A member of our group has passed along this truly lovely poem, by the late Jane Kenyon, former poet laureate of New Hampshire, who struggled from depression and died an untimely death from leukemia. Her poem, "Let Evening Come," is a beautiful prayer for acceptance, patience, and hope when darkness enters our lives.
Poetry - whether we're reading it or writing it ourselves - can help us express the otherwise wordless and inexpressible movements of our souls, and can put us in contact with the transcendent beauty that lies above and beyond all human experience, even depression. Quaker Elder Parker J. Palmer reflects in this essay on the power of poetry to be a light in the darkness that guides us to face the day with faith and hope.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Next Meeting: June 25!
My apologies for the long delay in posting! We have continued to meet, but I've been so busy I've neglected this blog!
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, June 25, 2015, in the St. Agnes Parish Center Fireplace Room, from 6:30-8:00pm. Hope to see you there!
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, June 25, 2015, in the St. Agnes Parish Center Fireplace Room, from 6:30-8:00pm. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Article: "America's Imperial Mental Illness"
Eve Tushnet, "America's Imperial Mental Illness," The American Conservative (February 20, 2015).
Eve Tushnet reviews Ethan Watters' Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche, which explores the ways in which the experience and treatment of mental illness has been culturally shaped and conditioned. Watters' narrative, Tushnet contends, provides us with a critique of the American model of mental illness and might illuminate other ways of thinking about mental illness.
Eve Tushnet reviews Ethan Watters' Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche, which explores the ways in which the experience and treatment of mental illness has been culturally shaped and conditioned. Watters' narrative, Tushnet contends, provides us with a critique of the American model of mental illness and might illuminate other ways of thinking about mental illness.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Article: "Black Dog Days"
Some good advice from The Catholic Gentleman on how to deal with the Black Dog Days of depression.
Next Meeting: February 26!
I hope everyone is surviving this horrible weather in safety and warmth! Thank you to those who made our January meeting despite the cold. It was wonderful to catch up.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015, from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Parish Center Fireplace Room. Hope to see you there!
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015, from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Parish Center Fireplace Room. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Article: "Is Depression a Kind of Allergic Reaction?"
Caroline Williams, "Is Depression a Kind of Allergic Reaction?" The Guardian, January 4, 2015.
Recent studies have correlated depression with inflammatory illness (similar to an allergic reaction) and have found that markers of inflammation are elevated in people with depression. The implications may mean that finding ways to treat inflammation in the body - through medications, diet, and stress reduction - can improve depressive symptoms.
Recent studies have correlated depression with inflammatory illness (similar to an allergic reaction) and have found that markers of inflammation are elevated in people with depression. The implications may mean that finding ways to treat inflammation in the body - through medications, diet, and stress reduction - can improve depressive symptoms.
Article: "Childhood Guilt, Adult Depression?"
Jenny Chen, "Childhood Guilt, Adult Depression?" The Atlantic, January 5, 2015.
Reporting on studies that show a link between excessive feelings of guilt during childhood and the onset of depression in adulthood, this article demonstrates that feelings of guilt can cause physical changes in the brain that may contribute to psychiatric illness. These findings could enable doctors to identify children at risk for developing depression, and they provide even more motivation for parents to practice healthy parenting strategies and steer clear of "guilt-inducing" tactics. The research also targets guilt as a primary feature of depression and anxiety, indicating that learning to manage feelings of guilt might play an important role in managing depression.
Reporting on studies that show a link between excessive feelings of guilt during childhood and the onset of depression in adulthood, this article demonstrates that feelings of guilt can cause physical changes in the brain that may contribute to psychiatric illness. These findings could enable doctors to identify children at risk for developing depression, and they provide even more motivation for parents to practice healthy parenting strategies and steer clear of "guilt-inducing" tactics. The research also targets guilt as a primary feature of depression and anxiety, indicating that learning to manage feelings of guilt might play an important role in managing depression.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)