Good evening, I am rasputin1952 and I am one of the moderators...

[rasputin1952]

of this forum.

I wanted to introduce myself to you, so you know some things about me.

First and foremost, this is your forum, and I am here to make sure you can discuss what you want without outside interference. Please do not hesitate to use the Alert function if you feel like you are being imposed upon by someone outside of your group, or if things get out of hand.

I am riding shotgun for you, and most of the time you won't even know I'm here. If you have any questions. You can use this thread, a PM, e-mail through my profile or throw a brick through my window. If I don't get back to you immediately, please bear with me, I'm studying pharmacology at this point, and it takes up a good portion of my time.
I do check in quite often when I can though. If an emergency arises, and I haven't answered in due time, PLEASE, go to Ask The Administrators. I don't want you to think you're being hung out to dry.

Some of you know me through DU, for those of you who don't, I can tell you this, anything that is said in this forum will stay here, as far as I am concerned. All correspondence with me by any member will remain confidential. The only exception to this, is the moderator forum if the situation needs to be addressed by other moderators. All of us keep everything in the strictest confidence.

That's it. I am proud and happy to be working with you in this forum...:D

[Ann Arbor Dem]

1. Hi rasputin!

Pharm is a tough program...good luck. And thanks for being our moderator!

[FuzzySlippers]

2. Glad to have you with us, Rasputin!

:hi: Thanks for being our mod!

[Droopy]

3. Thanks for checking in, rasputin

I'm glad that you are happy to be with us.

[skygazer]

4. Thanks Rasputin

Happy Thanksgiving! :hi:

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

5. I appreciate this very much.

We're being vulnerable here (and I've already heard, in an IM, "you know the next time so-and-so disagrees with you he's just going to say you need to up your meds.") I was afraid that person might be right, and it made me hesitate a little.

I am glad you are here for us. Thank you. :hug:

[Ann Arbor Dem]

6. You know what....

If someone does that....alert (which I'm sure you would do). But in the grand scheme of things, that person will only be showing his/her ignorance and lack of class to the world. We're here for each other.

[Droopy]

7. I've been very open here about my illness for a long time

and I've only had one person give me a hard time about it. The person was anti-medication. He couldn't understand how I could be so articulate being a sufferer of my illness and taking medication. He thought I was here as a pusher of meds from a psychiatric drug company. I wanted to suggest that they make a drug to control those type of thoughts, but I decided not to play around like that.

[no name no slogan]

8. Being open destigmatizes things, IMHO

The reason most people don't know anything about mental illness is that they either 1) have outdated info and rely on stereotypes, or 2) don't actually 'know' anybody who's got a brain disease.

The more we talk, the more that 'normal' people see that we're just like them. It also empowers us, and lets us dictate the terms of the debate-- NOT some uninformed stranger who doesn't know a bipolar disorder from a disassociative disorder.

Personally, I get strength from sharing my story, and from hearing the stories of other survivors. It makes me feel like I'm not alone, and that we're all a community, working together to improve everyone's lives.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

9. One of the most compelling documentaries I've seen is Dead Blue: A Film...

...About Surving Depression. It was directed by documentarian Eames Yates, Mike Wallace's stepson, and features Wallace, William Styron (the writer), and Martha Manning (a clinical psychologist). The eloquence of those interviewed when describing the psychic pain of depression is incredible.

[Droopy]

10. Right on, no name no slogan

That was one of the ideas I had in mind when I suggested this group. The idea that mental illness should not carry with it a social stigma is built into this group. The more people we can get to come forward about their illness and talk about it the more we can help people see that mental illness is (just like you said) a disease of the brain. The more people can get an insight into what is going on in a mentally ill person's life the more likely they are to have empathy for them. The more likely they are to understand that mental illness is real and is something that many people have to deal with in their lifetimes. The more we talk about it the better off we are.

[DemExpat]

11. It is good to be open about this.

But I personally do not see it as a purely physical disease of the brain or nervous system, or as a genetically programmed inevitability.

In myself I have found behavioral habits, even personal choices like diet, lifestyle, negative thought patterns, spiritual lessons, etc. as components of my mental illness, and I felt very helpless when I DID see it as purely a disease of the brain, or even as purely a result of traumatic experiences in childhood.

When I discovered my substantial personal power within the picture of my "illness", things started getting much better for me.

I believe that mind and spirit have great power, although not always accessible to us.

:hi:

DemEx

[Droopy]

12. That may be the case for some people

In my case there is just no helping what I've got short of drug therapy. I went off my meds once because they were making me sleep most of my free time and I was really packing on the weight. I tried eating healthy, taking vitamins and living a healthy lifestyle. I relapsed after four months and found myself back in the hospital. Also, there is just no getting through to me when I'm experiencing my symptoms so talk therapy is impossible. The reason for that is that I cannot relate to people in a meaningful way. I think they are only out to hurt me in some way when I'm in the throes of my illness. It's not like depression or anxiety where you can still think somewhat logically and respond to people. Psychosis is a bitch. Jesus can't save you when you think you're him.

I'm glad you've found a way to help heal yourself on your own, but for a lot of people that's just not possible.

[DemExpat]

14. Yes, I am certain that some must have medication

for some balance. Psychosis, schizophrenia...

I just meant to say that not all diagnosed mental suffering is a physical disease only to be treated with meds.

At one point I was on the edge of psychosis, so I know what you mean by not being able to relate to people and think logically.....

I am happy that you have found the help you need to be able to find some level of comfort and openness!

DemEx

[rasputin1952]

13. Hello again...Thanks for the warm welcome.

I've looked over a couple of things, and I'd like to thank you all for giving me your trust. I intend to maintain that trust as I have stated in my OP. I would like to make a suggestion, if I may. For those of you that are in the care of a professional and are taking medications, please, do not listen to anyone over the net and take any action with out first contacting your health care giver. Never "up your meds", or cease taking them abruptly. I'm sure you all know that there are some serious consequences that can come with these actions. This is just a reminder, I'm sure you've been told this before, but just getting done with this pharmacology class, I've had this drummed into my brain so many times, it is diffucult for me not to think of this...:)

I also believe in what Dem expat says, a lot of what we come across is learned over the years. Habits are exceptionally hard to break. I was once addicted to opium while in the Army in Vietnam, it was the second hardest habit I've ever tried to break. The hardest, is nicotine, as I still smoke 33 years after leaving Vietnam. One thing I've learned abpout addictions, is we always find something else to be addicted to. It could be religion, another drug, alcohol, cleanliness, pets, it is always something or a behavior. The key is to find a behavior that is beneficial to oneself and those that are around us...:)

OK, I'll shut up...:) I have worked in hospitals where those who had mental situations were overlooked and not treated that well. I have made one my life goals to ensure that never happens again on my watch, I intend to do that here as well. So please, if some one makes a statement that might send another into turmoil, let me be of help.

Thank you.

[DemExpat]

15. Thanks, Ras.....about addictions....

I have traded all of mine for having to have a dog living with me to survive....:D

And DU as well, a bit, I'm afraid....:silly:

These are much more beneficial and sociable than the ones I used to have....medications, recreational drugs, booze, smoking.... :-(

:hi:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

16. Thanks Rasputin!

Glad to have you!

[NYC_SKP]

17. Hi Ras!!!

Just checking in!

:hi: