ARP 335 Beans or Knowledge

I try to keep episodes short and to the point. But sometimes I need to talk about conceptual things that at first, doesn’t seem to have anything to do with anxiety treatment options.  But it does.

I need to talk about beans or knowledge. Or the do before the why. Which I like better but it isn't grammatical. I take comfort that I'm pissing off an A.I. generator.

I know that many people that listen to the podcast like the give it to me straight and let me be on my way aspect of the show. 

That is not going to be this episode. I have to talk about non-anxiety things to show the anxiety examples. Might take me a while.  There are anxiety specific resources in the episode.

But I gotta talk about beans first. 

So yeah, if you want a short one, wait until next week or dive into the archive.

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: 

Supplement Resources:

U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) consumer page about magnesium and on Vitamin D.

There is also a newsletter from NIH called Digging Into Vitamin D. 

And the Office of Dietary Supplements FAQ page explains what they are, do you need them and the pro and cons of them.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has a post about magnesium and Vitamin D and why they work well together. 

Tyler Westley Tik Tok video about taking a friend's suggestion concerning magnesium.

. 

Dry Beans and Lectin Information:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health page on Anti-Nutrients. There is also a link to the problems with Lectins.

Samarian Health Services page on Are Lectins in Plant-based Foods Your Friend or Foe?

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 324 - Explaining Depression via Games

The American Psychiatry Association defines depression as loss of interest of activities once enjoyed, and that the symptoms must last longer than two weeks before an official diagnosis.

There isn't just one kind of depression and they don't all generate from the same source. 

For people that have not experience depression, it is really hard for them to understand. Or they try to related to something that has no relationship to the actual condition. 

You can tell they don’t know about when they offer responses like, “you just have to get out of yourself. 

So this episode is a two-fer. It is for people that have an anxiety condition that may or may not have a side order of depression. You'll need info on what is is and some of the treatment options.

And, if you need a friend or loved one who doesn't connect with what you are experiencing, there are games and simulations that can help them get a glimmer of understanding.

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: 

There is a story from New Hampshire Public Radio about a meeting at Dartmouth University with the current and prior Surgeon Generals meeting to talk about the need for ‘stronger communities’ to address mental health crisis. 

The Verge article about Google shutting down the podcasting app. Option 1 is to move over to the YouTube Music App. Option 2 is to find another podcasting application.

The American Psychiatric Association has information about depression, the various types and some of the treatment options. There is also a short explainer video to help those that take in information visually.

Helpguide.org post on Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs.

Celeste is a game where Madeline journeys up Celeste Mountain with her anxiety. There is an 8-bit version that can be played on the website. The modern version can be found on various playing devices.

Actual Sunlight, a game/narrative about the experience of depression. You also can find it on Google Play, Nintendo, Switch and other gaming platforms

Depression Quest, old school web based HTML journey of depression and discovery. 

The Braaains podcast if you want to know more about that tasty organ known as the brain, mental health issues disability representation. The podcast also shows how the topic is reflected in tv, movies and media. 

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 333 Two Simple Meditation Techniques

When things go wrong and you need a break, like when none of your audio software will record and you have to use your phone, you need to take a moment. 

Or two. Maybe have dinner as well. Some days you have to find ways to roll with it. 

A meditative break can help. That is the topic of this episode.

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: 

Dharma Homies Virtual Meditation Groups

From the website Self-Compassion.org, Changing your critical self talk. 

Tea Meditation Resources:

Gabriela Green post on Tea Meditation: Breathe And Purify Your Mind

From a Buddhist perspective, How to Drink a Mindful Cup of Tea on the Lion's Roar website.

Eye Restfulness Exercises

Annie Thoa Eye Palming for Clear Vision and Deep Relaxation YouTube Video 

Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired page on five eye exercises that prevent digital strain.

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 332 - Dealing With Jaw Clenching aka Bruxism

Many of us hold our tongues or clench our teeth to protect ourselves from saying what you really want to say. Or feel.

And for most of us, that works and we go about our day. But if you are clenching and grinding your teeth on a daily basis there is going to be a problem. 

Sometimes with your jaw. Or wearing away your teeth. Or having headaches or something worse.

In this episode, a look at what jaw clenching and teeth grinding and some of the things you can do to reduce the symptoms. The medical term is called bruxism. 

I do want to mention that I did not make any references to medication. That is because there can be non-anxiety related forms of bruxism. There can be structural problems with the jaw or mouth.

If that is the source of the problem, then that is more of a dental treatment issue. I'm looking at jaw clenching and teeth grinding from a stress and anxiety point of view. 

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: 

No Time To Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks" By Matt Gutman, who is an ABC news national chief correspondent. You can listen to a sample of the book at the publisher web site.

National Public Radio 1A podcast interviewed Matt Gutman and talked about his experiences having panic attacks on the air. It is a 36-minute conversation. 

The Journal of the American Dental Association page on Bruxism has a patient PDF that you can download. It explains what it is and what you can do about it.

Colgate Bruxism Exercises to Reduce Teeth Grinding.

All about BRUXISM  via Dentalk! on YouTube. 

Sleep Foundation page about Bruxism. Sleep Foundation is not associated with the non-profit National Sleep Foundation. This company is in the business of selling sleep products. That being said, they do have factual information regarding sleep issues.

Healthline jaw exercise post with gifs to show you how to do it.

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 331 Medication Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2023

I’ve done a couple of episodes on generalized anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as GAD. However, there have been changes to some of the medication treatment options.

And there are new options that did not exist in 2016 or 2018 so I thought that I’d catch everyone up on what is going to be current for the foreseeable future.

That is the topic for today's episode.

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: 

How to Tell if Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety and How to Treat It from Livestrong.com

Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a four question screener to help you figure out if you have GAD. The site also has a brochure about what the condition is and some of the treatment options. 

The National Institute of Mental Health has a web page and downloadable booklet on Generalized Anxiety Disorder aka GAD.

Consumer Version of the Merck Manual pages on General Anxiety Disorder with a short video about GAD. 

Prior episode on Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

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 330 - A Quick Look at the Pulsetto VNS Device

I try to stay off of sites like Kickstarter and Indigogo. Too much temptation and even more disappointment. Back in the day, I use to support the up and coming companies. 

But I got tired of waiting sometimes month before the product arrived. I have been burned by companies that found out it was hard to be an innovator.

Few days ago, I got an email that I was about to toss in the trash. Looked like spam. Anyway, I found out that it is an actual company that claims to treat anxiety, sleep problems and helping to focus attention.

Supposedly, this is a device that you place on your neck, apply a gel to help you make contact with the Vagus nerve for a tingling session of calm and relaxation. 

It has possibilities for some of us that want more non-drug based symptom options.

But there are hitches in the giddy-up. 

In this episode, a quick look at the Pulsetto VNS device.

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: 

There is a post on SciTechDaily about reducing the amount of social media consumption called Can 30 Minutes a Day Save Your Mental Health? 

Excellent Crash Course explainer video on what the Autonomous, Parasympathetic and Sympathetic system is, what it does and how it relates to stress and anxiety. 

Chris Haslam at Wired.com review of the Pulsetto device, really good article.

HealthInsider post on Pulsetto Review: Can It Improve the Quality of Your Life?

The official Pulsetto website can provide more information if you are interested in this device.

Trust Pilot Reviews of the device.

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 329 Cat Coloring Book as Meditation Practice

The TLDR version: What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

But be careful about making a purchase. When possible, buy from a human creator.

The much longer version: I insist on being a human being so I still do my own research. Not saying I having dipped a toe or two into the new hyped up gizmo world of ask a question get a possibly faulty answer of A.I. 

I have. I think I've learned more about human beings and the the decisions that they are making concerning the use of a service with a raft of ethical considerations tossed to the wind.

Which causes me to have certain types of additional anxiety about what humans do. 

In searching for resources for this week's episode I discovered the world of Kindle Digital Publishing (KDP) and stress and anxiety coloring books. 

For those that don't know, there is a group of people that produce low content books. These can be lined notebooks, journals, prompt books and yes, coloring books.

These books are very easy to produce. If you have a word processing program you are good to go. Create the book, slap a cover on it and send it to KDP. 

There are people that make dang good money doing this. Some are crafts people and true artists. Others jumped on the trend early enough to make a profit with low quality crap.

This is nothing new. Mainstream publishers have been making low content books for years. As in centuries. If you have ever been in a TJ Max or Ross store, you've seen them. 

What is new is two things colliding. A subset of people creating "stress or anxiety relief "coloring books for adults and A.I. 

These entrepreneur folks are cranking out hundreds of these books using A.I. to make minor variations to name, cover and the appearance of content. There is a tsunami of very low quality book. 

I can't tell by looking at the cover who is who. Or if it is a good book for actual use?

Does the coloring book have perforated pages to make it easy to work with?

Is it single or double sided?

Will there be bleed through?

I'm trying to say, buyer be aware and beware. 

What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

That is the topic of this episode on the summer slowdown.

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: 

Blue Star Coloring Ocean Animal Patterns Coloring Book

Dover Publishing Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book By Lisa Bonforte

Rockridge Press adult coloring book Stress Relief Cat Coloring Book, I found this on the Simon and Schuster website. 

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.