The Ring of Fire

I love The Lord of the Rings - this movie and its trilogy; and I'm currently drawing on this particular scene (esp. first minute) for strength and courage. 

http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/One_Ring

You see, like Frodo, I've been sent on a personal quest to carry my own ring, bear its increasing weight, and cast it once and for all into the fires of Mount Doom. 

Life is like that. There comes a time in all our lives when we are called upon to take up our own cross, bear its weight, and complete our quest. We never ask for it, and we are free to choose to accept it or to walk away. Either way, there is a price to pay; but one choice leads to strength, growth, love, and peace, and the other to weakness, fear, loneliness, and a nagging feeling of what could have been. 

Bear in mind, the journey is never an easy one. It's always fraught with this world's dragons, orcs, and wraiths. So how do we make it? How to we do it alone?


We don't.

We must create our own fellowship: friends, family, support groups, therapists, etc., who will walk with us along the way. There is strength in numbers.

We also need to recharge every now and then, for such a journey requires as much energy, strength, and focus as we can muster up. We all know how to do this - take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. But that's easier said than done. When faced with such challenges, we often feel we need to focus all of our time and effort on completing the quest. We think we cannot afford the time, but the truth is, if we don't stop along the way to replenish ourselves, we will inevitably fail.

Here are only a few of the many, many resources out there that may help in your own quest:

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FELLOWSHIP


Addiction:

Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous

Sex Addicts Anonymous

SAMHSA - National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357) - free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day/year treatment referral and information service (English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

SAMHSA - Treatment Services Locator

Cancer:

Cancer Support Community

American Cancer Society

American Brain Tumor Association



Caregiving:

AARP Caregiving Resource Center

American Cancer Society



Grief and Loss:

The Hospice Foundation of America from which these links come:

The Compassionate Friends  Support after the death of a child

AARP Grief and Loss Resources  Support after the death of a senior

National Widower’s Organization  Support for men grieving a loss

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  Support for suicide survivors

Griefnet.org  Support for adults grieving a loss

Hellogrief.org Support for adults and kids grieving a loss

Wise Old Sayings, "Ultimate Guide to Grieving Support Resources" 

     [Thank you Jacqueline T. - took a few years, but I finally added this great resource! ;) ]


Mental Illness:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)


National Alliance for the Mentall Ill

SAMHSA - National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357) - free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day/year treatment referral and information service (English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.


SAMHSA - Treatment Services Locator

schizophrenia.com

US Department of Veterans Affairs: PTSD Support Groups


Suicide and Crisis Lifelines:

National Suicide Hotline: chat online or call 24/7: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line:  TEXT “HOME” TO 741-741



OTHER SELF-CARE

As you may well know, I have blogged endlessly about this topic - if only to drive it into my thick head. 

This is my favorite spiritual well:  Sacred Space

Here are blog posts I've done on "Wellness":

Renew and Refresh (4/5/15)
New Hobby (10/3/14)
CBT (6/29/14)
Physical Wellness - Getting Back on Track (5/3/14)
Pet Therapy (3/24/14)
Coming Out! (3/14/14)
The 7 Habits of Mental Wellness (about Stephen Covey's, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People):
 - Introduction to (1/25/14)
 - Habit 1: Be Proactive (2/2/14)
 - Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (2/12/14)
 - Habit 3: Put First Things First (6/23/14)
Trip to Roanoke, Virginia:
 - Rain Clouds (10/12/13)
 - Roanoke (10/12/13)
 - Heading Home (10/14/13)
Never underestimate your own power! (2/26/13)
Acceptance (3/1/13)
Recovery step #2: sleep, damn it! (3/5/13)
Rebirth (3/30/13)
Wellness part I: physical (4/26/13)
Change is possible part II (6/27/13)
Seven steps to mental health (8/2/13)
Take me out to the ballgame! (8/12/13)
Climbing back up (8/18/13)

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I have only scratched the surface here of all the resources available out there. A quick search of Google.com or your favorite search engine is a great place to start!

Favorites

I periodically post this for new readers. If you've already heard this spiel, you may want to go check your news feed again, or search for funny videos of cats. But do stop by again soon!

For those of you who are new to this blog, here's an overview.

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Pink Hi-Top Adventures is my first blog ever. I started it back in January 2013 as a chronicle of my ongoing recovery from depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. 

About 9.5 years ago, I entered treatment for alcohol addiction. At the time, I thought it would resolve my issues and help me move forward in life; however, it only drained the pond and uncovered the disease lurking at the bottom.

I had been anxious and depressed but functioning for years, and about two years ago, I totally imploded. I spent three weeks in bed - unable to work, unable to shower, unable to function. My thoughts were turning darker too. I fantasized about death and hurting myself; and for the first time ever, it felt comforting and logical.

When I shared this with my {wonderful!} husband, he reached out to my therapist; and I was admitted to a partial hospitalization treatment program {PHP} immediately. There I was diagnosed with major depression, dysthymia {long-term, low-grade depression}, and generalized anxiety disorder. Fortunately, I was treated by wonderful doctors and therapists; and, though I've experienced periodic set-backs along the way, I've been doing better overall since.

This blog is a chronicle of my continuous recovery and progress toward achieving my goals - one of which is graduating from college with a psychology degree. {I've been in college on and off since September 1984; and finally graduating is quite the achievement for me!} I also hope to inspire and inform you, dear reader, with personal stories, resources, and a little humor!

The blog title is inspired by my favorite pair of Converse Chuck Taylor’s that I wore in my youth - when I last felt happy and free.

And finally, Pink Hi-Top Adventures is a place for you too. Please feel free to comment and discuss - either in the comments section of this blog, or on the blog's Facebook page!

Thanks for reading!

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Here is an index of some of my favorite posts:

ADD:

One Step at a Time (9/28/13)


Addiction:

The Anonymous People (9/14/14)
The Raging River (3/13/14)
Thoughts from my addiction (2/27/13)
Alcoholic or problem drinker? (3/14/13)
How do you help and addict (6/19/13)
Take me out to the ballgame! (8/12/13)


Anxiety:

Carousel in the Crazy House (4/12/15)
Thoughts (7/7/14)
Obstacles (5/22/13)
Social Anxiety (5/29/13)



Depression:

Depression (10/7/14)
Depression Sucks! (11/24/13)
Symptoms of Depression (10/28/13)
Notes from the Vortex (2/11/13)
Life (3/7/13)
Lifeline (3/8/13)
Grey veil...again?! (3/16/13)
Overcoming...inertia! (3/19/13)
Can't sleep (4/23/13)
Do the next right thing - part II (4/25/13)
The daily struggle (6/6/13)
Taking down the wall (6/7/13)
Contained emotions (6/13/13)



Schizophrenia:

Schizophrenia (10/9/14)


Stigma:

It IS an Illness (10/7/14)
Medication Stigma (4/29/14)
"Nervous breakdown" (3/6/13)
Depression is not a character defect (3/27/13)



Wellness:

Renew and Refresh (4/5/15)
New Hobby (10/3/14)
CBT (6/29/14)
Physical Wellness - Getting Back on Track (5/3/14)
Pet Therapy (3/24/14)
Coming Out! (3/14/14)
The 7 Habits of Mental Wellness (about Stephen Covey's, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People):
 - Introduction to (1/25/14)
 - Habit 1: Be Proactive (2/2/14)
 - Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (2/12/14)
 - Habit 3: Put First Things First (6/23/14)
Trip to Roanoke, Virginia:
 - Rain Clouds (10/12/13)
 - Roanoke (10/12/13)
 - Heading Home (10/14/13)
Never underestimate your own power! (2/26/13)
Acceptance (3/1/13)
Recovery step #2: sleep, damn it! (3/5/13)
Rebirth (3/30/13)
Wellness part I: physical (4/26/13)
Change is possible part II (6/27/13)
Seven steps to mental health (8/2/13)
Take me out to the ballgame! (8/12/13)
Climbing back up (8/18/13)

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is an insidious disease that strikes about 1% of the American population. It's marked by the inability to discern between what is and isn't real, a lack of normal emotional responses, inability to think clearly, and abnormal behavior in social situations. 

Most likely it's an interaction between genes and the environment that causes schizophrenia. There's a 10% greater risk for people with first degree relatives with the disorder (e.g., parent, sibling), and a higher than normal risk if other relatives have it. 

"Psychosis", by Dave Emmet

Scientists believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and glutamate, may play a significant role. In addition, many people with schizophrenia have larger brain ventricles (fluid filled spaces in the brain) and less grey matter than the average person.

Schizophrenia is an equal opportunity disease. Rates among men and women and between different ethnic groups are roughly the same.

Substance use and addiction is higher for people with schizophrenia. This is particularly true for nicotine. People with schizophrenia seem to be drawn to smoking and are addicted to cigarettes at a rate three times higher than that of the general population.

Myths

• Schizophrenics are violent and dangerous: the majority of violent crimes are not committed by people with schizophrenia, although risk of suicide is particularly high. Approximately 10% die by suicide. This is especially true for young males.
• People with schizophrenia have more than one personality: schizophrenia is not the same as split personality or multiple personality disorders.
• People with schizophrenia can't lead productive lives and should be hospitalized: with the proper treatment and strong social support, people with schizophrenia can and do lead very productive lives.
• Anti-psychotic medication side effects are worse than the symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms

• Hallucinations: seeing, hearing, or smelling things that are not really there;
• Delusions: unrealistic false beliefs. For example: believing one possesses extraordinary abilities or powers (e.g., the individual believes they are God, Ghandi, the President, etc.); feelings of paranoia that others are out to get or hurt the them (e.g., the government, aliens, people around the individual); belief that a major catastrophe is imminent, etc.;
• Disordered behavior/movement: may include agitation, inappropriate or odd posture, lack of responsiveness, behavior that is not goal-focused, etc.;
• Disordered thinking and speech: impaired communication which may include stringing together words that are meaningless ("word salad"), providing answers to questions that are off-topic and unrelated; and,
• "Negative symptoms": lack of emotion, not making eye contact, flat speech, being less talkative, poor hygiene, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal/isolation, and inability to experience pleasure.

Symptoms tend to start between ages 16 and 30. It's often hard to differentiate symptoms in the early stage of the disease (prodromal phase) though, as some of the symptoms may not seem all that different from what one could expect from many teens: drop in academic performance, changes in friends, sleep problems, depression, and/or irritability. Additional signs that can lead to a diagnosis at this stage include: withdrawing/isolating, bizarre thoughts, suspicions and paranoia, and family history.  

It's important to seek help from a doctor if you or your loved one experience any of the symptoms. Help is needed immediately if you or your loved one are a danger to yourself/herself/himself or to others. 

Once again, if you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, it must be taken very seriously. Call the suicide hotline immediately: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) -- or the deaf hotline at 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889). 

Treatments

• Anti-psychotic medication
• Psychosocial: therapy that focuses on helping patients with everyday challenges (e.g., communication, relationships, self-care, work)
• Illness management: learning coping skills to manage symptoms and crafting a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) as a wellness guide for the patient, the care givers, and the treating professionals.
• Integrated treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders: substance use and addiction are common and treatment for both is needed.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - see yesterday's post: http://pink-hi-top-adventures.blogspot.com/2014/10/depression.html
• Social and vocational rehabilitation
• Family education and counseling
• Self-help support groups

Treatment for schizophrenia can often be complicated by the fact that many patients have trouble taking their medication regularly. In addition, because of delusional thinking, they may be resistant to treatment in the first place. This can be exacerbated by the very laws that are in place to protect all of us and allow us to make decisions about our own treatment. Unless a person is an imminent danger to her-/himself, a patient cannot be forced into treatment unless they have given the authority to a caregiver. 

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Resources Online

Mayo Clinic

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Simulated Schizophrenia - (2 films): An excellent YouTube video that simulates a psychotic episode of schizophrenia.

Thirteen Myths of Schizophrenia, PsychCentral.com

WebMD


Memoirs

Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope, by Randye Kaye

Me, Myself, and Them: a Firsthand Account of One Young Person's Experience with Schizophrenia, by Kurt Snyder

The Quiet Room: a Journey Out of the Torment of Madness, by Lori Schiller