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I think most people have a specific order in which they bathe, so I don't think that is too much to worry about. The bathing 3 times a day could be bad for your skin, as someone else said. It is also not good for your water bills to be using that much water.

I like the random drink now and then. I prefer red over white wine, but I'm more likely to have a beer. As little as I drink, a bottle of wine lasts a long time, even if I dump a little in the spaghetti sauce.

Today was one of those days where everything and everybody irritates me. Even when I know the crabbiness is self-generated, I still have a hard time shutting it off. Luckily, these days don't happen as often as they once did.

As a understand it, the service providers are being required to obtain the evals for clients as a condition of the providers getting the state contract. Kansas is on a big push to privatize and funnel state funds to religion-based organizations. I suspect they are requiring the evals knowing the successful non-profits will decline. This leaves the door open to channelling the funding to the other groups. One fear that has been expressed is that the evals might potentially be used against victims in court proceedings.

It really depends on what the situation is at the time. Mostly, I prefer to work it out myself, but there are times when I want to vent to someone else. If the trigger was a genuine event like serious illness or worse, then I want physical comforting. Otherwise, I tend to go the lone wolf route.

It is hard to share yourself with a stranger, but it could help you. If you feel you are functioning well without it though, that is your decision to make. I've been in therapy several times over the years, and if you can overcome the hesitancy, it can be a very freeing experience. It is a relief to share the stuff clogging your head with someone who won't judge you for it.

That is so true about availabilty. I'd go one step further than just having to cook it. If we had to grow, hunt, or forage for our own food, we would likely appreciate it more. Doesn't that tomato you grew yourself taste so much sweeter? If food is precious, earned with our own labor, it would be more valued.

I took Prozac for about three years during a particularly down phase. However, like the above poster, it really numbed me out and stole my creativity. Even my adult children now tell me that while I was easier to deal with during my medicated years, they noticed that I was rather like a zombie.

I like nearly all types of music, but jazz and the blues are two of my favorites. I especially like classic jazz and blues. Are there any other fans out there?

I agree with the other posters that it may be time to speak to your doctor. One practical suggestion that might help with your budget is to research if there are any food banks in your area. Depending on your situation, you may also qualify for food assistance from the state. It is hard to ask for help, but if you were able to access these resources, it might help you to deal with food in a healthier way.

Some days when I can't get past my depression, the only thing that relieves me is some form of creativity. Whether it is sketching a landscape, writing a poem, or working on a quilt top, I can focus on the project when I can't focus on anything else. What type of art do you find therapeutic?

It really does help to find the right therapist who understands your issues. Sometimes personalities don't mesh well, or the therapist may have a particular field of expertise that doesn't match well with your needs. It is important to find the right person to help overcome your OCD.

Many people have a phobia about something. There are some common phobias, such as a fear of snakes or heights. Others are troubled by uncommon fears. I am acquainted with someone who is deathly aftraid of pickles. I have my suspicions about why this person has this fear, but I don't know them well enough to explore it with them. Have you heard of any other uncommon phobias?

The Harvard take-down is number two on the list for me. My favorite scene is when Will explains geopolitcal politics from the standpoint of a working class person to the recruiter for the NSA.

Recently it has come to light that Kansas wants to require all domestic abuse survivors to undergo a psychological evaluation in order to receive services from partner agencies. As a result of this and other contractual requirements, some of the established, successful helping agencies aren't going to provide services any more. This sure seems to suggest that it is the victim's fault that they are abused.

I have also experienced both not eating and stress eating to cope with depression. During one particularly bad month, I lost 30 pounds because nothing tasted good and I seemed to get full very quickly. Of course I gained it all back eating junk food later.

I am a new user here, so I'm not familiar with your situation. However, it is very easy to get lost in the cogs of a college or university. I hope your new medication is helping you to be more stable. Sometimes it can take time to find just the right regimen.

I have to give respect to the media outlet, though. With the family's permission, they followed up with a few stories about depression and available resources in the community.

I love this idea! I do try to stop when I notice I am berating myself, but it is a deeply ingrained behavior. I would never be as mean to anyone else as I am to me. I'll have to try the Perry Mason routine. Thanks for the laugh!

Most people have a difficult time quieting their minds when they first begin to meditate. I have a hard time with it, but it is a learned behavior. Sometimes I will just sit quietly for a few minutes and practice deep breathing exercises. i often use the breathing patterns I learned in birthing classes. They tend to help when I start to panic.

I appreciate all the description of how OCD works for others. I have never been specifically diagnosed, but I definitely have similar tendancies. Mine seem to be focused mostly on leaving the house. I'm not agoraphobic, but I need to check certain things like the coffee pot before I can leave. Checking once makes sense. But I have to really reason with myself that the machine didn't plug itself back in while my back was turned. It is more of a problem if I'm taking a longer trip. My daughter also has these tendencies. When we were preparing to leave for a two-week trip, it took us about an hour checking and rechecking before we could leave the house.

Over the last few years I have lost a substantial amount of weight, but in my head I'm still a fat girl. I've actually startled myself by seeing my reflection in a store window or mirror, because I basically don't recognize myself. This isn't really an eating disorder per se, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this disparity between appearance and mental image?

I know someone who uses marijuana to control his bipolar symptoms. He has been on a few drugs, such as lithium. He says the pharmaceuticals don't work as well, and cause him side effects. Have you heard of others who used cannabis for mental disorders?

I agree five seems a little young to be able to accurately diagnose those issues. I'm not saying it isn't possible, but it might be good to try some of the other things before going to medication. Diet in particular can have a huge effect on human behavior. If he eats a lot of foods high in sugar, caffeine, and preservatives, his behavior problems could be partly caused by those foods. He may also have a food allergy, which can impact behavior.

Part of the reason the co-workers were so shocked is because he was one of those "fake it 'til you make it" types. My relative works in the media, so it was essential to maintain the facade of happiness in order to keep his job. The co-workers all knew he had his ups and downs, but they just couldn't fathom the depths in which he secretly lived.