Many commentators have talked about how trauma can be a catalyst to positive psychological change. Often, people's philosophies of life change; perhaps becoming wiser, less materialistic, or more able to live in the present. Their sense of self changes too; perhaps becoming more patient, compassionate or grateful. And people's relationships change; perhaps with a new depth of quality, the ability to make time for others, or becoming more giving.
Happy Halloween
Susan at "If you're going through hell", sent this and suggested we both put it on our blogs for Halloween. I thought it was a fine idea. Happy Halloween!
Loving Kindness Meditation
Lovingkindess meditation can be very powerful and healing both. This is a description of how to practice.
400% Rise in Anti-Depressant Pill Use: Americans Are Disempowered
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that antidepressant use in the United States has increased nearly 400 percent in the last two decades, making antidepressants the most frequently used class of medications by Americans ages 18-44. Among Americans 12 years and older, 11 percent were taking antidepressants by 2005-2008 (the most recently reported study period), and 23 percent of women ages 40–59 years were taking them.
Saturday mellow meditation
I used to meditate with Jack Kornfield frequently on Monday nights and did a couple of short retreats with him when I lived near his center and before that I had read his work. This is a nice little guided meditation. Enjoy.
The brain that changes (grows, heals and repairs)
The discovery of neuroplasticity, that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains, even into old age, is the most important breakthrough in our understanding of the brain in four hundred years. Dr. Norman Doidge introduces principles we can all use to overcome brain limitations and explores the profound brain implications of the changing brain in an immensely moving book that will permanently alter the way we look at human possibility and human nature.
Doctors say she’s schizophrenic. A new movement says she’s just human.
Marty is 52. She has been homeless and spent time in psych wards. She has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychotic disorder "not otherwise specified," which means she hears voices and no one knows why. She has been prescribed Prozac, Thorazine, lithium, Risperdal, Haldol, Lopax. She has also raised children, and gotten her BA. She was only recently discharged from a voluntary stay at the psych ward at Holyoke Medical Center. She's struggling with side-effects from her current meds.
Yoga: Changing The Brain’s Stressful Habits
Yoga can supposedly improve depressive symptoms and immune function, as well as decrease chronic pain, reduce stress, and lower blood pressure. These claims have all been made by yogis over the years, and it sounds like a lot of new age foolishness. Surprisingly, however, everything in that list is supported by scientific research.
On being wrong
Most of us will do anything to avoid being wrong. But what if we're wrong about that?
Open letter to DSM-5
We believe that the risks posed by DSM-5, as outlined below, only highlight the need for a descriptive and empirical approach that is unencumbered by previous deductive and theoretical models.
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