We can all always use inspiration in these ah…interesting times, right?

I don’t know this lady and I haven’t even interacted with her on her blog, but I’m telling you, even a casual stroll around there is going to make you think, may make you smile, and could certainly give you a new perspective. It is far too easy to get sidetracked into the negative, for any of us. This writer attempts to stay focused on what she finds important, and she attempts to help others do the same -which is part of what Manic Meltdown is all about, too!

The blog is called “Simply Blessed” and it’s here.

Check it out and tell her MM sent you!

Obviously this blog is called Manic Meltdown, and just as clearly to those who look around a bit, I rarely write about truly being manic. That’s largely because I rarely am manic, myself, I’m more of a unipolar depressive type myself, when my grip slips. (Yes, I know, that’s shocking to those of you who actually know Ms. Sanity…)

Anyway, manic depression (actually the proper term these days is “bipolar disorder,”) truthfully does run in my family along with a host of other ummmm… interesting mental proclivities. Accordingly, I thought it might be helpful to the casual observer or those of you who land here because you are looking for information on mania – for me to offer a bit of anecdotal information about what I know about mania and “real” manic meltdowns.

The best source of information of course is always a qualified medical or psychiatric practitioner, and
nothing in this blog or anywhere else in the universe should be taken to be actual medical advice unless
you’re under direct treatment.

To start with, of course, manic meltdowns aren’t pretty. But generally they are treatable, and there is help
available to those who can and do seek it.

Mania generally is unpleasant for all concerned. A psychiatrist once told me, and I was surprised to hear,
that “Mania is on a continuum; it’s not always physical mania of not sleeping and painting the whole house
in three days… for example, extreme irritability in adults can be one symptom or a type of mania.”

So that’s an important thing to remember, when you’re looking at whether or not you or someone you care
about might need help or treatment. It’s also important to remember that Mania/bipolar disorder is a
complex disease, and it can be important to call in the cavalry (doctors!) as soon as one begins to realize
there is a problem.

Symptoms of mania (courtesy of Web MD) can include:
• excessive happiness,
• excitement,
• irritability,
• restlessness,
• increased energy,
• less need for sleep,
• racing thoughts,
• high sex drive,
• and a tendency to make grand and unattainable plans.

That doesn’t necessarily sound as awful as it is. Other reported experiences and behaviors of those in a full
blown “manic meltdown,” can include spending money recklessly, indiscriminate sexual behavior (which is
later regretted) crying jags, and particularly after several days with insufficient sleep, literal hallucinations
and/or psychoses.

Most people experience the milder end of these symptoms, from what I understand, and someone doesn’t
have to have them all in order to actually be experiencing mania.

Drug abuse (and Ms. Sanity doesn’t judge people, I’m just pointing this out…) can make bipolar disorder
worse and/or can mask the symptoms and make diagnosis more difficult depending on the situation.

If you’re looking to understand more about manic meltdowns and are new to the mental illness party (we really need to get rid of the stigma about it in the good ole USA, people with chemical imbalances- who are not “just jerks,” can no more pull themselves out of it “by their bootstraps” than a six week-old infant can start speaking in sentences because of superior willpower. Bipolar disorder- and in fact most, if not all, forms of true mental illness – are biochemical, physical issues…) …you may want to have a look at this link for more clinical and authoritative info.

The life you save may be your own, or that of someone you care about. People with bipolar disorder have a
much higher rate of suicide and/or accidental death than the general population, I have been told.  It is important to know that most people with bipolar disorder will insist that “there is nothing wrong,” particularly in manic phases. If in doubt, check it out!

Just because I’ve called this blog Manic Meltdown in no way aims to minimize the serious issue of Mania and bipolar disorder. It’s more that I was pointing to the fact that many aspects of modern life tend to POINT your Ms. Sanity toward the ugly side of manic behavior, because of occasional frustration and so on; and I wanted to share some of the thoughts, ideas, and resources that help me from ending up going over the edge, in the hopes that they may help someone else.

I’m no expert, of course, but are there any questions?

Oh yeah, one last thing. Someone landed on the first iteration of this blog (at Blogspot) recently because they had searched for “how to know if you are self centered.” That question is fairly easy. First of all, nearly all of us are self-centered to a degree, and that’s not a crime, necessarily. It can often be healthy and self preserving, provided we don’t carry it too far. Secondly, are you able to understand how other people feel? Are you able to imagine and empathize/sympathize when they are having difficulties? Do you care about what happens to others? Do you sometimes think of others and put them and their needs before your own? If so… you probably don’t have a darn thing to worry about. But if everyone you ask tells you that yes, you come across as being self-centered, then perhaps you should talk to someone you trust about it, preferably your doctor. This too can be a symptom of a variety of mental health challenges. It’s very normal for people who are struggling with depression, for example, to be focused on themselves and their own feelings, etc., just as it is normal for someone with a broken leg to be focused (especially at first) on the pain from their leg and how their leg is feeling—because it HURTS! The problems come when the leg—or the feelings—are the thing one lives the rest of one’s life being focused on. Never hesitate to reach out for help.

And if you don’t like the first “help” you get, keep reaching. There is always help, and almost always hope. The thing is, we have to do some reaching out to find it.

This is a good thing – a sane thing, even – and as someone once told me, “They can take everything away from me, but they cannot take my education away.” There’s certainly no denying that.

Because of the pressures so many of us are under, with family, children, work, (and some of us working two or three jobs and/or trying to run our own businesses just to stay afloat….) the idea of completing a degree online can hold enormous appeal because of the flexibility involved. One can study at their own pace, so on and so forth, and do so from home.

Again, this is a good thing. However, I must sound some cautionary notes. Before plunking down thousands of dollars to embark on an online degree, it’s very smart to do quite a bit of research first.

The fact of the matter is that some online degrees, and some online schools, are simply not given much credibility by employers. If you think that you can just breeze through a bachelor’s degree and be guaranteed a job on the other end; better think again. Having said that, I have seen and heard from employers that people who have a traditional bachelor’s degree, and then go on to get an online MASTER’S degree, do tend to have an edge over applicants without the online degree.

Your friendly Ms. Sanity has assembled some links to help you do some research before you buy into one of these schools. Be sane and look before you leap. See what other students are saying about a prospective school, see what their reputation is, or if you’re really brave, you might contact the Human Resources department at a big company and point blank ask them what they think of a certain school.

Obviously, the first thing you will want to look at is whether or not a particular school you are considering is accredited. Don’t even consider a non-accredited school or one where “accreditation is pending.” This could be an extreme waste of your time, money, and energy.

One of the largest sites is “Online degree reviews written by students” located here. This site has first-hand experience summaries written by people who have actually attended particular schools.

A forum where students discuss their online learning programs and schools is located here.

This blog post includes a link to a white paper that looks like a proprietary study (which means take with a grain of salt the results) about the attitudes of hiring managers to online degree recipients. Still, the attitudes seem to be mostly positive. See: http://onlinestudentsurvival.com/2009/01/online-degrees-now-widely-accepted-by-consumers-and-employers/

All in all your best option if it is even remotely possible may be to attend online classes through a traditional brick-and-mortar school in your area. But just like everything else, your needs may vary, and the economic value of your degree may vary as well.

My entire point is very simple: do your homework, before, well, doing your homework. To fall for a glowing sales brochure about an online school is insane. Education is certainly a value in its’ own right, but if you’re going back to school to increase your marketability for jobs, then you had best look before you leap. Do that, and you can no doubt find an online option that will fit your needs, for most professions.

Ok, so it’s only one step, but it’s a biggie. That step is… to get inspired. And stay that way. You may think, gentle reader, that this is easier said than done, but the truth is, it depends a great deal on what you are putting into your mental computer, and in order to be inspired, you want to put in – you guessed it – inspirational stuff. One of the easiest and most effective ways I’ve ever found to do this is through reading uplifting and inspiring books.

There are so many good writers out there, but I’m offering you some of my favorites, who have made the most lasting and marked positive impressions on me. Pema Chodron became a Buddhist nun in 1974. She currently teaches and works in a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia. She has a thought provoking, accessible writing style, and will not only make you think but will also make you feel JOY. And joy is often in short supply these days. I’ve linked to one of her books here, but she has several other titles, also worth reading. I believe any of her books will have useful and thought provoking (and uplifting) content for anyone, regardless of their spiritual bent or lack thereof. Chodron’s other books which I can personally vouch for include: When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (1996), and Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living (1994.) Having struggled with a variety of health problems in my life (not to mention with the USA’s crazy-making so called health care system,) I know first hand how difficult it can be to get through each day when one is ill and/or when not feeling well, wondering how you’re going to pay for needed doctors’ visits, tests, and medications, and so forth. Reading about others who have successfully dealt with such challenges, and who have overcome them, has also been enormously beneficial to me.

Norman Cousins was one such person.  He was diagnosed in the early 1960′s with an incurable disease…. and he quite literally used comedy to heal himself. Seriously. His example that we are what we think and the results he gained from his careful getting and staying inspired–and making a point to laugh–speak for themselves. He, too has written several books, but the one here was the first one I read and meant a lot to me…I found it enormously helpful and inspiring.

What we take in to our lives, minds and hearts, makes a big difference to the quality of our lives. Take in something inspirational… and improve  your life in one easy step!

Occasionally I see a thoughtful comment or an infomed and rational opinion about it, and to further that end for people that want to really do a bit of homework about this issue (rather than insanely repeat other people’s talking points…) here’s a few links where you can get some information and make up your own damn mind. Ms. Sanity suggests that instead of just  believing health insurer funded public relations/urband legend lies in your email (which might be said to be from someone’s brother in law)–check to see that the facts are straight.

In the forwards I’ve seen, they’re not even close!An excellent post and analysis about the practice of “recission,” (based on recent comments to congress by a health insurer CEO)…which is when they DROP paying customers because they get sick. This is so well written that even people like me who struggle with wrapping their heads around the math can get what he’s talking about. Link is here.

Yes, there are some people who are worried, angry, totally against reform all on their own and who are not part of an “astroturfing effort.” However, it sure looks like some of the “I’m agin’ it…” stuff happening IS quite literally being run by some PR hacks. Witness this:

Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, the operation that’s running a national campaign against a public health care option, is now publicly taking credit for helping gin up the sometimes-rowdy outbursts targeting House Dems at town hall meetings around the country, raising questions about their spontaneity.

CPR is the group headed by controversial former hospitals exec Rick Scott that’s spending millions on ads attacking reform in all sorts of lurid ways, a campaign that’s being handled by the same P.R. mavens behind the Swift Boat Vets.

Link to the post I excerpted from is here. It’s a post (with some comments) worth reading.

A writer at the wonderfully named blog called “Please Cut the Crap” has posted a most excellent refutation and analysis on some of the email stuff  making the rounds. Here is a MOST excellent refutation of this specific email I’m talking about which is still  apparently flying around the intertubes…. see: http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/…

Yeah, exactly…. please cut the crap, okay? Yes, there are things to be concerned about with regard to health care and its’ reform in this country.  Yes, other countries have challenges as a result of their “health care as a human right” approach. But you know what? Every single person (and I know and talk to many because of the work that I do) who lives in a country with universal health care feels that they have it much, much better than any American but the uber-rich.  They pity us and they don’t understand why we are not effectively having a Bastille Day.

Let’s open our eyes, folks, and be sane. The UK has had universal health care since around the time my PARENTS were born (the late 1940′s.)

Having said that, we don’t have to follow anyone else’s model exactly. (Such as it doesn’t have to be structured like the UK’s exactly or Canada’s or whatever. ) But we do have to do something.  This situation cannot stand. It is up to we Americans to do something about it. But before you go screaming about how awful some sort of health care safety net might be. (Me, I advocate for single payer…) .. take twenty minutes and learn the facts behind all this stuff and the incredible amounts of money that the pharmaceuticals and health insurance companies and so on are playing to keep. The health insurance lobby–I kid you not–has been reported by several reputable outlets to be spending more than 1 million dollars a DAY to block this reform.

Do you think they’re spending all that money because they’re concerned about morality or anything of that nature??

In my mind the only question is whether we are going to collectively get saner about this in the very near future or whether a whole hell of a lot more Americans are going to be devastated or dead due to the health care status quo.  I’m having a hard time believing it’s anything other than the latter. If you are not well informed on this issue you better get that way real quick like your life depends on it. Because it might.

Please prove me wrong.

Here’s a hint/in a nutshell: it involves compassion. Compassion does not always come easily to me. But then, it may not come easily to anyone. It is, however, a blessing to all, when it is given.

How to Achieve Happiness (By HH Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso)

For a start, it is possible to divide every kind of happiness and suffering into two main categories: mental and physical.  Of the two, it is the mind that exerts the greatest influence on most of us.  Unless we are either gravely ill or deprived of basic necessities, our physical condition plays a secondary role in life.  If the body is content, we virtually ignore it. The mind, however, registers every event, no matter how small. Hence we should devote our most serious efforts to bringing about mental peace.

From my own limited experience I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If, at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If, on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but every one who has to undergo suffering, this more realistic perspective will increase our determination and capacity to overcome troubles. Indeed, with this attitude, each new obstacle can be seen as yet another valuable opportunity to improve our mind!

The full text of his statement is here. Read it… and be happy!

With the current whirlwhind of craziness about, many people who have a tendency toward depression and anxiety (which includes Ms. Sanity, gentle reader…) can be tending to struggle more than usual, due to the extra economic stress happening in most countries right now. At times like these, it’s important to pay extra attention to what one is putting into one’s mind, body, and spirit. What I find helps me, also, is to pay attention to the people that I surround myself with. When I am really struggling, I have to make an effort to reach out to my upbeat, positive thinking friends–and limit my contact with the real negative nay sayers. I also try to increase my intake of books, positive-oriented blogs, and other uplifting and inspirational items… and I’ve included a few favorites in this post. Unfortunately, some people-particularly people who have never themselves dealt with serious depression and anxiety – are very quick to just say “oh, well, snap out of it.” I know it’s tempting to throttle those people and say  ”Hey, If I could, I freakin’ would, all right?” but throttling is considered bad form, generally speaking.

David Burns, MD’s “Feeling Good,” was one of the first and best practical books I came across as I was working on my depressive self in my early 20′s. (I had been, I would say, clinically depressed since my teen years, if not before.) This book has a bazillion helpful hints, and lots of case histories to help the reader see and feel that they are NOT alone. I’d recommend this to anyone. It helped me tremendously.

I also found “You Can’t Afford the Luxury of A Negative Thought” both hysterical and very, very helpful and thought provoking. It has a ton of interesting quotations interspersed throughout, which of course I like. I believe this book also has a workbook that you can use to go through the book but the workbook is of course not necessary to gain a great deal out of reading the book.

Depression and anxiety can indeed be a crippling illness for those with severe cases of it. There is no question in my mind that some people need medication for it. (I just rather doubt that MILLIONS of people need medication for it, but that’s beside the point.) The thing is that you don’t have to suffer and be miserable. There is help available, in the form of good books, uplifting blogs (see the “Gratitude Blog” in my blogroll) along with about a trillion other ones. But most of all, don’t try to go it alone. Talk to someone you trust, reach out online, even. People with depression and serious anxiety do get better–sometimes a lot better. But it’s pretty rare for that to “just happen.” Usually effort must be made, in one way or another, or through working with an excellent therapist, counselor, and/or psychiatrist. The good ones of those professions are worth their weight in gold, and I assure you, they are out there.

Never doubt for one second that things can get better. They can, and they do. Ms. Sanity is living proof!
Feel free to let me know of any resources that you think should be shared with other gentle readers here.

A Sane Project?

I’ve been interested in this relatively new website called “White House Two,” which is meant to give the man or woman on the street the opportunity to voice their priorities for the country to the White House and to their “fellow Americans.” Nearly 8,000 people have joined the site, including yours truly.

Not surprisingly, it’s questionable how much attention will be paid to all this by the real white house/actual powers that be, but even so, I have found it to be an educational and interesting read. It’s located here. For a little more about it, read on. Another interesting aspect is that it has a system of “political capital” which you “earn” by being involved on the site, setting your priorities, interacting with others, and so on. One of the uses of that “capital” is that you can create advertising to actually sway people to endorse the priorities that YOU think are important for this country.

I have been fascinated, learning about the priorities of others, (even those I disagree violently with) and seeing the points at which we agree. It’s also the clearest picture I’ve seen anywhere of what the Obama administration is currently (publicly anyway) holding as their set of priorities.  And not surprisingly, you can compare and contrast the “real” white house’s stated priorities with your own.

I think anything that gets people to think about what’s going on in their country and to interact with each other about their priorities is a good thing, and I think this website is a very useful tool for that.

And I have certainly learned more about some issues that others espouse, such as the “Fair Tax” (wildly “endorsed” on this site, by the way) and a few others. Check it out. The more people that participate, the better.

For you social media buffs, it also will integrate, apparently with Facebook, and you can also find some of the Twitter people on there. I’d be interested to know what people think about it!

It’s called “Great Sites To Visit” and is located here: Great Site Reviews.

The web is so big, and there is so much stuff out there, (along with a lot of crap!) that it can be maddening to try to find interesting websites/good info/etc., and I suspect that because so many of us are so busy, that we probably often tend to go repeatedly to the same handful of sites time after time. However if we do that… we are also cutting ourselves off from finding new, glorius stuff. And we are also cutting off bloggers and webmasters from making money!

This is probably at least part of why sites like digg and delicious et. al have grown so popular. Anyway, the fact that they are running a contest right now (take note, bloggers!) is not the only reason that I’m writing about them, I swear. I have looked around at their site and their site reviews and I believe they are offering the web a useful service.  I appreciate an editorial look at websites, in blog format, and a well written review of what they are all about. I think some of my readers will, too.

For example, he’s written about a new social networking site called “Plinky.” I tend to see the words “new social networking site” and think  “ho hum” as there are already about a billion of them….but after quickly reading his short review of Plinky I can see that it might be something that I actually would be interested in, though I most likely would never have gone there on my own, and now some day I will. See, it works for everyone-me, the reveiwer, and the site being reviewed.

Anyway, check it out on your own, this is one to subscribe to or bookmark. And for my fellow bloggers, here’s the link to the contest info. Great Sites Cold Hard Cash Contest.