Helping Yourself

There is a statistic floating around in cyberspace saying the self help industry in the United States is a recession-proof industry raking in $11 billion dollars as recently as the year 2010.With all that money changing hands in the name of personal development, I can't help but think of those who need help, but do not have the financial resources to pay for sessions with a psychologist, or to visit a retreat/conference or even purchase a book from the local bookstore. People that are looking for any help that they can get, but just don't know where to turn. 

Mental Illness is at the root of so many problems, and if you are struggling, please know there are options out there, and you should not give up. With today's technology, it actually has become a little easier to help yourself through tough times. 

Before I get to some very helpful resources, I am going to remind everyone about some more traditional options. Dialing 211 on your telephone in most states, you'll be connected to resource information in your area, whether it be for food, shelter, healthcare, employment, or counseling to name a few. To find out if your state has 211 service, please click here.  Full website: 211 Us website link

Most every community has at least one church, and many churches provide a lot of support to those in need. Churches often have a variety of assistance programs, and access to counseling resources and worth looking into.

Depression: The Anti-Depression Skills Workbook

It's tough to make change in your life when you are afflicted with depression, one of the most common mental illnesses experienced. A friend of mine went through a very challenge time after the loss of a parent to cancer. After being a caregiver to the parent, and a long period of underemployment, my friend's financial resources were depleted, along with her ability to cope with practically every aspect of her life.

She sank into a deep depression. A self-care guide written and designed by university psychologists was recommended to her. The Anti-depressant Skills Workbook (ASW) helped her work through the depression and get her life back on track. She clung to that book for several months. She said the book is very simple to follow (it has to be when it comes to depression) and it taught her how to change the thinking process that comes with depression. Her spirit returned, life became sweet again and she hasn't looked back since.

The ASW is available in PDF for download to your computer (free). You can also read it on screen and print work sheet forms right from the web page, as needed (free). It can also be downloaded as an audio book (free). They will also mail a copy of the workbook ($15 plus shipping/taxes) . The workbook is available in several different languages.

Click here for the link to Anti Depressant Skills Workbook

7 Cups of Tea

One of the hardest things to do, for people in need, is to talk about their problems. When faced with opening up to a family member or a friend, many people chose to remain quiet because they fear being judged, punished or ridiculed about their problems. How can a person find someone that will be a compassionate listener in times of need and crisis?

Providing one has an Internet connection, there are people standing by, ready to listen at 7cupsoftea.com. Trained listeners are available via telephone or via online chat. It is all confidential and all conversations are permanently deleted afterwards. The point of 7 Cups of Tea is to offer unconditional support to those who are struggling. Listeners can be anyone; some are students, certified counselors from some of the site's partners, and some of them actually started out as members needed to talk in the first place. 7cups founder, Glen Moriarty is a psychologist, and he leads the team at a very sophisticated website that truly cares about helping people. It's worth a visit just to see what they are doing...

How 7 Cups of Tea works link

 There's An App for That...

Thanks to today's technology, help can only be a tap on your smart phone or tablet screen away with countless health and mental well being applications. There are so many self help apps out there from free to a few dollars, that it's impossible to mention them all. Because stress and anxiety appear to be at all time highs, I will mention this one, Breathe 2 Relax from Itunes (free); we all need to improve on our breathing habits to better manage stress.

Try doing a search on Itunes, or Amazon Kindle or Google Play  in the health categories for your specific needs, then read the customer reviews. 

 I believe it is now possible to obtain a government benefit, Lifeline smart phone, providing internet so you can use some of the above self help options. At the very least, a library card at your local library will give you access to computers and the Internet, plus many shelves of traditional self help books to browse. 

Remember, don't give up...you can get through it!

Presenting the New Cover/ Title for My Book !

Well...here it is! I've re-printed a second edition of my first book which is now available. I decided to refresh the cover art, as well as christening it with a new title: An Uphill Struggle: From ADHD to Chemical Addiction, A Mother's Story. Both the title and the new artwork really depict what a struggle ADHD is, particularly when combined with drug abuse/addiction.

I may have been ahead of my time, first releasing the book back in 2005.To read more on my reason's for re-printing, re-launching my book, and, this blog for that matter, please click here to be directed to an earlier blog post explaining it all.

I worked with a wonderful graphic designer, Michelle Reaney (Thunderpeep Designs). As I said earlier, she really nailed the cover. Above, you can see the concept she created, with the front and back covers sharing the "uphill struggle" image.

Below you'll see the  book cover concept laid out into a banner design for my re-designed website, barbarasreason.com.I am really happy with the results...thanks everyone, for letting me indulge!

Food for Thought and so Much More

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Vegetarian Chile: Link

It’s been said cashews are a natural anti-depressant, cranberries are good for urinary tract infections, cucumber and water melon are excellent anti-oxidant foods and eating cherries can reduce attacks of Gout. But what about ADHD? Is there a food that can help with that? Although health website, livestrong.com dedicates a page for Adult ADHD Diet (as well as one for ADHD kids diet) they report that there is very little scientific evidence to prove certain foods and diets can help with ADHD symptoms.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution webpage

What they do suggest is a variety of brain foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids: tuna, salmon, ground flax seeds and walnuts, as well as a protein rich diet. And, of course, livestrong also suggests steering clear of foods that contain additives like sodium benzoate, yellow or red food coloring often found in candy, soda, ice cream, processed foods, etc.



 According to celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, eating a healthy diet helps him manage his ADHD. Whether we have ADHD or not, we can never be reminded enough about the importance of a healthy diet. Though changing eating habits for some can be one of the most difficult tasks to undertake. However, after learning more about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, we've discovered some of his tips to assist you with the challenge...


1) Clean up your kitchen! 
Jamie says "the kitchen is there to do a job." Remove all non- kitchen items and take back the space.

2) Dump those sugary sodas and unhealthy snacks!
These items should never ever be a substitute for water or food. If you do not buy them, then they aren't there to consume!

3) Team up with a friend or relative who knows how to cook!
Jamie makes a point of how there are generations now that don't know how to cook. He recommends teaming up with friends or relatives that know how to cook so you can learn from them.

4) Cook a fresh meal once per week!
 Once per week is baby steps, but really we should set the bar a little higher to 2 or 3 times a week.

5)  If you have kids, teach them to be more street smart when it comes to food

 The point being, parents teach children how to safely cross the road, so why not teach them about the perils of consuming a diet of unhealthy foods?

Jamie's Food Revolution has mostly been geared towards making changes in school lunch menus in the UK and the USA (and it has had some success). However, just looking at the photo above, it's easily translates to adults as well. Why not let it inspire all of us to instigate a revolution in our own kitchens? 

Summer time is a great time to start!


To learn more about Jamie Oliver, his ADHD diagnosis, etc, check out this Jillian Michaels interview with Jamie: click here

Mental Health Headlines

Although the above video was produced in 2010, we still have a ways to go with eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Let's watch it and share it! 

Now for some recent Mental Health headlines...

Anderson Cooper tries out a schizophrenia simulator in order to understand what those afflicted with the disorder experience. Anderson's eye opening experience, with video 

Newsweek examines research into new ways to diagnose ADHD. Can MRI's Diagnose ADHD?

Television news reporter, Lisa Ling reveals ADHD diagnosis. ABC News has the interview and report.

An Addiction and Recovery blog at psychcentral.com addresses a challenging question for almost 58 million working American's with mental illness...To Disclose or Not to Disclose: Mental Illness at Work

Even the money obsessed publication that is Forbes.com bid a nice farewell to Maya Angelou... Good-bye Maya Angelou: Teacher, Warrior, Spiritual Leader

ADHD: Oh, the Places You Can Go! Part Two

Disney World

 Yes, Mr. Walt Disney was said to have ADHD. It practically goes without say the guy was a creative genius who also had the smarts to put his brother, Roy in charge of the business end of the growing Disney empire. Walt was competitive and driven to take risks with technology to make his dreams of animation a reality. 

photo from swimswam.com

Also competitive and driven are some of the greatest athletes of our time. However, despite an ADHD diagnosis, they figured out how to reach the pinnacles of their sports. Michael Phelps transformed a lack of focus and sitting still into an amazing career as a competitive swimmer, becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete ever.  

Michael Jordan's sports empire, built on his sublime talent for playing basketball continues to expand. Michael has taken "doing a million things at once" a common symptom of ADHD, and turned it into an art form, and a lot of cash.

Olympic Ice Hockey champion, and the first woman player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Cammi Granato channeled the restlessness and energy that comes with ADHD into her game making her one of the greatest women to ever play the game.

Albert Einstein

A young Thomas Edison

It has been often speculated that legendary minds, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison had ADHD based on what was known of their behavior. Thom Hartmann authored a book titled the Edison Gene, which is like a nickname for ADHD. Sounds so much better to refer to ADHD as the “Edison Gene” doesn’t it? 

The introduction to Hartmann’s book contains an enlightening story about a trip he took to a very small place in India in 1993. On the train he sat with Indian businessmen and one Indian physician. Hartman decided to ask the physician about what we call ADHD in the western world, and if he was familiar with the brain disorder. 

Hartmann described the typical symptoms and behavior to the doctor. The doctor said. “Ah, yes, we know this type well.” The Indian businessmen nodded their heads in agreement. Hartmann asked the men, “What do you call these people?” The doctor said, “Very Holy. These are old souls on the end of their karmic cycle.” All the men nodded their heads in complete agreement with the doctor. The very holy ones! Isn’t that something? 

Now, ADHD people shouldn’t let this go to their heads, but this is yet another perspective on the disorder that most definitely could bring a little peace to anyone who is having a tough time coming to terms with an ADHD diagnosis. 

Perhaps that's why there are plenty of webpage articles in cyberspace listing famous and successful people with ADHD. These ADHD celebrities are a light that shines brightly on a still misunderstood brain condition. They may be attracting more acceptance in the name of ADHD, but, whether they realize it or not, they are also saying... 

if they can do it, so can you!

Successful People with ADHD: Link