A healthy sense of self includes being validated and recognized by others. Also vital is the ability to share the rights and liberties of those around you.
Nice job, New York. It's about time.
I Love NY: Same Sex Marriage Is Law
A healthy sense of self includes being validated and recognized by others. Also vital is the ability to share the rights and liberties of those around you.
Nice job, New York. It's about time.
Happy Faces: Pareidolia
The neuropsychological phenomenon by which the brain interprets vague images as specific ones is called Pareidolia. A good example of this is when you see faces or animals in clouds. You can pretty much "see" familiar objects in almost anything.
The tendency for us to see faces in other objects has its origin in our neural architecture. It could be said that though many of us use our eyes to view the world, we really see by using our brain.
Here are a collection of happy faces. Do you see them all? Do you "feel" happy looking at them?
Living with Depression
My nonfiction book "Living with Depression" is now available here... and at Amazon worldwide.
Part memoir, part self-help, this book is for anyone who loves someone with a mood disorder or experiences depression themselves. "Living with Depression" is also a great teaching tool, providing research and global resources - and the first-ever list of high profile individuals who live with a mood disorder.
I've been lucky to get endorsements for the book by stigma expert, Dr. Patrick Corrigan; actress, Delta Burke- who's been outspoken about her own depression, and actor Glenn Close and her sister, Jessie, who lives with Bipolar Disorder.
If you get my book, please let me know what you think once you've read it. I hope it changes the world a little bit - and helps a whole lot of people.
10 + 1 Tips for Being Medication Smart
The National Council on Patient Information and Education has a list of 10 ways to become medicine smart. When you get a prescription, remember to ask these questions:
1. What is the name of the medicine and what is it for? Is this the brand name or the generic name?
2. Is a generic version of this medicine available? If so, it may be more cost effective.
3. How and when do I take it - and for how long?
4. What foods, drinks, other medicines or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
5. When should I expect the medicine to begin to work - and how will I know if it's working?
6. Are there any side effects? What are they and what do I do if they occur?
7. Will this medicine work safely with the other prescription and nonprescription medicines I'm taking? Will it work safely with any supplements I use, like vitamins, for instance?
8. Do I need to get a refill? If so, when?
9. How should I store this medicine?
10. Is there any written information available about the medicine? Is it available in large print or a language other than English?
+1: This is my plus 1 to the list. Keep a list of all the medications you take available in your wallet, handbag or on your cellphone. In case of an emergency, the medications you take will be at-the-ready should the information be needed.
Hey, I'm a Mental Health Hero
I'm very delighted to be honored as a Mental Health Hero by Chato B. Stewart during Mental Health Awareness month. It's always nice to get a pat on the back for work you've done, and I'm especially proud to be a Mental Health Hero.
Mental illness touches one in four Americans - yet only 25% will seek treatment for symptoms. Stigma claims the other 75%, wedging those who live with mental illness into a life of silent suffering.
Don't let shame keep you from getting the help you need.
Live loud and live proud.