ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Brain Health and Tangential Ramblings

Thought this was interesting:

Thirty-two years or so of taking high dosages of antipsychotic medication apparently hasn’t ruined my brain. Aside from being a writer, I am still able to meet most of my needs–except for relying on Social Security rather than having a day job.

I get some enjoyment in meeting the daily challenges of life. I am able to carry on an intelligent conversation. And I am able to deal with my computer issues rather than relying on the help of supposed computer experts. By most criteria that people could apply, it would appear that I am not severely brain damaged by medication or by the illness. This is not to deny that there are still some things that most non-afflicted people can handle that I can’t.

Effort is a factor. Antipsychotic medication tends to slow things down and sometimes shuts them down. However, if effort is put into brain-intensive activities, such as taking a class, reading a lot of printed material (such as books, online text, and magazines) or focusing on a task, it exercises the brain. Antipsychotic medication can make these things difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. Yet, if we gently but firmly push past that barrier and do something that requires concentration, it is good for the brain.

Read the full column:

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2015-07-17/article/43500?headline=-ON-MENTAL-ILLNESS-Brain-Health-and-Tangential-Ramblings--Jack-Bragen

Can I get an “amen”?? How long have I been shouting this at a brick wall here?

Pixel.

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