Show 228 - Needle Phobia and Resources

This is a quick episode on needle phobia. I don't give as much wiggle room as I normally do. Your health is a stake. 

If you have dental pain and need treatment that you refuse to do, that is painful. On many levels. Having needle phobia that is stronger than tooth pain is serious. It affect not just your mouth but other body systems as well.

If you need diagnostic testing but you won't do it then you are making yourself sicker. Because at some point, you are going to have a needle in your arm and you will have no say about it. That might be a tad too late.

In no way I'm I suggesting this is easy. Nope. It is not. 

I am saying that being pain free and physical symptom free is so much better.

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: 

Alyssia from Mind Over Munch does a great job of explaining healthy anti-anxiety foods that support the brain and body. The episode is called Best Foods for Anxiety and Depression.

Jerry Emanuelson's The Needle Phobia Page is just that; a one page resource about needle phobia, and some of the things that you can do to deal with it.

Overcoming Trypanophobia or the Fear of Needles from Verywell Mind

Veinlight demonstration video of how to use the vein illumination product.

Red Cross video on tips to handle your fear of needles.

How to Cope When You're Scared of Needles by Christie Ferrari. In about three minutes she really does give functional things you can do you deal with needle phobia.

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 227 Quick Look at the CalmiGo Smart Calming Companion

In this episode, a look at a device that might help you with symptom management and up your pattern breathing skills. 

For those of you reluctant to take medication or are looking for other ways to handle your symptoms, this could be an option.

I want to make sure that folks know about a new talk show series from Taraj P. Henson called Peace of Mind. 

It is a talk show about mental health issues concerning the Black/African American community. It streams on Facebook Watch on Monday and Wednesdays 9am Pacific and 12 noon Eastern time.

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: 

CNBC.com post about Tony Hsieh, loneliness and some ideas about what to do about it.

New series from Taraj P. Henson called Peace of Mind. It is a series about mental health issues concerning the Black/African American community. It streams on Facebook Watch on Monday and Wednesdays 9am Pacific and 12 noon Eastern time.

Official website of the CalmiGo Smart Calming Companion

This is the tutorial video for the CalmiGo product.

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 226 - Aromatherapy Oils for Stress Relief

In this weeks show I fess up to eating chocolate cookies, a look at the website and videos from MedCircle.com and a look at some of the essential oils that can be helpful to handle anxiety symptoms. 

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 

"Aromatherapy is sometimes used for insomnia, but we don’t know whether it’s helpful because little rigorous research has been done on this topic.

Aromatherapy is sometimes incorporated into massage therapy for various conditions, such as knee pain from osteoarthritis or pain, anxiety, and other symptoms in people with cancer."

So this is a brief update on essential oils for aromatherapy.

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: 

MedCircle.com is a membership mental health education service. The goal is to provide information about mental health concepts and treatment. There is a MedCircle YouTube channel for the service where you can view clips or watch selected full episodes.  

Dr. Tracey Marks has a video on Essential Oils and the Brain on YouTube.

John Hopkins University article on Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work?

Very Well Mind page on Using Aromatherapy for Relieving Your Stress and a more detailed on on Aromatherapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

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 225 - Crafting Life with Mud

It has been a hard couple of weeks. Last week I had a public panic attack. If you are looking for a how to do it episode then I invite you to check out some of my prior episodes.  

The short version is that sometimes you think you get it but then you find out that you don't have it.

That something from long ago can jack you up. The good news is that you can learn from it and get about making changes. 

Take that mud and find some value in it.

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: 

From the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, there is a free app for meditations.

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 224 Questions About Amazon Pharmacy Service

One of the suggested treatment options is medication. Traditionally in the U.S. that meant going to the drug store/pharmacy. 

Now, X=the unknown is catching up with us. Very soon you will be able to make a tele-heath appointment with a mental health provider. That person will provide you a prescription for medication. 

You log onto Amazon.com and request delivery of your meds, which are delivered two days later.

Amazon Pharmacy isn't the only way to have medication delivered. But there are questions about the possible disruptive nature of the company entering the healthcare space. 

In this episode, a brief look at the pharmacy service, some questions and concerns.

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: 

Amazon Pharmacy press release about their new service. There is also a FAQ type page for consumers and Prime members.

Supermarket News article about Sam's Club contracting with Door Dash for medication delivery. And Costco is working with Instacart to provide pharmacy delivery services.

From the Los Angeles Times, there is a business column by David Lazerus asking some of the same questions and concerns about Amazon’s entry into healthcare. 

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 223 Feeling Numb

The dictionary says that feeling numb is a lack of sensation.  Those of us with anxiety disorders are usually feeling something. Until we don’t.

Let’s say something big happened and everybody around you is celebrating. But you are not a part of it. Even if it is something that you really wanted. You are separated from the experience. There are a couple of names for this but the easy way to express it is feeling numb. 

In this episode, a look at what feeling numb is, the source and some of the online therapists and mental health ideas and suggestions about how to deal with it. 

I need to stress that if possible, you should consult a licensed behavioral health provider. There are increasing telehealth options and resources. The links provided are from licensed professionals who are offering their opinions and are providing ideas for consideration.

 

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: 

Psychologist Will Meek has a visual chart of the emotions and how to understand

The Anxiety First Aid Kit, Quick Tools for Extreme and Uncertain Times published by New Harbinger Press. The link is the publisher's website. You can find the book at online book vendors or you can contact your local independent bookstore.

From Very Well Mind What Is Emotional Numbing?

Why Do I Feel Numb Emotionally? Dissociation Explained in Depth by physiotherapist David Maloney. This is a half-hour video that goes into detail about experiencing feeling numb (aka dissociation) and what you can do about it.

 

2018 post from The Mighty on 16 Things People Don't Realize You're Doing Because You're Emotionally 'Numb

Therapist Támara Hill provides some ideas about "How Can I Begin To Heal?" 3-4 Tools You Can Use Everyday 

Tiny Buddha How to Connect to Yourself and Feel Balanced with 10 Grounding Techniques

Dr. Stephanie Cordes Easy Grounding Exercises to Calm the Nervous System

Psychologist Will Meek - How to Relax

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 221 Pebble in the Road Being Out of Order

On one of the BBC web pages is an video about a man who started walking to control his panic attacks. it turned into a mission and career. 

I admire his determination and his ultimate goal of doing that in other countries of the world. 

I'm trying to hold my space in the here and now. Not as easy as it sound. But it is important. Find your peace where you can.  In this episode a quick look at burnout resources. 

We all need a helping hand but some of us need just a bit more in dark times. If times are that bad 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: 

Burnout Prevention and Treatment by Helpguide.org

Psychology Today article by Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D. gives an overview of what burnout is and what are some of the symptoms.

There is a podcast called Hurry Slowly where Jocelyn Giel looks at the power of slowing down.

2017 Slate article Therapy Is Great, but I Still Need Medication

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.