Elyn Saks

Elyn Saks has suffered from schizophrenia all her life, but kept it hidden while excelling in her academic studies, receiving a philosophy degree from Oxford University and a law degree from Yale University before joining the faculty at USC. She is also an adjunct professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego, where she does research about society’s rejection of the mentally ill and how high-functioning schizophrenics cope.  Articles of interest:  NY Times and Time.
Saks came out of the mental health closet with her 2007 memoir, “The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness.” The book described the night terrors she had suffered throughout her life, her earlier beliefs that she had mentally caused the deaths of thousands of people, and the often-inhumane treatment she had received at mental health facilities. Update on her recent activity here.  I like this quote from the Huffington Post:  "This gets to the essence of recovery, the need to form strong, loving relationships with people whom you trust."

Read here for some more interesting information relating schizophrenia and autism.

Abuse and mental illness

Ken shared this story from KSL about a woman who suffered serious sexual abuse/incest and how her daughter has survived and thrived in spite of her mother's serious illness.  The mother actually succeeded in not perpetuating the abuse against all odds, but her daughter actually had to take care of her and her younger sibs.  Worth reading.  Mother Had a Secret

Peace

I agree with Becky Thomas (a columnist at MormonTimes)about what is most desired.  It's not all about fun and material comforts don't bring peace.  Here are her desires in this realm:

The peace of a clear conscience, the peace of no contention, the peace of not offending others, the peace that what I am doing is in sync with my Heavenly Father's will, the peace of knowing that he has not forgotten me, the peace that fills the unrest, sadness and questions of a broken heart.

Dr. Elia says of stress: 

Long-term exposure to stress can make us physically sick or lead to emotional and mental breakdowns. Basically, mismanagement of stress is a long-term neglect of our needs. When I suggest to my clients they need to take a day or two off to reassess their direction in their life, or company, or family I get the typical push-back response: "I can't afford to do it," to which I reply, "You can't afford NOT to do it!"

After another bout with illness - keeping me in bed for five days (and so out of character for me) - I realize I need to deal with this one myself.  I am letting go of toxic relationships and ignoring people who are ridiculous, selfish and needy, including some immature adults and those with personality disorders that border on those of BDM - so recently in the news.  It's not even worth saying his name or feeding into his self-importance.  I would much rather speak the name of Elizabeth Smart who will live in history and who is such a wonderful example for young women everywhere.  I plan to focus my time and energy on these people and not waste my time on those who are so out of touch with reality there is no reason, logic or common sense.  Dealing with such people is harmful to my health.

In other news,  "Christine O'Donnell's TV ad declaration, "I'm not a witch" during her U.S. Senate campaign topped this year's best quotes, according to a Yale University librarian.  Read here.  And a friend of mine, Harold Nolte made number two on the New Yorker's Top Ten Would Be Words list.  Read here.  Anyway, there are plenty of good things going on out there.  I have the best kids and grandkids, the greatest ward family, friends and neighbors.  I am grateful for this.

And, in case you were wondering or perhaps questioned how they could possibly enforce this - "U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson found that Congress could not order individuals to buy health insurance"Read here. 

"Neither the Supreme Court nor any federal circuit court of appeals has extended Commerce Clause powers to compel an individual to involuntarily enter the stream of commerce by purchasing a commodity in the private market," he wrote. "In doing so, enactment of the [individual mandate] exceeds the Commerce Clause powers vested in Congress under Article I [of the Constitution.]

My opinion - either do universal health care as it is done in Japan or other countries where it works or don't; but you don't do it half-way and pass laws requiring the impossible.  As an example of how messed up this country is - they are starting to charge for basic services such as police and fire (if used) - basically removing it from the public domain where everyone gets the benefit and adding others, because of course "the Government" can't take care of everything.

Tuesday

FYI: I will not be reachable most of the day today!

I have "program planning" at work so will be away from the phones, computer and other interruptions. This is where we figure out how we can implement public health changes for maternal/infant health to be in line with the Healthy People 2010 goals. So, checking out.

Liz, Madi, Barrett and Karla will arrive Tuesday evening. Everyone is very excited to see them again. Liz said she would carry Jon's father's day gift all the way in the car (4 days' drive). Karla's cousin is driving them. With so much happening here, it feels pretty chaotic.

Good article on mental health stigma in the DesNews.

Passive-aggressive

Check out Wiki for information about this destructive character trait.  While nobody likes aggression, passive-aggression can be just as bad - or worse since you don't know where you stand with the person.

Is this what it is when someone walks out of your life (or you shove out) without discussion or attempts to work things out that would be beneficial to both of you?  

How is your emotional intelligence?  Click here to read Quality Health.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. -NAMI
 
1 in 17 Americans suffer from a serious mental illness. It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 American families. -NAMI Utah

Read more here. 

And breakthrough science here.  A new way to treat it may be on the horizon.

Mayo Clinic Updates

BPD

Your relationships are usually in turmoil. You often experience a love-hate relationship with others. You may idealize someone one moment and then abruptly and dramatically shift to fury and hate over perceived slights or even minor misunderstandings. This is because people with the disorder have difficulty accepting gray areas — things are either black or white. For instance, in the eyes of a person with BPD, someone is either good or evil. And that same person may seem good one day and evil the next.

For borderline personality disorder to be diagnosed, at least five of the following signs and symptoms must be present:

• Intense fears of abandonment
• A pattern of unstable relationships
• Unstable self-image
• Impulsive and self-destructive behaviors
• Suicidal behavior or self-injury
• Wide mood swings
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Inappropriate anger
• Periods of paranoia and loss of contact with reality

Worthwhile Oprah today

(Family photo published in DesNews article)

Melissa Moore will talk about her book that tells of her recovery from the trauma of an emotionally abusive childhood with a father who was later convicted as a serial killer. Read about her here (Seattle News) and here (DesNews).

Interesting interview

Click the post title or here to see an interesting interview on BPD.

Mental Health Month

Mayo Clinic offers some thoughts on mental illness. A few I think are worth mentioning...

Others' perceptions. Your own perceptions alone may not give you an accurate picture of your behavior, thoughts or functioning. Other people in your life, on the other hand, might be able to do so. To you, your life may seem normal, but what you think of as quirks or personality traits may be causing more problems than you realize. To those around you, your behavior may seem odd or disruptive. For example, if you have bipolar disorder, you may think your mood swings are just part of the normal ups and downs of life. But to others, your thoughts and actions may appear abnormal or cause problems at work, in relationships or in other areas of your life.

Anger. Do you slam down the phone when faced with endless computerized voice prompts? Have you gotten into a shouting match with a stranger over a parking space at the mall? Ever put your fist through the wall after an argument with your spouse?

This is not anger management at its finest. Although anger is a natural emotion, it may be getting the best of you. Instead of expressing your anger in a healthy and assertive way, you may be expressing it in a hostile, aggressive manner — a manner that could lead to violence and a slew of personal and professional consequences.

...Sure, everyday frustrations, impatience and resentment can all cause your temper to flare. For many people, these are fleeting moments. They're able to take these situations in stride and quickly return to a sense of calm without exploding.

But if your blood boils after minor irritations — such as losing that coveted parking space — or if you're constantly seething, you may need to improve how you're managing anger. Anger that's out of control can be destructive, leading to problems in your relationships, at work, in your enjoyment of life and with your health. You could even be arrested or face other legal problems.

It can be very frustrating getting help for mental illness/behavioral health. It takes time, patience, money (or perhaps insurance coverage at least) often long-term therapy and/or medication, and a recognition of the importance of treatment. In my experience, it is worth the trouble, but the difficulty in finding help often leaves people and their relationships suffering.

Take some time this holiday weekend to stop and smell the roses, relax and enjoy life.