Mental health

Real Men (and Women) Ask for Help

by Bill Brenner July 3, 2010 Communication Skills

The author learns that sometimes he has to put his pride aside to do the right thing. Mood music for this post: “Ride On” by AC/DC: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZo12LIWqYw&hl=en_US&fs=1] One of the more unfortunate byproducts of my OCD is that I don’t like to ask for help when I need it. This flaw has taken me to the brink of a nervous breakdown many times. When you struggle with addiction and mental disorder, you cling hard to…  [Read More]

Don’t Let a Hard Week Take You Down

by Bill Brenner July 1, 2010 Coping tools

As I write this my head is pounding. I’m feeling restless and tired. I’m ultra sensitive to the sound of the birds outside my open living room window. But, oddly enough, beneath it all I’m in a pretty good mood.

The Downward Spiral

by Bill Brenner June 29, 2010 Depression

I was going to start this with some amusing anecdote about how I’m suffering so others might be saved. Jesus already did that sort of thing, of course. Dopes like me think it’s good to suffer to benefit others, but it’s really just delusional thinking we engage in to feel better about ourselves when the chips are down.

Emotions That Come from a Strange Place

by Bill Brenner June 28, 2010 Depression

The author finds himself walking between depression and hope. A strange place to be. (Written during a depressive episode in 2010.) Mood music for this post: Henry Rollins’ “I Think I Know You” performed over “A Warm Place,” from Nine Inch Nails’ “Downward Spiral” album: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CPIT4nsT24&hl=en_US&fs=1&] Yesterday was a perfect example of the strange place I’m in emotionally these days. It started well enough. A good Mass at church in the morning, a phone conversation…  [Read More]

Careful How You Help Others

by Bill Brenner June 27, 2010 Coping tools

The author on the need for boundaries when helping people in need. Mood music for this post: “Ten Years Gone,” The Black Crows with Jimmy Page: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWovzhNH4TQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&] Being someone who has benefited greatly from the kindness of others, I’m forever trying to pay it forward. One way I do this is by sponsoring people in my 12-Step Program. But if you don’t handle this blade carefully, it will cut you deep. That’s what I’m learning,…  [Read More]

Turning the Tables on Those Who Whine

by Bill Brenner June 26, 2010 Depression

The author has a low tolerance for those who bitch. But he’s about to do it anyway. Mood music for this post: “Thorn in My Pride” by The Black Crows: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-xq6q72cA&hl=en_US&fs=1&] This post is about whining and hypocrisy. For much of my adult life, I’ve had a low tolerance for people who whine about every little thing. I say adult life, because as a teenager all I did was whine. Facebook has become a favorite…  [Read More]

Flour and Sugar: A Tale of Slavery

by Bill Brenner June 21, 2010 Addiction

The author has been asked how he gets by with no bread, pasta and all the other flour-sugar substances. Here’s his answer. Update: A recent New York Times Magazine article on sugar as a toxin is worth reading as a companion to this post. Article summary: “That it makes us fat is something we take for granted. That it might also be making us sick is harder to accept.” Mood music: A reader of this…  [Read More]

Others Who Fight the Stigma

by Bill Brenner June 18, 2010 Addiction

This isn’t the only blog trying to poke the stigma of mental illness and addiction in the eye. Check these out: Mood music for this post: “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” by The Avett Brothers: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22HprMQN8M&hl=en_US&fs=1&] I’ve been lucky to run across a couple other blogs this week where others are doing their part to break the stigma of OCD and binge eating. These finds make me happy because I’d hate to be…  [Read More]

An OCD Incident

by Bill Brenner June 16, 2010 Mental disorders

As good as the author has gotten at managing OCD, some days it still comes crashing down. Mood music for this post: “You’re Crazy” by Guns ‘N Roses: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wmwud1DXQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&] Today was not one of my better days, folks. I had an OCD moment at work. My boss was pretty forgiving about the whole thing, but I’m still pissed with myself. Before I go any further, this is not a bitch-about-work post. For starters, I have…  [Read More]

Parental Estrangement

by Bill Brenner June 15, 2010 Family

The story of a relationship ruptured by mental illness. I told myself never to write this one. Too many people would feel burned. Then I remembered those who won’t like this are already angry with me. This is a critical piece of my journey through mental illness, addiction and recovery. So in I go. Those who know me well know I haven’t gotten along with my mother and step-father for a long time. It’s been…  [Read More]

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