On both sides of my family (sm)

On both sides of my family (sm) [2007-12-06]
we are now not doing adult gift exchanges anymore. Up until this year we picked names to buy for, but this year no adult gift exchange. The main reason is that some members have so much more than others, and some are trying to decrease the amount of stuff they have. I've always been against adult family gift exchanges because it's so hard to buy anything that is actually useful. I know other people who think it's hilarious to buy dud gifts every year. Like they buy a Chia Pet for one family member every year. That's one way to fill our landfills faster.

re:weight [2008-06-25]
Yeah, I would totally be interested in this with you. Can you email me on my personal email (listed above) and we can make a plan. Not sure where to start or what would be the best idea, etc. but we can make a plan together and get going. I am exhausted and my family is out of town right now so have been a bit out of sorts as far as schedule goes so sorry I took so long to get back to you. Let me know via email when you would be ready to get going and what plan you may have. I am looking forward to it, the support will be wonderful. I will wait to hear from you. Thanks. Laurie Jean

Many people have issues this time of year [2007-12-09]
Statistically suicides, depression and other mental health issue go up at this time of year. What with the financial pressures, shopping stress, gathering with family members you People that have recently lost loved ones or have broken off a relationship usually feel extra bad when reflecting on prior, happier holidays. People that normally don Commercials make you feel sad and inadequate because you can or your coworkers brag on how much they got and you got very little. This season is rough on many people.

On both sides of my family (sm) [2007-12-06]
we are now not doing adult gift exchanges anymore. Up until this year we picked names to buy for, but this year no adult gift exchange. The main reason is that some members have so much more than others, and some are trying to decrease the amount of stuff they have. I've always been against adult family gift exchanges because it's so hard to buy anything that is actually useful. I know other people who think it's hilarious to buy dud gifts every year. Like they buy a Chia Pet for one family member every year. That's one way to fill our landfills faster.

bipolar disorder. [2007-11-16]
my son he was carrying the ODD/NOS since he was 4, but has only gotten worse in cycles. plus it runs in teh family. anyone have experience with this? i am just trying to reach out ot more family thanks for any responses.

thanks :) [2007-10-03]
Thank you for your reply and your kind thoughts. <3 I'm 30 now and I got diagnosed as bipolar when I was still in high school. So we've been at this a while and we're all educated. Sometimes I think we know too much. I am seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist both on a bi-monthly basis. My husband and family are very supportive. It seems I'm doing everything right, you know? It's just that sometimes things are determined to fall apart despite my best efforts to keep them together. It's exhausting at times. But enough of the angst! Thanks again for your support :)

Your welcome. [2007-10-03]
Glad to hear you have a loving family. I I hope you do check out that Otep website (if you haven They have a whole You are not alone section where you can ask for advice on anything, which I think is great. I try to get on there and give advice (and sometimes get advice) when I can. Sometimes it just helps to know someone else is going through the same thing you are! Feel free to email me if you ever want to. Take care.

Me, too! Only I wasn't lucky enough to have parents - sm [2007-09-28]
that recognized there was a problem. My mom said when I was an infant that if my dad so much as rattled his newspaper too much, I'd start screaming. Was afraid of fireworks, TERRIFIED of thunder. Got stressed out in crowded, chaotic conditions. All my life it has sounded like the whole world has the sound up too high. As an adult, I never go to the movie theater because the sound is way too loud. If I see a live show (musical, rock concert, opera, etc.) I wear earplugs. Have difficulty dealing with background noise (dryers, dishwashers, and ESPECIALLY leaf-blowers, etc.) Even enjoyable activities, such as Disneyland, were stressful because they were hectic & noisy, and I'd get distracted easily, so usually was the kid in my family that got lost. Finally, about 45 years later, I was diagnosed with depression. Most likely it started in childhood, but back then I don't think most people even knew it existed. I know my parents sure didn't. One of the strongest triggers for my depressive episodes was continual exposure to noise, even if it was very slight background noise, like neighbor's loud stereos or set of windchimes. Going onto an SSRI made a HUGE difference in my ability to cope with a noisy world. For some reason it makes me less over-reactive to it. (At the very least, it enables me to count to 10 before I explode because of it.) I still need a LOT of quiet-time per day, more than the average person, but the SSRI makes it possible to endue at least some exposure to noisy surroundings. My aversion to noisy office settings and hectic surroundings is the MAIN reason I got into MT. It is also a main reason why I quit working inhouse and now work at home. A number of years ago, I stumbled onto a very interesting book. ItThe Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron. Almost everything she talked about in the book hit the nail right on the head. (She even mentions in one chapter how HSP's (highly sensitive persons) often choose medical transcription as a career. If you can find the book, it will give you a lot of insight into what makes your son tick. I recommend it very highly! I hope some of the above info. is helpful to you! From another HSP!

Haysee, do you think you might have...sm [2007-09-27]
Social anxiety disorder (SAD)? For a long time, I just thought I was very shy, (that's what I was told all my life) but then I started seeing those Zoloft (I think it's Zoloft) commercials about SAD, and I started wondering... Then Oprah (good old Oprah LOL) did a show on SAD, and it clicked for me that that's *exactly* what I have (and actually quite a few of my family members). I read up on it, and yep, that's me! I'm really *not* shy, I just get anxious and uncomfortable around people I don't know, esp. if there are a lot of people, or if I'm around people and there is a lot of noise I just cannot wait to LEAVE. I can't stand it. I do much better with smaller groups. I'm really quite content to just stay here at home with my hubby and our dogs, so I know what you mean about being a neurotic shut in! LOL

That was/is so totally me! [2007-09-19]
I always was a nervous stressed out kid. I was always the first one up, dressed, and walking to the bus stop an hour before I needed to be just because I was afraid I I was incredibly shy around strangers and even snuck out of birthday parties and sleepovers to sleep in the woods by myself! Can you imagine?! Even now I I didnWe got married in a hotel room with just the JP and my husband, wore jeans, socks, and T-shirts.I won I went to Chicago once on a trip and had a virtual mental meltdown from the overload of tall buildings and traffic. Oh I was a complete wreck! I know I I know what my comfort zone is and I do whever I have to do to stay within it and stay sane. So what if that makes me a neurotic shut in who needs a sedative just to go grocery shopping.

Concerned about my 9 y/o son ... sm [2007-09-07]
My 9 y/o son is a wonderful kid. Ever since he was a baby, though, he He I make him go to school. He tells me that nothing is going on at school to scare him (bullys or mean teacher) but he says he thinks his classroom is too crowded and that the kids are noisy (there I don When do you know if it needs medical attention? Like today is Grandparent He has three grandparents going. He says he doesn I told him that it I He doesn (not like me and the 5 y/o are yelling cause my hubby works midnights, we have to be quiet). So I guess I There have been no traumatic cases in our family. He has all his grandparents, his dad and I are married (have been for 13 years), we don The counselor at school tried talking to him last year and he doesn He Thanks for listening. I'm just kinda confused.

They, Them, and the "Professionals" [2007-08-21]
Just wanted to say that is is entirely appropriate for you to step in and help educate and support your brother. The professionals cant be held entirely responsible for everything.. even if they are pushing pills. The family also has responsibility and if you honestly feel the way you do, you should help.. there are holistic counselors and approaches that would help your brother learn the life skills he needs to cope and maintain a happy mentally clear lifestyle.

yep, that makes sense [2007-08-20]
I have a son who has ADHD. I took him this summer to a developmental pediatrician who specialized in ADHD. It was a 5-hour appointment, but very informative. Uncontrolled ADHD WILL cause depression later in your life. That was stressed to us over and over. Do you have ADHD in your family? You may have said that in another post, Im sorry if you did. Be sure to mention this to your doctor. You are not crazy! I feel like that sometimes too, but I just get up and do something positive, like walk or clean something that it not huge, but something you can see quick results. Find something for yourself and yourself alone - kids take so much out of you. You are starting at the right place though, even consider seeing a psychiatrist if they want to put you on antidepressants to be sure you have the right dosage. Good luck, and God bless!

seeking advice [2007-07-03]
I see this isn't a very frequently used board, but I'll put this here in case someone sees it. I've been an MT for quite a few years. Not only has my job has become unbearable due to admin changes, but I also now have CTS that's so bad that I can't even write anymore. I have crappy insurance, so I can't afford my deductible for surgery, but I also can't afford the time away from work for surgery anyway. To top it off, my supervisor has made it clear to me repeatedly (I have written proof) that I am utterly incompetent, and has used many, many words to describe my character as well as my ability to do my work. I have OFFERED for this person to terminate me, and they do not want to. I don't understand this at all. I don't quit because I need money too badly and, honestly, there is no other job I can do at this point, given my hands. I have just about no life. My work is very difficult (or else this supervisor is right and I'm incompetent), the quality of dictators is poor, and I have to cancel out of commitments constantly because my work gets in the way. Part of it is probably extreme burnout, but part is also due to working very slowly with CTS and also just simply struggling with about 80% or more ESL dictators. I don I don't have any friends or family. I am self supporting. So, I'm finding myself struggling with depression. Therapy? Meds? Not covered by insurance. I'd love some feedback about what other people would do in this situation. I'm pretty scared.

Some suggestions. [2007-07-03]
I see so many typist that have a lot of problems that are caused by improper ergonomics. Don I have been typing for 25+ years now. I had problems1 time with carpal tunnel, bought the wrist splints and put them on at night and when not typing, took Aleve and applied ice. When mine flares up I do this and I am fine. (I am lucky with that I know.) I do get tennis elbow alot where that ligament behind your elbow, to the inside, or the ulnar nerve, gets iflammed and hurts like heck, but I ice that too. I remember a Health nurse at a hospital I worked at one time coming buy and telling someone that I was the only one she had ever seen that typed in an ergonomically correct position. I have had friends who slump over or slide way down in thier chairs or are too high or too low and they are always hurting. I certainly don The attached URL gives some good info.It might take some getting used to but it's worth the try. I moved about 3 years ago and have not been happy with where I have my desk or the type of desk it is. For 2 years I went back and forth to Dr. with pain in my left chest above my breast, not heart pain. Kept giving me EKGs, etc, I said, it hurts in the muscle/bone and straight through to back. Sometimes it would swaps sides. Put me on Xanax, Flexeril and Reglan 4 times a day. Who could type like that. I did not hurt because I was sleeping all the time! One day I bought a new keyboard rest and I swear to pete it quit in 3 minutes. All those steroid injections and I cured myself for 5 bucks. If my keyboard is not straight or in this case, one of those that slides around, it kills my shoulders, elbows or wrist. Finally got one with rubber feet that does not slide. One time I hot glued it to the desk! If I were you I would find somewhere else to work as in another company. Kicking someone when they are down just depresses you more. You need some positive reinforcement. I have a local facilitythatpays more and is closer, but I flat refuse to work there because of one smart mouth that works there and admin. refused to do anything about her. They have lost good employees because of it. But if it causes me more stress than good the heck with it. Life is too short. Being happy with coworkers will improve your productivity too.

I agree that it would be better.... sm [2007-04-16]
...if you were on a regular antidepressant like Prozac, Lexapro, or Zoloft, and just take Ativan as needed. I don't know what kind of visitation rights your husband has, but if he has court-ordered visitation, then you need to start documenting exactly what is happening when the children are over there. If they come home with bruises or any other visible injuries, take pictures. Ask them what happened while they were there and take notes. Then take this information to your attorney or to Family Court and ask that his visitation rights either be revoked or restricted to supervised visitation only. As for his calling in the middle of the night - hang up immediately and then unplug the phone. The more you interact with him, the more he is going to try to worm his way back into your life. I started taking Prozac when my son was about 4 years old (he's 20 now). It really helped to stabilize my moods and helped me to be able to take care of him better. It sounds like you are in a bad situation. There is nothing wrong with seeking help when you need it. But you're right, Ativan is not something you want to take when you have kids to take care of. There are other alternatives. You just need to seek them out. If you need someone to talk to about all of this, please feel free to email me. I've got broad shoulders, good for crying on.

I had a panic attack about 3 weeks ago... [2007-03-21]
I ended up taking an ambulance ride at 3 in the morning. By the time the baby aspirin and3 nitro sprays hadn My family doctor agreed even though they told me it was musculoskeletal in the ER and gave me IV Toradol and sent me home once my chest x-ray, D-dimer and EKGs were normal. My MD gave me Klonopin and I have been taking 0.25 mg at night and have been doing well on it.He told me to take 1/2 or 1 tablet t.i.d., but 1/2 a tablet made me so sleepy during the day (especially since he also had me cut back on my caffeine) that I stuck to the 1/2 a tab at bedtime. I had no idea how common panic/anxiety was until people heard about my midnight ride and started talking about their own situations. It was definitely not anything I want to repeat if I can help it at all.