Bill Brenner

Humor Is The Best Consolation Prize

by Bill Brenner December 15, 2009 Lighthearted

“I’d rather be funny than happy.” — Henry Rollins In his book, “Lincoln’s Melancholy,” author Joshua Wolf Shenk notes how Abraham Lincoln often kept himself going in the face of blistering mental depression through humor. The President enjoyed telling and hearing a good story, especially a funny story, and often a salty one at that. Mood music: Indeed, it’s no coincidence that some of the funniest people in history suffered from OCD, depression and other…  [Read More]

The Freak in the Newsroom

by Bill Brenner December 13, 2009 The stormy past

A tale of terror in newsrooms across the state of Massachusetts. I love my job. I love the subject matter (IT and physical security, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance). I love the people I work with, many of whom I’ve worked with at other points in my nearly 19 years in journalism. And I love my daily dealings with some of the smartest, passionate security professionals on the planet. But it wasn’t always this way. Work used…  [Read More]

The Bad Pill Kept Me From The Good Pill

by Bill Brenner December 10, 2009 Addiction

In a previous post I mentioned that I take medication for OCD: Prozac. It’s been extremely helpful, but it took a long time for me to even consider trying it. Here’s why: Mood music: As a kid sick much of the time with Chron’s Disease, I was often put on the maximum dose of a drug called Prednisone. The side effects were so horrific that I forever after resisted the idea of taking medication until…  [Read More]

OCD Diaries Meets The Heroin Diaries

by Bill Brenner December 10, 2009 Addiction

A good song for anyone trying to overcome depression/addiction and the disorders that fuel them. As Mr. Sixx says, “Nothing like a trail of blood to help you find your way home.” [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYlS_kmxES0&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

‘What the Hell Are You Doing, Now We’re Both in the Hole!”

by Bill Brenner December 9, 2009 Addiction

This West Wing clip pretty much sums up the purpose of this blog:

International OCD Foundation

by Bill Brenner December 9, 2009 Mental disorders

For those who struggle with OCD, there is an organization out there with a lot to offer called The International OCD Foundation. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I just found out about these guys. (Thanks to Stephanie Chelf for flagging it!) From the group’s website: “Founded by a group of people with OCD in 1986, the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is an international not-for-profit organization made up of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)…  [Read More]

The Most Uncool Addiction

by Bill Brenner December 8, 2009 Addiction

In this installment, the author opens up about the binge-eating disorder he tried to hide for years — and how he managed to bring it under control. I don’t beat myself for having engaged in addictive behavior. That kind of thing is obvious for someone with OCD. If there’s a compulsion to be rubbed raw, you go for it, no matter how destructive it is on body and soul. Then you wake up the next…  [Read More]

An OCD Christmas

by Bill Brenner December 7, 2009 Uncategorized

The author on a history of depression and OCD that tends to come just in time for Christmas, why that is and how he’s mostly gained the upper hand. Mood music: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing…  [Read More]

More On Famous People With Mental Illness

by Bill Brenner December 7, 2009 Depression

A good list on the subject is available from the  National Alliance on Mental Illness, NH branch. A few of those on the list: Art Buchwald, Columnist Depression Drew Carey, Actor Depression Winston Churchill “Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished,” wrote Anthony Storr about…  [Read More]

Why Lincoln’s Melancholy Is A Must Read

by Bill Brenner December 7, 2009 Uncategorized

I’ve always been something of a history nerd and am especially drawn to stories about those who have achieved greatness despite the crippling impact of mental illness. Winston Churchill was a sufferer (he called it his Black Dog). Theodore Roosevelt suffered from bipolar disorder. And Abraham Lincoln’s depression is well documented. I just finished reading an excellent book on the latter: “Lincoln’s Melancholy” by Joshua Wolf Shenk. For anyone who has struggled with mental illness,…  [Read More]

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