Heaven in a tablet
A cure for both my psychosis and my migraines? That’s how I first read this, and I thought the company was making a super pill that would be a combo of Seroquel and Imitrex, my two beloveds. I guess it would be Serotrex, or Imiquel. But alas, the drugs are separate.
Alexza shares peak on drug test news
liz | 5:54 PM | Uncategorized
Speaking of cynical…
Thanks, Kent, for this article about The Good Mood Diet, in which Susan Kleiner guarantees: “Change your diet, and you’ll feel better in one day. In one week, your depression will vanish. In one month, you’ll lose weight for good.”
Wow. This better be some book. If there were a cure that made depression vanish in a week, I think it’s safe to say millions of people would be running out the door to read about it. Oh, wait…
Is Your Diet Making You Depressed?
liz | 1:33 PM | Uncategorized
VNS success?
I get nervous when I read positive stories about Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). I don’t want people to get their hopes up, as so many people do with ECT. And given what a racket the ECT industry is, how ethically compromised, I have little faith that other like practices can be offered without similar corruption. Cynical, I know.
A story by Krista B. Ledbetter in the Oshkosh Northwestern about a family doctor’s treatment-resistant depression isn’t exactly a VNS success story, though the doctor, Jim Siepmann, believes it is. Putting aside the VNS angle, the article is an excellent articulation of what clinical depression feels like.
Man battles treatment-resistant depression
liz | 9:09 AM | Uncategorized
Clarification
Yeah, so I’m home and online on a Saturday night. What of it?
TTWS reader Terry B. writes:
“In Canada no one has been executed since the early 60s and we are among all the other
western powers who do not murder in the name of the state. There are at least 5 cases of mistaken verdicts where before capital punishment the accused would have been hung. How many executions can be justified for one mistake. What about Texas where Bush would laugh when he denied clemency and to quote Blazing Saddles to often when there is no obvious offender ‘…the n***** gets it.’”
So just for clarity’s sake: I am adamantly opposed to the death penalty, which is barbaric and obscenely unjust.
That’s your cheery thought for the night! Only … you’re not reading this because you’re cooler than I am and have plans with friends or something. Boo on you.
liz | 9:11 PM | Uncategorized
Until we meet again…
Tomorrow and Saturday I’ll be in sunny Camp Hill, Pa., for a conference, so I won’t be blogging. Last week when I couldn’t blog on Friday, I did a special Suicide Saturday (yay! whee!), but this week you might have to wait for Suicide Sunday (whoopee! yahoo!).
But in the meanwhile, there are two things you must do. First, you must watch this video. I watched this twice through (it’s kind of long), and both times I almost peed in my pants from feelings of love and joy. Seriously, my chest was contracting as though I was having a panic attack, but I was actually so happy, I hyperventilated.
The other thing you must do is: Have a good couple of days. “Yeah,” you’ll say. “Sure.” But I mean it. Eat something you love, even if it’s fattening. Watch a TV show that’s dumb but funny. Listen to music and spin around in your living room until you’re dizzy. Shower your pets with kisses and petting. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while but who makes you laugh. Go to a stupid movie and get popcorn and a sugary soda and let yourself sink into it. TAKE A WALK IN THE SUN.
Most important, make yourself laugh–and not sad-laugh–at least four times before Sunday, no matter what you have to do to make it happen. And when we meet again, we’ll all have had a vacation from ourselves, and we won’t be angry at each other for not being productive or for wasting time.
And if none of the above works, watch the Knut video again. I know I plan to.
liz | 4:33 PM | Uncategorized
Accident Report
A woman who was trying to commit suicide by walking into traffic did indeed get hit, but didn’t die. That’s all I know about the incident, which took place in Orange County, Calif., but I think that must be such a horrific experience. You think you’re about to die, and that the pain will finally be over, and you find yourself not only alive, but in more pain than you could ever imagine.
Of course, in this case, I don’t know with any certainty that the woman in question was seriously injured. But how do you walk away after being struck by a big rig? And the trauma of being snatched away from death like that–well, maybe it’s transformative. Maybe she’ll be glad she survived and this will open a whole new chapter for her.
Whoever you are, California lady, I hope you’re okay. I’m pulling for you.
liz | 3:51 PM | Uncategorized
I must remember this is a public forum
When I look at my blog-tracking software, and see that thousands of people come here every day, I think, “No, that’s not right. It’s mostly Kent, HS, EVS, Annette, Sachin, Dennis, Joe, Joseph, Amara, the staff of PW, Julio, Sally, ttq, Marissa, Jim, Susan, John, and about 10 other faithfuls who I’m forgetting right now [and potentially alienating].” I just can’t process that there’s more than about 30 people who wanna look at this thing.
But perhaps it would behoove me to be a little more judicious with my words, or at least spelling. Today, for instance, I discovered that I am quoted on the CBS News website in its Blogophile report by Melissa P. McNamara. I’m practically incoherent! The sentence is so awkward. But the write-up is interesting; it’s about Internet addiction. Scroll down to where it says “Internet Rehab,” and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
From now on, I’m going to express myself deliberately and exquisitely. Peace out!
liz | 12:11 PM | Uncategorized
Testing my resolve
I am against the death penalty, and I work for an organization that advocates for humane treatment of incarcerated people. But the following case is a serious test of my willpower on both counts.
Angel Reyes was in court this week in nearby Delaware County to try to get his death sentence revoked. Reyes killed his toddler daughter, Marcia, after a fight with her mother. He was so pissed off, he grabbed Marcia, took her to a bridge and tossed her into Ridley Creek below. He knew she couldn’t swim, and he knew she would die. After he dropped her in he came home, triumphant.
He was given the death sentence in 1994, and that penalty was upheld through years of legal wrangling. But his lawyers argued that if a jury was able to hear about Reyes’ tragic childhood, they might reconsider. From the Delaware County Daily Times:
Reyes grew up in an impoverished home in Puerto Rico under the fist of an abusive father, who would beat his children with anything handy — a bar, a rod, or his bare hands. They would be deprived of food for days as punishment. That led the adult Reyes, according to a defense psychiatrist, to be unable to control his anger and explained his sadistic behavior on the Fourth Street Bridge.
This latest court appearance was the first time Reyes expressed remorse for a crime he never denied committing. He told the jury he’s found God, but they reaffirmed his death sentence anyway.
I appreciate the depth of Reyes’ childhood trauma and don’t argue that he’s a damaged soul. The psychiatrist made the best case he could. But I can’t say I feel that history mitigates his crime. I don’t see the point of state-sponsored murder, but …
What do you guys think?
[Photograph by StormyinGA]
liz | 10:46 AM | Uncategorized
Democrats in power: like a warm bath.
Aside from all the oversight investigations that are revealing the true dysfunction and corruption of the Bush administration, Democratic legislators are speaking out and acting fast after revelations of poor veterans health services come over the transom.
Now the US House has enjoined the VA to create a program to address suicide among veterans. Those with PTSD will be the population well served by this kind of program.
I have to say, when it comes to veterans mental health issues, we have come a long way since Vietnam. We’re not there yet (okay, it still sucks), but we’ve made progress. It’s important to recognize that.
liz | 9:50 AM | Uncategorized
Hey, wanna be disgusted?
Well, I can help.
Doctors’ Ties to Drug Makers Are Put on Close View
liz | 5:21 PM | Uncategorized
