Saturday 7 November 2020

A Stitch in Time

A doctor of Chinese medicine would treat a person with easily breakable bones on their Kidneys! The Kidneys are related to Water in Chinese medicine, an association that is easy enough to make as the Kidneys filter water from the blood: when the Kidneys are weak, water accumulates in the body. The bones are seen as being controlled by this same energy and, in fact, really are living crystals that have been precipitated out of solution. Crystals do this all the time in nature: salt crystals form from supersaturated brine on ships' ropes; In the body osteoblasts (Latin: osteo- meaning `bone', -blast meaning `builder') create these conditions by supersaturating collagen fibres with calcium and phosphate to create crystals. Together these crystals give bone its hardness and incompressibility. When I first encountered this Chinese concept of bones and Kidneys being linked, and of the bones being a substance borne of Water, it was perplexing. Bones are hard, water soft! Sometimes, stroke survivors understand only literal meanings or concrete language and cannot understand jokes that others get. A stroke survivor may have difficulty interpreting abstract language like metaphors, inferences, and nonverbal cues. Because of the stroke, problems may arise in following the rules of communication by saying inappropriate things, not using facial expressions, talking at the wrong time, or becoming extremely talkative. Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) or emotional lability should not be confused with a lack of insight. PBA is an involuntary action. A quick description of what is going on in the brain to cause this difficulty is necessary. When a stroke affects the right hemisphere of the brain, causing weakness on the left part of the body, a stroke survivor may not be aware of complications regarding social communication or insight. The cognitive processes (thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering) may be disrupted. This stroke side effect should not be confused with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or the popular term senior moments, even though a stroke survivor may be having difficulty recalling information like the date, time, birth dates, age, or familiar names. Within stroke, it is a problem with orientation. The ingredients are available in every drug store. Neither I nor your therapist can stop you from killing yourself.

Even in hospitals people kill themselves. If you want to commit suicide, you can. This choice is always available, but why does such a talented person want to be a dead woman living in the casket? The pain blossomed across her face and she burst into tears. After this consultation, for the first time, her suicidal depression lifted. Her wish to die revealed her longing to live. What if the wish to die is the first step in the journey? Could the intent to end a dead life point to the wish to live a real one? When you have completed the checked items, go on to the more difficult things. Make a similar contract with yourself to do them and complete them by specific dates. Are there any other items that originally looked impossible that you might be able to do now? If so, make a contract with yourself to do these, too--again completing them by specific dates. Once you've fulfilled all of your contracts, ask yourself how the situation has changed. Has your worry been satisfactorily resolved? If the situation has not been resolved, go through this process again. Cope on the Spot Resisting or fighting anxiety is likely to make it worse. It's important to avoid tensing up in reaction to anxiety or trying to make it go away. When you sense danger, your body gears up for action as you prepare either to run away or stand your ground. Unfortunately, the stress of modern-day life can result in this system's being triggered constantly.

Whether it stems from not being able to find a parking space or an argument with the kids, most people hit the fight or flight button on an all too regular basis. Although mild amounts of stress may help some people focus on the task at hand, constant problems can take their toll, eventually sending the stress meter rocketing and causing increased blood pressure, concentration difficulties, worry, weight gain, and a weakening of the immune system. However, there are several quick and easy ways of bringing your blood pressure back down to earth. Help Yourself by Praying for Others. Research conducted by Neal Krause at the University of Michigan suggests that praying for others might be good for your health. Interestingly, praying for material things, such as a new car or a better house, offered no such protection. Study the Classics. Sky Chafin at the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues at other universities examined which music best reduces blood pressure after a stressful event. With allergies, your immune system is overreacting to some outside substance, and your individual characteristics will point the way for your acu-pro. One factor to consider is your general energy level. If you are tired and lethargic even before allergy season, then part of your treatment strategy will be to rebuild your energy level and improve your immune system. You'll generally feel better and have a better chance at alleviating awful allergies. Get the Point After a day of work or play outdoors, take a shower. Airborne pollens stick to your clothes, skin, and hair. After being outside, you and your children may have quite a biology collection stuck on you. So wash up, change clothes, and breathe easy. Herbal medicine is frequently used with acupuncture to alleviate sinus pressure and stop your waterfall nose. A therapist who is uncomfortable with a client's expression of strong feelings needs to work on him or herself. To be able to listen serenely and with empathy is basic to the healing arts.

It is also basic to authentic friendship, to say nothing of love. Contrast this with friends who interrupt you with sermons or advice--or a change of subject--when you attempt to communicate powerful emotions; As a therapist, I regard one of my first tasks to be that of creating a context in which the persons who come to me can express their thoughts and opinions without fear of ridicule or reproach. But clearly such a policy should not be confined to psychotherapists. If you agree that you have nothing to gain by making people afraid to speak in your presence, then ask yourself whether you create a context of openness for people when they interact with you. One of the experiences that people hope for in therapy (and out of therapy) is that of being visible--seen and understood. Possibly they have felt alienated and invisible since childhood, and they long for a different sense of themselves. Respecting this desire and understanding its legitimacy, I seek to respond appropriately by sharing observations about the client and providing feedback that allows the client to feel seen and heard. Indeed, when death is long and drawn out, I believe it should be more of a communitarian effort. The whole community must be considered. Sure, individual rights matter very much, but so does seeing the larger societal picture, of which we are all a part. Contrary to the constant and forceful opinions I was often offered by those who insisted that he was still in there somewhere, that I should appreciate this time with him, that I had a duty toward him, that he still enjoyed being on the planet, I have come to believe that real love involves deep honesty, and honesty demands my acknowledgment that his life had ended long before he died. Caregivers struggle with these issues a lot--more than most people want to admit. So do the dying. And we should be honest about it. My father got an infection after fourteen years of Alzheimer's. He was given antibiotics; I was not in a legal position to object. I think she's genuinely surprised that I take in anything at all from our discussions as I spend so much time fighting her. In reality I feast alone in the dark for hours on every word she says.

What do I do instead? She must think I know the answer, to have asked me. Maybe the answer is lurking somewhere on the inside of my skull and I just need to hunt for it. I screw my eyes together to focus on the search. It takes me a while and I only see glimpses of it to start with. They're good strategies if you don't have the skills to cope. It's her turn to butt in. But now you've got the opportunity to develop better skills. There are two vitally essential principles you need to remember in setting up a suitable posture for meditation: Your attitude has to allow you to be comfortable and relaxed Your position has to enable you to be alert and aware If you are uncomfortable, you won't be able to meditate. If you can't relax, you won't be able to enjoy your meditation. You might consider sitting cross-legged on a meditation pillow. However, if you are not very flexible, you will probably suffer doing this. Your best bet is to sit in a chair that you find comfortable, and that allows you to sit upright. Here are some elements of good posture that you should consider when sitting. Your spine should be relaxed and upright There are two vitally essential principles you need to remember in setting up a suitable posture for meditation: Your attitude has to allow you to be comfortable and relaxed

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