Mental & Emotional Health

I’ve written about this before but I’m going to put the information out there one more time.  I am really curious if anyone has any advice.  What am I talking about?  I’m talking about "Children in the Marital Bed".  Here’s some background:

They go to bed fine.  They watch about 15 minutes of Blue’s Clues or Thomas the Train (I insist on these two because the others are too active, those two should bore anyone to sleep).  When it goes off, usually one of them is asleep.  It doesn’t matter though, it happens if one is asleep or their both awake.  After another fifteen minutes or so, they start asking if they can go to "momma’s bed".

Side Note:  I don’t know why they say it the way they do but it is "momma’s bed" and "momma’s bathroom" although Wayne and I both sleep and bath in the respective rooms. 

When we spoke to the counselor about this, he said, "tell them no and put them back in bed".  And, Wayne said that he would do that but I would give in after they got up a few times.  So, I agreed to let him handle it.  Well, here’s my analogy, correct me if I’m wrong….

Human Beings cry when they are unhappy, correct?  And, my children are crying, so that means they are unhappy, correct?

I am an only child.  I remember having insomnia as far back as age eight.  I couldn’t stand my mom’s new husband and I would lie in bed for hours sometimes.  And, I would cry.  I hated being alone.  And, I would cry.  So, what I said about my children crying, that means they are unhappy right?  By the way, the counselors words to me when I explained my thoughts on this matter were "don’t project that onto your children, that was you, not them."

I’ll be waiting right here to see what you think?

Share this post :

Ever walk past someone, smell them, and immediately want to turn around and follow them because they smell so good?

No?

Oh. Yeah, me neither.

The picture? Yeah, it’s of Koeln … Cologne for the English-speakers out there. ; ) I used my trusty stock photography site to find “cologne” today and laughed out loud when I got this. Koeln was one of my favorite German cities while I was there. I climbed to the top of that highest spire you see right there. Yeah, I know I’m a rockstar.

OVER. Whelmed.
This post probably shouldn’t even count for a real post. I am ALL over the place and can’t set my mind straight on anything right now.

I think it may be time for an adult ADHD post … if I can remember to do it.

Lawd-almighty I’m busy. I need to re-learn this get-into-the-groove thing. Helpful suggestions are welcome. Not-so-helpful-yet-hilarious suggestions are as well.

mental & emotional health, back to school, overwhelmed, good smells

Hey, look, it’s a mid-week me during the middle of the week!

I love to answer questions, and this one is geared a bit more towards adults! LOL

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? I have some sweet pea body wash, a bar of shea butter soap and a new thing of Caress silkening body wash. I like soap.
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No, and I never will. I’m allergic to melon.
3. Is there anything moldy in your refrigerator? No. That’s gross. My mama taught me better than that!
4. Are there any dirty dishes in your sink? A clean but not washed plate and a clean but not washed glass, too.
5. What would you change about your living room? I’d love to have a couch, an entertainment center, two end tables and an area rug.
6. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? I don’t use my dishwasher, it sucks.
7. Do you have a can of mushrooms in your pantry? No, I don’t like mushrooms, especially CANNED mushrooms.
8. White or wheat bread? WHEAT. Whole wheat. Lots of grain.
9. What is on top of your refrigerator? Two wine glasses, three vases, a wine box and a box of fudge rounds.
10. What color is your sofa? My chair (oh my lovely chair) is cream & tan.
11. What color or design is on your shower curtain? I don’t have a shower curtain, I have sliding glass doors on my shower.
12. How many plants are in your home? Two beasts, a jade and a trailing vine.
13. How many candles are in your home? Uhm, a lot. There are four directly in front of me, two in the bathroom, two in the kitchen, three in my bedroom. Those are just the ones that are out, too!
14. Is your bed made right now? Yeah, Laura came over earlier, I had to have a clean house!
15. If you have a coffee pot, what color is it? It’s black. I love my coffee maker.
16. Electric or standard can opener? Standard. From the dollar store.
17. Theme in your living room? Theme? Clean. I like my clean living room.
18. Colors in the bedroom? Burgundy, cream, black and some wood tones for now.
19. Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet. I have TWO containers of the stuff!
20. Is your closet organized? Yes. Very much so.
21. What color is the flashlight that you use the most? I don’t have a flashlight. (Mama, you could add that to the tool box?)
22. What kinds of things are in your junk drawer? I don’t have a junk drawer, I have a junk cupboard! LOL My screwdrivers, phone books, twistyties and other random bits are in there.
23. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Glass. I have ONE plastic cup … my souvernier cup from the Justin Timberlake show.
24. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No.
25. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? I have no garage but if I did, it wouldn’t be cluttered.
26. Curtains or blinds? I have blinds but will be making curtains soon.
27. How many pillows do you sleep with? I have two regular sized pillows on my bed and one small one.
28. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No.
29. How many ceiling fans are in your home? None.
30. How often do you vacuum? Weekly, at least.
31. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard
32. What color is your toothbrush? Purple, white and blue
33. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yup, it was left here when I moved in.
34. What is in your oven right now? Nothing.
35. Is your microwave clean or dirty? Clean. Spotless. Dirty microwaves bother me.
36. Is there anything under your bed? Yes, another bed, two under-the-bed boxes and my sleeping bag.
37. Chore you hate doing the most? Cleaning the bathtub
38. What retro items are in your home? Retro? My TV. and my mattress LOL
39. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? The dining room is my office, I have no dining room table, I have a desk instead!
40. If you have a yard, who mows it? Don’t have a yard!
41. Is there anything on your kitchen floor right now? Uhm, no.
42. How many mirrors are in your home? Two small ones on the living room pillar, two in the bathroom and a full-length in my bedroom
43. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? No.
44. What color are your walls? White. Boring-ass white.
45. Which rooms in your house have wallpaper? The bathroom has a runner that I hate.
46. Do you have a peephole in your front door? No
47. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? I have two fists and fingernails.
48. What does your home smell like right now? Mulberry
49. Fave candle scent? sandalwood
50. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? None! Pickles are gross
51. Who are in the pictures you displayed? Friends, family, nature.
52. What color is your favorite bible? Blue and black
53. Do you have plenty of cabinet space in your kitchen? Yes, I have empty cupboards because I have very little kitchen stuff.
54. Do you own a stereo? No
55. How many tvs do you have? Two
56. How many house phones? Just one
57. Do you have a housekeeper? Me!
58. What style do you decorate in? Simple? Classy? Clean? I dunno if I have a style.
59. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Solids with texture.
60. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes. I think. I guess I should look, huh?
61. In case of fire, what are the items you would grab if you only could make one quick trip? My camera, my laptop, my purse and my new red shoes.
62. Do you know how to work your electrical box? I can figure it out.
63. What temperature in your home is most comfortable to you? I’ve never turned on the heat here so I don’t know. I like it mild though. It stays really cool in here in the summer so I hope it stays warm in the winter

mental & emotional health, survey, house meme, adult questions, personal

Since I didn’t do a mid-week me last week, I’ll do a Monday Morning Me instead! Enjoy - tomorrow I may get back to seriousness again!

(more…)

Terra, of Eating Disorder Talk asked me about medication interactions for the recent question contest I ran. While her question was specific with regards to the types of medication she is taking/has taken for her cyclothymia, obsessive-compulsive & attention-deficit disorders, I am going to provide some resources for you that will help you check your own medication interaction risks.

(more…)

Right now I have three entries for my mental health question contest. That kinda depresses me. *wry smile* Of all the things to depress me, a lack of questions about depression does it! *eye roll* So, if any of you lurkers would like to ask me a question, do it now or forever keep your trap shut! I’m closing the hat on Friday!

There have to me some of you who are curious as to where why depression is such a “popular” diagnosis, or someone who wants to know why alcoholics become alcoholics, or why running makes you high, or why smell is such a strong emotional sense for most people. COME ON; you have to have questions! Okay, yeah, now I’m begging for entries. This is sad. Email your questions to mental.and.emotional.health@gmail.com!!!

Have a mid-week-me.

1. Whats one thing thats heavily weighing on your mind? Finances
2. Whats one thing you’ve learned from a good friendship gone bad? If both parties aren’t willing to put the effort into creating friendship, it won’t last.
3. Whats one thing you’ve learned lately from love? Familial love will always be the strongest.
4. Is there anyone special in your life in general at the moment? Yes, there are always special people in my life. I wouldn’t want anyone in my life NOT to feel special.
5. What’s a happy time you’ve had in the past week? Leaving work today. Sad but true; I was ready to get out of there.
6. Is there anything in your past that you’d like to try again? Marriage. One day. With the right man.
7. Who do you like to spend your nights with? Me.
8. Are you an emotional person? Highly emotional.
9. Are you self conscious? Depends on who I’m around and what I’m doing. In Viennese Waltz class I’m VERRRY self-conscious.
10. Do you think of others before yourself? Yes, I’ve been told I’m too nice for my own good; so I’ve been standing up and taking instead of always giving.
11. Whats something that can always make you feel better? Singing The Little Mermaid songs.
12. Who was the last person you had a crush on? A boy.
13. Where do you see yourself this time next year? In Greece, getting ready to start school there.
14. Do you tend to make relationships complicated? Yes, I am complicated so it’s natural for a relationship with me to become complicated.
15. Who do you feel the most comfortable around? MissEnnPee and MamaDee
16. Is there something that you’re waiting for? Yeah!
17. One thing you’re not looking forward to? Getting up and going to work tomorrow.
18. How do you feel about change? Change is great. Change makes the world go round. I am a fan of change.
19. What are you most looking forward to? School starting, going to San Diego.
20. What are your plans for your next birthday? Celebrate.
21. Do you even care about your birthday? Not really.
22. Do you think anyone in general out there loves you? I know people out there love me.
23. When do you think the world will end? When it does.
24. Whats the most expensive piece of clothing you own? My ski jacket
26. Do you still talk to the person you LAST kissed? Yeah
27. Have you ever seen your best friend cry? Yes, she’s had a baby, of course I’ve seen her cry!
28. What kind of vitamins did you take as a kid? generic ones
30. Did you get any compliments today? Yeah, “that dress looks great on you!” and “you’re so tan!” while I was trying on my Grand Opening dress
31. Are you friends with your neighbors? Yup, Judy and I talked for a bit earlier!
32. What were you just thinking about? Judy
33. Name the places you have lived in. Oregon, Florida, Alaska, Washington
34. When was the last time you drove more than 15 minutes? Today on the way home it took me quite a while.
35. Have ever had a crush your on your sister’s/brother’s friend? Nope

Here is another question & answer session I received in my email.

Q: My daughter is bipolar and has become pregnant — are there any safe drugs for her to take for depression while she’s expecting? (She is 36 and has had one miscarriage.) — V, Alabama

A: That’s a tricky question. Pregnancy can cause major changes in mood and depression, especially for patients who, like your daughter, already have an underlying bipolar condition. Some medications have been tested and are considered safe to continue throughout most of a pregnancy, while others are not. Common antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac have been studied extensively and appear to be safe during most of pregnancy, but these medications are more appropriate for depression than bipolar disease. Medications like lithium and Tegretol, often used as mood stabilizers in bipolar patients, have not been studied extensively in pregnancy, so the decision about continuing or stopping them can be a difficult one.

The most important thing for your daughter to do is to consult a high-risk pregnancy expert immediately, as well as a psychiatrist who has experience with medications in pregnancy. Depending on their history, some patients can discontinue medications temporarily, or substitute medications that are safer. Your daughter’s history of miscarriage does not affect the choice of medications for her bipolar disease.

Every once in a while I get mental (and emotional) health questions and answers emailed to me. This was one that I’m copying & pasting because it’s something that you may go “duhhh!” at, there is probably at least one person out there who hasn’t connected the two activities!

“Q: My daughter suffered with bulimia in high school and college. During that time she abused alcohol. When she found out she was pregnant she stopped doing both. She has continued to need antidepressants and in the last six months she has been prescribed anti-anxiety meds. Are these all linked? Do people who have had bulimia often have anxiety?

A: You are definitely on to something, N. Anxiety disorders (especially obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD) are much more common in people with all kinds of eating disorders, including bulimia. It is more often the case that anxiety disorders begin in childhood before the onset of an eating disorder, supporting the idea that anxiety may create vulnerability for the eating disorder to develop.

Given your daughter’s history, the most likely connection between her bulimia, alcohol abuse, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications is that all of these are attempts to cope with intense negative thoughts and emotions that are extremely painful. The binging and purging behaviors as well as the abuse of alcohol all create significant physical sensations that temporarily distract from emotional pain. Her more recent attempts to cope by taking prescription medications are a much more useful approach; rather than injuring the body like the previous approaches did, the medications provide chemicals that are temporarily helpful to the body.

Ultimately, though, it will be most helpful for your daughter to learn additional ways to cope with painful emotions and thoughts, a skill that is unfortunately not taught in school. Two avenues to consider include a skills-training group called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and a class in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). DBT was initially developed for people with borderline personality disorders, but has been used more recently to help people effectively cope with intense emotional pain of any kind. MBSR trains people to develop a nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and body sensations in the present moment, which is much more difficult than it sounds.”

Just something more for you to think about.