Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Supplements to Medicinal Treatment

Hi Readers!

I apologize that there hasn’t been a post lately! It seems that life rarely slows down when you need it to. I hope everyone has a wonderful week planned with friends, family and fabulous food. I’ll take this time to remind you all that there are people out there that won’t have any of that this week. Take some time, think about them and maybe even give your time to serving them. Whether this be giving supplies, money or maybe manual labor. Nothing feels better than helping someone in need. With that off my chest, today’s post comes from my reading an article on NYTimes.com this morning about PTSD and animal therapy.

I am a true believer in animal therapy and dream of a day when I can have my own adopted animal therapy organization that serves those with mental illness. When my brother was at one of his worsts, I believe that it was his loving cat named Rico that kept him in some situations calm and provided emotional support. “Radhika Nair and Rohini Fernandes, both clinical psychologists trained in animal-assisted therapy” revealed that “animal therapy improves concentration and motor coordination, develops communication, empathy and social skills in maladjusted individuals.” (Outlook India) They say that cats often suit patients with mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disease.

There are several animal therapy organizations that are making their way into the lives of those suffering extreme mental illness. I encourage you to check them out! (A few below) This is a great example of alternative means of treating mental illness. Let me know if you have any questions or want more information about psychiatrists thought behind this treatment! I’d love to send you some reading material.

Best,
Becca

PS: Something to consider: instead of sending that hard-to-buy-for friend more "stuff" this holiday season, think about donating in their honor to a great organization that means something to both of you.

Organizations to Check Out:

-Divine Canines: http://www.divinecanines.org/about_us.php
-Therapy Pet Pals of Texas: http://therapypetpals.org/history.html
-Therapet Foundation: http://www.therapet.com/index.php

New York Times article: http://www.therapet.com/index.php
Outlook India: http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268054

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Finding a Partner in Crime

Happy Fall Back Day Blog Readers!

Before diving into today's post, I want to say this post is purely a reflection of my own experience and thoughts - no facts and no articles.

I've always enjoyed the movie 'Love Actually.' It always gets me excited to begin the holiday season. That, and it always makes me hopeful for true love; I won't bore you on that topic as it's probably suited for an entirely different blog... It's funny, I've probably seen the movie 5 or 6 times, but I had completely forgotten the story behind one of the main characters. Laura Linney's character Sarah is shown answering several phone calls that the viewer is to see as interrupting her life - as she works, spends time with friends, and is even in the middle of getting hot and heavy with a coworker. You're not quite sure where the story is going until Sarah receives yet another phone call and her side of the conversation goes something like this: "no honey I don't believe the Pope is around this time of night." "Well sure, I'm sure the Pope is quite good at exorcisms but that's just not an option tonight." "No, I'm not busy, what do you need?" (As a note, this is a great example of delusions - the blurring of reality with something that is far from possible) Christmas Eve comes around and cut to Sarah sitting in a room at an institution with her obviously disturbed brother. How could I have forgotten all about this character and the struggles she faces as a sibling to someone with mental illness. She has dedicated her life to serving her brother with mental illness.

Interestingly enough, I was recently having a conversation with Anna about dating, marriage, etc as it relates to being a sibling of someone with a mental illness. As a young 20s something single woman, dating is hard enough. But in my early 20s I'm already thinking "well, gosh, I have to end up with someone that can handle 'this'" - 'this' being the up and down, cyclical nature of Brian's disease. It's not easy to stomach the delusions, the hallucinations and the sometimes violent nature of someone suffering psychotic breaks. Therefor, I've gotten accustomed to not expecting anyone to understand or being able to relate. Instead, I protect those that I don't think can handle it and avoid conversation about Brian. Several times I've found myself terribly emotional and guilty thinking about the fact that I'm hiding his life and his struggles from people that also mean something to me. I'm sure others have felt this way but for quite some time I thought I was alone. My very best friends assure me that one day, I will find someone that is in this with me - fighting against stigma and Brian's illness as a team.

At some point in my life, I will be a caretaker. Never have my parents 'expected' this from me, but it only feels naturally that in 20 years when it is harder for my parents to care for him, I step up - do my part in the family. Life is not easy for a person living with mental illness, but life is also not easy for those that are supporting them. I think it's important for people to know that those individuals you can trust are those that will discuss mental illness, will try to relate and will support you in your and your family's fight.

Think you're alone? E-mail us: SOSiblings@gmail.com

-Becca