Mental Health & Medication

I'm taking 3 medications to help control my mood disorder(s). They are Trintellix, Abilify, & Lamotrigine. This is three more medications than I would prefer to take. However, much of mental illness is grounded in chemical imbalances in the brain, so it makes sense that chemicals would help relieve these imbalances.
          There are other ways to help cope with mood disorders. Exercise helps relieve the symptoms. I am doing cardiac maintenance 4-5 times per week, which includes cardio workouts & weights. Self-therapy also helps. I've mentioned before that writing has been a good outlet for me. Besides blogging I continue to write for Orphan Grain Train.
          Back to medications. Do psychotropic medicines carry side effects? They do, so it becomes a trade-off. In my case I think these medicines mellow me out, which is not always a good thing. I like to think that I have a healthy sense of humor, but I have found that these medicines seem to dull my sense of humor.
          On the other hand, without such medications I give in to anxiety & depression. And as I've shared before, if you suspect that you suffer from depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, it's important to get a diagnosis & treatment plan from a mental health professional.
          One more thought . . . many people with mood disorders tend toward self-medication. I'm thinking especially of alcohol. That is NOT a good treatment plan, if for no other reason that alcohol is a depressant. An occasional drink may be acceptable, but habitual use produces negative consequences.

Sister Bash

The Summer 2018 Hill Sister Bash is history. I think most if not all of the sisters would agree that it was a delightful time had by all. Visits to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca State Park, shopping, drinking wine, a photo op at the Paul Bunyan statue in Akeley, shopping, drinking wine, gourmet food, relaxing on the lily pad, shopping, drinking wine, the outstanding contributions made by a brother & brother-in-law . . . all contributed to a wonderful experience. 
          And excitement is already building for Sister Bash 2019, which will be held at the Olson Hacienda at picturesque Lake Tahoe, July 30-Aug. 3, 2019.

There Is No Place Like Nebraska . . . W/Kudos to Minnesotans & Iowanians

From Michael Kelly's column, Omaha World Herald (8/4):  "Is everybody happy? Not everyone, but the website MagnifyMoneycom says Nebraska is the 7th happiest state. The methodology was inspired by a recent Oxford Economics study. It said sleep is the largest contributor to well-being, followed by other health lifestyle & economic factors. The site compiled 20 categories, & found that MN is the happiest state overall. South Dakota ranked first in health, where Nebraska was 4th. Utah, 4th overall, ranked first in lifestyle & economic stability, IA was eighth overall, & 5th in health.

Criminal Minds

OWH (8/4):  "A smelly sentence for man who topped port-a-potty. A judge known for unique sentences has ordered a man who knocked over a port-a-potty to clean manure out of animal pens at a county fairgrounds in Ohio . . . The Municipal Court judge said, 'You act like an animal, you're going to take care of animals.'"  COMMENT:  S--- happens.

Thought for Today

From column by Baxter Black, Norfolk Daily News, (8/2):  "Sometimes it is easy to be overwhelmed by the continuing barrage of news stories about the homeless & helpless, the irresponsible & ignorant, the lazy & the parasitizing. I get frustrated by the well meaning, condescending social engineers prescribing Band Aids for compound fractures of the human condition. If people are told often enough that they can't take care of themselves, they give up."