The Overwhelmed Brain

Emotional Intelligence for Better Relationships

Pondering the Choice to Commit Suicide

Image still from the music video on childhood sexual abuse: “Fiona” by Asha Lightbearer

The following article is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the view of the medical or therapeutic community. Always seek professional guidance when it comes to your physical and mental health.

You usually don’t discuss suicidal thoughts with others. And because of that, they fester inside. Often the people around you have no clue what’s going on with you until it’s too late.

I personally don’t believe suicidal thoughts in themselves are necessarily unhealthy. In fact, I believe they can be a good way to use your brain the way it was designed:

To consider all outcomes of a situation, good, bad and ugly. Your brain appreciates that it has a choice. 

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Failing the Challenge – Silent Abuse in Relationships – Depressed and Unmotivated – Appreciating What Works

What do you do when you have to face a challenge that you believe you’re prepared for, but fail instead?

The feelings of failure can be debilitating, especially when you’ve spent a lot of time and energy working on self-improvement. It can feel like you’ve taken 10 steps backward. Learning comes with the challenge of applying what you’ve learned, so expect challenges to be just more than you think you’re prepared for.

When you have the tools, the challenge will come.

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Committing to a Decision – Chronic Pain and Suffering – Trouble Receiving – Expanding Beyond You

Can you commit to a decision? How do you know if you’re making the right decision?

Follow your heart is great advice… if you even know what’s in your heart. [Read more…]

Changing Bad Habits – Inspiring Letter from Someone with an Eating Disorder – Jared Fogle and Antisocial Personality Disorder (the Sociopath)

Segment one: Bad habits can be hard to change or moderate, but there are small steps you can take to make it easier to change a bad habit into a good one, or at least, a little less “bad”.

Segment two: I received an email with a heartwarming story of inspiration where someone finally realized she had a choice – and she made that choice! It was empowering and needs to be heard by anyone who feels there’s no hope for them.

Segment three: I talk about Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesperson who is now being charged with possession of child pornography and sex with minors. Once a hero to many, now a symbol of shame.

Starting the Healing Process From Child Sexual Abuse

Welcome Home Fiona music video by Asha Lightbearer

If you aren’t a childhood sexual abuse survivor, you know one.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse may not even be aware that they are a survivor. I had no clue that what I went through as a child, the trauma of receiving an enema at 7 years old, was considered a sexual violation. It was prescribed by a doctor and administered by a member of my family so it sounded like a completely legitimate medical procedure that should have only caused a minor discomfort.

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The Bad First Impression – Living with Debilitating Pain – Fear of Doing What’s Right For You

Making a bad first impression is not necessarily your fault. You could be well dressed, have a great hair day, good breath, and even the best personality, but that mole behind your ear makes them think of their mean uncle and suddenly their first impression of you is that you aren’t trustworthy and maybe even harmful.

That’s quite a jump in logic but it does happen. In the first segment of this episode, I talk about a first impression a listener got with this show and how he criticized over 170 episodes by listening to one 15 minute segment.

What do you do when that one person criticizes you or your work? How do you block or avoid the emotional pain behind such a thing?

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