Mental health

What’s This Freakin’ Blog Really About, Anyway?

by Bill Brenner March 17, 2011 Addiction

I’ve gained several new readers in the past month. They have a lot of questions for me, which I like and appreciate. The most common question goes something like this: “What exactly is the focus of this blog?” Mood music: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4eVul99m50&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] It’s a fair question. Here’s the explanation. In this case the embedded links are important to seeing the whole picture. But don’t try to read them all at once. That would be insanity….  [Read More]

How Does He Work In Those Conditions?

by Bill Brenner March 16, 2011 Adventures in writing

A friend and reader wants to know how I’m able to focus at work, given the OCD person’s tendency to be consumed by worry. Here’s my answer. Mood music: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QR8c0Ns2Y&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] Her specific question: I know that at times, I have a hard time not letting one thought consume me. I pray, read etc. but sometimes that thought will be all consuming and (obsessive). Just curious how you plow through that moment. I know where…  [Read More]

Mister Rogers’ Mother Was Right

by Bill Brenner March 14, 2011 Children's issues

Say what you will about Mister Rogers. His speech and mannerisms may stop being cool after you hit puberty, but the lessons he taught are timeless and ageless. My friend Olivia Gatti shared this quote from Mr. Rogers on Facebook awhile back: When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day,…  [Read More]

You of All People …

by Bill Brenner March 12, 2011 Children's issues

Recent weeks have pounded home the point that I’m seriously lacking in patience. With Duncan’s issues. With Erin’s workload. And more. Mood music: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjto02iDNZA&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] Four words repeatedly ring in my head: “You of all people.” I of all people should be patient with Duncan. I was a problem child on a much deeper, darker magnitude than him. He’s a good boy. I should be a lot calmer when he has his meltdowns and gets…  [Read More]

Side-Effects of Prozac

by Bill Brenner March 12, 2011 Depression

A friend asked if I’ve ever experienced any side-effects from the Prozac I take to help manage OCD. An excellent question. Fear of side-effects kept me from trying the medication for years. Unfortunately, I did a lot of suffering in those years that could have been avoided. I had heard all kinds of horror stories about side-effects: Weight gain, violent mood swings, acne. That stuff does happen, but it didn’t happen to me. I have…  [Read More]

Coffee With My Therapist, Part 2

by Bill Brenner March 11, 2011 Communication Skills

I paid another visit to my therapist this morning, and the discussion was a lot more productive than last week’s get-together. Last week wasn’t his fault. I went in there with a migraine. Mood music: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lz6qLQ4xSM&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] We’re continuing to work on my struggle to balance the urge to do everything with the need to slow it down. We’re working on my need for more patience as Erin and I help Duncan with his issues….  [Read More]

Why The Hell Does He Do That?

by Bill Brenner March 9, 2011 Mental disorders

My friends and family will tell you I have an arsenal of odd quirks. There’s the windmill hands. There’s the pacing, a trait my oldest son has inherited. Then there’s the fidgeting problem. Mood music (R.I.P. Mike Starr): [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jX1KAKp78&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0] Ah, yes. I fidget a lot. That’s why I tend to work with my feet up on the desk. It keeps me still. When I sit like a normal person my legs start to bounce…  [Read More]

Tension Mounts, On With The Body Count

by Bill Brenner March 7, 2011 Addiction

My editing background noise this afternoon is the first album from Body Count, the metal band with Ice-T on vocals. Some of it is uncomfortable to listen to. But, truth be told, I absolutely adored this album back in 1992. Mood music: Listening to it now, I shake my head at the liberal use of the N-word. I hate that word. But because an African American was singing it, the 22-year-old me thought it was…  [Read More]

The Agony of Awards

by Bill Brenner March 5, 2011 Adventures in writing

This will seem strange to some of you, maybe even ungrateful and insulting — but lately I’m looking at some of my old writing awards with disdain. I should be proud of those awards. I earned them. But every time I look at them, it’s another reminder of just how fucked up I used to be. We need reminders so we don’t repeat the same mistakes, but some memories are best left in the trash…  [Read More]

When The Grass is Greener on Your Side

by Bill Brenner March 4, 2011 Addiction

I had an eventful trip to the therapist this morning. I had a migraine and was trying hard not to puke all over his nice blue carpet. There was couple’s counseling going on in the office next door, and the walls seemed awfully thin. You could hear pretty much everything, including the wife going into a rage at her husband. Their therapist seemed to be making a valiant effort to hold it all together. My…  [Read More]

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