel and develop the patience of JOb as the office gossip and the timesheet Nazi make you want to wring their necks Kill them with kindness, and remember the story of Oscar Wilde about the Happy Hypocrite. A miserable sinner who put on the mask of a saint, then realized he had to act like one or he would be found out. Did it so long that one day, when the mask fell off and he shrunk, afraid of being discovered, his face had changed into that he was endeavorig to appear--no longer a devil but a saint. AA calls it fake it til you make it. My grandmother used to just say annoyingly "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all...." But sincerity and self-disclosure (except with a shrink or a priest confessor) are decidedly overrated. Other obvious things are sleep eight hours BUT NO LONGER (resist the temptation to hibernate), and if you feelobliged to overeat at leats let it be yummy healhy stuff. Go to Whole Foods, TraderJoe's and get something good for you in with the sugar, fat, salt, and carbs. Go to church or temple or meeting house, for the physical proximity with other believers as much as the structured time with God. Most of all (and this is the hardest for meas I sink into fall despair, but it is the most effective) keep doing things for other people. NOT the 24/7 dishwashing laundry stuff that most working mothers are saddled disproportionately. But rather, look around you for all the lonely, hurting people and ask yourself what you can do stealth (without offending or intruding) to help them feel more appreciated, more comfortable, less agonized, less furiously misunderstood. There is always somebody (sometimes the person I most detest at the office) who needs to feel heard, special, noticed in this cutthroat world. Excuse rambling, but very sick with a cold and a bit feverish.Retrieverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09036341287285545932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-91659639118975436632008-11-21T01:15:00.000-06:002008-11-21T01:15:00.000-06:00Thanks for the sound advice!Thanks for the sound advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-40227329968787587232008-11-20T15:31:00.000-06:002008-11-20T15:31:00.000-06:00Great Timing!Great Timing!Wait. What?https://www.blogger.com/profile/16914656489970904052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-7311311669888081112008-11-20T15:26:00.000-06:002008-11-20T15:26:00.000-06:00"Turn up the heat & get warm." My fr..."Turn up the heat & get warm." My frugal parents had me freezing as a kid. Now I'll work two jobs if I have to, but damnit I'm going to be warm in my own house;)Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09496172669599418214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-31181961940627026322008-11-20T14:20:00.000-06:002008-11-20T14:20:00.000-06:00I think I could take a cabin in the woods for abou...I think I could take a cabin in the woods for about a day. But the idea's great.<BR/><BR/>Muse, is London always gray and humid or only when I visit?therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-3791356044484368432008-11-20T14:08:00.000-06:002008-11-20T14:08:00.000-06:00Our two years in London were really bad, no sun fo...Our two years in London were really bad, no sun for days on end, all year.Batyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09402874037427009327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-51160608779272381112008-11-20T13:56:00.000-06:002008-11-20T13:56:00.000-06:00Years ago my honey and I lived in a dark cabin und...Years ago my honey and I lived in a dark cabin under the trees- lovely in summer and danker than dank in winter. After 2 years winters of depressed bickering we decided to spend the money and put full-spectrum light bulbs in EVERY SOCKET and turn them all on whenever we were home. It really helped. Then I started riding a bike which also helped. Anyway, SAD sucks, so do whatever it takes to get through 'til spring.otgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126129284810344299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-45753536358015894602008-11-20T11:21:00.000-06:002008-11-20T11:21:00.000-06:00The funny thing is, probably there are more people...The funny thing is, probably there are more people per capita in therapy in California than in any other state.<BR/><BR/>So there goes our theory.<BR/><BR/>And some say that people live longer in Northern climes. Makes us hardier, or something. <BR/><BR/>If a person lives in the north, however, it's all about keeping the feet warm. And the neck. The clothes, mainly, make the difference. Keep that core warm, you're good. Depressed, sure. But good.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-72274039241457050572008-11-20T10:57:00.000-06:002008-11-20T10:57:00.000-06:00I love your soup idea. And I love the idea of tur...I love your soup idea. And I love the idea of turning on all the lights!<BR/><BR/>I can't say I suffer from SAD (I actually like winter, as long as it snows), but I have noticed that the major depressive episodes in my life have all occurred in the fall. So it may be one more factor in causing overall depression.Leorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12303493764579879710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-74420267837204998432008-11-20T09:21:00.000-06:002008-11-20T09:21:00.000-06:00Just when the days get shorter and the chill of wi...Just when the days get shorter and the chill of winter begins to set in, we get the holidays too! My goal for this year is to ENJOY them, not stress over them. Money is tight, but our plans are set. Grandma's house for Thanksgiving and then quiet contemplation from our own snug little home at Christmas. And, yep, we're getting a Wii for the girls. They waited a whole YEAR for it, ya know! I'll let you know how it is! :)porcini66https://www.blogger.com/profile/00547909036887434734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-64080120609890385672008-11-19T21:31:00.000-06:002008-11-19T21:31:00.000-06:00Bikram yoga is the way to go. I highly recommend ...Bikram yoga is the way to go. I highly recommend it. I am never more relaxed or more centered than I am after those 90 minutes. Just try it once or twice, you'll be surprised. By the way, where I go, it's 105 degrees but it's dry heat so it's not nearly as bad as you might think. <BR/><BR/>Of course, I like Wii too. Wii gets the whole family off the couch, especially boxing. You can get one heck of a workout from beating up a cartoon character on the screen. There's something to be said for kicking the crud out of someone who doesn't really exist!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-16146941032148499122008-11-19T14:20:00.000-06:002008-11-19T14:20:00.000-06:00A few more ideas -- Watch Nature on PBS. Eat one ...A few more ideas -- Watch Nature on PBS. Eat one square of dark chocolate a day. Read Jane Austin (well, this may not be for everyone - but it works for me).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-9055584759131909622008-11-19T14:03:00.000-06:002008-11-19T14:03:00.000-06:00Be sure to remind him that antidepressants and the...Be sure to remind him that antidepressants and therapy cost money, too.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-56824145702329165792008-11-19T13:39:00.000-06:002008-11-19T13:39:00.000-06:00I like your suggestion about turning up the heat, ...I like your suggestion about turning up the heat, and getting warm! We keep our thermostats at 60-63 and brrrrr that's COLD! Now, to just convince my hubby.....Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17472517428832152273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-3228993155652628462008-11-19T12:12:00.000-06:002008-11-19T12:12:00.000-06:00Great suggestions. We must make active choices abo...Great suggestions. We must make active choices about how we spend our time when there is less physical warmth and sunshine. <BR/>Another one I like to do is have more get togethers, invite freinds and family over to share food and drink.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237538988856751173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-24520994530051425422008-11-19T11:22:00.000-06:002008-11-19T11:22:00.000-06:00Syd, for me that would definitely be a signal for ...Syd, for me that would definitely be a signal for an afternoon nap. <BR/><BR/>And Rachel, don't chintz on the garlic or salt.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-7450458091213346162008-11-19T11:19:00.000-06:002008-11-19T11:19:00.000-06:00Or get out and go sailing on that lake up there. A...Or get out and go sailing on that lake up there. Anything to get outside and get some sun. I've stayed in Sweden over the years and when it gets dark at 2 PM, it makes me feel as if it's time for bed. But the dawn comes at 3 AM so it's good to make the most of the light and get outside. <BR/><BR/>Great post and good ideas.Sydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05642843245634635843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-7232408948425922262008-11-19T10:58:00.000-06:002008-11-19T10:58:00.000-06:00Make a cauliflower base, excellent.Make a cauliflower base, excellent.therapydochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05088184676439578876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27072566.post-52444827165542192352008-11-19T09:51:00.000-06:002008-11-19T09:51:00.000-06:00My brother in law just got a wii for hsi bar mitzv...My brother in law just got a wii for hsi bar mitzvah, it's really cool.<BR/>This time of year it really is an active struggle for me to stay active and to not sink into a rut. I am trying to invest money into some of that under armour stuff though so I won't be so afraid to keep running outside through the winter.<BR/>Great post and suggestions though. I actually just made your veggie soup from the yeshiva cook book, good stuff! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com