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The Slow Breakdown

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When we hear that a person has had a “nervous breakdown” we might imagine all sorts of things if we do not have a personal experience with the condition or no contact with a friend or family member who has. What happens? Does a person go berserk, sit crying for hours, rock, sit or lie in a semi-catatonic state staring at the ceiling, refusing to communicate or eat or sleep or sleep too much ? What usually happens, unless there is a sudden trauma which has the potential to spark off another type of disorder entirely (see post traumatic stress … Continue reading →

Recovering from a Breakdown (2)

Today we will continue on from our initial blog regarding taking those first small steps to recovery. In a previous article, I stressed the point about how important it is to do something, even if it is only a small task. I talked about setting yourself the goal of making the bed each day. This can seem like a monumental task to a person who is struggling to survive on a day- to-day basis, and to accomplish that task is a real achievement. Making a commitment to a task such as making the bed has many benefits: 1. There is … Continue reading →

Recovering from a Breakdown (1)

“The longest journey starts with a single step” What can you do when your life is a mess, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, and you feel you are so far down the slippery slope that you will never see the light of day again? Many people find themselves in this situation. You are certainly not alone. Perhaps your situation has gone on for so long that you have forgotten what it is like to be happy and feel in control of your life. Time has weakened your coping skills and many of your friends and supports have … Continue reading →

Weaning to Formula-Part 3

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I’ve always known that my hormones in general were through the roof. I am a woman, and I am hormonal! But, in all seriousness, this last pregnancy, and recent birth of my son have put me through the ups and downs of motherhood like I never thought possible. This experience of deciding whether or not to stop breastfeeding due to the food sensitivities my child is suffering through has been a heart-wrenching one to say the least. I now understand better than ever when people say it is a personal choice. Because, this time around, I did have to make … Continue reading →

Every Little Thing Counts

Many times when we think of saving money, we think in terms of the biggest impact. This can be a good strategy. If you can find a way to save hundreds of dollars per month, say by paying off debt, you can get on top of your finances much faster. At the same time, we shouldn’t neglect the little things. They can really help you to save money and get ahead. For example, if you spend just ten minutes each morning (or the night before) making homemade lunches, you can easily save $30 to $50 or more per week, which … Continue reading →

Supporting Your Spouse through Grief

We all experience grief at some point in our lives—it’s part of being alive and human, having emotions, and loving. At times, the husband and wife will both go through the same grief—losing a child or the lesser pain of losing a badly needed job or a loved home. Other times, one spouse will go through a personal grief not quite as deeply felt by the other. In both circumstances, they need each other. If you are the spouse who is grieving, share what you need with your partner. Don’t expect him to just know what you’re going through. He … Continue reading →

Old Terms for Mental Health Conditions

One of the enlightening things that can happen as you work on your genealogy is the discovery of mental illness in your ancestors. I have several relatives that have different mental health conditions, and I sometimes wonder where that came from. Trying to understand how certain mental health disorders were passed from one ancestor to another isn’t always easy. There is added complexity every time the name for a particular condition is changed. You may come across old names that were once used for certain mental health issues, that we no longer use today. Here is a quick list of … Continue reading →

Age and Muscle Loss (and How You Can Prevent It)

Isn’t getting older fun? Among other delights to look forward to is age-related muscle loss. As we age, our muscles shrink — especially after the age of sixty-five. Previous research has noted that the bodies of older people build muscle less efficiently than the bodies of younger people. That’s only half the bad news. (Or maybe a third. Losing muscle increases a person’s chance of serious injury from a fall — and that’s very bad.) New research from the University of Nottingham in England has found that the bodies of older people are also not as good at preventing muscle … Continue reading →

Is Your Support Group Supportive (4)?

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Mental health support groups can be a vital part of recovery and acceptance of many mental illnesses. Most groups are a wonderful source of support and comfort, and knowing that others experience similar symptoms and feelings is a really important part of the recovery process. However, as we discussed in previous articles in this series, there can be negative aspects to these groups, of which all members should be on the alert for. Group saboteurs are common problem people in any group situation, but even more so in a mental health group, due to the sensitive nature of many participants. … Continue reading →

Whole Turkey Versus Turkey Breasts: Cost Comparison

In an article from last week, I talked about the great value of a whole turkey. One question that came up was about buying turkey breasts instead, for a family that won’t eat the dark meat. So, I thought I would do a cost comparison between the price of a whole turkey and purchasing turkey breasts, so see where the better value lays. After roasting our whole turkey, we cut off the breasts and weighed them to do the cost breakdown. This isn’t a completely fair comparison for two reasons. We are comparing a whole turkey that is not on … Continue reading →