No, I’m not thinking about the lingering physical malaise that is sometimes called “long COVID.” I’m thinking about the lingering social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual effects caused by two years of social distancing, isolation, mistrust, and fear. We all went along with it; what else could we do without further isolating ourselves? Psychologist Jody Harrington … Continue reading The long-lasting effects of COVID
depression
What if an epidemic of friendliness broke out?
There seems to be so much that has gone wrong in our world today. The leading causes of death are suicide, medically assisted death and opioid overdoses. Children are confused about gender, so many young people are involved in street gangs, middle aged people struggle with mental health issues and so many old people are … Continue reading What if an epidemic of friendliness broke out?
The virtue of vulnerability
Last Saturday, Chris and I attended a Christian writers' wordshop (a workshop about words). All the presenters were ladies; the attendees were also mostly ladies, plus four men and one boy. This is cause for much pondering; why are there so few men at this level? Yes.there are many books by male authors on the … Continue reading The virtue of vulnerability
Non-drug treatments for anxiety and depression
There was a full page ad for Nexalin in a recent edition of the Budget. This is a device which emits a low frequency electrical wave that is said to produce positive results in treating anxiety, depression, insomnia, arthritis, chronic pain and similar conditions. These treatments are available at some chiropractors and other alternative therapy … Continue reading Non-drug treatments for anxiety and depression
Lumosity better than Prozac?
A recent study of elderly persons suffering from depression compared the effects of playing cognitive training games on a computer to taking a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). The cognitive training games were found to work faster and better than the SSRI. I grant that my headline is a bit misleading. The games were not … Continue reading Lumosity better than Prozac?
Things that I know about mental illness
1. I know that mental illness sometimes has external causes. One common example would be SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) a usually mild form of seasonal depression caused by reduced hours of sunshine in winter. In the area where I live there are 17 hours between sunrise and sunset at the summer solstice and only 7 … Continue reading Things that I know about mental illness
Is anybody listening?
Christians who suffer from depression or other emotional or mental distress often face disapproval if they try to find help in psychologists and pills. It is true that there are dangers with both. What kind of help are we offering them? “Why do Christians shoot their wounded?” was the title of a book published some … Continue reading Is anybody listening?
Flatlander Faith 