Show 100 A Look at Out of the Woods and Depression Tips

In this episode, a look at some people with depression, tips and actual things you can do; or not. These are just suggestions. Your healthcare is up to you. I'm just a Sherpa on an ever expansive road.

This is the 100th episode of the podcast. When I made the decision to do this I knew why it was necessary; I’ve experienced people dismissing my symptoms, or a provider wanting me to take a specific medication because it was cheaper than behavioral therapy or exploring other alternatives.

I knew there were other things I could do. But I didn't know what they were. It shouldn't have taken as long as it did. I hope your road isn't as long.






Don't let the head fucker win. 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: 

Find Your Words is a collaborative project from Story Corp and Kaiser Health Foundation to help communicate, educate and provide resources about depression and mental illness.

The Hilarious World of Depression podcast with John Moe interviewing author, videoblogger, educator and a whole bunch of other great stuff, John Green.

Brent Williams is the author of the graphic novel; Out of the Woods. For more information about the New Zealand author you can visit his web site, Barnes and Nobel and Amazon.

If you are feeling ginned up take a look at some of the Anxiety Tips to Help You Cope from ADAA.org

Let Go video from meditation expert Jon Kabat-Zinn

UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center has a number of free audio recordings to help you get started in mindfulness practice.

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 099 Float On Epson Salts and What Is Stress?

Your body makes decisions all day long calibrating the appropriate amount of stress necessary to keep you safe. Sometimes there is too much to handle. Or sometimes there may be a enclosed water pool in your future. All things are possible.

In this episode, a look at stress and how it can play a role in anxiety conditions, panic attacks and phobias.




You are not a candle in the wind,  there is 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: 

From National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Floating Away Your Anxiety And Stress.

Miami Herald's article about Psychological Trauma is  Invisible in Long Term Toll of Megastorms.

Nic and Pancho Meditation video; you are not the only one that can't do more than a minute.

Psychology Today Stress Basics  - good description of the stress process.

Women's Health.gov page on stress and anxiety.

National Institute of Mental Health 5 Things You Should Know about Stress You can read the page on the site or download it as a PDF

Villanova University Office of Health Promotion has a 16 page stress management guide that you can download that has actionable steps to handling stress reactions.

Helpguide.org page on Using Self-Help Techniques for Dealing with Stress.

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 098 - Four Things About Anxiety Disorders

The anxiety road is a path of many junctures and on-ramps. We all have different treatment requirements. If you are a newbie I got info for ya. If you've been around the bend; there are one of two new resources.

Got a new microphone that puts a little bass in my non-bass voice. Hope to get use to it but I have a back-up candidate. Which cost more money but one of my software programs doesn't like it. Which produces a whole 'nother form of anxiety.

In this show, a true confession that I still have attacks plus four things that you should know about having an anxiety disorder, condition or situation.






If you cannot see colors and death looks bright and shiny, please 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: 

Anxiety page at Helpguide.org on the varieties of anxiety, panic and phobia disorders. Helpguide.org goes into detail about the condition and the many non-medication resources that are available.

The Mighty covers a variety of health topics including anxiety disorders. From their community pages a list of 19 Red Flags To Consider if you should get help for your problem.

AnnaLisa Scott's The Worry Games FAQ page where she gives her opinions about the nature of anxiety disorders; she believes that is is more of a thinking disorder.

Anxiety.org page on what causes anxiety disorders and possible risk factors, text intensive but there is a lot of info on that page including treatment options.

16 Simple Mindfulness Techniques to help soothe your troubled mind.

The Daring to be Happy podcast with Lila B has an episode on choosing not to think.

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 097 Baa Baa Land and Clown Phobia

This week there is a brief look at the slo-mo movie Baa Baa Land and a look at the culturally permissible fear and anxiety about clowns. There are people that have clown phobia.

But there are a lot more people with a culturally induced fear and hatred of clowns. That shift happened about 40 years ago. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a positive modern representation of a good clown?





The days are not a dark as they seem. There are people who will listen. If you feel suicidal 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: 

Baa Baa Land Movie - When you need to count sheep but are wide awake.

Refinery 29 post on Why You Should Think Twice Before Saying Your Workout Is "As Good As Therapy"

Minnesota Public Radio has an audio story about on-line therapy.

Brain Pickings article on A Stoic’s Key to Peace of Mind: Seneca on the Antidote to Anxiety

Smithsonian Magazine on The History and Psychology of Clowns Being Scary

Business Insider on Why people are afraid of clowns.

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.

The Healing Power of Sheep - Baa Baa Land, The Movie

Sleep is definitely an issue for people with anxiety, panic or phobia conditions and disorders. We are already wrapped up too tight and then trying to catch some ZZZZ is like charcoal powder on a cake; want the cake but have to go through hell to get to it.

I don't know why sheep are associated with sleep or how the counting sheep thing came into being. I can say just thinking about it as I type has induced a yawn or two.

The good folks at Calm.com know at good thing when they see it. So there is a meadow, some sheep and to make sure the brain doesn't get too excited, the movie is in slow motion.

That's right, slow motion. Eight hours and 1 minute of slow motion sheep. 

Need something to do while you practice your breathing? 

Need to wind down but don't want to watch a movie?

Like sheep?

This is the movie for you.

Times might seem rough but not for the final dip. If it is getting too dark 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. 

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 or blog is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.