Smell is Swell

Science Daily reports that an international team of scientists believe a new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses.

For thousands of years, burning incense has been touted as being good for the mind, body and soul. Now, biologists have learned that IT TRULY IS good for our mind! The burning of incense has been shown to be psychoactive - stimulating specific areas of the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression.

I burn incense often. Blue Champa and Lavender are my favorites. And I do find that when I use them, my mood lifts. Or I become calmer. So perhaps there's more to it than the uplifting smell of it all. Maybe it helps to shift my brain chemistry.

Do you use scents in your daily life?

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The Good & Bad About "Mother's Day"

Mother's Day is a holiday that is marked world-wide. Countries such as the United States, Canada, The UK, Australia, China and Japan, just to name a few, highlight the day on their yearly calendar.

Historically, Mother's Day has been a day where children and other family members honor mothers or individuals who are nurturing and caretaking in maternal ways. For some, it is a day of celebration, of expressing one's love and appreciation for a mothering figure. The day is met with happiness and the sharing of joyous memories of times past and the anticipation of good times to come.

However, for others, Mother's Day is not so easy. It can bring forth sadness, loss and yearning if one's mother has died. Or if a mother has lost a child, it can become an excruciating day filled with grief. Anger and resentment can percolate if a person has not had a good relationship with his or her mother. There are many more examples....too many to list in this post.

In my work, landmark days, anniversary dates or holidays of any kind can be especially difficult for anyone who has experienced loss, death or the recognition of toxicity in a relationship. Of all the days in the calendar year, Mother's Day and Father's Day evoke the most profound emotional responses.

To those of you who struggle with this day, know that you are not alone. Give yourself permission to feel and think whatever may come from within. It is important for your to mother yourself.To those of you who can celebrate this day with joy, I wish you a most happy day.

I wish everyone a Mother's Day that brings them well being.

References:

Hinton, Clara. (2004). How to Handle Mother's Day. Silent Grief

Pollock, G. H. (1970). Anniversary Reactions, Trauma, and Mourning. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 39:347-371

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Crying Men

Not too long ago, I became aware of a photography exhibit by the English artist Sam Taylor-Wood

The exhibit consisted of a collection of photographs - in color and black and white - of famous men crying.


Taylor-Wood arranged with these actors’ agents for them to participate in a photographic project - but the actors were unaware of subject's theme. When each actor arrived for the photo shoot, they were simply asked to cry.

In my work, being vulnerable, being sad, and crying are hard things to do. Even harder for men. When this exhibition was turned into a book, I had to buy it. It now rests on the bookcase in my office for anyone to view.

Kinda helps take away the stigma of being emotional, I think.


For more, link here

Pictured are Laurence Fishburne, Robert Downey Jr. & Tim Roth

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What "Color" Is Your Mind

Dr. Deb's Mind is Green

Of all the mind types, yours has the most balance. You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver. You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What Color Is Your Mind?

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The Movie "Into The Wild" A Study of Schizophrenia?

Into The Wild is the true story of Christopher McCandless - a twenty two year old man, who decided to leave everything and everyone behind to travel across the United States to live in the Alaskan wilderness.

Many saw his story as an idealistic journey but I wondered if something more was going on. I wondered if some of his behaviors were similar to individuals experiencing Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia frequently surfaces in late adolescence, often making its impact in college age individuals. It is an illness that distorts the ability to think clearly, and is often accompanied by hallucinations &/or delusions, among other symptoms. Schizophrenia is generally stereotyped. Versions of maniacal people cringing in paranoia or hiding in shadows are never accurate depictions. I couldn't help but wonder if Christopher McCandless was experiencing Schizophrenia or something along those lines, and not an unbridled zest for an unencumbered life.

If you saw the movie or read the book , tell me what you think.

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Herschel Walker and Dissociative Identity Disorder

US Football star, Herschel Walker, has written a book about his lifelong experience with Dissociative Identity Disorder .

Dissociative Identity Disorder - formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder - occurs in childhood. However, most cases aren't diagnosed until a person reaches adulthood. Be it abuse in the form of physical, emotional, sexual, or a combination therein, DID can develop to cope with trauma. There are no precise numbers on how many people experience DID. Many who have the disorder don't seek treatment for fear that they will not be believed. But Stanford University psychiatrist Dr. David Spiegel - who has been studying this disorder for over three decades - estimates that DID affects about 1 percent of the population.


In his book, Walker talks about coming to terms with his DID diagnosis, hopes to educate others about the disorder and address skepticism and stigma. Walker is a sports legend, holding many records, but feels that his greatest achievement will be "to tell the world about my truth".



Wow.



~ Trigger alert: Comments expressed offer differing opinions about DID ~

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"Positive Direction": May The Force Be With You

Remember this scene from Star Wars ?

Stormtrooper: Let me see your identification.

Obi-Wan: (influencing the stormtrooper's mind) You don't need to see his identification.

Stormtrooper: We don't need to see his identification.

Obi-Wan: These aren't the droids you're looking for.

Stormtrooper: These aren't the droids we're looking for.

Obi-Wan: He can go about his business.

Stormtrooper: You can go about your business.

Obi-Wan: Move along

Stormtrooper: Move along. Move Along.


This bit of dialogue showing how "The Force" works is similar to the communication tool known as Positive Direction.

Positive Direction is a style of communication that works toward making positive behaviors happen. Don't and Stop are negative words that often fail to register as we think. Instead, it is human nature to register the words that come after the dont's and the stop's.

When you use Positive Direction, you give the person with whom you are communication a positive image to attain. There's likely to be more cooperation. Hopefully less rebellion. And if so, then everyone feels good.



Instead of: Don't throw your coat on the floor!
Try: Hang you coat up.

Instead of: Stop interrupting me when I'm on the phone.
Try: Wait and I'll talk to you later.

Instead of: Don't be so loud!
Try: Talk in a quiet voice.

Instead of: No, you can't go out with your friends, you have homework to do!
Try: Yes, you can see your friends when you finish your homework.


Positive Direction takes some practice, but it could be worth the time and energy.


Now, move along....

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