The Cyclical Nature of Executive Dysfunction and Mental Health Issues
The Cyclical Nature of Executive Dysfunction and Mental Health Issues
Staff Writer: Danielle Yampuler
Life can often feel like a whirlwind of events, responsibilities, and duties to complete. Everybody feels burnt out, distracted, or unmotivated sometimes — this is especially true for those with mental health issues. Many common mental health disorders, such as depression and ADHD, cause executive dysfunction.
The Cleveland Clinic defines executive dysfunction as “a behavioral symptom that disrupts a person’s ability to manage their own thoughts, emotions, and actions.” Executive dysfunction is so common, yet many who have this symptom often feel too embarrassed by its effects to discuss it. These negative feelings that result from executive dysfunction can worsen the mental health issues that caused this symptom to manifest in the first place. Walt’s Waltz is dedicated to fighting mental health stigma, and one aspect of that is providing education on mental health issues to minimize the shame surrounding them. In this post, we hope to deepen your understanding of executive dysfunction. We also hope to present coping mechanisms and tools that those who struggle with it can use to alleviate its effects.
Have you ever heard of a “depression room”? A depression room is a slang term for a room that is very messy due to a depressed person’s inability to feel motivated enough to clean it. This lack of motivation to complete tasks one may truly wish to do is a common manifestation of executive dysfunction. Another common manifestation of executive dysfunction is an inability to focus properly. Those who struggle with executive dysfunction may find that they struggle to pay attention in class or to their friends’ conversations, but can play a single video game for hours. This is why lack of focus and hyperfocus are common symptoms of ADHD — both are caused by executive dysfunction. One other common manifestation is a lack of impulse control. Those who struggle with executive dysfunction may accidentally consistently say or do things that embarrass them or hurt the feelings of others.
Executive dysfunction is a complex symptom of mental health disorders that can result in all of these issues and more. Struggling with these issues is distressing and can worsen depression and anxiety. When these conditions worsen, it becomes even more difficult for a person to focus, causing executive dysfunction to become even harder to deal with. In that way, mental health issues and executive dysfunction form a cycle that serves to make a person feel worse and worse. However, there are many things a person can do to break this cycle.
If you are a person who struggles with motivation as a result of poor mental health, it may help to invite a friend or family member to help you complete tasks. For example, if you feel unable to push yourself to clean your room, try inviting a close friend to keep you company as you do so. This friend can hold you accountable, and if they truly care about you and your health, they will not judge you for struggling. If you often forget about tasks, try writing down reminders somewhere you will see them, such as on sticky notes at your desk. If you struggle to complete tasks because they seem too time-consuming and overwhelming, try breaking them down into smaller steps. For example, if you need to write a long essay for class, first push yourself to write the introduction. Then, you can take a break and push yourself to write the body of the essay afterwards.
Of course, it is much easier to encourage somebody to adopt habits that combat executive dysfunction than it is to practice them. At the end of the day, if it is truly a struggle to get anything done, it is likely best to seek professional help in the form of a therapist. A therapist can help you develop coping mechanisms more specifically tailored to you and your needs.
If you or someone you are close to struggles with executive dysfunction, we hope you have been equipped with multiple avenues that can be taken to address this symptom. At Walt’s Waltz, we believe one of the best ways to decrease mental health stigma is to discuss even the more taboo aspects of mental health disorders. If you have judged a peer or even yourself for showing symptoms of executive dysfunction, we hope this knowledge will prevent you from doing so in the future. Mental health challenges can be difficult to navigate, but with the proper education, even the most draining of symptoms can become easier to deal with.
The Correlation Between Loneliness and Mental Health Issues
Staff Writer: Danielle Yampuler
The Correlation Between Loneliness and Mental Health Issues
Humans are innately social creatures. Almost every animal is, but we often forget that fact in the face of an increasingly isolating world. More than half of the youth population of America reports consistent feelings of loneliness, and it is no wonder why. Digitization plays a role: people paint enviously perfect pictures of their lives on social media, posting photos of birthday parties and group hangouts tailored to make viewers feel excluded. Additionally, rates of loneliness rose exponentially during quarantine, and society has still not fully recovered. People feel more lonely now than ever, and many researchers have even described the phenomena as an “epidemic.” At Walt’s Waltz, we believe it is essential to both understand and address loneliness in the population, as it is a common issue that exacerbates or even causes mental health issues.
When a human is not able to socialize in the way they need to, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness arise. We need adequate social relationships to feel a sense of fulfillment and support, and when we feel that we have not made proper connections with others, we are psychologically more likely to feel anxious, depressed, and even suicidal. These mental health issues affect us physically as well. Those who experience mental disturbances as a result of loneliness are also more likely to suffer from physical ailments such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and more. These physical issues and mental issues compound onto each other, causing a cycle that makes it difficult for an individual to address either.
The loneliness that people experienced during the earlier years of the pandemic really exemplifies these dire effects. Many people feel that they lost or weakened important relationships during the quarantine. Others lost family members and friends as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, many people developed social anxiety as a result of so much time spent away from other people. Those who were children or teens during quarantine also lost out on invaluable experiences that usually aid in developing pro-social behaviors. While it was essential to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect immuno-compromised members of the population, the era undoubtedly left long-lasting effects on overall mental health.
In addition to this, modern youth experience specific factors that contribute to their high rates of loneliness. Adolescents are naturally more likely to feel lonely, as they are at a stage in their lives where social behavior is essential. On top of that, the modern digital landscape pushes youth to socially interact through a screen rather than face-to-face. Research has shown that Generation Z is less likely to socialize outside their homes than any other generation, and the false fulfillment technology provides contributes to that. Additionally, youth are more likely to feel lonely when they feel excluded, a feeling that commonly arises when scrolling through social media. When youth are only confronted with photos of friends having the times of their lives, it is easy to feel like they are not enough or an outcast in some way. These multiple factors that increase loneliness directly correlate with the rising percentage of youth who experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. However, it is important to clarify that mental health issues may only appear to be rising among youth due to there being less taboo surrounding mental health than in the past, leading to increased reporting.
Overall, it is essential to combat the loneliness epidemic to aid society. As loneliness increases, we must recognize the feeling’s direct correlation with mental health issues. At Walt’s Waltz, we believe that it is important to discuss feelings that prompt mental health issues with others. We, as humans, need to provide support to each other, shelter to each other, love to each other. Support systems and socialization are the basis of the human experience, and Walt’s Waltz provides many avenues to find new friends and peers. We encourage those who feel lonely to attend our in-person events, such as our painting mental health workshops. We also encourage you to reach out to friends, family, and peers. Recovering from loneliness is not easy, but it is a goal that can, by definition, only be accomplished together.
Mental Health within the LBGTQ+ Community
Staff Writer: Danielle Yampuler
The American LGBTQ+ community is a vibrant and diverse group with centuries of history. As the years pass, they have only become a more visible and strong part of the population. According to a recent poll conducted by Gallup, around 9.3% of American adults identify as LGBTQ+ in some way. However, despite their size, history, and well-known role as trailblazers in pop culture, the LGBTQ+ population has always been subject to strife. Due to oppression and persecution, LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately more likely to suffer from mental health issues. LGBTQ+ people are also subject to common factors that can intensify mental unwellness, such as genetic predisposition and upbringing, but the unique societal dangers that they face cause psychological disturbances to occur within the community at disproportionate rates. At Walt’s Waltz, we believe that it is important to understand the root of mental health issues in order to aid in recovery from them.
The Trevor Project, a national organization dedicated to aiding the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth, conducts an expansive annual research survey on LGBTQ+ mental health. These surveys often bring to light startling information, such as the fact that in 2024, “39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.” This percentage is higher among gender non-conforming individuals and youth of color. This is because mental health is an intersectional issue. While many people are genetically predisposed to suffer from mental health issues, societal factors play a large role in mental health as well. If a person faces bullying and persecution for their race, and then also for their sexual orientation, that trauma interacts with each other to further worsen mental health. It is in this way that identities within a person can interact with each other and the society around them in order to form mental states.
According to the FBI, 2,402 instances of reported hate crimes were motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias in 2024. This number has only risen from previous years. This is not a wonder due to a move towards anti-LGBTQ+ politics in the mainstream. Many American LGBTQ+ community members have reported feelings of loneliness and isolation due to an overwhelming belief that their country may be turning against them. Additionally, The Trevor Project found multiple links between lack of acceptance and mental health issues in LGBTQ+ people. According to the foundation, “90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics.” LGBTQ+ people in environments that were more likely to be biased against them also reported disproportionately higher rates of attempting suicide. This is due to the mental impact of bullying, legal persecution, and other challenges LGBTQ+ people face.
However, the LGBTQ+ community is known for its strength. It has always been dedicated to maintaining community centers, clinics, and other avenues through which one can find acceptance, therapy, and healthcare. Community is and always has been an essential aspect of the route to recovery, and LGBTQ+ people have it in abundance, even when times can feel dark. The Trevor Project reports that LGBTQ+ people in gender-affirming/accepting environments face a much lower suicide risk. For that reason, we believe it is essential for LGBTQ+ people to understand where they can gain care and community.
All of Walt’s Waltz programs and events are open to and accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals. This website can point you towards the closest LGBTQ+ community center to you. Greenville’s own LGBTQ+ Center, PrideLink, has many available mental health resources open to those who need them. Many suicide crisis services catered specifically toward LGBTQ+ individuals exist, such as the Trans Lifeline and The Trevor Project’s suicide hotline. Times may feel dark, but the LGBTQ+ community is not alone in its struggles. Many accepting allies, including Walt’s Waltz own team, are dedicated to aiding the mental health of the LGBTQ+ community. We hope that we have equipped you with the proper information to explain mental health struggles among LGBTQ+ people, as well as the resources that can be used to aid in those struggles.
With Valentines a Day away . . .
The Renaissance Man
Most don't realize, Walt wanted to change his major to literature near the end of this 3rd year at Clemson Unversity. “Economics is stealing my soul. Life, even love, is measured in dollars and cents.”
Why the words didn't pour out of me, follow your heart, your dreams.
On Being a Grassroots nonprofit
As the founder of Walt’s Waltz. a grassroots nonprofit, my mission is driven by both compassion and raw honesty. Grassroots organizations, by nature, are built from the ground up—fueled by the passion of individuals who refuse to accept the status quo. They thrive on collective action, amplifying the voices of those too often unheard.
At their core, grassroots movements seek to create meaningful change by centering lived experiences and mobilizing communities. As Janet Mock said, "When marginalized people gain voice and center their own experiences, things begin changing." This is the power of grassroots advocacy. It’s about starting at the root of the issue, addressing the unseen causes, and rejecting a top-down approach in favor of one that empowers and unites.
Walt’s Waltz is not just an organization—it is a movement. Starting in our community, we work to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, creating a foundation of education, advocacy, and safe spaces. But our vision extends beyond our own city. We believe that through collective action, this movement will spread, reaching communities everywhere and transforming the way mental health is understood and supported. True change begins when ordinary people come together to achieve extraordinary things. That is the heart of grassroots work. That is the heart of Walt’s Waltz.
We invite you to join us.
World Mental Health Day
At Walt's Waltz, we believe in saying the hard stuff—the uncomfortable truths that many shy away from. Talking about mental health struggles can be awkward and difficult. Whether you’re asking for help for yourself, your child, or a loved one, the conversation often feels heavy, filled with stumbling words and awkward pauses.
You might get a call from a co-worker who fumbles through their request, awkwardly asking if you could “maybe kinda” talk to their kid about opportunities. It seems casual on the surface, but their tone carries the weight of something more—an unspoken concern about their child’s well-being.
Or, there’s the uneasy phone call from a parent of your child’s friend. They hesitate, unsure how to ask if your kids could spend time together. Beneath their words lies a worry—perhaps their child is feeling isolated or struggling, but they don’t know how to say it without making it sound like something’s wrong.
And then, there’s the person who tries to mention something more serious—maybe their spouse’s overwhelming stress, their friend’s quiet despair, or their child’s mental health—but they can’t quite find the right words. They say, “My kid could use some advice,” or, “My husband’s been off lately,” but quickly retreat, not wanting to seem dramatic. They worry about how they’ll be perceived, afraid of looking weak or overreacting.
At Walt's Waltz, we understand that these conversations are uncomfortable, but we also know they’re necessary. It’s in these difficult, fumbling moments that we start to break the stigma, to open up about the things that truly matter. Because the struggle to ask for help should never keep someone from getting the support they need.
The Complexity of Mental Health: A Multifaceted Perspective
The Complexity of Mental Health: A Multifaceted Perspective
Mental health is indeed a complex field, influenced by an intricate web of emotional, psychological, genetic, and social factors. Understanding mental health requires considering how we think, feel, and behave, and recognizing that each person’s experience is unique. The factors that shape mental health include genetic predispositions, environmental stressors, life experiences, societal influences, and more. This complexity underscores the need for holistic approaches combining education, support systems, therapy, and societal change to improve mental well-being.
Genetic and Epigenetic Factors
Genetic Factors: Genetic predispositions play a significant role in mental health. Certain genes can increase the likelihood of developing conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Heritability studies show that while genetics contribute to susceptibility, they interact with environmental factors to influence mental health. However, genetics alone do not determine mental health outcomes.
Epigenetic Factors: Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression caused by external or environmental factors, rather than alterations in the DNA sequence itself. Stress, trauma, diet, and exposure to toxins can affect how genes are "turned on" or "off." For instance, childhood trauma may activate genes that make someone more vulnerable to mental health conditions later in life, even if they have no strong genetic predisposition. This interplay between genetics and environmental factors adds a layer of complexity to understanding and treating mental health disorders.
Treatment Resistance
Treatment resistance complicates the mental health landscape further. This phenomenon occurs when individuals do not respond to standard treatments for mental health conditions, such as medications or therapy. Factors contributing to treatment resistance include:
Genetic Variations: Differences in individual genetics can affect drug metabolism and brain responses, influencing the effectiveness and side effects of medications.
Epigenetic Factors: Changes in gene expression influenced by environmental factors can impact treatment outcomes. Chronic stress or trauma may alter brain chemistry and receptor sensitivity, making standard treatments less effective.
Biological Factors: Some mental health conditions have biological underpinnings that resist current treatments, with certain neurobiological abnormalities not responding well to existing therapies.
Psychosocial Factors: Ongoing stress, trauma, social support, and life circumstances can affect treatment efficacy. Unaddressed psychosocial issues can hinder progress.
Medication Non-Adherence: Resistance may stem from difficulties in adhering to medication regimens due to side effects, lack of insight into the condition, or personal beliefs about the treatment.
Co-occurring Conditions: The presence of other mental health disorders or chronic illnesses can complicate treatment, making remission or symptom control more challenging.
Additional Influences on Mental Health
Sleep Disturbances: Poor sleep quality or sleep deprivation can significantly impact mental health, contributing to issues like anxiety, depression, and impaired cognitive function. Chronic sleep disturbances can exacerbate existing conditions and hinder recovery.
Societal Stressors: The pressures of modern life, including multitasking and high demands, can lead to increased stress and impact mental well-being. The constant need to juggle multiple responsibilities and stay connected can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and burnout.
Personality Traits: Certain personality types, such as highly sensitive individuals, may experience emotional stimuli more intensely, impacting their mental health. Highly sensitive people often have heightened reactions to stressors and may require tailored support to manage their unique challenges.
Overlapping Symptoms: Mental health conditions often have overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging. For instance, symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently intersect, complicating the process of identifying the underlying issue and finding effective treatments.
The Need for a Holistic Approach
To effectively address the complexity of mental health, a holistic approach is essential. This approach should encompass various factors and strategies, including:
Genetic and Epigenetic Research: A comprehensive approach to mental health must integrate research into genetic and epigenetic factors. Understanding how genetic predispositions and epigenetic modifications interact with environmental influences can lead to more effective, personalized treatments. Increased funding for this research is crucial to uncover the mechanisms behind mental health conditions and develop targeted therapies that address individual needs.
Education on Mental Health Conditions: There is a need for increased education on mental health conditions, not only for students but for society as a whole. Enhancing understanding of mental health conditions, their origins, and the various influencing factors can help combat prejudice, bias, and assumptions rooted in a lack of knowledge and embedded stigma. Education should focus on dispelling myths, promoting empathy, and providing accurate information about mental health.
Equating Mental and Physical Health: Society must push for a shift in how mental and physical health are viewed. Recognizing them as equally important and interconnected can help reduce stigma and improve access to comprehensive care. This includes integrating mental health services into general healthcare settings and ensuring that mental health is given the same priority as physical health.
Eliminating Parent Blaming: It is essential to move away from attributing mental health issues solely to parenting. While upbringing can influence mental health, it is only one of many factors. Blaming parents oversimplifies the issue and disregards the broader array of genetic, environmental, social, and biological influences that contribute to mental health conditions.
Addressing Sleep Disturbances: Sleep disturbances, such as sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality, significantly impact mental health. Chronic sleep issues can exacerbate conditions like anxiety and depression and hinder overall well-being. A holistic approach should include strategies to address and manage sleep health as a critical component of mental health care.
Managing Societal Stressors: The pressures of modern life, including multitasking and high demands, contribute to increased stress levels. This societal stress can negatively affect mental health, leading to burnout and other issues. Addressing these stressors through supportive workplace practices, work-life balance, and stress management techniques is crucial.
Understanding Personality Traits: Personality traits, such as being a highly sensitive person, can influence how individuals experience and cope with mental health challenges. A holistic approach should consider these traits and tailor support to meet the unique needs of individuals with different personality profiles.
Recognizing Overlapping Symptoms: Mental health conditions often have overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment more complex. For instance, symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently intersect, complicating the identification and management of specific conditions. A nuanced approach that considers these overlaps can improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
By incorporating these factors into a holistic approach, we can better understand and address the multifaceted nature of mental health. This comprehensive strategy will enhance support for individuals and promote a more informed and compassionate society.
No More wishes . . .
I have always loved dandelions. Over 20 years ago, I wrote a song titled, No More Wishes. My son, Walt, revised the lyrics a bit, and he came up with his own melody. He accompanied me on his guitar and joined in the refrains. I kept messing up the rhythm, but in his gentle way, he would smile and say alright, come on now clapping out the beat. He even got out our old metronome - not the electronic version - and took my hand tapping out the beat - tic, tic, tic. I have trouble following a lead. I carried a note too long - it somehow felt right. My boys nicknamed me donkey if that tells you anything. Well, yes, Walt was patient, and I finally could follow his lead. As I have said so many times, Walt was my teacher.
Sadly, no, wrong word, when you lose a child it feels like a tragedy, this film was accidently recorded over. Goodness, of all films, but I do have a few, short tape recordings.
After Walt died, this song held more more meaning - The Refrain - No more wishes, No more dreams, No more yellow dotted green, No more hopes carried by breath or breeze, No more dandelions in spring . . .
At the celebration at First Frist of our first Walt's Waltz Stigma-Free Zone at Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Lana, a previous student of both of ours, was our featured singer/songwriter. I had asked if she would take our song and make it her own. So, it was the song's debut. Fittingly, Lana, changed the melody to 3/4 time - a Waltz.
I just wanted to share. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/YGu_qP3dnCY Always grateful for Lana. Grateful for those highly sensitive people as they navigate this world. We hope this information helps. https://www.waltswaltz.com/highly-sensitive
Just thought this was so beautiful, I had to share . . .
Robin Williams Interviews - truly beautiful
Lightly
Life's lessons. As a visual arts teacher, I used to tell my students to sketch lightly. As a daughter, my mom would always tell me to "lighten up". As a mom, I wish I had been better at modeling this. As the founder of Walt's Waltz, I understand how my genetics made lightening up sometimes quite difficult as my anxiety would take the reigns. I wish I had better understood . . .
Mental health is complicated. Genetic research is an important way we can understand our nature and tendencies. As a human being getting ready to turn 61, refection can be oh so difficult, but I hope what I am better understanding and our work will help others.
"It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. I was so preposterously serious in those days… Lightly, lightly – it’s the best advice ever given me…So throw away your baggage and go forward. There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must walk so lightly. Lightly my darling…"
Aldous Huxley - Island
With gratitude, hope, and love,
susan
What does loneliness look like to you?
Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” ~ Carl Gustav Jung
“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly. “ ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
“being alone never felt right. sometimes it felt good, but it never felt right.” ~ Charles Bukowski, Women
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” ~ Mother Teresa
“When you're surrounded by all these people, it can be lonelier than when you're by yourself. You can be in a huge crowd, but if you don't feel like you can trust anyone or talk to anybody, you feel like you're really alone.” ~ Fiona Apple
“ Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.” Janet Fitch, White Oleander
“I feel too much. That's what's going on.' 'Do you think one can feel too much? Or just feel in the wrong ways?' 'My insides don't match up with my outsides.' 'Do anyone's insides and outsides match up?' 'I don't know. I'm only me.' 'Maybe that's what a person's personality is: the difference between the inside and outside.' 'But it's worse for me.' 'I wonder if everyone thinks it's worse for him.' 'Probably. But it really is worse for me.” ~ Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
For Me, Deep Grief Takes a Back Seat to Guilt
Deep grief for me is a pit, dismal, black with seemingly no way out, but often I don’t make it there because I get swallowed by Guilt.
I sometimes need to rant, I sometimes need to cry and wail. I often need to explain again and again my regrets, my shame, my self hate . . .
My mind is creative, and I am a problem solver. I keep putting the pieces together so different outcomes appear. In the end, it's always my face who is the responsible person. Of course, I would not place a finger of blame on one who has lost a loved one, but I am stuck in guilt.
We understand learning to live with grief is a process. Coupled with guilt is an added complication. In my life guilt has been my constant companion. Although some blame one's upraising, religion, partners . . . Through my search for answers, I have found some of my mind patterns involve genetics-epigenetics-SNPs. Yes, this research is in it's infancy, but my hope is that with more funding, we will better understand ourselves and others. Some folks may state they don't believe this, but I imagine most understand the basic ideas behind heredity which is genetics:-).
Walt's Waltz Interview Series: Toxic Masculinity
Toxic Masculinity - Community, Friendship, Companionship, Culture
Walt's Waltz Interview Series - COVID 19 and Mental Health
Take al listen to our interview on COVID 19 and Mental Health.
What been happening in our culture?
Voices in My Head
Written By Lindsay Niedringhaus
The noise in my car was loud. I wanted to cover my ears, but I was driving 80 mph down I-85, so instead I reached for the power button on my car stereo to turn off the music. However, as I hit the power button, the radio came on instead of off. That’s when it hit me:
The noise wasn’t from my car. It was in my mind.
So I rolled down the window. The blast of cold air hit my face and my hair whipped around my head, creating a powerful physical reality that quieted my mental one for a bit. The icy air forced me to take a deep breath, and the goosebumps that lined my arms drew my attention to my skin—goosebumps I could grasp at the moment; thoughts I could not.
I’ve had voices in my head for as long as I can remember. Sometimes it’s my own voice, ticking through my to-do list, cautioning me not to forget things. But often times, it’s other voices from my life. When I have my fingers in the dirt, for example, I can distinctly hear my mom instructing, “Just a little deeper. Careful of the roots. Okay, now gently pat the potting soil around this little guy so he feels comfortable.” When I feel myself stressing over a situation, I hear my college mentor, Harry Shucker, gently saying with a smile on his face, “Now Lindsay, take a deep breath. You’re a perfectionist and a people-pleaser. And you can’t please everyone perfectly.” When I’m writing a marketing estimate or thinking through business decisions, I hear my boss from Furman’s Marketing Office, Mark Kelly: “Did you really mean to use the word ‘comprised’ here? Now let’s think through their reaction when they see this. I would caution against your overusing the phrase ‘truly believe.’ Don’t assume your audience doesn’t trust you.”
Am I crazy? Perhaps. I’ve always assumed everyone else hears these voices, but maybe they don’t. I’ve really never asked. If this is something unique to me, I would assume it comes from my practice of writing. I’ve always rolled conversations over and over in my head, feeling the words bounce off my tongue and wind through my mind. It could be days, weeks, or even years later, and something reminds me of a sentence someone said to me at some point in my life. I’ve also found I have a nervous habit of spelling words in my head. The other night it was “convalescent.” So as I lay in bed, trying to fall asleep, I was tapping my teeth to “c-o-n-v-a-l-e-s-c-e-n-t.” Sometimes I’ll also tap my fingers to the keys on the keyboard as if I’m typing it. Yep, I’m a weirdo.
My point in admitting my voices and my tappings, my spellings and my repeatings, is that I’ve realized from years of journaling and therapy that for whatever reason, my mind can become loud. Sometimes it’s a happy loud, sometimes it’s an anxious loud, and sometimes it’s an angry loud; but for the most part, it’s always loud. And that loudness can feel neverending and overwhelming.
my view from the driveway
One of my favorite podcasts I’ve ever heard was from Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us, in which she interviews Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A. The sisters wrote a book called Burnout, which details how culture and life cause us to live in a perpetual state of exhaustion. During the podcast, the sisters explain that emotions are cycles in our bodies that have beginnings, middles, and ends, but many times we get stuck in the middle, which causes burnout. This “stuckness” comes from constantly being exposed to new external factors that never signify to our bodies that we’re actually out of the stressor. Yep, you heard that right—we may mentally know the stressor is gone, but our bodies don’t necessarily know because they’re being hit with even more stressors. And as much as we think we are in control of our bodies, we aren’t, so we can’t think our way out of being stressed. Instead, the Nagoskis say the best thing we can do for ourselves is any sort of physical activity that then tells our bodies the stressor is gone. This is one reason exercise is so good for us. When the exercise is done, the body lets go of the stressor.
I could go into a 15-page essay about how our bodies process emotions, stressors, and life in general, but for now, do yourself a favor and know that if your voices get too loud, signal to your body that the stressor is gone by doing something physical.
For me, that physical signal is running or hot yoga. Lately since working from home, it also comes in the form of lying on my driveway. Not kidding. If I’m feeling overwhelmed with Zooms and texts and social media DMs, I walk out my back door and lie down in the sun. Something about the heat on my skin, the smell of the nearby grass, and my 14-year-old lab panting down at me like I’m a crazy person all lift me out of my head, help the voices to fade, and bring me back to the here and now. So next time you drive by my house and see me lying on the concrete, I’m not dead. I’m just telling my body to chill.
https://www.createwithlindsay.com/blog/the-voices-in-my-head
Inflammation and Suicide
Posted by merisig123@gmail.com
In looking at the biological factors involved in suicide, inflammation and inflammatory conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, autoimmune disorders, and neuropsychiatric symptoms are only beginning to be explored.
Familial transmission and early life adversity (ELA) are distant causes, associated with suicide risk. Family history of suicidal behavior has been identified as a risk as well as substance abuse.
Mounting evidence shows the immune system as important in the pathophysiology of suicidality. The potential triggers of suicidal behavior include various inflammatory conditions (TBI, vitamin deficiency, autoimmune disorders, and infections), which, through raised levels of inflammation, can cause cause significant problems for individuals. These neurobiological effects might cause profound changes in emotion and behavior, which could ultimately lead to suicide in vulnerable individuals. Many more studies are needed.
For more information, see complete article:
Role of Inflammation in Suicide: From Mechanisms to Treatment
https://www.waltswaltz.com/disclaimer
Read more of Meri’s Blog postings here: https://sciencebehindsuicideandmentalhealthconditions.com/
Diseases of the Mind and Suicide - a new blogsite
Diseases of the Mind and Suicide
For far too long, we have been placing our minds on the back burner. Science has sped along, figuring out causes and cures for many “physical ” illnesses and diseases. This is a wonderful thing. We now have sound treatments for heart diseases, kidney disease, cancer, and many other physical conditions. However, we have left the one organ out that controls all of the other organs. This is the brain. I’m not speaking about treating brain tumors and other “physical” conditions. I’m speaking of something far more elusive; the mind.
Much has been talked about in the realm of situational and environmental causes for mind, or if you will, mental illnesses. However, not much has been shed on the biological nature and genetic causes for these conditions. In this blog, I will explore the science behind diseases of the mind and suicide.
The question is not why we are looking into these diseases. It’s why has it taken us so long to do so?