depression

Snowed – Are you missing out on life needlessly?

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

 

Winter
Avoid that ‘snowed’ feeling from medication

 

How often do you feel “snowed”? Do you feel a lack of motivation? Is your thinking sharp? Is it hard to get the energy to get off the couch? Do you nod off when you sit down? Does your thinking seem fuzzy? Do you have trouble keeping up with conversations?

Medications can make you feel ‘snowed’

Now I ask you, do you take medicine for:

Your ‘snowed’ feeling could be a result of your medication. Many of the medicines used to treat these problems have this side effect. This is especially true if you take more than one or if the dose is too high.

Sometimes there are other medicine or non-medication options that will avoid these side effects. At least a trial of a lower dose might help.

Be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor before making any changes.

Do you wonder if you might be taking one of these medicines or experiencing this type of side effect? Contact us at www.medsmash.com.

As you might imagine, where I live we had about 30 inches of snow recently. Everywhere we look we see snow.   It is beautiful for a while. It is fresh and clean and bright. The ability to take a break is refreshing. When you know you can’t go anywhere, it is easier to give yourself permission to read a book or relax in front of a favorite movie.

There are times, especially with certain injuries or emotional traumas, when medication-induced relaxation is warranted. In these cases, extra care for safety from falls and avoidance of driving are important.

But, this is not a long-term desirable state. So, again, if you are experiencing this ‘snowed’ feeling on your regular daily medication regimen, let’s see what can be done to wake you back up.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

Do you feel like you’re lacking focus and clarity?

Are you distracted by negative thoughts and/or worries?

Do you find you are working from one to-do to another with no time to think or plan?

Do distractions and daily activities override prayer? This is a common excuse for not spending time with God and in the Bible. I have certainly made this excuse and continue to do so.

Yet, there is more than enough evidence day after day that walking closely with God, daily prayer, surrendering worries is how we are designed to live. Life is more joyful. There is much more peace. Worries don’t slow you down.

There are many Bible verses that reassure us that this is exactly what we are called to do.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

John 15:7 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Mark 11:24 ESV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

Pray without ceasing,

Romans 8:26 ESV

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

I challenge you to dedicate time each day to God. I challenge myself as well.

God knows you, everything about you, and loves you no matter what. So, hand it all over, accept the peace that is yours, and take a break from the worries.

Blessings,

Michelle

 

Hate and Health

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

Slide1

Hate and negativity are bad for your health.

Holding grudges, blame, racism, oppression, and social isolation have all been linked to poorer health.

Having

  • friends to talk to
  • people who care about you
  • a sense of self-worth
  • forgiveness
  • security
  • conflict management skills
  • religion/spirituality

have all been linked with improved health.

Bad things happen to everyone. Some of these bad things are worse than others.

Every relationship has times of negativity. No person is perfect.

Prolonged negativity with no ability to cope has been linked to mental health and physical health decline.

Negativity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and more.

The health effects of negativity are even more pronounced in people over age 65. All life phases introduce change. Post-retirement these changes can include social networks, family dynamics, physical mobility decline, vision and hearing issues, limited income, home downsizing, new diagnoses, and recognition of mortality.

When harbored resentments, self-pity, and rejection are included, the negative health impact can be dramatic.

Are you living in negativity?

What could you do to let go of hurts, find sources of happiness, and reclaim your health and contentment?

For more information about the link between negativity and health, contact us at www.medsmash.com.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

The ‘Golden Rule’ holds the key for happy living. Imagine if everyone treated everyone else with the same kindness, understanding, and forgiveness they want for themselves.

Over 20 world religions have very similar versions of the Golden Rule. This concept of loving, honoring, and being tolerant of each other benefits everyone.

Matthew 7:12 NLT

The Golden Rule

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Not only are we called to treat each other as we like to be treated, we are called to love each other – even those who hurt us. Wow, talk about radical love!

Luke 6:35 NLT

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Luke 6:37 NIV

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Then, we are called to go another step forward…

Romans 12:14-21 NLT

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;

    I will pay them back,”

    says the Lord.

Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.

    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap

    burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

So we are called to love, honor, respect, and care for those who hurt us. God knows about each of those hurts. He will take care of the justice. Our role is faith and following God’s plan (which is way different than normal human response).

When we release the hurts and negativity, we are free to live unencumbered in true joy and peace.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

May this happiness and joy be yours!

Blessings,

Michelle

Life Transitions = Depression Risk

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

car-clip-art-879As my son returns to college I am fighting tears and happy at the same time. It is such a big adjustment to be away from him for several weeks at a time. I am sitting here thinking about the big impact of life transitions. We all experience them.

It is common knowledge that loss of a loved one and tragedies can increase risk of depression.

Moving, marriage, child moving out, job loss, retirement, and functional changes can increase risk of depression.

Diagnosis with a chronic illness can increase risk of depression.

As age increases, these life transitions can become more frequent.

When not recognized and addressed, depression can make you feel tired with too little energy, make it hard to concentrate and cause you to lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. It can also lead to you feeling sad and hopeless.

Depression is NOT a normal part of aging.

You do NOT have to just tolerate it and think this is your new normal.

Depression does NOT mean you have done something wrong.

There is help, and there is hope! Effective depression treatment usually requires support from people and medications. Medications that treat depression take about 8 weeks to work, so please be patient and take them every day until they work.

To further complicate things, depression is common in someone experiencing memory decline. As stated above, depression makes it harder to concentrate and remember. Cognitive or memory decline often leads to depression as the decline is recognized. Professional diagnosis and treatment is imperative to sort through what is causing what symptoms and the best course of action.

Remember, you do not have to live with depression.

If you’re interested in a depression screening, contact www.medsmash.com.

Biblical Application

If you are depressed, are you a bad person? NO!

Are you a weak Christian? NO!

Have you done something wrong? NO!

Throughout the Bible there are stories of people dealing with difficult situations, life transitions, illnesses, chronic problems. These include David and Paul and Joseph. You are not alone.

Also found throughout the Bible are messages about joy and hope. You have an eternal source of this joy and hope.

I believe part of God’s design for helping you through these difficult times is medical and psychological treatment. God gave these abilities and resources to your treatment team for your benefit.

Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Hebrews 6:19 (CEV)

This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.

Romans 12:12 (NLT)

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

I’ll be praying you find the eternal joy that is yours in Christ. And I encourage you to seek God’s blessing through treatment by your healthcare providers.

Blessings,

Michelle