I spent last summer following the program of a wonderful self-help workbook—The Artists’ Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Juli...
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Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Crisis in Albuquerque
The Person-to-Person toll free telephone support program goes beyond the traditional warm line. It gives reminders for all kinds of appointm...
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friendship is the Best Medicine
Every mental health consumer knows the loneliness and isolation that can accompany our illnesses. We often feel out of touch with the rest o...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Living Well: An Educated Consumer
For most of us, living on a fixed income of SSI or SSD, the thought of "living well" has become an unattainable fantasy. It really...
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Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2011
On Self-Help Books: Gentle But Powerful Changes
I spent last summer following the program of a wonderful self-help workbook—The Artists’ Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron. This book had been mentioned to me by several gifted, creative people I know, an expert on color and fashion trends, a painter, a young actor, but I am not an artist. How could I presume to read this book?
Finally, a friend lent it to me. It sat on my desk while I circled it from a distance for some time. Then, on a restless and dissatisfied day, with no good mystery books around to read (and feeling a deep sense of boredom with television), I opened it. For the following twelve weeks—the length of the program—I was totally engrossed, energized and delighted.
The Artists’ Way presents, first of all, a sense of spirituality similar to that in a 12-step program. It is a welcoming, nurturing approach, not a set of rules and the sense that at any moment you will break one and be doomed. It demands no agreement with a particular set of beliefs. The message is that if we believe in a loving universe, believe in our own unique creativity and that of others, and understand that there is enough for all-many things are possible.
The book contains chapters with wonderful names like: "Recovering a Sense of Possibility," "Recovering a Sense of Abundance" and "Recovering a Sense of Strength." They are followed by playful and intriguing tasks. These exercises clear away old pain and resentments, and clarify our true dreams and preferences-paving the way for self-expression.
The word "tools" is emphasized, tools that enable the recovery of self and a flow of creative energy. There is a theme throughout the book of playfulness and joy.
One tool is called ‘the morning pages,’ writing three pages, longhand, when you wake up. What do you write? Anything! You just "show up at the page." Addressing the things that are on your mind, your "inner film" will "render you present" in the day to come. Another tool is the "artist date." You take yourself-your inner artist-somewhere that genuinely pleases you, to fill the well with experiences and images. This can-but need not-involve "hoity-toity" art. You can go to a museum, but you can also buy glitter and glue at a 99 cent store, or browse in a toy shop. Ms. Cameron uses the metaphor of a boat out on the water-in the morning pages you send out an S.O.S. On the artist date you turn on your radio so that you can receive answers!
Ms. Cameron also talks about the need for a "believing mirror" when self-doubt creeps in. When you hear yourself saying "You can’t do that-who do you think you are, anyway?" it is crucial to have a trusted voice saying "Of course you can!"
There are lines and phrases from The Artists’ Way that I have found to give both comfort and courage. "I forgive myself for all failures of timing, nerve, and initiative." The point being that it is hard to move forward if you are filled with regret and anger at yourself. "As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected." My creativity heals myself and others… my work comes to good."
I write about this book because I had not realized before the power of taking a personal self-help journey. Staking out a pathway, faithfully following it along and enriching one’s life, gives a tremendous sense of independence, of setting one’s own direction, and of personal power.
I used to avoid the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores. I thought it would be like studying calculus or physics. I’d learn about what I should do, but couldn’t do. I was more than surprised. I discovered that a well-chosen self-help book-one that fits at a particular moment of your life, one that has warmth and most especially humor—can teach you how to nurture and cherish the self that you are. It can provide the sun and soil and nourishment to make your personal garden grow and flourish.
Finally, a friend lent it to me. It sat on my desk while I circled it from a distance for some time. Then, on a restless and dissatisfied day, with no good mystery books around to read (and feeling a deep sense of boredom with television), I opened it. For the following twelve weeks—the length of the program—I was totally engrossed, energized and delighted.
The Artists’ Way presents, first of all, a sense of spirituality similar to that in a 12-step program. It is a welcoming, nurturing approach, not a set of rules and the sense that at any moment you will break one and be doomed. It demands no agreement with a particular set of beliefs. The message is that if we believe in a loving universe, believe in our own unique creativity and that of others, and understand that there is enough for all-many things are possible.
The book contains chapters with wonderful names like: "Recovering a Sense of Possibility," "Recovering a Sense of Abundance" and "Recovering a Sense of Strength." They are followed by playful and intriguing tasks. These exercises clear away old pain and resentments, and clarify our true dreams and preferences-paving the way for self-expression.
The word "tools" is emphasized, tools that enable the recovery of self and a flow of creative energy. There is a theme throughout the book of playfulness and joy.
One tool is called ‘the morning pages,’ writing three pages, longhand, when you wake up. What do you write? Anything! You just "show up at the page." Addressing the things that are on your mind, your "inner film" will "render you present" in the day to come. Another tool is the "artist date." You take yourself-your inner artist-somewhere that genuinely pleases you, to fill the well with experiences and images. This can-but need not-involve "hoity-toity" art. You can go to a museum, but you can also buy glitter and glue at a 99 cent store, or browse in a toy shop. Ms. Cameron uses the metaphor of a boat out on the water-in the morning pages you send out an S.O.S. On the artist date you turn on your radio so that you can receive answers!
Ms. Cameron also talks about the need for a "believing mirror" when self-doubt creeps in. When you hear yourself saying "You can’t do that-who do you think you are, anyway?" it is crucial to have a trusted voice saying "Of course you can!"
There are lines and phrases from The Artists’ Way that I have found to give both comfort and courage. "I forgive myself for all failures of timing, nerve, and initiative." The point being that it is hard to move forward if you are filled with regret and anger at yourself. "As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected." My creativity heals myself and others… my work comes to good."
I write about this book because I had not realized before the power of taking a personal self-help journey. Staking out a pathway, faithfully following it along and enriching one’s life, gives a tremendous sense of independence, of setting one’s own direction, and of personal power.
I used to avoid the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores. I thought it would be like studying calculus or physics. I’d learn about what I should do, but couldn’t do. I was more than surprised. I discovered that a well-chosen self-help book-one that fits at a particular moment of your life, one that has warmth and most especially humor—can teach you how to nurture and cherish the self that you are. It can provide the sun and soil and nourishment to make your personal garden grow and flourish.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Crisis in Albuquerque
The Person-to-Person toll free telephone support program goes beyond the traditional warm line. It gives reminders for all kinds of appointments. Besides my psychiatric appointments, I have had Person-to-Person remind me about dental appointments, appointments for my work and appointments to give testimony about mental health legislation. Person-to-Person balances out the disorientation of my psychiatric condition.
An example of how a Person-to-Person call saved me from a major hospital crisis occurred last summer. I had gone to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill convention held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1997. I had gone through a medication change just before I had left for the convention. The new medication wasn’t working, I was able to immediately put Person-to-Person to work to help me.
I dialed their toll free 800 number, 1-800-376-8282, several times to reach my doctor, and then he spoke with me directly to get me on a medication that worked. Person-to-Person demonstrated to me their skill and dedication during those difficult days in Albuquerque, calling my doctor and then calling me. They enabled us to brainstorm together to find out what medication would work, and we actually discovered what medication was effective through these phone calls. The conference calls from New Mexico to Massachusetts cost me nothing. Imagine, my doctor and I could talk as long as we wanted, sometimes up to a half hour without any charges. My psychiatric condition was stabilized and I was able to deliver two talks at the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Convention.
Most people, professionals, consumers, and family members, don’t seem to understand the immense disorientation that comes with schizophrenia. A telephone call can go a long way toward orienting and stabilizing people. The Person-to-Person 800 telephone support line represents a new and important step towards putting telecommunications and all the new technologies to work for us, our family members, psychiatrists and others. I have learned this firsthand.
Mental health care has always placed a lot of emphasis on face-to-face contact. This was alright when we were in fully staffed hospitals and outpatient programs. One visit a month to the doctor and therapist doesn’t provide enough support for most of us. The mental health system needs to recognize that people with psychiatric disabilities need a lot more contact with people. Many of us live far away from psychiatrists, therapists and programs. It is easy for us to isolate ourselves and become confused. A telephone call is one less trip for us to make during the week. We can increase contact through several phone calls. Person-to-Person uses the phone to increase our contact with people. And, this support program is also a great adjunct to assist us to be sure we go to our traditional psychiatric and medical appointments.
Person-to-Person is a free comprehensive support service for mental health consumers and their family members. Counselors are specially trained to connect us and our families to services and resources that can help us meet the challenges of recovering from our illnesses.
I always say mental illness makes it easy to get hurt, easy to get confused and easy to get tired. I have made a lot of mistakes because I have been hurt, confused or tired. I told these things to Larry King this summer when I appeared on CNN’s "Larry King Live" to discuss schizophrenia. The Person-to-Person program cuts through these states of hurt, confusion and tiredness and get me where I’m supposed to go and on time. Person to Person is one more tool to keep me well; to keep me going through the day on schedule. Imagine. When you miss appointments it can only increase your confusion.
Many mental health consumers are also working or going to recovery oriented day programs. Person-to-Person is a reminder to encourage people to get up and out of bed to participate in their programs. One more place to go and one more person to meet can be very difficult for the mental health consumer who has many therapeutic visits, Person-to-Person assists in organizing our day.
I need the once a week therapy visit and the calls from Person-to-Person in between. The therapist visit and the calls from Person-to-Person are not exclusive. We, mental health consumers, need both of them. In fact we often may need several calls from Person-to-Person, our therapist and our doctor. I get these calls and they work for me. I highly recommend this telephone support network to everyone.
Person-to-Person has worked for me and continues to work for me today. This is a practical program. Never underestimate the positive influence and importance of a phone call—and especially one from Person-to-Person, a 7-days-a-week toll free support program developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, the makers of Risperdal (risperidone). This service, however, is available to help anyone who needs information, referral, and resources, regardless of the what medication they take. Test them out yourself: call 800-376-8282.
(Editor’s Note: See the information below about services provided by Person-to-Person. Moe Armstrong is the Director of Consumer Affairs and Family Affairs for Vinfen Corporation in Massachusetts, a company which provides mental health peer education, support and leadership training. A member of the Presidents Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, he has traveled to the White House, meeting with Mrs. Tipper Gore to discuss mental health disability issues. Armstrong’s experiences as a mental health consumer have been reported on both network television and in major print media. Besides appearing on "Larry King Live," this past July, Armstrong has been featured on ABC National News about his work with support groups. Additionally, he has been the subject of articles in the Boston Globe and the Washington Post. He is a very active member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill on the local, state, and national levels and he is a member of many of NAMI’s Advisory Boards and Councils.)
An example of how a Person-to-Person call saved me from a major hospital crisis occurred last summer. I had gone to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill convention held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1997. I had gone through a medication change just before I had left for the convention. The new medication wasn’t working, I was able to immediately put Person-to-Person to work to help me.
I dialed their toll free 800 number, 1-800-376-8282, several times to reach my doctor, and then he spoke with me directly to get me on a medication that worked. Person-to-Person demonstrated to me their skill and dedication during those difficult days in Albuquerque, calling my doctor and then calling me. They enabled us to brainstorm together to find out what medication would work, and we actually discovered what medication was effective through these phone calls. The conference calls from New Mexico to Massachusetts cost me nothing. Imagine, my doctor and I could talk as long as we wanted, sometimes up to a half hour without any charges. My psychiatric condition was stabilized and I was able to deliver two talks at the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Convention.
Most people, professionals, consumers, and family members, don’t seem to understand the immense disorientation that comes with schizophrenia. A telephone call can go a long way toward orienting and stabilizing people. The Person-to-Person 800 telephone support line represents a new and important step towards putting telecommunications and all the new technologies to work for us, our family members, psychiatrists and others. I have learned this firsthand.
Mental health care has always placed a lot of emphasis on face-to-face contact. This was alright when we were in fully staffed hospitals and outpatient programs. One visit a month to the doctor and therapist doesn’t provide enough support for most of us. The mental health system needs to recognize that people with psychiatric disabilities need a lot more contact with people. Many of us live far away from psychiatrists, therapists and programs. It is easy for us to isolate ourselves and become confused. A telephone call is one less trip for us to make during the week. We can increase contact through several phone calls. Person-to-Person uses the phone to increase our contact with people. And, this support program is also a great adjunct to assist us to be sure we go to our traditional psychiatric and medical appointments.
Person-to-Person is a free comprehensive support service for mental health consumers and their family members. Counselors are specially trained to connect us and our families to services and resources that can help us meet the challenges of recovering from our illnesses.
I always say mental illness makes it easy to get hurt, easy to get confused and easy to get tired. I have made a lot of mistakes because I have been hurt, confused or tired. I told these things to Larry King this summer when I appeared on CNN’s "Larry King Live" to discuss schizophrenia. The Person-to-Person program cuts through these states of hurt, confusion and tiredness and get me where I’m supposed to go and on time. Person to Person is one more tool to keep me well; to keep me going through the day on schedule. Imagine. When you miss appointments it can only increase your confusion.
Many mental health consumers are also working or going to recovery oriented day programs. Person-to-Person is a reminder to encourage people to get up and out of bed to participate in their programs. One more place to go and one more person to meet can be very difficult for the mental health consumer who has many therapeutic visits, Person-to-Person assists in organizing our day.
I need the once a week therapy visit and the calls from Person-to-Person in between. The therapist visit and the calls from Person-to-Person are not exclusive. We, mental health consumers, need both of them. In fact we often may need several calls from Person-to-Person, our therapist and our doctor. I get these calls and they work for me. I highly recommend this telephone support network to everyone.
Person-to-Person has worked for me and continues to work for me today. This is a practical program. Never underestimate the positive influence and importance of a phone call—and especially one from Person-to-Person, a 7-days-a-week toll free support program developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, the makers of Risperdal (risperidone). This service, however, is available to help anyone who needs information, referral, and resources, regardless of the what medication they take. Test them out yourself: call 800-376-8282.
(Editor’s Note: See the information below about services provided by Person-to-Person. Moe Armstrong is the Director of Consumer Affairs and Family Affairs for Vinfen Corporation in Massachusetts, a company which provides mental health peer education, support and leadership training. A member of the Presidents Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, he has traveled to the White House, meeting with Mrs. Tipper Gore to discuss mental health disability issues. Armstrong’s experiences as a mental health consumer have been reported on both network television and in major print media. Besides appearing on "Larry King Live," this past July, Armstrong has been featured on ABC National News about his work with support groups. Additionally, he has been the subject of articles in the Boston Globe and the Washington Post. He is a very active member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill on the local, state, and national levels and he is a member of many of NAMI’s Advisory Boards and Councils.)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friendship is the Best Medicine
Every mental health consumer knows the loneliness and isolation that can accompany our illnesses. We often feel out of touch with the rest of the world and find it difficult to make friends. The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS) offers a program, Compeer, that can provide a friend to a lonely consumer. Compeer matches volunteers one-to-one with mentally ill adults who are in need of a friend.
Compeer was developed in 1973, in Rochester, New York to address the social isolation that is so common among consumers. This program matched one member of the community with another member of the community, both of whom volunteered their time, both of whom were interested in developing a friendship, both of whom had something to give, but one of whom had a history of mental illness. Over time, the Compeer program has grown. There are now 120 Compeer programs internationally, including 26 in New York State.
Compeer has grown and spread all over the world because it works. Participants report higher self esteem and an improved sense of security. According to Lilly Tempelsman, JBFCS’s Compeer Program Coordinator, results of a yearly survey of program participants show that the rate of rehospitalization is decreased tremendously. Ms. Tempelsman often says, "Friendship is powerful medicine."
If you need a friend and would like to meet one through Compeer, your therapist must contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS and make a referral. The therapist then receives an application to fill out and return to JBFCS. The application asks the therapist to describe the consumer’s background and interests. The therapist will meet the potential volunteer. The therapist is expected to communicate periodically with the volunteer about how the relationship is progresssing.
If you want to volunteer, you can contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS at (212)632-4684. You will receive an application package. The application asks about one’s background and interest. One must also provide three written references. If you are a consumer and are interested in volunteering, one of your references must be from your therapist. Volunteers are then interviewed in depth and have an opportunity to ask questions. Volunteers also receive training from JBFCS. A match is then made between a volunteer and a client. The matches are same sex and are based on factors such as geographic location, age, interests and hobbies.
The Compeer volunteer makes a one year commitment to spend time with the client one to two hours a week. They might go out for coffee, to a movie, or take a walk in the park. Compeer volunteers serve as an adjunct to therapy. They are an additional support system for the client. The volunteer consults with the client’s therapist and receives ongoing support from the JBFCS Compeer Program Coordinator.
Compeer was developed in 1973, in Rochester, New York to address the social isolation that is so common among consumers. This program matched one member of the community with another member of the community, both of whom volunteered their time, both of whom were interested in developing a friendship, both of whom had something to give, but one of whom had a history of mental illness. Over time, the Compeer program has grown. There are now 120 Compeer programs internationally, including 26 in New York State.
Compeer has grown and spread all over the world because it works. Participants report higher self esteem and an improved sense of security. According to Lilly Tempelsman, JBFCS’s Compeer Program Coordinator, results of a yearly survey of program participants show that the rate of rehospitalization is decreased tremendously. Ms. Tempelsman often says, "Friendship is powerful medicine."
If you need a friend and would like to meet one through Compeer, your therapist must contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS and make a referral. The therapist then receives an application to fill out and return to JBFCS. The application asks the therapist to describe the consumer’s background and interests. The therapist will meet the potential volunteer. The therapist is expected to communicate periodically with the volunteer about how the relationship is progresssing.
If you want to volunteer, you can contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS at (212)632-4684. You will receive an application package. The application asks about one’s background and interest. One must also provide three written references. If you are a consumer and are interested in volunteering, one of your references must be from your therapist. Volunteers are then interviewed in depth and have an opportunity to ask questions. Volunteers also receive training from JBFCS. A match is then made between a volunteer and a client. The matches are same sex and are based on factors such as geographic location, age, interests and hobbies.
The Compeer volunteer makes a one year commitment to spend time with the client one to two hours a week. They might go out for coffee, to a movie, or take a walk in the park. Compeer volunteers serve as an adjunct to therapy. They are an additional support system for the client. The volunteer consults with the client’s therapist and receives ongoing support from the JBFCS Compeer Program Coordinator.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Living Well: An Educated Consumer
For most of us, living on a fixed income of SSI or SSD, the thought of "living well" has become an unattainable fantasy. It really doesn’t have to be that way. Some of us make grave mistakes in our spending habits and find ourselves with cheap clothing and poorly constructed furniture in a Spartan environment. It really doesn’t have to be that way. There’s no reason why you can’t live the rich man’s (or woman’s) dream. You can wear the same clothing that you see in the leading fashion magazines and live in an "Architectural Digest" style apartment. It just takes a bit of ingenuity and effort on your part. Instead of planning a trip to the mall or an inexpensive clothing store, take yourself to the Salvation Army or your neighborhood Goodwill store. (Check the yellow pages of your telephone book under "Thrift Shops" for the addresses). On the racks you’ll find both the fine and the flimsy of everything. Look at the labels and you will probably see names like Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Norma Kamali, Gucci, Georgio Armani, along with lesser brand names which you will learn to ignore. These fine labels would cost hundreds of dollars at stores like Saks, but you can buy them for as little as $7.99! Teach yourself about fabrics and workmanship and you’ll know what to select.
Most thrift shops sell furniture and housewares, as well. Spend some time looking at magazines like Better Homes and Gardens or, even, Architectural Digest to get an idea of how you’d like to furnish your room or your apartment. (Second hand furniture shops and flea markets are another resource). You may be lucky on your first visit, but don’t give up if you don’t find anything to your liking on the first trip. Deliveries to these stores are made on a daily basis and sooner or later you’ll find something that’s still in great condition for very little money. Don’t forget things like pillows for the sofa and curtains for the windows! You’ll find all of that, as well. Please remember to inspect everything carefully as all merchandise is sold as is and there are no credits or returns in most places. I promise you’ll have a lot of fun on your "hunt" and find yourself surrounded with things you never thought you’d ever own.
Most thrift shops sell furniture and housewares, as well. Spend some time looking at magazines like Better Homes and Gardens or, even, Architectural Digest to get an idea of how you’d like to furnish your room or your apartment. (Second hand furniture shops and flea markets are another resource). You may be lucky on your first visit, but don’t give up if you don’t find anything to your liking on the first trip. Deliveries to these stores are made on a daily basis and sooner or later you’ll find something that’s still in great condition for very little money. Don’t forget things like pillows for the sofa and curtains for the windows! You’ll find all of that, as well. Please remember to inspect everything carefully as all merchandise is sold as is and there are no credits or returns in most places. I promise you’ll have a lot of fun on your "hunt" and find yourself surrounded with things you never thought you’d ever own.
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