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Monday, September 28, 2009
New Schizophrenia Blog
I have created a new schizophrenia blog yesterday. It is on wordpress. The name of the blog is "All About Schizophrenia."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
McGill Reporter » Blog Archive » Opening a window onto the brain
At the moment, there is just empty space between two pavilions at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. But, if everything goes according to plan - and it has to - come March 2011, one of the world’s top brain-imaging centres will open its doors on that exact spot.
To read the rest of the article click on the link below.
McGill Reporter » Blog Archive » Opening a window onto the brain
Monday, September 21, 2009
Residential centre review urged - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca
Here is the link to a news article published by The Chronicle Herald. It's about doing something about the abuse going on in large residential centers. I personally feel that something should be done about this problem.
To read the article click on the link below.
Residential centre review urged - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca
An Objective in Life
From the time I was fourteen years old until the year 2000 I suffered much suffering, pain, torture, and torment. Between my schizophrenia, addiction, and alcoholism I just went through living hell. In the year 2000 I started recovering from my schizophrenia, addiction, and alcoholism.
I personally believe that the reason for all that suffering was so that I could empathize with my fellow consumers, addicts, and alcoholics. I have been where they are and have been. I can share my experience, strength, and hope with them. One of my objectives in life is to do my best to help others.
I have often thought about going to University and getting official training in the mental health profession. Then getting an actual job in this field. This is not practical. It would cost too much money. It would take me too long to get my degree because I would not be able to handle a full work load. I would have to only attend part time.
So, the question is, how can I fulfill my objective in life helping others? If I cannot receive official training and actually work in the mental health field how can I help others? There is an answer to this question. MY WRITING. I have a gift for putting things down on paper. I am able to express myself better by writing than I can engaging in conversation. I can help others by continuing to write for the two newsletters I write for. I am able to help others through the articles I write for my blogs and web sites. Outside my marriage and work I have a purpose in life. Helping others.
Good luck in your own recovery.
I personally believe that the reason for all that suffering was so that I could empathize with my fellow consumers, addicts, and alcoholics. I have been where they are and have been. I can share my experience, strength, and hope with them. One of my objectives in life is to do my best to help others.
I have often thought about going to University and getting official training in the mental health profession. Then getting an actual job in this field. This is not practical. It would cost too much money. It would take me too long to get my degree because I would not be able to handle a full work load. I would have to only attend part time.
So, the question is, how can I fulfill my objective in life helping others? If I cannot receive official training and actually work in the mental health field how can I help others? There is an answer to this question. MY WRITING. I have a gift for putting things down on paper. I am able to express myself better by writing than I can engaging in conversation. I can help others by continuing to write for the two newsletters I write for. I am able to help others through the articles I write for my blogs and web sites. Outside my marriage and work I have a purpose in life. Helping others.
Good luck in your own recovery.
Focus
I used to watch a show called Life in the ER. It was a non-fiction show. It was actually filmed right in the trauma center. I was watching a show one day and someone asked the Doctor in charge of the trauma center why he was so successful at his work. He said focus. When he was in school he was 100% focused on his studies. Nothing else occupied his mind. Then when it was time to actually work in the trauma center he said when he was at work he was 100% focused on his work. Nothing else occupied his mind.
I need to apply this concept to my own life. If I want to be successful at achieving my goals and objectives in life I need to become 100% focused. To succeed in my marriage I need to be 100% focused on my marriage. To have a successful and profitable business I need to be 100% focused on our business. If I am to continue to be successful at my two writing jobs and my job as a collator I need to become 100% focused. In order to continue to be successful at my writing for my blogs and web sites I need to become 100% focused. Nothing else can occupy my mind. I need to put all thoughts out of my head that don't pertain to my goals and objectives.
This is the only way that I can become successful at all my goals and objectives in life. Focus, focus, focus. I am totally determined to accomplish this in my life. I can and will succeed. Good luck in achieving your own goals and objectives in life.
I need to apply this concept to my own life. If I want to be successful at achieving my goals and objectives in life I need to become 100% focused. To succeed in my marriage I need to be 100% focused on my marriage. To have a successful and profitable business I need to be 100% focused on our business. If I am to continue to be successful at my two writing jobs and my job as a collator I need to become 100% focused. In order to continue to be successful at my writing for my blogs and web sites I need to become 100% focused. Nothing else can occupy my mind. I need to put all thoughts out of my head that don't pertain to my goals and objectives.
This is the only way that I can become successful at all my goals and objectives in life. Focus, focus, focus. I am totally determined to accomplish this in my life. I can and will succeed. Good luck in achieving your own goals and objectives in life.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Obsessed With Religion
I have a real deep interest in religion. I have been like that for many many years. I am wondering if it is getting out of hand. I am wondering if I am getting too obsessed with religion. I am wondering if my obsessive compulsive disorder is getting out of hand. I am wondering if it is my OCD that is causing me to get too obsessed with religion. It is true that it is my spiritual and religious beliefs that are responsible for my recovery from mental illness and addiction. I think that it is getting out of hand. As time goes on I seem to be getting more and more obsessed with religion. It is getting to the point that it is causing me much concern about my sanity. There is nothing wrong with religion if it doesn't take control of ones thoughts and emotions. I am starting to have a feeling of having no control over how much religion occupies my thoughts and feelings. I just can't get these thoughts of religion out of my head.
Lately I have been communicating with the Mormons. I have been doing some research on this religion. I am wondering if they are truly a cult like everyone says they are. I must confess that their religion does appeal to me but I am also having doubts whether I should believe it. I would just love to get rid of my obsessions with religion. I don't know how to accomplish this though. I think I am going to stop all reading on religion and stop discussing it with people. At least for now. I am going to try to occupy my mind with other things such as the business Kim and I have started. I want to become 100% focused on our business. I also want to continue my research on mental illness. It is one thing to believe and pray to God but it is totally another thing to become obsessed with religion. They are not the same. In fact I am thinking about putting the spiritual life out of my mind as well. Forget about even the 12 steps and anything that has a spiritual connection to it. Just put all thoughts of spirituality and religion totally out of my mind. I think that this is necessary if I am going to get back my sanity concerning this problem. My sanity is important to me. I will try my very best to successfully get rid of all thoughts about religion. I personally feel that this is necessary concerning where I am at right now in my life. I have more important things to think about and accomplish in my life right now. I have a wonderful relationship with my wife. I have two writing jobs. I have another part time job being a collator. Kim and I have our business to attend to at the present moment. In fact starting October 4th this year we will be selling Kim's product at the Flea Market in Grenich. We will be there all winter up until the spring. I am hoping that we will be successful there and sell lots of product. It will be very difficult to accomplish these goals but I desperately need to get all thoughts of religion totally out of my mind. I will have to figure out how to do this by trial and error but I am determined to succeed. Wish me luck.
Lately I have been communicating with the Mormons. I have been doing some research on this religion. I am wondering if they are truly a cult like everyone says they are. I must confess that their religion does appeal to me but I am also having doubts whether I should believe it. I would just love to get rid of my obsessions with religion. I don't know how to accomplish this though. I think I am going to stop all reading on religion and stop discussing it with people. At least for now. I am going to try to occupy my mind with other things such as the business Kim and I have started. I want to become 100% focused on our business. I also want to continue my research on mental illness. It is one thing to believe and pray to God but it is totally another thing to become obsessed with religion. They are not the same. In fact I am thinking about putting the spiritual life out of my mind as well. Forget about even the 12 steps and anything that has a spiritual connection to it. Just put all thoughts of spirituality and religion totally out of my mind. I think that this is necessary if I am going to get back my sanity concerning this problem. My sanity is important to me. I will try my very best to successfully get rid of all thoughts about religion. I personally feel that this is necessary concerning where I am at right now in my life. I have more important things to think about and accomplish in my life right now. I have a wonderful relationship with my wife. I have two writing jobs. I have another part time job being a collator. Kim and I have our business to attend to at the present moment. In fact starting October 4th this year we will be selling Kim's product at the Flea Market in Grenich. We will be there all winter up until the spring. I am hoping that we will be successful there and sell lots of product. It will be very difficult to accomplish these goals but I desperately need to get all thoughts of religion totally out of my mind. I will have to figure out how to do this by trial and error but I am determined to succeed. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Schizophrenia and Smoking
Smoking is a real major problem for mental health consumers. I have done some research on this topic. Scientists suspect a breakdown in the bio-chemistry of the brain causes schizophrenia. They suspect the dopamine system. There is to much dopamine. When this neurotransmitter picks up the message from the brain cell and carries it to another it doesn't bind properly to the receptors. As a result of this the messages get all mixed up. This is what causes the symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
According to research being done on how smoking affects those with schizophrenia. Nicotine binds to the dopamine and does something to this system. The affects of the nicotine creates a positive reaction. The nicotine actually improves the cognitive functioning of those with schizophrenia. It also improves the psychological and emotional functioning of consumers. It plainly makes a person have positive psychological and emotional experiences. It creates a sense of well being for the person smoking tobacco.
This is why so many consumers smoke. Very few people are able to actually quit. As a result of the benefits of the way nicotine affects the dopamine system it next to impossible to quit. I was talking to a scientist once and asked him if he had done any research on smoking. He said yes. I also asked him if it was possible for me to quit. He said I would need to be on the patch, receive intensive psychotherapy seven days a week. He said that the odds of quitting was next to impossible even with the prescribed treatment he informed me about.
Within the last nine years I have tried to quit several times. I was not successful. In fact when I tried to quit on a work day I just couldn't function. I wasn't able to do my job. My boss had to send me home. She told me to stop at the store and pick up some tobacco on the way home. She knew that I would never be able to quit. I want to quit so bad I can taste it but I have doubts that I will succeed. Maybe some day. That will be a long long ways down the road. No one has to tell me that smoking is not good on ones physical health. I know that I can develop life threatening diseases that could kill me. Even though I know these facts I still have no psychological power to quit and stay quit. One cannot quit on will power. If you are a consumer that smokes don't get all in a dither. It's better to have good mental health and live a satisfying life even though that life is shortened as a result of smoking.
I look at it this way. If nicotine and caffeine are my only vices in life I have nothing to worry about. If you compare this vice with vices I have had in the past they are nothing. I have nothing to worry about even though I smoke. I would rather live a short good quality life than be around a long time but have a poor quality life. I am totally satisfied with my life and I don't have to quit smoking to make it better. Life is wonderful and I love life. Psychologically and emotionally it couldn't get any better.
According to research being done on how smoking affects those with schizophrenia. Nicotine binds to the dopamine and does something to this system. The affects of the nicotine creates a positive reaction. The nicotine actually improves the cognitive functioning of those with schizophrenia. It also improves the psychological and emotional functioning of consumers. It plainly makes a person have positive psychological and emotional experiences. It creates a sense of well being for the person smoking tobacco.
This is why so many consumers smoke. Very few people are able to actually quit. As a result of the benefits of the way nicotine affects the dopamine system it next to impossible to quit. I was talking to a scientist once and asked him if he had done any research on smoking. He said yes. I also asked him if it was possible for me to quit. He said I would need to be on the patch, receive intensive psychotherapy seven days a week. He said that the odds of quitting was next to impossible even with the prescribed treatment he informed me about.
Within the last nine years I have tried to quit several times. I was not successful. In fact when I tried to quit on a work day I just couldn't function. I wasn't able to do my job. My boss had to send me home. She told me to stop at the store and pick up some tobacco on the way home. She knew that I would never be able to quit. I want to quit so bad I can taste it but I have doubts that I will succeed. Maybe some day. That will be a long long ways down the road. No one has to tell me that smoking is not good on ones physical health. I know that I can develop life threatening diseases that could kill me. Even though I know these facts I still have no psychological power to quit and stay quit. One cannot quit on will power. If you are a consumer that smokes don't get all in a dither. It's better to have good mental health and live a satisfying life even though that life is shortened as a result of smoking.
I look at it this way. If nicotine and caffeine are my only vices in life I have nothing to worry about. If you compare this vice with vices I have had in the past they are nothing. I have nothing to worry about even though I smoke. I would rather live a short good quality life than be around a long time but have a poor quality life. I am totally satisfied with my life and I don't have to quit smoking to make it better. Life is wonderful and I love life. Psychologically and emotionally it couldn't get any better.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia Twenty-First Annual Conference
MAIN THEME
MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Thursday, October 1st. 2009
8:45 am to 4:15 pm
Ashley Lounge, Sea King Club
Warrior Avenue, Building 242, 12 Wing Shearwater, Shearwater, Nova Scotia.
Registration Table opens at 8:00 am. Parking is Free.
Registration (includes lunch and nutrition breaks)
COST
General: $130
SSNS Members: $80
Students: $40
Individuals living with a mental illness: $5
Please make cheques payable to the
Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia
Telephone registration and payment by Visa or Master Card is available by calling
1-800-465-2601 (toll free in Nova Scotia)
MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Thursday, October 1st. 2009
8:45 am to 4:15 pm
Ashley Lounge, Sea King Club
Warrior Avenue, Building 242, 12 Wing Shearwater, Shearwater, Nova Scotia.
Registration Table opens at 8:00 am. Parking is Free.
Registration (includes lunch and nutrition breaks)
COST
General: $130
SSNS Members: $80
Students: $40
Individuals living with a mental illness: $5
Please make cheques payable to the
Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia
Telephone registration and payment by Visa or Master Card is available by calling
1-800-465-2601 (toll free in Nova Scotia)
Walk The World For Schizophrenia 2009
Our local Kings County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is holding our annual walk.
Please Join Our Walk in Support of Those With Schizophrenia
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2009 - 1:00 pm.
ROBIE TUFTS PARK, FRONT STREET. WOLFVILLE
Our walk will begin from the park on Front St. - down Main St. - & back to the Lions Hall for food, music, and prizes.
Your participation will help us to alleviate the 'stigma' & suffering endured by those who are affected by, or living with schizophrenia.
For a pledge sheet - call Sarah-Ann 902-791-0907 or Pat 902-678-8458
(you may also register your donation at the walk)
Please Join Our Walk in Support of Those With Schizophrenia
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2009 - 1:00 pm.
ROBIE TUFTS PARK, FRONT STREET. WOLFVILLE
Our walk will begin from the park on Front St. - down Main St. - & back to the Lions Hall for food, music, and prizes.
Your participation will help us to alleviate the 'stigma' & suffering endured by those who are affected by, or living with schizophrenia.
For a pledge sheet - call Sarah-Ann 902-791-0907 or Pat 902-678-8458
(you may also register your donation at the walk)
Monday, September 14, 2009
BBC NEWS | Health | Dispute over schizophrenia drugs
Here is a controversial article about whether the new a-typical drugs are superior over the older neurolyptics. Personally I believe that the newer drugs are more effective. I suffered for long term chronic mental illness for approximately 20 years or more. I was tried on several medications and they did not work. I did not start to recover from my psychotic symptoms until I was put on clozapine. I was put on olanzapine once. It worked for about four months then I took ill again. Read the article and decide for yourself whether you agree with it or not.
BBC NEWS | Health | Dispute over schizophrenia drugs
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Schizophrenia Rehabilitation - Introduction
Here are some good articles on rehabilitation. It has an introduction, a section on medical care, entitlements, daily living skills, vocational rehabilitation, education, conclusion, and references.
To read the articles click on the link below.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Beacon for troubled daughter - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca
Here is an article about the new housing project in Dartmouth for the mentally ill. This project is definitely a step in the right direction. The project was put on hold by the Conservatives but the NDP decided to carry through with it. Thank goodness.
To read the article click on the link below.
Beacon for troubled daughter - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca
Bed closures sent 'chill through my bones'
Here is a news article by Austin Mardon. It's about his reaction to proposed bed closures at the Alberta Hospital. The mentally ill have no place to go for treatment due to lack of psychiatric beds. This article is an eye opener.
To read the article click on the link below.
Bed closures sent 'chill through my bones'
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Doubt cast on cannabis, schizophrenia link
The research article this link links to proposes that there is no connection between cannabis and schizophrenia. There is much research that proposes that there is a link. This particular research has no hard facts to prove what they are proposing. Read it for yourself and decide whether you agree with this research or not.
To read the article click on the link below.
Doubt cast on cannabis, schizophrenia link
Writers Block
I haven't been doing much writing lately on any of my blogs. I have written a couple of things but that is all. I am suffering from terrible writers block. I have also been sick for a few days. I went to the Doctor last night. I have a viral infection in my chest. The doctor gave me a puffer to use to help clear up my lungs.
At this very moment I am listening to a classical online radio station trying to think of something to write about. I am just free writing. I am writing down whatever just pops into my head.
There are times when I am able to accomplish a lot but there are times when I don't accomplish much. I am going through a period right now where I haven't been accomplishing much. I don't like being in that state of mind. I am the type of person that needs to be always doing something. I don't like sitting around doing nothing. When I am in that state of mind I don't like my life and I don't life myself either. Even though I am recovering very well from my illness's and addiction I still have bad periods in my life. Things cannot be perfect all of the time.
I must say though that 90% of the time I am sitting right on top of the world but 10% of the time I am in a bad state of mind. When I was ill it was the opposite. 10% of the time I wasn't feeling all that bad but 90% of the time I was in a state of pain, suffering, torture, and torment. I am just so grateful that things have turned around for me. I am so grateful and thankful for the way my life is right now I cannot express it in words.
I am hoping that I can climb out the doldrums and get busy achieving my goals and objectives in life. I want to get busy again. There is an expression. When it's all over all that matters is what you have done. I want to get down to business and start doing things again. When I pass on from this life I want to leave a legacy behind me of things that I have done. I still need time out though for rest and relaxation. We all need that time out to get alone with ourselves and get away from all the hassles of life. We all need a break sometimes. I have had people call me a workaholic. I don't think that I am, in fact I feel that I don't do enough. I have a desire to accomplish a lot more in my life than I have up to this moment. I am just a go-getter and don't like to be idle. When I was ill I wasn't able to accomplish anything. For 20 or more years I did absolutely nothing. Never accomplished much. Now I am and I am grateful and thankful for it. In fact I have done more in the last nine years or so than I have during all that time before I took ill with schizophrenia. When I look back with hindsight I started taking ill when I was about 14 years old. From that time right up until February 2000 my life has been nothing but a living hell. Now my life is the complete opposite. I am living in heaven and the state of living in hell is far behind me thanks to medication, psycho-social treatments, and God's direct intervention in my life. I am recovering from my schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, addiction, and alcoholism. Concerning life right now I am just having a ball. My life is full of happiness, joy, peace of mind, and I also feel good about the fact that I am accomplishing things in life. I have done things and will continue to do things for the rest of my life. I just hope that I will not have any more relapses of my illness's. I believe that if I stay on my meds and take them faithfully I will not have any more relapses. A relapse would be very devastating for me. I just hope that I don't have any.
Bye for now.
Good luck in your own recovery.
At this very moment I am listening to a classical online radio station trying to think of something to write about. I am just free writing. I am writing down whatever just pops into my head.
There are times when I am able to accomplish a lot but there are times when I don't accomplish much. I am going through a period right now where I haven't been accomplishing much. I don't like being in that state of mind. I am the type of person that needs to be always doing something. I don't like sitting around doing nothing. When I am in that state of mind I don't like my life and I don't life myself either. Even though I am recovering very well from my illness's and addiction I still have bad periods in my life. Things cannot be perfect all of the time.
I must say though that 90% of the time I am sitting right on top of the world but 10% of the time I am in a bad state of mind. When I was ill it was the opposite. 10% of the time I wasn't feeling all that bad but 90% of the time I was in a state of pain, suffering, torture, and torment. I am just so grateful that things have turned around for me. I am so grateful and thankful for the way my life is right now I cannot express it in words.
I am hoping that I can climb out the doldrums and get busy achieving my goals and objectives in life. I want to get busy again. There is an expression. When it's all over all that matters is what you have done. I want to get down to business and start doing things again. When I pass on from this life I want to leave a legacy behind me of things that I have done. I still need time out though for rest and relaxation. We all need that time out to get alone with ourselves and get away from all the hassles of life. We all need a break sometimes. I have had people call me a workaholic. I don't think that I am, in fact I feel that I don't do enough. I have a desire to accomplish a lot more in my life than I have up to this moment. I am just a go-getter and don't like to be idle. When I was ill I wasn't able to accomplish anything. For 20 or more years I did absolutely nothing. Never accomplished much. Now I am and I am grateful and thankful for it. In fact I have done more in the last nine years or so than I have during all that time before I took ill with schizophrenia. When I look back with hindsight I started taking ill when I was about 14 years old. From that time right up until February 2000 my life has been nothing but a living hell. Now my life is the complete opposite. I am living in heaven and the state of living in hell is far behind me thanks to medication, psycho-social treatments, and God's direct intervention in my life. I am recovering from my schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, addiction, and alcoholism. Concerning life right now I am just having a ball. My life is full of happiness, joy, peace of mind, and I also feel good about the fact that I am accomplishing things in life. I have done things and will continue to do things for the rest of my life. I just hope that I will not have any more relapses of my illness's. I believe that if I stay on my meds and take them faithfully I will not have any more relapses. A relapse would be very devastating for me. I just hope that I don't have any.
Bye for now.
Good luck in your own recovery.
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