If Drugs Don't Help Depressed People, What Does? Read On!

B'SD


18 Shvat 5770


The hero in my first novel teaches his colleagues that a person is "a work in progress." I use that phrase often in my coaching work. That helps my clients to put their stresses into some perspective.

"It's all good, and it's all a test," is nice phrase for someone not involved in wrestling with complicated issues. But it's no comfort to someone deep into despair.

Exercise and pets are proven methods for effectively improving low moods. Rewarding hobbies ease anxiety, too. Psychotropic drugs, however, do not seem to help people to leave depression behind them.

Newsweek magazine in the USA just put out an article entitled, "The Depressing News About Antidepressants: Studies suggest that the popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, they may be worse."


US president Abraham Lincoln suffered from depression. He coped by honing his sense of humor. Once a lawyer, he'd managed his anger with clients and opponents by writing scathing letters that he never mailed. He expressed his anger on paper and kept the hot words to himself in a special drawer, never embittering anyone and never burning bridges. He was beloved by many people. He was a jokester and a compassionate man, despite his dour appearance (his features had been affected by a disease).

IMPORTANT UPDATE: See another point of view from psychiatrist Dr. A. Twerski. I deeply respect him and hope that his take on this issue can bring you more relief.

I pray that you'll find a solution to your depression. Make small, gradual steps to participating in life more and more. Do productive things that interest, amuse and please you. Music, writing, sculpture, painting, volunteer work, crafts, gardening, exercize, nature walks and other soothing activites are yours to indulge in. Look for outlets that will benefit you.

lists several "Suggested Reading" titles in the GLOBAL RESOURCES section. Many of them address depression and how to attain happiness with realistic methods.

Cry if you need to. And learn to dry your tears. THAT can help you to EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.
Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Here's How to LOWER Israeli Hospital Costs (and those around the world)!

B'SD

17 Shvat 5770

Audience members who heard me speak at the Jan. 21 NEFESH ISRAEL convention of mental health practitioners in Jerusalem lingered so long after my presentation that I had to beg forgiveness for catching my ride home. Listeners commented on whom they know has been helped by my books and Self-Help coaching. They were wide-eyed with wonder at the cost-cutting and calming resources in my materials.

Here's news that my audience members and anybody else in Israel needs to know: Israel's newly higher hospitalization fees = unpublicized cut in the health budget. Read more at News » Gov't Raises Hospitalization Fees 5.6%

₪ ש״ח NIS ILS

That scenario and similar ones are happening on a global basis (Brooklyn Man Charged $100K for 2-Day Hospitalization!).

That's why I filled the GLOBAL RESOURCES section of E-book It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry If I Need To: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge and its print edition predecessor with information to offset such costs before they rose under your radar.

Need cost-cutting ideas to cope with YOUR medical situation or your loved one's, no matter where you live?

Read...

Living With a Brain Tumor - A Conference for Patients and Families in Washington, DC.

B'SD

16 Shvat 5770


One of the hardest parts of my first brain tumor experience (read those books - I've survived 5!!!!!) was a debilitating lack of awareness in people around me.

They could not comprehend my 24/7 exhaustion following surgery. It lasted for over a year. People worsened the situation by accusing me of depression, laziness, hypochondria, name the nastiness. They kept ordering me to "STOP sleeping so much!" "Go on a trip," "Go back to work," or "Snap out of it!" as if I'd had a choice to become energized, to improve my memory skills, and to end recurring bouts of bronchitis.

Critics failed to appreciate or chose not to cope with the reality that my immune system, muscles and nerves were quite exhausted from the effects of the tumor(s) and life-saving surgery. That weariness kept me in bed longer as my stressed brain and nervous system tried to recover inside a very sick body. I was prone to recurring bronchitis since my body couldn't combat germs well enough while struggling to keep my organs (heart, brain, digestive system, circulatory system, etc) in motion.

NONE of those critics knew that I'd endured a 2-for-1 deal. Meningiomas often come in pairs. My first and last surgeries involved pairs. That's a lot of insult to one mushy brain in a tight space with no room to expand.

My medical team knew that the activity choice was not mine to make. My entire nervous system had suffered a horrific shock. It needed time to repair itself. LOTS of time.

If the clueless and negative people around me had understood that brain tumors and brain surgery create an inevitable weakness that can only be overcome with sufficient rest, nutrition and positive thinking, then they could have helped to speed along my recovery rather than hinder it by failing to provide necessary assistance. Don't repeat that mistake with yourself or with someone you love.

As you can sense from my posts and books, I'm NOT lazy nor a hypochondriac. Depression has little chance to root in my fun-oriented mind. No matter how debilitated I've been, my spirit soars above the challenge. I force it to. As I teach my coaching clients and readers, "The alternative to coping with adversity is worse."

Yes, coping takes work. You necessarily change problematic old habits into better ones. It's worth the effort! It means that you can pull yourself out of the dumps, the blues, whatever you call that deep sense of sadness, and pursue some activity or thought process that fills you with inner strength. Doing so prevents or stops the downward spiral into depression, worsening illness and associated problems that can otherwise accumulate over time.

Back to today's topic: I'm keenly aware of the need to educate everyone concerned about the ramifications of brain tumors and their treatment. The Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Information does an outstanding job of that. Here's a recent update from the site:

National Brain Tumor Society
Living With a Brain Tumor - A Conference for Patients and Families in Washington, DC.

March 19 -20, 2010

Join NBTS in Washington, DC on March 19-20, 2010 for an exciting conference created for patients, survivors, and their families. The day will feature presentations from multidisciplinary health professionals on topics ranging from treatment updates, survivorship, quality of life, pediatric tumors, late effects, and more. The conference will also provide opportunities for patients and families to receive support and connect with others with two tracks specifically tailored to adult and pediatric patients and families. This program is made possible with sponsorship from Genentech.

For more information and to register online, visit our website.

To register over the phone, please call our Patient Services Line: (USA) 800.934.2873


Participate in the event if you can. Minimize heartache over that brain tumor diagnosis. Make progress based on the information you can get from the conference. Help yourself. Help a loved one diagnosed with a brain tumor.

I'm pleased to let you know that Dr. Musella recommends my books. EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.


They're PACKED with helpful information for strategizing daily tasks, coping mechanisms, and information about free or low-cost quality medical resources (medication, medical appliances, medical insurance, medical transportation, stuff for kids, and and and!!!)

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Dear Moms and Moms to be...

B'SD



14 Shvat 5770

Let's have healthier children

without hair-raising behavior problems,

OKAY?

(You might want to consider ending the use of plastic plates and cutlery for starters.)

I keep letting people know that reading my books can minimize, prevent as well as solve some serious medical problems (and their costs!). In the books and this companion blog I've warned readers about the dangers of exposure to synthetics before, during and after pregnancy.

Some people dismiss my organic lifestyle leanings as "too much." Well, now you have to consider what you think of a Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Study about phthalates and prenatal danger.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supports that study and BOTH of them underscore my repeated warning about dangerous shower curtains, garbage cans, soap dishes, toys, and and and and... They mess up prenatal neurological development!

Check out my relevant blogposts on the Phthalate Danger topic: Dangerous Household Items

and

Air Food and Water Pollution Harms Your WHAT???

And yes, I know where you can buy health-friendly shower curtains, toys, etc.

I'm signing off now to snack on some homegrown sprouts. Good for eyes, muscles, blood, name it. And yummy with a pleasant crunch. mmmm...

Tanning Yourself to Death?

B'SD


13 Shvat 5770



Sigh. You want to look attractive so you've tanned your skin professionally. That's not a good thing for long-term health. Cancer, blindness, even losing your skin are very real risks of Tan Parlor treatments.

How serious is the situation? America's Federal Trade Commission (a regulatory agency) found the Indoor Tanning Association GUILTY of deceptive advertising. As in lying about the alleged safety of indoor tanning beds/parlors.



Want to make the most of your life, and keep it for as long as possible? Focus on your character. Make IT appealing and let your appearance rely on excellent hygiene, a reasonable wardrobe and that winning smile you'll improve on over time. Superficial touches such as fake tans are not going to make life meaningful. Though I appreciate the enduring datelessness and loneliness fear that motivates some tanning efforts, dying in agony and far before you might have is not a solution to the problem.

Readers, the dangers of indoor tanning are not news. I read about that when I was a teen decades ago. Photos of men and women made grotesque by self-inflicted damage was sad beyond immediate comprehension. The poor self-images that led to the disasters, the greed and fraud of practitioners preying on vulnerable customers, and the cost of coping with the nightmare is too much to describe in a blogpost.

If you're miserable over your circumstances, make productive efforts to improve on them: counseling, rewarding hobbies and involvement with "giving to others" activities. Treat yourself to desirable theater, travel or other entertainment to boost your moods and worldview. But don't try to silence sadness with doomed efforts.

Hmm, you're annoyed with my message? I understand. Let's compromise. Get regular, professional facials in a Department of Health-certified salon (organic, safe facial products are my personal recommendation). Men and women need healthy skin. And all of us want a healthy glow. Facials can help you with that. When you look in the mirror after each appointment or home treatment, watch for someone familiar smiling back at you.

EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with, EVEN PREVENT, a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Acknowledge the Rage BUT Cease to Engage

B'SD

11 Shvat 5770



Both "It's MY Crisis!" books address mounting anger at the delays, mixups, pain and fear associated with illness. The manuscripts offer strategies for potential solutions that prevent, lessen and/or cure frustrating situations.

I recently came across an essay about how best to respond to irritating problems. Written by biz guru Seth Godin, it' so on the mark that I choose to share it with you:


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Seth Godin blogmailfromseth@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, Jan 23, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Subject: Seth's Blog : The false solace of vilification
To:
[You're getting this note because you subscribed to Seth Godin's blog.]

The false solace of vilification

File this one under basic human emotions that marketers need to be aware of.

When a global slowdown, national tragedy or random event hits, people look for someone to blame. If there's no one to blame, sometimes they look for someone to hate, even if it is ultimately self-destructive.

A novice computer user downloads viruses, interacts with spyware and encounters a system crash. He calls tech support for the word processor he uses and lets them have it with both barrels.

A flood hits a town and innocent people die and buildings are destroyed. The widows and bereaved families take it out on the insurance adjuster or government official who has come to help.

The economic downturn hits a town hard and some residents attack, quite personally, the hard-working school board members who had nothing to do with the bad news and in fact represent one of the best ways to ultimately recover.

In each case, the person being hated on is precisely the person who can do the most to help. And yet sometimes, we can't help ourselves. It takes significant emotional maturity to separate the event from the people in proximity to the event, and any marketer or organization that deals with the public needs to embrace the fact that just because you're close to where the bad thing happened doesn't mean it's your fault.

That software tech rep, the one who didn't cause your viruses, she's the very best person to calmly explain how to get rid of them.

That insurance adjuster might be able to get you some money to help you start to rebuild your life.

And the school board? Well if the only asset of value you still own is your house, destroying the school that gives your house its true value to a buyer seems like a version of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I've never once heard someone say, "things are really lousy, but I got a chance to really devastate someone today, deliver some choice barbs, some personal attacks, some baseless innuendo and ruin their day, perhaps even their career. Boy, I feel great."

People don't remember how you behave when everything is going great. They remember how you behave when you're under pressure, stressed out and at wits end.

Emotional maturity is underrated.

PS when confronted with misplaced rage, the proper response is not to point out the misplaced part. It's to acknowledge the rage part. One big reason that vilification occurs is that the angry person feels as though not attention or sympathy is being paid.

The long term solution for marketers (and those that believe in civil society) is to make it socially unacceptable to vent like this. Acknowledge the rage but cease to engage, whenever possible."

Rage can't help you. Insulting people is not a helpful tactic. Engage your better self when you take on your medical and emotional issues, one item at a time. EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life

Get it Before Stock Runs Out!

B'SD

10 Shvat 5770


Here's a Heads Up about a limited opportunity for people in medical crisis and their loved ones. Caregivers and psychotherapists around the world can benefit from the information, too.

While summing up my remarks at the mental health practitoner's convention last week, I noted that:

"With God's help and an unusual level of tenacity, I obviously won the race to the lifeline. My Health Information Management background and reporting work had already clued me in to little-known solutions for improving my chances to survive and thrive. But I was an exception to the Knowledge of Out-of-the-Box Medical Resources rule. I had a few things going for me: I have remarkable friends and I knew the answers to the following questions:

What information should your doctor

be providing you?

How can you better advocate on behalf of

yourself, your children, your parents

and your spouse?

What are the elements of a successful

patient-doctor interaction?

What should you expect from

your doctor?

A third thing going for me was that I developed a life-sustaining goal. While the race to my survival was on, I also decided to resolve a debilitating lack of information to the average uninformed patient who is unlikely to be as gutsy as I am in a pinch. I utilized my training in counseling courses as I wrote two highly acclaimed books about how to cope with some spiritual, emotional and physical issues of illness plus how to solve unmet needs regarding ancillary aspects of medical care and convalescence. No other author has addressed those topics as holistically as I have."

My first book, published in 2007,

might soon go out of print.

"It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To: A Life Book that Helps You to Dry Your Tears and to Cope with a Medical Challenge" will likely not be available in the near future.

Buy your copy, or get one for someone who needs it. Want to have it super-fast? Order copies directly from my publisher before the book is no longer available.

Cry if you need to. And learn to dry your tears. THAT can help you to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Especially as you learn from the book about Affordable Solutions to expensive problems and how to Calm Down from the fear, pain and frustration in your medical life.

Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life