Recovery from "schizophrenia" and other "psychotic disorders" Containing opposites, spirits, and “schizophrenia” I need to remind everyone that blogs on "schizophrenia" should not be ignored by people who think it does not apply to them. This post too, is potentially meaningful to anyone regardless of diagnosis. “Schizophrenia” can be seen as revolving around having difficulty... Continue Reading →
Nisargadatta on accepting and acceptance…
These are some statements by Nisargadatta Maharaj on the topic of acceptance...piggy backing on the last post here on Radical Acceptance. These three passages come from I Am That. Nisargadatta led a very humble life in a poor part of Bombay. He wasn't insulated from the vicissitudes and tests of everyday life -- in other... Continue Reading →
Self-compassion more powerful than self-esteem, about willpower and a memoir about insomnia: Sunday news and blogs
A Trait More Powerful Than Self Esteem -- Self Influence -- Self-compassion is defined as “being kind toward oneself in instances of pain or failure; perceiving one’s experiences as part of the larger human experience; and holding painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness (mindfulness).” (Neff, Rude, Kirkpatrick) -- People high in self-compassion react to... Continue Reading →
Radical acceptance–a bit of commentary and some resources
Susan at A Journey did a post called Accepting Peace. I spent some time thinking about it today as well as tweeting various links that it made me think of and so I thought I'd do a post on it. Acceptance of life just as it is has become my primary spiritual practice so it's... Continue Reading →
Smell of Jasmine is calming (very), free will, do we have it? and something to make you LAUGH! Saturday news and blogs
Smell of jasmine 'as calming as valium' -- Telegraph -- The sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming the nerves with none of the side effects, according to new research.Laboratory tests found the fragrance and its chemical substitute dramatically calmed mice when their cage was filled with it, causing them to cease... Continue Reading →
This being human…
The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.... Continue Reading →
Psychotropic Drugs and Children — a lecture by Robert Whitaker
Psychotropic Drugs and Children: Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic, discusses the disturbing effects of psychotropic drugs prescribed for children. Such medications, used for ADHD, depression, and anxiety, for example, have become commonplace over the past 30 years. This practice profoundly alters the lives of the children, and so now we, as a... Continue Reading →
Must read: Smoking while diagnosed mentally ill, testing thyroid and those who talk about serious issues are happier: Friday news and blogs
Smoking, neurodiversity, and pragmatism — Urocyon — Like Urocyon, I didn’t smoke until I got drugged up and prior to that I was grossly allergic to smoke. I actually vomited the only time I tried to smoke in high school. I started smoking once I was on a good dose of neuroleptics at age 27.Not entirely suprisingly,... Continue Reading →
Meditate…even while on a train
I love the part about meditating on a noisy train in the excerpt I share below. This is something I often do, that is, meditate in places people don't conceive of being appropriate spaces. Meditation is much more about being wherever you are fully in the moment then it is about being in a silent... Continue Reading →
Prozac in the water is getting serious, How the mind controls pain and depression and exercise: Thursday news and blogs
Prawns on Prozac, whatever next? Crabs on cocaine? -- NewScientist -- Second-hand Prozac in waste water could be sending shrimps' swimming patterns haywire, making them easy targets for predators. ''Crustaceans are crucial to the food chain and if shrimps' natural behaviour is being changed because of antidepressant levels in the sea this could seriously upset... Continue Reading →
“Wow, I survived. I made it. I am amazing. I can handle anything now.”
Tomorrow is five months off of all psychiatric medications. I did not do a dedicated 5 month anniversary post this month as I've been doing. This post was written a week or two ago. After my four-month anniversary post I've not had another "window" and I've not been able to leave the house again let... Continue Reading →