Pebble in the Road - Busting Stigmas

Despite the torrent of bad news being funneled to us, there are positive stories that don't get amplified. 
This is one of those type of stories. I kinda stumbled into it and I'm glad I did.

This was a story on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers website.

Jay Fraiser runs the Boston Local 103 recovery and sobriety group. He meets with fellow union members to help them stabilize on their recovery journey.

I don't know anything about being an electrician. I do know about being knocked to the floor due to anxiety symptoms. It was a long time ago but it did put me on my road to treatment. I don't recommend experiencing it but it is a wake up call to do something to help yourself.

I encourage you to read the story.

IBEW News - How One Boston Member Is Breaking Down Mental Health Stigma

Emergency Resources

The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. 

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. 

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

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.

ARP 362 - Boomers, Anxiety and Alcohol

Update: it is actually episode 363 but I goofed. Humanity is assured. 

A quick pebble in the road on those in the population that know what a party line is, not to be confused with the groove line and the collective horrors of swallowing Cod Liver Oil.

Anxiety does not have an age limit or time out feature. Age doesn't necessarily protect you from having an anxiety condition. 

This is just a brief look at some of the things you should consider if you are take a swig to deal with your symptoms.

P.S, really not a good idea.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has a facts information page about aging and alcohol.

The (UK) Royal College of Psychiatrists on Alcohol, Mental Health and the Brain

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Mental Health in Canada page on Alcohol Use in Older Adults

And from the U.S. Veterans Health Library, Unhealthy Alcohol and Drug Use and Mental Health, this has the breakdown on how much an adult can drink in a day. 

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.

ARP 343 Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families and Anxiety

In this episode, a look at adult people that grew up in an addictive or dysfunctional family. Because if you did, there is a good chance you might have an anxiety condition or a related mental health problem.

How do you get to be an adult child of a dysfunctional family. There are many pathways. 

Many are raised in an abusive or addictive family. Others are raised in a generational trauma system. 

Some people are raised by adults who do not have a clue about how to be a parent because they were never taught or exposed to a healthy, stable or loving environment.

It isn't about poverty or wealth. Education is not a guarantee of being a good parent. Nor religion or faith. Or the lack of it. 

It helps, but if you have taking a glance at the news, a Utah woman with a social media following pled guilty to committed serious crimes against two of her children.  

In 2034 they will become members of Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families.


If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper conversation with Dr. Uma Naidoo about her new book on the gut, brain food connection and nutritional psychiatry On that page you can find a link to the book at Bookshop.org or by visiting the doctor's website.

U.S. Center for Disease Control page about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with definitions and additional resources. 

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation post on Adult Children of Alcoholics information page.

Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families World Service where you can get more information about how it works, resources and virtual and real world meeting community fellowship experiences.

Therapy Dave has a article about ACDFs and an information sheet that list some of the core beliefs dysfunctional behavior that can happen in adulthood.

Kati Morton is a licensed therapist that has a YouTube channel. She has an episode about 10 Effects of Growing Up with an Alcoholic or Addict Parent

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.

ARP 336 Anxiety Symptoms and Nicotine

You can be a smoker that has anxiety or a person with an anxiety condition who smokes. Either way it is a bad deal that can not only make your symptoms worse but cause long term harm to your body.

In this short pebble in the road episode, some resources to help educate yourself about the problem but some viable resources you can check out to separate yourself from the cigarette or the vape.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse page on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco products. 

Smokefree.gov helps folks kick the tobacco and vape habit by providing information and resources, including a page about stress and smoking.

The American Lung Association has a number of options about quitting smoking. There are groups, online version and self-directed guides.

For California residents only, there is kickitca.org, this is a state of California website that can help users transition from smoking and vaping. 

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 241 - Learning from Ernest Hemingway

I generally don't talk about famous people unless they self-declare their illness or there is a compelling reason. Not in a million years did I think that I would have something to say about Ernest Hemingway. 

I knew he was a writer. I knew that he seem to love adventure and liked the ladies both within and outside of the bonds of matrimony. And that he was thought of as a manly man. 

So when I heard that there was going to be yet another documentary about Hemingway, I couldn't drum up any reason to watch. 

Until I learned more about the man. There are multiple levels to his physical and mental pain.

You got family trauma. Not to mention an undiagnosed hereditary disease attacking his organs.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder with two other mood disorders s riding in the backseat.

Arthritis. Depression and anxiety. Self-Treating with alcohol. 

Indeed he was a messed up man. Who wrote great books. Who was given the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

He was a pip but he was also human. Sometimes good. Sometimes a jerk.

In this episode, a quick look at the things that in hindsight, Ernest Hemingway can teach us about dealing with our situation and being proactive about taking care of our bodies.. 

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: 

Hemingway - A film documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novic. 

Ernest Hemingway: a psychological autopsy of a suicide by Christopher D. Martin.

PBS News Hour How mental health struggles wrote Ernest Hemingway’s final chapter by Dr. Howard Markel. 

The American Chronic Pain Association has a number of links to pain management resources. Mr. Hemingway would have been eligible for at least six of them.

There is good stuff at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.  They have information about Hemochromatosis.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance FAQ page about depression and mood disorders. They also have on-line support groups. There are also resources at ADAA.org and the National Institute of Mental Health and Medline Plus pages on Bipolar disorders.

If you suspect that someone you know is trying to take themselves off planet there are somethings you can do to help. Bethe1to offers five action steps to help a person in need.

The Gospel at Colonus a retelling of the Greek play with an African-American twist. It is available on DVD but your could take a gander at the play on YouTube. The music is therapeutic and provides another example of somebody having a rough road in life.

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 091 A Look At Symptom Management and Other Resources

Well it is a day that ends in y so it must be time to crank out a podcast. So much going on but we are focused on the doable around here so in this episode a look at three symptoms and what you can do about them.




If you're having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for immediate help: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Resources Mentioned:

• Robert Consulmagno sets world record in standing abs roll out as he deals with PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. There is another blog post from the VA about using Ju-Jitsu to tap into his energies. 
• For active duty and vets you can check out the Real Warriors page on anxiety conditions and resources. 
• National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) page on substance addiction and mental health issues. 
• NAMI also has a page specifically on mental health issues for active duty and veterans mental health concerns.
• New Hampshire Public Radio's Rewind has an 2010 encore episode on the changes in mental health treatment; the switch from talking and working out treatment plans to medication. 
• American Sleep Association page on Hallucinations and Sleep Paralysis, then there is a separate page on Sleep Paralysis and the auditory version.
• Tips to Manage Your Stress and Anxiety from ADAA.org
• 10 Minute Walking Mindful Walking Practice from Mindful.org
• Harvard Health Publications has a $20 guide on Coping with Anxiety and Stress Disorders. It is from the Harvard Medical School and before purchasing you can check out the table of contents and read from a passage in the book.

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. 

Episode 058 Dual Diagnosis and the Sleepwell Channel

The National Institute of Mental Health defines a dual diagnosis as having a mental health condition and a substance abuse problem at the same time.

That is the topic of this week's show. When you have an anxiety condition and something else wrong with you. It does happen and you have to deal with it.




Your can download the current episode on your smartphone, tablet or media device.

Resources Mentioned: 

• National Alliance On Mental Illness Dual Diagnosis Fact Sheet
• DrugFacts: Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Disorders
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Dual Recovery Anonymous 12 Step Support Group 
• SMART Recovery Support Group Information page  
• Window Channel Network YouTube page
• Window Channel Network Main Site for programs and features

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 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