Here in New Orleans, the news is all about that BP fiasco. Fiasco puts it mildly.
I've been blogging about PTSD as I experienced it several times since Hurricane Katrina.
Now, my city is in intensive care - again!
BP's careless and greedy actions have created new and worse PTSD cases; more will follow.
Taking responsibility is small potatoes compared to the disaster. K-2 (the second Katrina) has longer-ranging effects than the Army Corps' levee lapses made clear by that storm.
I cringe every time the word 'spill' is misused. Milk spills. Oil gushes.
Audacity calling that disaster, 'spill.' It is PR manipulation. Who cries over spilt milk? No biggie, just a spill. This is exactly a biggie.
BP must address their error with every fisherman, tour operator and waiter ... whose life has been torpedoed. BP's substantial profits will go a long way toward make-goods.
BP PR honchos should earn their keep and "persuade" corporate "to do the right thing;" But, they are the same PR people who have kept the word "spill" afloat.
Kudos: Billy Nungesser and compatriots.
Showing posts with label Depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Depression. Show all posts
27 May 2010
24 May 2010
Monsters under the Bed
Is undepressed a word?
Somebody asked if I was depressed. No, I'm not, now. Time did its job for me.
I was in the blackest hole on earth - knocked for a loop by a "surprise-death." That figurative black hole was in my heart.
Once enough time had passed (time is different for everybody), I slowly started eating and sleeping again.
No appetite and no rest drained me of any splinter of verve I might have had left. "Your system is in turmoil," I was counseled by a dear, old friend.
Losing some (all?) of your heart, you are going to go within.
To move on when NO path shows you the way is tricky. You have to come out of yourself -- right after you climb out of that 'black hole.'
My remedy did not come about over night. It took about a year!
"Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl" is all about hurdles and getting over them.
Problems usually are temporary, unless you become mentally I'll over them.
Positive action, vision, motivation, get them on your side and always analyze situations. If you can't overcome the tragedy, then there's no use to worry.
(Girlfriend just wrote to me, "coco dans la merde." It's unrelated here, but, it made me laugh.)
Somebody asked if I was depressed. No, I'm not, now. Time did its job for me.
I was in the blackest hole on earth - knocked for a loop by a "surprise-death." That figurative black hole was in my heart.
Once enough time had passed (time is different for everybody), I slowly started eating and sleeping again.
No appetite and no rest drained me of any splinter of verve I might have had left. "Your system is in turmoil," I was counseled by a dear, old friend.
Losing some (all?) of your heart, you are going to go within.
To move on when NO path shows you the way is tricky. You have to come out of yourself -- right after you climb out of that 'black hole.'
My remedy did not come about over night. It took about a year!
"Misadventures of a New Orleans Girl" is all about hurdles and getting over them.
Problems usually are temporary, unless you become mentally I'll over them.
Positive action, vision, motivation, get them on your side and always analyze situations. If you can't overcome the tragedy, then there's no use to worry.
(Girlfriend just wrote to me, "coco dans la merde." It's unrelated here, but, it made me laugh.)
21 May 2010
Are You Depressed?
Depression would have you experiencing feelings of being hopeless. You would not get out of bed. Having energy would be a faint memory. You may have feelings of guilt. When you are depressed, you'd have a difficult time taking care of children, work and life.
You are not to blame! Depression is an illness.
Therapy and medication can help. You need a professional to determine what's appropriate for you.
There are many effective treatments - and they all take time to work. There is no instant gratification; but, with patience, determination and diligence, you can be gratified in due time.
Then -- you will start to lighten, brighten your attitude and outlook. Interests will spark up; sleep and energy will return.
Persevere with treatment; don't give up!! Kick frustration away. Take your specific combination of meds and psychotherapy and see things working!
Learn about yourself through all of this.
Do right by you. :)
You are not to blame! Depression is an illness.
Therapy and medication can help. You need a professional to determine what's appropriate for you.
There are many effective treatments - and they all take time to work. There is no instant gratification; but, with patience, determination and diligence, you can be gratified in due time.
Then -- you will start to lighten, brighten your attitude and outlook. Interests will spark up; sleep and energy will return.
Persevere with treatment; don't give up!! Kick frustration away. Take your specific combination of meds and psychotherapy and see things working!
Learn about yourself through all of this.
Do right by you. :)
19 May 2010
Elbow Envy
Saw my surgeon today - it isn't going to heal anymore. Rehab is futile.
Another surgery recommended - nerve damage possible.
And with that bad news, I remain pleased that it isn't worse; that I'm not having to carry my left arm around in my right! It could be much worse.
Call me disabled with a good attitude.
Positive thinking isn't exactly what's going on here. I dont believe I'll wake up one day with my arm suddenly working again. But, there are positives in this picture.
In a year, maybe there'll be better screws and plates out there. - Really!
Maybe something good will happen. That's possible, after all, isn't it. My glass is half full.
Even free-spirits get tested by life stuff. After going through everything since Hurricane Katrina, surely figured I was done for a while.
Appreciate your elbows!!!!
Here's a link to the page about my book. It will be available on amazon.com soon!
www.misadventuresofaneworleansgirl.com
At the bottom of that page, there're links to other pages with different excerpts.
Thanks for reading my blog. Please write-in with your experiences.
How do you cope??
Another surgery recommended - nerve damage possible.
And with that bad news, I remain pleased that it isn't worse; that I'm not having to carry my left arm around in my right! It could be much worse.
Call me disabled with a good attitude.
Positive thinking isn't exactly what's going on here. I dont believe I'll wake up one day with my arm suddenly working again. But, there are positives in this picture.
In a year, maybe there'll be better screws and plates out there. - Really!
Maybe something good will happen. That's possible, after all, isn't it. My glass is half full.
Even free-spirits get tested by life stuff. After going through everything since Hurricane Katrina, surely figured I was done for a while.
Appreciate your elbows!!!!
Here's a link to the page about my book. It will be available on amazon.com soon!
www.misadventuresofaneworleansgirl.com
At the bottom of that page, there're links to other pages with different excerpts.
Thanks for reading my blog. Please write-in with your experiences.
How do you cope??
17 May 2010
Stay Positive
Staying positive isn't as easy as you may wish.
That Gulf of Mexico disaster is a good example; take some of those fishermen.
They aren't sitting on their duffs. They are meeting with their peers and area officials to devise immediate answers to a long-ranging, BIG problem.
They are taking precautions to secure their livlihoods where ever they can.
Not to say that all affected by "The Gulf of Texico," as some are calling it, have ability to do much, now, in the thick of it. Sorry, Texaco fans, it just rhymes.
Look at the families and friends of the 11 souls that were killed. Do you think they see ANYthing positive? No; I don't.
So, how do they get beyond the shock and dire sadness at hand?
Time heals most wounds - eventually. But, what about NOW? How are they supposed to sleep and take nourishment when their bodies / entire systems are in turmoil?
One moment at a time; one day at a time is too much to handle.
You look for diversions: People to talk with, things that make you laugh, going out of your house - for a walk, a cup of tea, a movie.
Help yourself get out of your mind, not go out of your mind! Maybe it's not the best time for scrapbooks and memories. They will be there for you later, when you are strong again.
What do you do when you need to stay positive in the midst of calamity?
That Gulf of Mexico disaster is a good example; take some of those fishermen.
They aren't sitting on their duffs. They are meeting with their peers and area officials to devise immediate answers to a long-ranging, BIG problem.
They are taking precautions to secure their livlihoods where ever they can.
Not to say that all affected by "The Gulf of Texico," as some are calling it, have ability to do much, now, in the thick of it. Sorry, Texaco fans, it just rhymes.
Look at the families and friends of the 11 souls that were killed. Do you think they see ANYthing positive? No; I don't.
So, how do they get beyond the shock and dire sadness at hand?
Time heals most wounds - eventually. But, what about NOW? How are they supposed to sleep and take nourishment when their bodies / entire systems are in turmoil?
One moment at a time; one day at a time is too much to handle.
You look for diversions: People to talk with, things that make you laugh, going out of your house - for a walk, a cup of tea, a movie.
Help yourself get out of your mind, not go out of your mind! Maybe it's not the best time for scrapbooks and memories. They will be there for you later, when you are strong again.
What do you do when you need to stay positive in the midst of calamity?
14 May 2010
Self-Help
I bought a bunch of comedy DVDs soon into a devasting mourning period. Laughter was part of my self-directed self-help program.
Some problems are not as obvious to understand as loss of a loved one.
You have to realize that you have a problem! Take responsibility for it; don't blame others; don't cop-out.
Are you in denial? Is that stopping your progress?
Study your problems and dig out what's behind them. Don't make assumptions. Get to the root. What is motivating behaviour behind actions?
Devise Improvement Goals
After recognizing what behaviors you need to change, self-help sources are out there: books, workshops, groups, seminars, the Internet; radio must be talking about this.
Proceed Carefully
Choose self-help that focuses on what you need to fix. A parent who has a problem with a child may consult with a family counselor. If stress management is your thorn, you may choose a book written by a trusted professional or scholar.
Self-help methods can guide you. Follow a path and measure your progress. Remember your original problem and stay on track! You can't solve the world's problems, but you have a shot at a particular one of yours.
Use your progress to become aware of the positive changes you've created in your life.
You may find that you are making more objective lifestyle choices.
Self-help is useful if you have enough objectivity and self-awareness to assess your problems honestly.
If you're in denial about a problem or aren't motivated to change, self-help will not help you.
Some mental issues call for bona fide therapy and maybe, medication. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression usually are treated with meds and professional guidance.
Be kind to yourself. Then, be kind to others.
Are you in denial?
Some problems are not as obvious to understand as loss of a loved one.
You have to realize that you have a problem! Take responsibility for it; don't blame others; don't cop-out.
Are you in denial? Is that stopping your progress?
Study your problems and dig out what's behind them. Don't make assumptions. Get to the root. What is motivating behaviour behind actions?
Devise Improvement Goals
After recognizing what behaviors you need to change, self-help sources are out there: books, workshops, groups, seminars, the Internet; radio must be talking about this.
Proceed Carefully
Choose self-help that focuses on what you need to fix. A parent who has a problem with a child may consult with a family counselor. If stress management is your thorn, you may choose a book written by a trusted professional or scholar.
Self-help methods can guide you. Follow a path and measure your progress. Remember your original problem and stay on track! You can't solve the world's problems, but you have a shot at a particular one of yours.
Use your progress to become aware of the positive changes you've created in your life.
You may find that you are making more objective lifestyle choices.
Self-help is useful if you have enough objectivity and self-awareness to assess your problems honestly.
If you're in denial about a problem or aren't motivated to change, self-help will not help you.
Some mental issues call for bona fide therapy and maybe, medication. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression usually are treated with meds and professional guidance.
Be kind to yourself. Then, be kind to others.
Are you in denial?
11 May 2010
Changes
How do you know if u r having anxiety ??
Problem concentrating. Worrying too much. Not sleeping.
An outside event.
Fatigue sets in.
Too much on one plate with time constraints and BANG.
Put things in perspective -- breath.
Talk to someone.
Avoid procrastinating.
Take a break.
Ask for help.
You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Ink
Problem concentrating. Worrying too much. Not sleeping.
An outside event.
Fatigue sets in.
Too much on one plate with time constraints and BANG.
Put things in perspective -- breath.
Talk to someone.
Avoid procrastinating.
Take a break.
Ask for help.
You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Ink
09 May 2010
Strong character
You take a walk to clear your mind, or to get some exercise.
You can't take your eyes off of your path, I mean, exactly where you are stepping, or you just could break your neck. (Well, it's like that here, in New Orleans.)
Keeping your path under caring eye is smart practice.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks for teaching me well.
"Being strong" is one of my traits. Not muscle-wise; can't even carry my purse in my left hand because of this shattered elbow.
Strong character is one tool that I have used to conquer my numerous cases of PTSD, ever since Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. I've needed to find the way out of grim and scary circumstances.
Do you think strong character is it inherited or learned?
You can't take your eyes off of your path, I mean, exactly where you are stepping, or you just could break your neck. (Well, it's like that here, in New Orleans.)
Keeping your path under caring eye is smart practice.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks for teaching me well.
"Being strong" is one of my traits. Not muscle-wise; can't even carry my purse in my left hand because of this shattered elbow.
Strong character is one tool that I have used to conquer my numerous cases of PTSD, ever since Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. I've needed to find the way out of grim and scary circumstances.
Do you think strong character is it inherited or learned?
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