wow. I always write about preparing for travel way ahead of time in order not to get sick on a trip. Well, I did what I could and have still had a tough time. Not bad though! I’m visiting a very good friend in Texas. Her family is so stable and happy. It makes me see that I need more stability in my life in Portland. Things are so different back home. My family is often unhappy and it’s stressful. I do what I can, but I’m still around it because I love them! Also, I realize I am alone too much. Being around people helps me- so what can I do to be around more people? It’s a constant struggle as I can’t work in an office setting! I am going to create a plan for this in the next few weeks.
And finally, how can I get my sleep regulated when I am [ Read More ]
Hi, I’m currently in Texas where it is sunny. I wrote the blog below before I left. Oh! It can be so hard to live in the Pacific Northwest where it often gets dark at 4PM!
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Hello! Here is a link to a PDF file of my article on managing seasonal affective disorder. As I write this- it’s 4PM here in Portland, Oregon and it’s basically getting dark outside. I miss the sun! Feel free to share this file with anyone you feel would be interested. And let’s have a depression free winter! Here is the link- you can click on it and save the article to your computer.
Well! I never thought I would be so well that I could just get ready and get on a plane to Texas without stress! But it’s happening. I leave tomorrow morning for San Antonio where I will see a dear friend and her three kids for New Year’s Eve! As you know, I wrote a lot about having plans for holidays this year- and I did it!
Then I go to Jacksonville, Florida to see another dear friend. I will work on a proposal for my new book while she is working. We will then have fun on the weekends. I have to rent a car and get around by myself. I have done all of my own packing and I am actually getting through today without stress- I have to be at the airport at 4AM tomorrow!
Why am I telling you all of this mundane stuff? Because just a few years ago none [ Read More ]
Hi, It’s really early in the morning and I’m off to my trip to Texas. So far, so good! No anxiety at all!
I will not be on the blog for a few days. There are many reader comments where people ask questions= please feel free to answer them with any advice you may have. As always, be careful not to offer medical advice, but you can offer suggestions and places to go for more information!
Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.
It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.
Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)
I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill. It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged [ Read More ]
I visited my partner Ivan every day- and sometimes two times a day when he was in the hospital in 1994. He was in the psych ward for three months, so that was a lot of visits. He refused medications unless I was there- which meant my life was basically on hold when he was so ill.
Going to the psych ward every day was quite an experience. It was certainly an interesting perspective. Not many people get to see how the hospital works and learn so much about the people on the ward.
I missed Ivan terribly during those months, but I never regretted that he was in the hospital. It was the only safe place for him and it saved his life.
If you are just out of the hospital, there is a good chance you’re scared, maybe upset you were in restraints, mad at your family for putting [ Read More ]
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The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. This site should not be seen as a substitute for an official diagnosis or for professional health care.
