142- Today's psychotherapy

Today I had my regular, non-cbt therapy session - I'll specify here that my normal therapist didn't study for CBT which, in France at least, is a specialty. When I asked to see him more often than every 3 months, so I could work on my social anxieties, he had sent me to a colleague to concentrate on that part, and thus we can continue working on my other traumas - though, evidently, from session to session there is a portion that is a mix of updating him about my past 3 months, and that includes talking a bit about my CBT and personal research I've done in the psych subjects because I've been hands-on in my attempts to progress towards healing.

141- CBT2016-8

Back from a long afternoon, quite tired as I had my 8th CBT session, and food shopping both at the organic store and the supermarket (after a break between each).

Last session, my therapist had asked if my wife could come discuss the various pieces of advice and support my wife gives me, becoming a co-therapist in the process. 

Today, we went ; I was a bit anxious, once more, as I felt I hadn't done enough of my exposures, and yet again my therapist pointed out after I read my notes that I did more than I gave myself credit for. 

140- Book- Je dépasse mes peurs et mes angoisses

Book- Je dépasse mes peurs et mes angoisses 
(which means ''I surpass my fears and anxieties'') 

Authors : Christophe André (psychiatrist) &Muzo (illustrator) 
Note : 7/10
Year: 2002
Publisher: Seuil
257 pages 
ISBN 978-2-7578-1746-9

This is a book in French as you could read above. The author is a therapist and after meeting a childhood friend, they embarked on this joint project. His friend Muzo illustrates the various explanations and case studies presented by Mr André, often with great humour. Sometimes, however, they verge on misogyny and specism, which reduces my overall appreciation.

139- Feminism (3) - Links Hub

I am starting an on-going link hub to feminist videos, articles, and books, in a series of links - though I can never be exhaustive about such a subject, evidently. 

First, the potty mouthed princesses drop the F word for this cause - brace yourselves for these amazing girls (and adults) 

Potty-Mouthed PrincessesDrop F-Bombs for Feminism by FCKH8.com

Potty-Mouth Princesses Part2: Girls F-Bomb Domestic Violence by FCKH8.com

Foundations by country, list on wikipedia

138- Star Trek

You may find it odd that I post this, but it actually has a purpose. The fact that today 50 years ago, the first Star Trek episode has no direct bearing on my mental health. Yet, star trek has been an important part of my life, ever since I first discovered it, about 30 years ago.

137 - Electrified nerve endings...

(note, these feet aren't mine, I didn't want to shock anyone with a photo of my stitches from last year)

In July 2015, I had undergone a small surgical operation. The dermatologist thought it was best to operate on a slightly suspicious moll at the bottom of my foot which had changed color and grew a bit and had been hurting me periodically, like stinging needles. 

136-CBT 2016-7

This morning, I was a bit anxious about this 7th session, because I hadn't really fulfilled the tasks I was set to on mast last CBT. 

Indeed, I had a few exposure tasks, but didn't do them daily as I was supposed to.
I tried a few of them, but outside factors delayed me. 

Indeed, I was supposed to invite more new friends (people that I know less) and have tried to do that, but because it was August, I didn't manage to actually receive and entertain these friends. Instead, I did manage to invite closer friends - 1 for a meal and a movie, another for 2 movies and a meal, and went with him to the theater the next day, as well as on a road trip a few days later. 

I was supposed to go to the public gardens more often, and in 3 weeks have gone only to one, once. I really need to do that more often.

135- Suicide Awareness (1) : why is it important to raise it ?

September is national (US) suicide prevention awareness month - a mouthful title for another very important in mental health. 

On the 10th, the entire world will join this action. 

I believe that the stigma of this topic is made even more strongly than general mental health, because it relates to death - and more precisely to a person who takes away their own life, which is contrary to our innate self preservation instinct. 

Yet, over a MILLION people commit suicide every year, worldwide. 
One person commits suicide every 40 seconds. Every 40 seconds. 

How is that possible ? How is it that so many feel they have no hope, no possible improvement in their life conditions that they not only think about taking their own lives, but actually do it?