I’ve Got Some Candy Just for You

As usual, Philip Dawdy breezes through the Eli Lilly hijinks in his chipper way over at Furious Seasons. By far the funniest detail (funny in a macabre sense, that is) is that Big Pharma reps brought Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to doctors they wanted to talk to — and it worked to get them in the door.

You know what this tells me? Doctors are as bad as journalists when it comes to swag. It’s so ridiculous.

liz | 10:53 AM | Uncategorized

More on the Eagles’ Shawn Andrews

As a man—especially as an African-American man—Shawn Andrews was at a disadvantage in having his clinical depression addressed. But a story in the Delaware County Times shows Andrews is feeling better about things.

“They were very concerned and I was on the edge,” Andrews said Saturday. “Things weren’t going well so I felt like I must open up before it’s too late. I won’t say that I contemplated suicide but I had some very – I guess in my mind – unrealistic thoughts about a lot of things. I was really lost and just really felt like there was no outlet. I know my mom was there but I want the rest of her life to be worry-free so I try and keep everything from her. I just felt alone, you know?” ….

“I guess now that I’ve spoken about my issues or my clinical depression if you will, I think it really lifted a weight off of me because I received so many letters and emails, good and bad. But I just pay attention to the good ones and the people that I inspire that let me know that. I’ve received a lot of phone calls from public figures and people who have gone through what I’m going through. I’ve also learned that, among African American men, and really men period, we just hold things in. Whether it’s a football player or a man, you are still like, ‘I’m a man – nothing bothers me.’ But, if you internalize it, it has to come out somewhere. People question my silliness but I’m a fun-loving guy. Being around people, I don’t care what creed you are, it just ignites my silliness. You’ll never know if I’m hurting on the inside. I found out.”

Count us among those sending you good wishes, Shawn.

liz | 4:35 PM | Uncategorized

Stupid Headline and Stupid Study and Big Boobs

Thanks to Alli for pointing this one out. From the BBC:

Depression link to poor driving

People on anti-depressants may have impaired driving skills, a small US study suggests.

Researchers put 60 people through a driving simulation to test steering, concentration and reactions.

North Dakota University found those on high dose anti-depressant courses had poorer driving skills.

But it was not clear whether it was the pills or the actual condition that caused the impairment and researchers said a larger study was now needed.

The participants were split between those who were not on medication, those taking a low dose course and others on a high dose.

The simulation they were put through recreated a series of common driving situations, such as reacting to brake lights, stop signs and traffic signals.

The team, which is presenting its findings at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, found a significant difference between those not on medication and those on high doses.

Overall, those not on medication got 69 points, those on low medication 65 and those on high 54.

The team said it could be either the pills themselves or the condition which caused the problems.

Lead researcher Dr Holly Dannewitz said: “There is obviously more work to do on this. We need a much larger study, but there certainly seems to be some sort of link.

“I think people who are depressed, especially those on anti-depressants, should be aware of this if they are driving or doing anything that relies on concentration and reaction skills.”

But Alison Kerry, from the mental health charity Mind, said: “Depression can effect people in many different ways, but one of the common symptoms is experiencing difficulty concentrating.

“However, it’s important to state that everyone has highs and lows in concentration and reaction times, and a period of depression doesn’t mean that you’re a danger on the roads.”

Alison, get some balls. This study is crap! Sixty people? Driving simulation? Dear god, the BBC is getting desperate. Oh, wait — they’ve been desperate for a long time. Cf.: My Big Breasts and Me, which I actually watched last night. Apparently, antidepressants also trigger bad taste in TV programs.

liz | 11:52 AM | Uncategorized

More Good News

You know what grosses me out? When thin people slyly look at overweight people eating and get that look — you’ve seen it: the look that says they’re thinking to themselves, “You’re already fat. Why are you eating that candy bar?” This culture is so incredibly judgmental when it comes to body size, and there’s always the implication that ill-health and weight go together, which makes thin people even more punitive in their way of looking at things.

I don’t know if this article is likely to change anything, but you never know.

For Health, Body Size Can Be Misleading

[Pictured: plus-size model Tulin]

liz | 1:15 PM | Uncategorized

Least Surprising Headline of the Week

Debunking a theory that’s been promulgated by agenda-pushing right-wingers:

Abortion Does Not Cause Mental Illness, Panel Says

liz | 11:08 AM | Uncategorized

Funny.

From Philly’s own version of The Onion, PhillyTurkey.com:

Eagles Fans Show Deep Understanding of Psychiatry

liz | 1:15 PM | Uncategorized

Thank You, God!

Yes, I am now a believer in a supreme being. How else to explain the fabulous news within this article? Screw you, all you self-righteous gym bunnies who can’t stop telling me how much better I’ll feel if I work out. Research may be easily spun and unreliable, but I embrace the results of this study with boundless enthusiasm.

Mental Health: Exercise Is Found Not to Affect Depression

liz | 11:00 AM | Uncategorized

I Just Love an Unjust War, Don’t You?

Despite higher suicide rates and increasing reports of PTSD among soldiers, people who aren’t equipped emotionally to go back to Iraq or Afghanistan are being sent back anyway. (And, if I may climb on my soapbox for a moment, the Army has said it’s willing to lower IQ requirements and allow felons to serve because the enlistment numbers are down. But capable gays and lesbians need not apply! Idiots.)

We don’t always know the whole story right away, but sometimes we can piece it together.

A 21-year-old Army National Guardsman from Iowa was on the phone with his former girlfriend when he fatally shot himself in the basement of her Holmen home late Friday, officials said.
…
The woman learned from his sister that Clements, of Boone, Iowa, had failed to report for military drills and had not been seen.

The woman then went home, where she and a friend walked through the house, turning on lights and checking each room on the main floor, according to the reports.

She tried to call Clements, and he picked up but hung up before responding. When she called again, he answered and when pressed admitted he was in the basement, according to the police report.

He said he wanted to see her one last time, he was sorry and he loved her. When she asked what he was talking about, she heard a loud bang, according to the report.

…
Police found Clements’ body in the basement, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A .45-caliber Springfield gun was still in his hand, loaded with five live rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber, according to the report. A partially consumed bottle of wine also was found, but no suicide note.

Holmen police Chief Mike McHugh said his department was working with the military to investigate the incident. Clements is thought to have returned from Iraq a few months ago, he said, and speculation was he might soon be headed back.

Emphasis mine. Because how much you wanna bet?

Iowa soldier commits suicide in Holmen home

[To get the messenger bag, go here.]

liz | 9:30 AM | Uncategorized

Report: Sick Children Being Drugged, Tied Up in Connecticut

People need to hear things in bolder language in order to get angry, so here I am to oblige you. Because that’s what happening, folks.

Report: Rate Of Restraints On Rise At Riverview

liz | 3:15 PM | Uncategorized

It’s Doomsday for You, Shawn Andrews

I know nothing about football. I only pay attention if the Eagles are doing well, and then I batten down the hatches for heartbreak and loss, since that’s my lot as a Philly sports fan. This season I’m pulling for Shawn Andrews, who went to training camp despite struggling with clinical depression.

John Smallwood, the Philadelphia Daily News‘ sports columnist, doesn’t have much faith in Andrews’ teammates to know how to deal with the situation. It’s as if Andrews has some foreign illness they’ve never heard of.

And, again, let’s be honest, Andrews’ return is bound to cause a buzz in camp as his teammates try to figure out how they should relate to him.

Clinical depression isn’t something most people know how to react to, so just going back to the way things were could be a lot easier said than done.

“Quite a few of the players know the situation and have been in communication with [Andrews],” Reid said when asked if he felt the need to talk to the team about Andrews. “We’ll address that down the road.

“He’s got some guys here that really care about him.”

Yes, but is that going to be enough?

That final question is kind of grating, as is the tone of the rest of the article. If you substitute “clinical depression” with a different chronic illness that has acute flare-ups, it would seem ridiculous. Let’s give it a try:

BETHLEHEM – It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall when Andy Reid has his sitdown with wayward guard Shawn Andrews. …

Andrews has missed training camp and most of the Eagles’ offseason training programs because, he says, he is suffering from Type I diabetes.

I don’t know enough about Type I diabetes and its treatment to even hazard a guess as to what should be done, but I do know that the Eagles are probably only going to get one shot to get this right.

Whenever Andrews returns to work, whether it be a day from now, a week from now, a month or year from now, he shouldn’t be placed out there unless everyone has a full grip of the situation and is sure his issues will not prevent him from doing everything necessary to be a professional football player.

The worst thing the Eagles can do is put Andrews on the field and have things appear to be back to normal, only to have him relapse to the point where he has to sit down again.

There has to be apprehension – apprehension about Andrews’ health and the impact his return will have on a team that is less than a month away from starting the season.

What’s the protocol for dealing with something that might not show any recognizable outward signs but could suddenly become devastating?

It’s not as simple as, “Andrews is back, OK, let’s play.”

… What is the potential impact if Andrews physically returns to form, is incorporated back into the offensive scheme, and then four games into the season can’t deal with things?

That absolutely has to be a consideration that Reid takes into account when deciding what to do with Andrews.

And, again, let’s be honest, Andrews’ return is bound to cause a buzz in camp as his teammates try to figure out how they should relate to him.

Type I diabetes isn’t something most people know how to react to, so just going back to the way things were could be a lot easier said than done.

“Quite a few of the players know the situation and have been in communication with [Andrews],” Reid said when asked if he felt the need to talk to the team about Andrews. “We’ll address that down the road.

“He’s got some guys here that really care about him.”

Yes, but is that going to be enough?

liz | 10:52 AM | Uncategorized