It’s been a pretty hectic week for most of my American readers. A major national holiday and Black Friday, all in one week. Back to back, no less!

The only thing that could rival that excitement would be a brand new Saturday Sanity, right? (Well, it was worth a shot.)

As you read this, I’m most likely putting up Christmas decorations. And that is more exciting to me than any of it!

This week at Mental Health Notes, things were sad. People watched as a fellow human being committed suicide live, the numbers of children being dropped off at Nebraska hospitals are rising (Marcie at Kids Health Notes has posted an update on the revision to Nebraska’s Safe Haven Law), and there was an update to the tragic Lori Drew/Megan Meier case. Of course, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. I told you about the IAVA and Ad Council teaming up to create online communities for veterans and veterans’ family and loved ones, as well as gave you some inspirational quotes to ponder. Oh, and I pointed you in the direction of some great money-spending ideas, which, can be good or bad news, depending on how you look at it.

Regarding mental health advocacy and education, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) wants to spread the word about nominations for the Welcome Back Awards, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released it’s latest issue of a newsletter geared toward helping returning veterans, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s (DBSA) Trauma Course for Peer Specialists is just around the corner. Chato Stewart at Mental Health Humor is offering to draw free pictures (how cool is that?!) – head on over and check out the terms and conditions. And finally, Kate McLaughlin has posted some extremely helpful information for family members and loved ones of a person with a mental illness.

In the world of mental health news, research, and studies, people with both diabetes and depression may have a harder time managing their blood sugar levels (I once read a pamphlet about how depression and diabetes interact), a panel of federal drug experts says we’re getting a bit too flippant with the antipsychotic prescriptions to children, the number of suicides among the elderly in long-term care facilities is holding steady, and the alignment of a child’s eyes could actually point to an increased risk of mental illness in later years (what?!). On a lighter note, Dr. Steven Toepfer of Kent State University has conducted some research that suggests we can be happier if we become more grateful (I so could have saved you some time, effort, and money on that one, Toepfer).

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel:

• Mark explains The Insanity of Alcohol over at A Dozen Steps.
• Mary Emma shares a personal poem of thanks at Alzheimer’s Notes.
• Angelique is holding a contest for some cute handcrafted jewelry over at Breaking the Mirror (the deadline’s tomorrow night, so hurry up!).
• Angela of Breastfeeding 1-2-3 has a ridiculously adorable baby.
• Marijke talks about laughter therapy at Cancer Commentary. (Marijke is also in the running for Best Canadian Blog with her personal blog, Marijke: Nurse Turned Writer. Give her some votes and wish her luck!)
• Scott at Health and Men points to an Swedish study dealing with stress and the physical damage it could cause you.
• Liz has posted the latest Healthbolt carnival.
• And…could it be? Is Tony back at Astronomy Buff?!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

It seems like just a few Saturday Sanities ago I was talking about how warm and sunny it was outside; now, we’re covered in snow. We have been all week. I still don’t have a winter coat (I didn’t have one last year, either – I can be very serious about my procrastination) and Chopper doesn’t understand why we don’t go outside 9,375 times a day anymore.

Anyway…

This week at Mental Health Notes, I talked about a new study about the television viewing habits of unhappy people, commented on two legal situations involving mental health issues (the older Tammy Lewis case, and the newer Elgin Mental Health Center case), shared my thoughts on the Facing Us 2008 Music Contest winners, provided some epilepsy and mental health resources (thanks, Cleveland Clinic!), and turned to the loldogs for some depression humor.

Regarding mental health advocacy and education, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s (DBSA) eUpdate for November 2008 is up (lots of good stuff in there!), Beliefnet has announced the 10 nominees for the Most Inspiring Person of the Year 2008 Award and they’re ready for you to cast your vote, Dr. Brent provided a basic rundown of seasonal effective disorder (SAD) over at Care2.com, the Revolution Health Group offers nine ideas for natural ways to treat depression, and Rick Robinson explains Post Election Stress Syndrome (ha).

In the world of mental health news, research, and studies, after a study that included nearly 5,700 American adults researchers believe people in chronic pain are at a higher risk for committing suicide, researchers who studied both American and Japanese teenagers believe violent video games may contribute to increased aggression over time (um, hello?), and some researchers are toying with a new treatment for OCD (one that may have adverse side effects, apparently).

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel:

• Mark helps us understand how we can turn negatives into positives at A Dozen Steps.
• Mary Emma has a plethora of Alzheimer’s resources for National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month listed over at Alzheimer’s Notes.
• Kristina tells us about ADHD medications not causing genetic damage in children at Autism Vox.
• Susan of Grounded Fitness wants to know how yoga and meditation has changed your life.
• Scott’s talking about Gulf War Syndrome over at Health and Men.

Now, whether you’ve got snow or not, go outside and enjoy the day!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Is It Too Early To Build Snowmen?

As I gear up for tonight’s episode of Prison Break, now seems as good a time as any to nod in the direction of the research I kept bumping into this weekend regarding happy people vs. unhappy people when it comes to watching television.

The article I read all the way through was Science Daily’s Watching Television, Channeling Unhappiness?, which discusses researchers from the University of Maryland and the studies they conducted for over 30 years. I recommend reading the article (it’s not that long), but the entire thing is summed up near the top:

Examining the activity patterns of happy and less happy people in the General Social Survey (GSS) between 1975 and 2006, the authors found that happy people were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read more newspapers. In contrast, unhappy people watched significantly more television in their spare time.

and near the bottom:

What remains unclear is whether happiness leads to lower viewing or more viewing leads to unhappiness.

I watch a lot of TV. Prison Break, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters – these rank among the shows I do not miss each week. Period. Fringe, Life on Mars, Private Practice, Family Guy – these rank among the shows I try my best not to miss.

I even scour the Internet each week looking for uploaded episodes of Friday Night Lights, because I don’t have Direct TV and just don’t think I can wait until January when NBC starts airing them.

And, these aren’t shows I watch during my “spare time.” These are shows for which I bust my tail to create “spare time.” Or, simply drop what I’m doing and go watch them. So, happiness and unhappiness aside, I think for me it’s simply a matter of being quite invested in these shows. Though, I’d be lying if I said they didn’t provide a much-needed mental break from the rest of life.

I’m not the happiest person in the world. I have issues. I have issues with myself, my career, my personal life – I have issues. Am I investing in so many TV shows because I’m unhappy? Would I be a happier person if I watched less television? Or, if something in my life changed to make me happier, would I be driven to watch less television?

Do these researchers actually think any amount of happiness would make me give up Wentworth Miller and Prison Break each week?

I don’t know.

What do you think? How does your level of happiness or unhappiness compare to your TV viewing habits? Do you think the two are related, and if so, in what way?

Post from: Blisstree

Do Unhappy People Watch More TV?

Well, we’re, what…two weeks into November? And NaNoWriMo is not going as well as I hoped it would. Don’t get me wrong – it’s going much better than last year’s. I just thought I’d be farther along than I am right now. Still, any progress on this book is a blessing!

On to the brainy stuff:

This week at Mental Health Notes, it was business as usual. I commiserated over animal testing in new schizophrenia research, told you about two ways you can donate to help veterans receive mental health treatment, pointed you in the direction of an article about dream symbols that mean you’re stressed, and rambled on about activities that help boost brain power. Oh, and I also offered some entertainment: You can download a radio broadcast about PTSD (informative stuff!) and watch an interesting performing arts segment titled “Mental Health” (not so informative stuff).

Regarding mental health advocacy and education, director Richard M. Patricia is spreading the word about his new documentary, Strive for Happiness. The film takes a look at what it’s like growing up in a home with a loved one who suffered from mental illness. iVillage’s iLearn courses is offering Stress, Sanity, and Survival, a free course that aims to help you learn how to better manage your stress. In Buffalo, New York, a campaign is underway to get mental health providers to volunteer their time and services to make sure veterans receive the treatment – and not just the medication – they need. And, serious mental health advocate and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter offered her views on the state of America’s mental health care at a recent Magellan Health Services, Inc. conference.

In the world of mental health news, research, and studies, hyperactivity is one of the conditions for which children are being increasingly medicated, researchers believe folks experiencing chronic pain may be at more risk for suicidal thoughts, and some researchers from researchers at the Centre for Women’s Mental Health at The University of Manchester think there’s a link between a mother’s mental health and stillborn babies and newborn deaths.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel,

• Lively Women blogger Peggy Rowland is holding a contest to win a Conception Kit by Conceivex, Inc. (The contest will run until November 24.) Peggy also has also posted an interesting interview with an aromatherapist who explains how aromatherapy can work to manage stress.
• Healthbolt’s Liz Lewis is giving away a Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD headset. (This one runs until November 18.)
• Grace Ibay points to a fascinating article about genetics and mental health (those of you looking for reasons to point fingers at Mom or Dad may love this one) over at Genetics and Health.
• Over at Autism Vox, Kristina Chew updates us on a sad story turned sadder involving the death of Jon Jon Jackson, a 10-year-old boy with autism.
• Marijke Durning shares the pain and healing that comes along with losing a pet at Cancer Commentary. And, at Womb Within, she allows a reader to share her story of depression and in vitro fertilization.

Now, I’m off to write!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: The News Is More Important

Passed in 1997, Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act makes physician-assisted suicide legal for terminally ill patients. Currently, Oregon is the only state in America that allows physician-assisted suicides. (I guess Michigan felt it’d be a bit inappropriate.)

Even though there are several “safeguards” within the Death with Dignity Act that aim to cover all mental health bases before a doctor can help a terminally ill patient commit suicide (such as psychological evaluations), folks from the Oregon Health and Science University are raising questions about patients with depression and anxiety (those who are likely to have impaired judgment). And, the answers to their questions suggest “the current practice of Death with Dignity Act may not adequately protect all mentally ill patients.”

My thoughts: I think I’d be severely depressed if I were diagnosed with a terminal illness. I think that’d be a no-brainer. And I’d hate to think I’d have to be happy (or, at least, not depressed) in order to qualify for physician-assisted suicide.

On the other side of the table, Dr Marije van der Lee of the Helen Dowling Institute in the Netherlands feels depression doesn’t always impair judgment, and states that we should focus on preventing depression and not preventing physician-assisted suicide.

My thoughts: So…pump them full of antidepressants and hope for a change of heart? No, probably more along the lines of some very intense therapy (and religious counseling, for some).

My questions:

• Do you think a person’s diagnosis with a terminal illness is enough to make the person depressed? And if so, should that depression prevent them from physician-assisted suicide?
• What are your feelings about physician-assisted suicides? Do you know anyone who’s chosen to do it? Would you consider it?

Image source: SXC and Miles Pfefferle
News source: ScienceDaily

Post from: Blisstree

When Is Depression Too Severe For Physician-Assisted Suicides?

“According to a new study [...] homosexuals and bisexuals are about 50% more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to suffer from depression and abuse drugs [...] most likely due to the lifelong stresses caused by the discrimination and rejection that homosexuals and bisexuals suffer from.” (From About.com’s Depression Blog post, Homosexuality Strongly Linked to Depression and Suicide)

“Researchers at the University of Minnesota have published a study showing that the degree of internalized homonegativity (negative attitude towards homosexuality) among homosexual men is what predicts poor mental and sexual health – not the act of being homosexual.” (From ScienceDaily.com article, Homosexuals’ Negative Feelings About Sexuality Predict Poor Mental And Sexual Health)

Aside from it being the beginning of Election Day 2008, yesterday morning was a fairly regular morning. I woke up, let Miss Penny Lane outside, took Chopper for a stroll, poured myself some coffee (yes, my animals come before my coffee – and they’re the only things), and turned on the ol’ Compaq to check my email and begin the day.

It was at that point – the “check my email” point – that I saw over 10 emails from Momma Sparks, all of which were titled “Wow!”, “OMG!”,”Read this!”, or something similar.

And all the excitement was over…? Surely something uber important and presidential, right?

Nope. It was ABC’s ruling to break up the Grey’s Anatomy lesbian couple Callie Torres and Erica Hahn, and ultimately send Hahn packing (or driving, as we’re told that’s how it’ll happen).

There’s been a lot of commotion of this development, and the general consensus is that there’s some serious homophobia going on at ABC. Consensus that’s only being fanned by the departure of Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn), a transgendered character on Ugly Betty; the potential departure of Carmelita (Candis Cayne), a transgendered character on Dirty Sexy Money; and the apparent Changing of the Orientation for a new Grey’s Anatomy character Sadie (Melissa George), who was supposed to be bisexual and interested in Callie, but who will now…well, not be.

Does any of this warrant speculation? Personally, I think so (and I worry about the fate of Kevin and Scotty on Brothers & Sisters – I mean, geez, ABC, they’re still newlyweds!). But I speculate everything, so be your own judge.

In any event, if there is something to the removal of all these homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered characters on ABC…well, isn’t this the same kind of behavior that leads to the studies and findings I quoted above…? I’m not blaming ABC for all the homonegativity in the world, obviously, but…well, I just thought we’d come a longer way than that.

EDIT: Later this same day…After conversing with b5media’s very own Ugly Betty expert Tom Landers of Ugly Betty News, I’ve learned that Rebecca Romijn’s departure from Ugly Betty was a culmination of her real-life pregnancy (an event that would be difficult to write into a transgendered character’s role) and a lack of new storylines for Romijn’s character, Alexis Meade. 

Too, let’s keep in mind that several homosexual characters on various ABC shows are still around. It doesn’t appear that ABC is wiping out all gay characters.

Post from: Blisstree

Homonegativity: What’s The Deal, ABC?

Ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects – including an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy. Effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance and empathy. Users say they experience feelings of closeness with others and a desire to touch others. (DrugFree.org)

Sounds seductive, doesn’t it?

I remember when ecstasy first started hitting the streets in my area. And I mean, really hitting the streets. As in, ecstasy use was running rampant through my campus, I knew people who did it, and I knew people who sold it. I also remember when stories about people dying from ecstasy started hitting the news (ecstasy screws with your blood pressure and heart rate, and can lead to hypothermia and dehydration), and I once watched a documentary (it may have been on MTV, who knows) about a girl who seemed to be permanently depressed after using ecstasy (ecstasy also screws with your serotonin – hello! – not good).

I also remember hearing about how ecstasy can mess with your memory. That one didn’t stick with me as much as the information about serotonin, because, well, every kind of druggy substance messes with memory, right?

But now, I’ve read that using ecstasy just once can affect memory. At the University of Hertfordshire’s Health and Human Sciences Research Institute Showcase yesterday, Professors Keith Laws and Fabrizio Schifano were supposed to discuss how ecstasy affects both short-term and long-term memory and that the number of times a person uses it is “largely irrelevant.”

And that’s a horse pill of a different color.

Anyway, I went to the University of Hertfordshire’s website and found some information about the presentation. Basically all I found was an announcement about it.

If you know anything about the presentation, or are someone who has experience with the mental side effects of ecstasy, feel free to chime in.

In the meantime, if you want to learn more about ecstasy, and it’s physical and mental side effects, check out:

• MDMA (Ecstasy) from the National Institute of Health’s InfoFacts
• Ecstasy.org
• Ecstasy Drug Info from TheAntiDrug.com

Post from: Blisstree

Ecstasy: Not Worth Your Mood, Your Memories, Or Your Life

I’ve been fairly stressed out this week.

The state of the American economy, the housing market, health insurance (or lack thereof), my yet-to-be paid off student loans – in other words, money (or again, lack thereof) – all have me freaking out just a bit about my future and my country’s future.

I didn’t used to worry about things like this. Of course, I don’t remember a time in my life when things ever seemed this bad.

Anyone else feeling the stress? Have some suggestions for mellowing out? I’d love to hear them.

In the meantime, let’s check out what’s going on in the world of mental health.

This week at Mental Health Notes, I told you about National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and our blogging event to raise awareness, as well as shared my two spins on the second and ninth steps. I also pointed you in the direction of an article about pharmacists’ secrets, told you where you could get free, condensed summaries of health books, asked you what you thought of electronic medical records in light of Practice Fusion’s new program, and shared a funny.

Regarding mental health advocacy, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has made it easy for us to urge Congress to get moving on Mental Health Parity, the Consumers Union shared the story of Kim, a lady who struggled to get health insurance because she dared to use the mental health coverage her former policy offered, and Mental Health American released its Fall 2008 issue of The Bell.

In the world of mental health news, Ireland campaigners believe their government is seriously lacking resources for suicide prevention strategies, researchers claim pregnant women who experience even moderate amounts of stress are putting their babies at risk for lowered intellectual development, more teens are putting their brain development at risk with a rise in oxycodone and hydrocodone abuse, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is developing self-guided, computer-based depression treatment.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, many of my fellow bloggers participated in our little event for National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Check out b5Media Salutes National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month to check out what they had to say!

Enjoy your Saturday (and if it’s anything like mine, i.e. rainy beyond belief, you’ll appreciate all the reading material).

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Stress Abounds

Whoa! I have had one hectic week! Most of it has been work-related, so I’m not complaining (when one is a freelance writer and editor, one doesn’t complain when work gets hectic), but I’ve barely been able to leave my desk long enough to take Chopper outside.

Next week is going to be just as hectic, but that’s mostly because of all the big plans I have for Mental Health Notes, as well as something special all of us in the b5media Health & Wellness Channel are cooking up.

Oooh, I bet you’re curious now.

Have patience and, in the meantime, enjoy this week’s Saturday Sanity!

This week at Mental Health Notes, Aside from telling you about brain foods for vegetarians and the history of the emoticon, as well as making a few announcements (see below), I didn’t do a whole lot of writing (I told you – it was a hectic week!). Fortunately, Airdrie Miller (remember her?) wrote a very special four-part guest series for Mental Health Notes about her battle with depression. If you missed it, backtrack and catch up with part one, part two, part three, and part four. I feel very blessed that she shared her story here.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Project Helping Hands is now also offering mental health resources to Hurricane Ike victims, NAMI has established a special fund to help Gustav and Ike victims, Mental Health America has launched its Vote for America’s Mental Health campaign, and the DBSA has launched a support group for parents of people with mood disorders.

In the world of mental health news, mental health professionals seem to be choosing methods that aren’t proven effective over methods that are proven effective when treating children suffering from PTSD, researchers are still linking pot and psychosis (did I read another study about that once?), overbearing parents may be fostering obsessive children (hmm…kind of like college students having low self-esteem because of their parents’ high expectations?), and homosexual men are experiencing poor mental health due to homonegativity (which is a “negative attitude towards homosexuality”).

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’re as busy as always:

• Kelly at Grounded Fitness wants to tell y’all about her GoTrybe.com one-year membership giveaway.
• Marijke at Womb Within wants to promote National Seat Check Saturday (which takes place today!).
• Karen at Pink Ribbon Review is recruiting people to join her team for Lee National Denim Day.
• Liz and Mary Emma remind us that today is the deadline to submit to the All About Alzheimer’s Carnival.

Enjoy your Saturdays!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Putting An End To A Hectic Week

I don’t know who originally talked about “the calm before a storm,” but in my 26 years of existence, I’ve found it to be all too true.

Aside from the depressing news about the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date, last week was a pretty good week.

This week, after spending numerous days in the hospital with a loved one who’s suffered a brain stem stroke (I’ll talk more about that tomorrow), Warner Brothers’ big surprise with Harry Potter looks peachy by comparison.

Still, I have prepared a pretty decent Saturday Sanity, all things considered.

Enjoy!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I shared two very interesting interviews: One with Dr. David Clarke, author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong!, and another with Dee, a Cymbalta withdrawal survivor. I also shared with you one writer’s tips on how to de-stress, told you about Blog Action Day 2008, pointed out that lead is harmful to our health (in light of a recent “China’s at it again”-type hoax), and participated in this month’s Health & Wellness Channel theme day with Sunshine Can Help Your Brain Grow Big And Strong.

Regarding mental health advocacy, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has posted their latest newsletter online, and Mental Health America wants to know if you’ve saved a life today.

In the world of mental health news, researchers report that an increasing number of veterans home from Iraq and Afghanistan are turning to alcohol, Heather Yakin of the Times-Herald Record shares a heartbreaking story of conditions of New York’s Hudson Valley area adult homes, and the Los Angeles Times reports on suicidal thoughts among college students. Studies appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology report cancer is a risk factor for suicide, a study of close to 3,600 Americans suggests that early childhood trauma plays a role in people starting to drink at young ages, and researchers have reported on two genes that could play a role in a person’s risk for bipolar disorder in the journal Nature Genetics.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we bloggers were busy with August’s theme day, “Summer Fun.” You can view a round up of all entries to learn how to be your healthiest this summer!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Recognizing The Calm Before The Storm