tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post3556394247562167336..comments2024-03-18T03:28:36.581-04:00Comments on Shrink Rap: The Importance of Routine (and Clean Living)....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-27590629541470307622014-09-09T14:12:38.917-04:002014-09-09T14:12:38.917-04:00There are some people who love routine and retreat...There are some people who love routine and retreat into it when under stress. There are others who hate routine and must be forced into it. And, of course, there are all shades in between.<br /><br />It seems to me that as people mature and individuate, they move from extremes to more flexible, inclusive attitudes. Those who love routine learn to let go. Those who love freedom learn the comfort of routine. Sometimes people find this out on their own, but sometimes they need to be led to it by others.The Alienisthttp://thealienist.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-11466956050986858272014-09-07T14:51:02.420-04:002014-09-07T14:51:02.420-04:00Well, I'm glad he didn't kill anybody on h...Well, I'm glad he didn't kill anybody on his DUI. It's fantastic when somebody gets clean and sober, but it tends to bode better for their long term recovery when they show some real remorse for the effects of their behaviors on the people around them. And Hedrick's article was all about HIM HIM HIM. <br /><br />Also, it didn't mention that pot is notorious for triggering schizophrenic delusions. Perhaps he is simply feeling better because he is no longer a stoner. Not to discount the effects of routine and good psychiatric care, but one of the things to fear as increasing legalization of marijuana leads to increased social acceptance and increased smoking is that more people primed for schizophrenia will have their first episodes younger. <br /><br />But obviously, clean living is a necessary first step. One wonders, when someone says that their psych meds aren't working, if maybe they aren't secretly drinking or smoking a lot more than they are letting on to their shrink, and if this isn't canceling out the effects of their treatment. Not that the psych meds are perfect, but social drinking and being a stoner are never wholly benign....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-25194535956887251222014-09-06T20:38:52.457-04:002014-09-06T20:38:52.457-04:00I often talk about this with patients who suffer d...I often talk about this with patients who suffer depression and/or anxiety, and who are unemployed, disabled, or otherwise have a lot of time on their hands. It's hard for anyone to feel good when they have nothing to do, no reason to get up in the morning, no place they have to be. If work isn't an option, consider volunteering. Establish an exercise routine (or yoga, or meditation, or just taking a walk on a regular basis). Maybe plan to go shopping (or window-shopping), or at least be in public with other people a few times a week. Some people read the Bible daily and go to church every Sunday. Feel free to substitute the reading and ritual of your choice.<br /><br />In addition to whatever else it does, regular therapy appointments help establish a weekly routine. An hour a week is far from sufficient, but for those who really lack structure simply coming to therapy helps get the ball rolling. And I'm always happy to hear when a formerly depressed patient has become so busy that he or she can no longer find time to see me.Steven Reidbord MDhttp://blog.stevenreidbordmd.comnoreply@blogger.com