Discard bad genes, useless ideas, and harmful hypnosis

Discard bad genes, useless ideas, and harmful hypnosis
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

January 3, 2009

I thought Susan did a wonderful job crystallizing the major depression experience (See Susan – An Introduction). She has a gift for expressing her feelings using her writing. In Lincoln’s Melancholy, however, it’s called a “fearful gift.” (Chapter 4)

A person with a melancholy temperament had been fated with both an awful burden and what Byron called “a fearful gift.” The burden was a sadness and despair that could tip into a state of disease. But the gift was a capacity for depth, wisdom — even genius.

Additionally, reading Susan’s post gave me some ideas about genetics. Hopefully my new ideas won’t be useless.

Problems Sleeping? Open your Eyes

Problems Sleeping? Open your Eyes
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Oct 13, 2008 – I wrote the following how-to guide as a comment on the post Sleeping deeply. As usual, I refuse to edit my comments–I already spend more time writing and at the computer than I’d like.

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I was going to write one of my “advice” columns about the following, and I may one day. For now it will languish as a mere comment (hopefully it will help regardless).

If you can’t sleep, open your eyes. I’m being serious now. I’ve noticed that if I close my eyes after I lay down for bed, depending on how tired I am, it will be harder to fall asleep, and yes, may take an hour.

Fibromyalgia Drug-Free Therapy, Just Relax and Keep Your Money

Fibromyalgia Drug-Free Therapy, Just Relax and Keep Your Money
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Aug 1, 2008 – I know someone who has fibromyalgia. I didn’t know I had it until talking to her. Every symptom I mentioned was one that she has. “under-the-skin-itching” and in various parts of the body, including eyebrow and ear lobe, just for a couple seconds. When I put my hands behind my head, immediate a numbing or tingling occurred near my shoulders. Being in more pain after a mile walk, which always seemed strange because of what’s said about walking being a great way to help with pain. Pain, soreness, tingling, stinging in the base of the thumb, or on the side of hand, on top of the hand, or in the fingers, sometimes a sensation of burning; also in the forearms at times, biceps, triceps, elbows.

Speaking of Meditation and Computer and Internet Addiction

Speaking of Meditation and Computer and Internet Addiction
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Jul 25, 2008
Deep Brain Stimulation For Depression
When I read that headline, I assumed meditation might be mentioned. But no, again, apparently only foreign objects can treat depression. Something about a drill, a brain, and some electrodes.

Try meditation. It can’t hurt. It has no drug interactions. I’ve been trying it; if it helps me, I’ll probably note it somewhere on this site. Thus far, it’s been extremely helpful in dealing with some pain issues I’ve been experiencing for the last four years. The results from the meditation regarding the pain are very promising so far.