I live in East Tennessee. We have our homeless folks here, but fewer than LA. My daughter used to work at our local library and took a workshop on Homelessness. She shared with me much of what she learned. The library director at that time wanted them “banished” from the library where they would spend at least part of their days when the weather was bad. Many of the library employees wanted to enact a program to help those who wanted it. There is a new director now, so hopefully, it will come to pass.
When my daughter was in elementary school, she needed tutoring in math. A wonderful math teacher from another school tutored in the afternoons. She went 2x a week. I watched him teach the kids and was amazed at his technique. He told them over and over in various ways that they were smart, they remembered how to do “this,” there was nothing going to hold them back, math was easy, and on & on he would say these types of things. I saw very little “math” being taught but the kids loved him and would bring in their test scores to show him how they did, including my daughter. I asked him about his methods. He explained that most kids needed someone on their side that cheered them on. He chose to be that person.
My “works” have come to encompass a cheerleading aspect for people. Many of the women that come to me needed someone to cheer them on until they learned they could do it for themselves. I was one of those once, so now I show others how to care for & love themselves. Many of us care-taking types, which you seem to be among those who care, often put ourselves last. I am grateful you are breathing, meditating, and being.
Besides The Four Agreements, Greg Braden’s- Fractal Time helped me tremendously. I looked at my life while I was in crisis and thought of all the seemly random things that had happened to me. Reading and applying Factal Time to my life, I saw a pattern emerge. I could then predict the challenge I was likely to face and prepare in advance. I cycled through various areas of life. Astrology is the science of cycles using the sun, moon, and planets. It became another avenue to my awakening.
You said in your post, “The exterior is a direct consequence of the beauty of the interior.” I believe we were meant to have this conversation, to lift each other. The beauty in your words, the conviction you display, and the evident passion for those within your reach are proof enough that your beauty is making a difference. You and I may never see the full-grown plants we water, fertilize and watched over. Change is a long game. May we see enough of the tender buds, so we can have heart keep it all up.
Terrain Theory (as opposed to germ theory- one germ/virus causes an illness) is a theory where your environment and how you react/respond to it is what causes illness. I have applied it to society at large in my comment.
I am not familiar with Watkins, Orduna, or kapo structures. My expertise is in metaphysics. Are you familiar with Miguel Ruiz “The Four Agreements?” While you are concerned with the exterior environment, and rightly so, (no judgment, just observation) my life is dedicated to assisting those clear up their interior environment. Becoming & feeling empowered on the inside allows outside forces to change, in my experience and those of my clients.
We are all working toward the same goal, just using different approaches, in my opinion.
Beautifully written. I hear you. Similar to you, I believe in the Terrain Theory in learning to bee. Everything must be addressed and adjusted within ourselves so that our external will become what we need to thrive in our hive.
I did just this after my Crisis began in 1998. I grew up a military brat with all that lifestyle entails. I was in and out of hospitals, tried at least 2 dozen Rx drugs & came to the conclusion that the indigenous peoples had the right idea. I was having a spiritual awakening with no in-person guide. In 2011, I got off all the meds and rebuilt my life- an upgraded version to Cathy 2.0
Thank you for becoming the best version of you and sharing your journey with others.
I’m so glad you discovered Reiki. I have been a Reiki Master for 8 yrs now and find it a wonderful way to heal and connect. It is gentle enough, as you have found, to allow the process without great discomfort.
By learning Reiki and a gentler form of meditation, I was able to discontinue all the meds I was on. Some people are extra sensitive to the world and how others react to you. I know I was one of those and had come to realize that with this awareness I was able to cut the cord of needing other’s approval of my actions.
Becoming aware has been the way I healed. I wish you well on your journey. You are listening to yourself and your needs. That’s a good thing. 🙂
Your analysis seems to be able to dovetail with the Epigenetic Theory where you can inherit beliefs and traumas. It seems we are watching some of this in real-time with all the mass migration going on at this present time. I do not look forward to the children & grandchildren’s issues coming from these immigrants and the people they moved nearby.
I grew up in a military family- moving nearly every 18 months. Living as a child in different parts of the US can be like moving to a different country & culture! Adding the stress of language & other dramatic differences would be very difficult to comprehend for most folks. It’s a sink or swim situation to be sure. Thank you for bringing forth this information.
Excellent report. I appreciate your thoroughness. Subvet416 above gave an interesting option to help folks- Orthomolecular Therapy and Creative Psychology. I have used TRE-Tension/Trauma Release Exercise developed by Dr. David Berceli. He developed it to use on populations that have been through a war or natural disasters as a way to release the trauma of a crisis event.
It is an amazing modality and easy to do no matter your ability.
I agree that psych drugs can cause you to become suicidal. I was on them for 13 years and the years I was on the most drugs are the years I was most suicidal and in the hospital. Once I reduced then stopped the meds I regained my sanity. Unfortunately, the meds had a detrimental effect on my body. I now have Temporal Lobe Seizures along with kidney problems.
The information you gave in this article is invaluable for those beginning their emotional journey.
Thank you for getting this info out there! Yes, there is hope and healing from what we were told was a life-long illness that we just had to put up with. When I realized I didn’t have to stay sick, I began building a foundation of meditation and real childhood healing so that my discontinuation of meds would be successful. I used nutritional supplements & better food along with getting the gluten out of my diet. I am 9 years free of psych meds and still healing what the meds did to my body. Each small thing I do gets me closer to my goal- mentally & physically.
At the moment I am an In Our Own Voice presenter. I agreed to do at least two presentations and was referred by folks I knew at our local NAMI Affiliate. After I agreed to do this, I began investigating NAMI. I had heard positive things before I joined but after, I began seeing contradictions.
I will finish my second presentation in a couple of weeks. Then I am done with NAMI having fulfilled my contract. During my talk, I speak about how the drugs did not help me and other therapies worked better. All this is couched in the “in my experience” speech required by NAMI. I can’t name folks who can help people nor suggest these other therapies to anyone. It is very frustrating and disheartening.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your experience as a leader in this organization. I am glad to be leaving this group so that I can intentionally spread info that really helps people.
Thank you, Jane, for sharing your experience! I, too, have drug-free since 2011. As you described, it is not an easy journey and you pretty much have to be your own best friend/doctor/therapist/coach during it all. So glad you made it!
I recently found that psych meds (and others) tend to deplete your store of vitamins and minerals while also making it hard to absorb them in your gut. I am seeing a wellness doctor to learn how to restore these. B Complex is essential along with magnesium & potassium. Even a sub-clinical deficiency can cause major problems. Lack of Thiamine is Beri-Beri and can give you some of the symptoms you describe. Research for yourself to discover if this is something you might need to look into. 🙂
Congratulations on a job well done.
I was in an outpatient DBT class in 2003 for two months in between 4 one-week hospitalizations (2 in 2002 and 2 in 2005). I was still deep in the medical model and on several meds during this time. I found the therapy helpful while giving me hope. I had a husband, teen son and 6yr old daughter at home and was fortunate they were at school and work while I attended this therapy. DBT gave me a refresher course on what I intuitively knew but was too drugged to remember. I am a more spiritually minded person anyway but was not acquainted with eastern thought at that time. Even though I was inpatient 2 more times after the class, those were much less intense. One never knows what you can glean from an encounter that will serve you later on. I have a personal story on this site published back in Sept 23rd 2018- A Healing Journey: Leaving Psychiatry Behind. I credit this class for beginning my journey to become psych-drug-free since 2011.
Thank you for your sweet comment! I have found that encouragement comes when we need if we open our eyes to see. Yours did that for me. 🙂 I have used some short-term fasting a couple of times. It was quite helpful. I wish you well in your temporary hard moment. Though darkness may seem forever, joy comes in the morning!
It is so uplifting to hear of another’s journey out of psychiatric care. I have experienced this as well. As you explain, it was a long time coming. A book that helped me (and I have re-read many times!) was The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. You can get it as a free PDF download or purchase it on Amazon. May you be blessed as you continue your life in a deeper way. 🙂
Thank you, Annette, for sharing a bit about your journey! I found Dawson Church’s Genie in Your Genes and after reading about his explanation of Epigenetics, I felt I had found a real source of my family’s problems. 🙂 To change the long-held beliefs I used a form of Theta Therapy that a friend and I came up with that is a mash-up of several different brain entrainment/meditation modalities. We started using this info back in 2012. Many people are waking up from a bad dream and it’s nice that some of us have been through the “fire” to guide others. Sending blessings to you as well. <3
Thank you for this well done and integrated article. I have been doing research for my 2nd book and have found much of what you have put forth. I find it humorous that you are using a term- pseudoscience- that has been leveled at more holistic practices and hurling it back at the psychiatric paradigm! I realize there is a need for at least a basic form of universal healthcare but my fear is that holistic practices, that are far more effective, will not be covered and therefore folks won’t see them as viable options. If more of us get in on the disclosure of how the recent pharmaceutical practices are harming us and promote how holistic means are helping then perhaps we can turn the tide in our favor at a grassroots level.
Thank you for your work and I look forward to listening to your podcasts. 🙂
Thank you, Rossa, for the interesting interview! I purchased the CD’s I used from https://www.holosync.com/ I was so impressed with the first level, I bought the 2nd level about a year later. I recently purchased all 12 levels and am starting on level 3. This one has affirmations that I recorded underneath all the other sounds. Cerebral integration was one of the benefits touted in the use of binaural beats when it discussed building new neural connections. At the time, I just knew I was feeling better and had a clearer thinking process. Now after study, I realize why. With your information, I feel it adds to the whole of my understanding. I appreciate your sharing with me! 🙂
I had read about Malidoma Some, an African Shaman, a few South American shamans, and their views. I am much in agreement with their assessment of mental illness. Our perspectives rule our outcomes, I feel. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
My new “mantra” for how I live my life is- if what is there is not working for my good, build something else that makes the old way obsolete. My view of psychiatry as it has become today is it is a government sanctioned cult. Those indoctrinated to the cults values (the doctors, nurses, caregivers) are as trapped as we once were. Cults need followers to thrive. I pray they see that their prison door can be opened if they choose to see another way.
Thank you for reading, Rosalee. I have found the best justice is to live my best life, whatever that looks like, in the moment I live it. Crimes may have been committed against me but for the amount of time I carried the anger, I relived those crimes daily. When I released them (the doctors and hospitals), I truly was set free to live as I chose. It didn’t happen all at once, but it did happen.
Bless you, Jane, as you bless others.
Report comment
I live in East Tennessee. We have our homeless folks here, but fewer than LA. My daughter used to work at our local library and took a workshop on Homelessness. She shared with me much of what she learned. The library director at that time wanted them “banished” from the library where they would spend at least part of their days when the weather was bad. Many of the library employees wanted to enact a program to help those who wanted it. There is a new director now, so hopefully, it will come to pass.
When my daughter was in elementary school, she needed tutoring in math. A wonderful math teacher from another school tutored in the afternoons. She went 2x a week. I watched him teach the kids and was amazed at his technique. He told them over and over in various ways that they were smart, they remembered how to do “this,” there was nothing going to hold them back, math was easy, and on & on he would say these types of things. I saw very little “math” being taught but the kids loved him and would bring in their test scores to show him how they did, including my daughter. I asked him about his methods. He explained that most kids needed someone on their side that cheered them on. He chose to be that person.
My “works” have come to encompass a cheerleading aspect for people. Many of the women that come to me needed someone to cheer them on until they learned they could do it for themselves. I was one of those once, so now I show others how to care for & love themselves. Many of us care-taking types, which you seem to be among those who care, often put ourselves last. I am grateful you are breathing, meditating, and being.
Besides The Four Agreements, Greg Braden’s- Fractal Time helped me tremendously. I looked at my life while I was in crisis and thought of all the seemly random things that had happened to me. Reading and applying Factal Time to my life, I saw a pattern emerge. I could then predict the challenge I was likely to face and prepare in advance. I cycled through various areas of life. Astrology is the science of cycles using the sun, moon, and planets. It became another avenue to my awakening.
You said in your post, “The exterior is a direct consequence of the beauty of the interior.” I believe we were meant to have this conversation, to lift each other. The beauty in your words, the conviction you display, and the evident passion for those within your reach are proof enough that your beauty is making a difference. You and I may never see the full-grown plants we water, fertilize and watched over. Change is a long game. May we see enough of the tender buds, so we can have heart keep it all up.
Report comment
Terrain Theory (as opposed to germ theory- one germ/virus causes an illness) is a theory where your environment and how you react/respond to it is what causes illness. I have applied it to society at large in my comment.
I am not familiar with Watkins, Orduna, or kapo structures. My expertise is in metaphysics. Are you familiar with Miguel Ruiz “The Four Agreements?” While you are concerned with the exterior environment, and rightly so, (no judgment, just observation) my life is dedicated to assisting those clear up their interior environment. Becoming & feeling empowered on the inside allows outside forces to change, in my experience and those of my clients.
We are all working toward the same goal, just using different approaches, in my opinion.
Report comment
Beautifully written. I hear you. Similar to you, I believe in the Terrain Theory in learning to bee. Everything must be addressed and adjusted within ourselves so that our external will become what we need to thrive in our hive.
I did just this after my Crisis began in 1998. I grew up a military brat with all that lifestyle entails. I was in and out of hospitals, tried at least 2 dozen Rx drugs & came to the conclusion that the indigenous peoples had the right idea. I was having a spiritual awakening with no in-person guide. In 2011, I got off all the meds and rebuilt my life- an upgraded version to Cathy 2.0
Thank you for becoming the best version of you and sharing your journey with others.
Report comment
I’m so glad you discovered Reiki. I have been a Reiki Master for 8 yrs now and find it a wonderful way to heal and connect. It is gentle enough, as you have found, to allow the process without great discomfort.
By learning Reiki and a gentler form of meditation, I was able to discontinue all the meds I was on. Some people are extra sensitive to the world and how others react to you. I know I was one of those and had come to realize that with this awareness I was able to cut the cord of needing other’s approval of my actions.
Becoming aware has been the way I healed. I wish you well on your journey. You are listening to yourself and your needs. That’s a good thing. 🙂
Report comment
Your analysis seems to be able to dovetail with the Epigenetic Theory where you can inherit beliefs and traumas. It seems we are watching some of this in real-time with all the mass migration going on at this present time. I do not look forward to the children & grandchildren’s issues coming from these immigrants and the people they moved nearby.
I grew up in a military family- moving nearly every 18 months. Living as a child in different parts of the US can be like moving to a different country & culture! Adding the stress of language & other dramatic differences would be very difficult to comprehend for most folks. It’s a sink or swim situation to be sure. Thank you for bringing forth this information.
Report comment
Excellent report. I appreciate your thoroughness. Subvet416 above gave an interesting option to help folks- Orthomolecular Therapy and Creative Psychology. I have used TRE-Tension/Trauma Release Exercise developed by Dr. David Berceli. He developed it to use on populations that have been through a war or natural disasters as a way to release the trauma of a crisis event.
It is an amazing modality and easy to do no matter your ability.
I agree that psych drugs can cause you to become suicidal. I was on them for 13 years and the years I was on the most drugs are the years I was most suicidal and in the hospital. Once I reduced then stopped the meds I regained my sanity. Unfortunately, the meds had a detrimental effect on my body. I now have Temporal Lobe Seizures along with kidney problems.
The information you gave in this article is invaluable for those beginning their emotional journey.
Report comment
Thank you for getting this info out there! Yes, there is hope and healing from what we were told was a life-long illness that we just had to put up with. When I realized I didn’t have to stay sick, I began building a foundation of meditation and real childhood healing so that my discontinuation of meds would be successful. I used nutritional supplements & better food along with getting the gluten out of my diet. I am 9 years free of psych meds and still healing what the meds did to my body. Each small thing I do gets me closer to my goal- mentally & physically.
Report comment
At the moment I am an In Our Own Voice presenter. I agreed to do at least two presentations and was referred by folks I knew at our local NAMI Affiliate. After I agreed to do this, I began investigating NAMI. I had heard positive things before I joined but after, I began seeing contradictions.
I will finish my second presentation in a couple of weeks. Then I am done with NAMI having fulfilled my contract. During my talk, I speak about how the drugs did not help me and other therapies worked better. All this is couched in the “in my experience” speech required by NAMI. I can’t name folks who can help people nor suggest these other therapies to anyone. It is very frustrating and disheartening.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your experience as a leader in this organization. I am glad to be leaving this group so that I can intentionally spread info that really helps people.
Report comment
Thank you, Jane, for sharing your experience! I, too, have drug-free since 2011. As you described, it is not an easy journey and you pretty much have to be your own best friend/doctor/therapist/coach during it all. So glad you made it!
I recently found that psych meds (and others) tend to deplete your store of vitamins and minerals while also making it hard to absorb them in your gut. I am seeing a wellness doctor to learn how to restore these. B Complex is essential along with magnesium & potassium. Even a sub-clinical deficiency can cause major problems. Lack of Thiamine is Beri-Beri and can give you some of the symptoms you describe. Research for yourself to discover if this is something you might need to look into. 🙂
Congratulations on a job well done.
Report comment
I was in an outpatient DBT class in 2003 for two months in between 4 one-week hospitalizations (2 in 2002 and 2 in 2005). I was still deep in the medical model and on several meds during this time. I found the therapy helpful while giving me hope. I had a husband, teen son and 6yr old daughter at home and was fortunate they were at school and work while I attended this therapy. DBT gave me a refresher course on what I intuitively knew but was too drugged to remember. I am a more spiritually minded person anyway but was not acquainted with eastern thought at that time. Even though I was inpatient 2 more times after the class, those were much less intense. One never knows what you can glean from an encounter that will serve you later on. I have a personal story on this site published back in Sept 23rd 2018- A Healing Journey: Leaving Psychiatry Behind. I credit this class for beginning my journey to become psych-drug-free since 2011.
Report comment
Thank you for your sweet comment! I have found that encouragement comes when we need if we open our eyes to see. Yours did that for me. 🙂 I have used some short-term fasting a couple of times. It was quite helpful. I wish you well in your temporary hard moment. Though darkness may seem forever, joy comes in the morning!
Report comment
It is so uplifting to hear of another’s journey out of psychiatric care. I have experienced this as well. As you explain, it was a long time coming. A book that helped me (and I have re-read many times!) was The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. You can get it as a free PDF download or purchase it on Amazon. May you be blessed as you continue your life in a deeper way. 🙂
Report comment
Thank you, Annette, for sharing a bit about your journey! I found Dawson Church’s Genie in Your Genes and after reading about his explanation of Epigenetics, I felt I had found a real source of my family’s problems. 🙂 To change the long-held beliefs I used a form of Theta Therapy that a friend and I came up with that is a mash-up of several different brain entrainment/meditation modalities. We started using this info back in 2012. Many people are waking up from a bad dream and it’s nice that some of us have been through the “fire” to guide others. Sending blessings to you as well. <3
Report comment
Thank you for this well done and integrated article. I have been doing research for my 2nd book and have found much of what you have put forth. I find it humorous that you are using a term- pseudoscience- that has been leveled at more holistic practices and hurling it back at the psychiatric paradigm! I realize there is a need for at least a basic form of universal healthcare but my fear is that holistic practices, that are far more effective, will not be covered and therefore folks won’t see them as viable options. If more of us get in on the disclosure of how the recent pharmaceutical practices are harming us and promote how holistic means are helping then perhaps we can turn the tide in our favor at a grassroots level.
Thank you for your work and I look forward to listening to your podcasts. 🙂
Report comment
Thank you, Rossa, for the interesting interview! I purchased the CD’s I used from https://www.holosync.com/ I was so impressed with the first level, I bought the 2nd level about a year later. I recently purchased all 12 levels and am starting on level 3. This one has affirmations that I recorded underneath all the other sounds. Cerebral integration was one of the benefits touted in the use of binaural beats when it discussed building new neural connections. At the time, I just knew I was feeling better and had a clearer thinking process. Now after study, I realize why. With your information, I feel it adds to the whole of my understanding. I appreciate your sharing with me! 🙂
Report comment
I appreciate the time you took to read my story. 🙂
Report comment
I had read about Malidoma Some, an African Shaman, a few South American shamans, and their views. I am much in agreement with their assessment of mental illness. Our perspectives rule our outcomes, I feel. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Report comment
Win/Win indeed! It is never too late to live your best life. I appreciate you sharing bits of your journey. 🙂
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Thank you, Alex. It is refreshing to hear others are looking for the light as well. 🙂
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My new “mantra” for how I live my life is- if what is there is not working for my good, build something else that makes the old way obsolete. My view of psychiatry as it has become today is it is a government sanctioned cult. Those indoctrinated to the cults values (the doctors, nurses, caregivers) are as trapped as we once were. Cults need followers to thrive. I pray they see that their prison door can be opened if they choose to see another way.
Report comment
Thank you for reading, Rosalee. I have found the best justice is to live my best life, whatever that looks like, in the moment I live it. Crimes may have been committed against me but for the amount of time I carried the anger, I relived those crimes daily. When I released them (the doctors and hospitals), I truly was set free to live as I chose. It didn’t happen all at once, but it did happen.
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I am enjoying my new life, Rachel777! Thank you. 🙂
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I appreciate you taking the time to read my story and for your kind words.
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