Mental Health Stigma

Perez Hilton is far from the only one, but his casual bantering of insulting terms regarding the mental health of the celebrities he writes about is insensitive. His reference to the obviously troubled Lindsay Lohan as "Lindsanity" is one example of this. His most recent use of this insulting nickname is in a post entitled "Makeover Your Self Loathing" in which he states his opinion that Ms. Lohan should appear on a forthcoming program entitled What I Hate About Me on the Style network. The program will be hosted by former women's boxing champion Laila Ali, a nutritionist named Rachel Beller, and a radio host named Emily Morse. Hilton opined: "If only Lindsanity could be their guinea pig." The post featured a recent picture of Lohan.

The following can be considered an open letter to Mr. Hilton and anyone else who still sees the mentally ill as second class citizens and open to ridicule because they are somehow "less human."

Dear Perez Hilton,
Regarding Lindsay Lohan, it is unfortunate that she looks like she just got out of the ring with Laila Ali with her swollen lips. The trend towards plumping the lips with collagen is an unattractive one at best. Her eyes look glassy and she looks far older than she is, probably due to abuse of drugs and alcohol. For a long time I thought she was incredibly annoying but at this point I just feel sorry for her and think she needs help. I'm not saying that in a condescending way. I think there's something badly wrong in her life. And, seriously, it doesn't help to keep calling her names like "Lindsanity." As well, those of us who do have psychiatric conditions resent this sort of casual bantering about of terms like "insanity." This young woman is not "insane." She appears to have serious addiction issues. This is a health problem and deserves compassion, not sneering condescension at her expense, nor jokes about mental illness in general. Please choose your words more carefully.

I for one am proud to be Out of the Attic with my bipolar disorder, and I am not going back in to appease an uneducated public which still places individuals with psychiatric illnesses under stigma. Educate yourselves before you dis others.
Sincerely,
Lily Strange

While my words may largely fall on deaf ears, it is one of my life's missions to expose the stigma that those with psychiatric illnesses endure every day and, by doing so, to hopefully bring about positive changes in the way mental illness is perceived by society as a whole.

http://bloomingpsycho.qondio.com/

Becoming Nicotine Free

Everyone knows it's very difficult to break any bad habit, and a new bad habit soon replaces the old one in many cases. For instance, giving up the habit of fingernail biting is tough enough, and a person may substitute overeating or smoking for nail biting soon after stopping.

When the negative habit to be broken is not only a habit, but also an addiction, quitting can seem practically impossible.

If you're a cigarette smoker, you're addicted to nicotine. Therefore, a nicotine product may not be the best choice for a crutch or aid to be used during the quitting process.

As long as there is nicotine in your system, it will call and nag for more, causing an awful feeling of nervousness, sickness and a symptomatic quick, hot temper. For this reason, I don't recommend gum, inhalers and patches containing nicotine to assist anyone wanting to stop smoking.

When nicotine is used to quit smoking, there is still the problem of the nicotine addiction afterwards. Nicotine, administered in any form will command or at least urge the user to continue using it. When one tries to stop using the nicotine product, the urge to smoke again heightens.

If you're serious about quitting smoking, try Chantix. Check with your doctor to find out if there are free samples available. Chantix is expensive, but it helps alleviate the very real sickness that nicotine withdrawal brings about. I suggest that you use it short-term for perhaps two weeks, and then only as needed after smoking cessation, when stress and nervousness are present accompanied by the urge to smoke. Having nightmares is a common side effect of using Chantix.

Another possible aid for becoming nicotine free is Wellbutrin. When combined with good nutrition and exercise, Wellbutrin and a doctor's care may help you succeed.

If you're serious about stopping smoking do not cheat and have a cigarette, not even on holidays. Stay clear of cigarettes and any and all nicotine products. Being a non smoker gets easier over time, but temptations will be present for years after quitting.

Good luck with becoming nicotine free.

http://jlwinther.qondio.com/