Depressed people

 Abraham Lincoln endured recurrent episodes of depression during the years he practiced law and later as President of the United States. When a young man he refused to carry a pocketknife for fear he would kill himself with it. In the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare wrote the famous line describing depression "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., the second man to walk on the moon became depressed from the stress of post-flight publicity. In 1972, Senator Thomas P. Eagleton withdrew as a candidate for Vice-President after it was revealed that he had been hospitalized three times for depression and received shock therapy twice. 

Laughter

Have you ever noticed how some golfers shout and act as if they are fighting alli­gators in a swamp? If they aren't having a terrible time, they're certainly making life miserable for everybody around them. Those who enjoy life, play for the fun of play­ing. Paradoxically, when they're playing for the fun, they play better. In addition, humor can be a beneficial antidote against anxiety, stress, tension, and depression that contributes to physical ill­ness.

    Here are some suggestions for playing better golf and living a better life:

v     Decide to be hopeful and fun loving.

v    Every day ask yourself, "Am I having fun yet?"

v    Surround yourself with people who fill you with joy and laughter.

v    Be an inverse paranoid—think the world is out to do you good.

v    When a situation becomes stressful, pretend it's all a Candid Camera episode.

v    Read or listen to humor regularly.

v    Keep a humor scrapbook.

v    Marry someone who thinks everything you say is funny.

v    Understand that few things are absolute or sacred.

v    Think funny.

v    Be a little sillier.

v    Find the absurdity in life.

v    Watch funny movies and DVDs.

v    Don't take yourself so seriously.

v    Remember: He who laughs, lasts.

v    Laugh out loud—laughter is internal jogging.

v    Play golf. Golf is just like life: Difficult and unfair. Par is 18 laughs a round.

Psychopharmacology Update Vol 1 No 2

LifeWorks Vol 1 No 2

LifeWorks Vol 1 No 1 page 2

What I've been teaching my kids (and myself) today

Now that the election is behind us (thankfully), this morning I've been thinking
about how it has affected our homeschooling this year. I'm realizing that we have much to
be thankful for, and I'm so grateful for all of the deep discussions I've had with
my family lately. I'm thankful for all of the teachable moments that I've been able to
take advantage of during the last few months. Here are a few thoughts I've shared with my
children today, and where I think we all need to think about going from here:

1) I am so thankful that we live in a country where we are free to vote, free to
homeschool, and free to worship. It was great to see the turnout yesterday. The process
worked. As far as we know, there was very little violence and corruption, and despite a
huge division of beliefs, for the most part the voting went very smoothly and
peacefully. For this we can be thankful!

2) We need to be diligent to continue to pray for our country and for
President-Elect Obama. 1 Timothy 2:1 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that
we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." We may not all agree
with Obama's politics, but we can -- and should -- pray for God to guide his leadership and
for God to bless his time in office.

3) It's time to come together as a country. We have deep differences in
political beliefs, but now that the election is over and the people have spoken, we need to support
and respect our leaders. Romans 13:1-4a "Everyone must submit himself to the
governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so
will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but
for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then
do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good."
Again, despite political differences, Obama is the man that God has placed as our leader for a
time. We need to respect him and respect the office of the Presidency.

4) Our family has been studying the civil rights issues of the pre-Civil War
period for a few weeks now. We have been reading about the terrible existence of slavery and
the divisions it caused in our nation. How wonderful it is, in light of this study,
to know that we are now at a time in our nation's history where it is possible for a person
of any race or gender to be in the highest office in the land. Despite how you may feel about
Obama, isn't it wonderful to know that we live in a truly free nation? Yes, racism
still exists, unfortunately. Hatred still exists. But this is truly a historic day that
should be celebrated.

5) Finally, this is a wonderful opportunity to show ourselves, as Christians,
as those who are truly full of God's love and grace. Let's walk the talk. In sports, we
teach our children to not to be sore losers. If your choice of candidate did not win last night,
we should at least be graceful, peaceful, and loving to the winners. I think that's what
Jesus would have us do.

Red Flags

RED FLAG: DON’T MISS THESE WARNINGS

[SB-2]

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS   Dysphoric mood or loss of pleasure in usual activities   At least four of the following:    Change in appetite    Sleep difficulty    Loss of energy    Psychomotor agitation    Decrease in sexual drive    Inappropriate guilt    Indecisiveness    Suicidal thoughts   Duration of symptoms for at least 2 weeks   No evidence of schizophrenia or organic brain disease

ILLNESSES OFTEN MISTAKEN AS DEPRESSION   Thyroid disease and other endocrine diseases Parkinson’s disease Sleep apnea Nutritional illnesses Drugs or drug withdrawal Cerebral tumors Coronary artery disease Renal or hepatic failure AIDS Syphilis Mononucleosis Tuberculosis Hepatitis Pneumonia Cancer of the head of the pancreas Complex partial seizures Multiple sclerosis Left frontal stroke Dementia Alcoholism

Famous Depressed People

FAMOUS DEPRESSED PEOPLE

[Side Bar–1]

           

Terry Bradshaw	After leading the Pittsburg Steelers to four Super Bowl wins and divorcing his third wife, he became depressed—characterized by weight loss, crying spells, insomnia, and anxiety.
Jim Carrey	Comedian and movie star, he is best known for his rubber-like facial expressions and his over-the-top physical comedy. Although he became successful, he continued to suffer from depression that began when Carrey was 16-years old when his father lost his job.
Brooke Shields	Actress and model, she wrote a book—Down Came the Rain—that documented her postpartum depression.
Billy Joel	Winner of six Grammys, he attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish.