In my dermatillomania post, a commenter linked to this art installation that I just had to share: In 2003 a building housing the Massachusetts Mental Health Center (MMHC) was slated for demolition to make way for updated facilities. The closure was a time for reflection and remembrance as the MMHC had been in operation for …
Category Archive: health
Jun 16 2012
Dermatillomania therapies
In my previous post about dermatillomania, Robert B asks: “Do you mind sharing what kind of therapies were tried?” Sure! When I first met with my therapist, I made sure that she used cognitive behavioral therapy, since that’s one of the approaches most supported by scientific evidence. I also made it clear that I was …
Jun 16 2012
A dermatillomania update
Last year I wrote about my experience with dermatillomania, also known as compulsive skin picking. It’s part of the OCD spectrum of behaviors, where I have the compulsion to pick at the skin on my fingertips and lips, often until they’re bleeding or scarred. It’s worse when I’m nervous or stressed because I oddly find …
Nov 28 2011
For shame, Burzynski clinic
Why am I directing my ire at the Burzynski clinic? Any one of these reasons would be enough, but let’s go through the list, shall we? 1. Pseudoscience. The Burzynski clinic claims to be able to cure cancer with “antineoplaston therapy.” What’s that? Mainly a load of bunk (emphasis mine): Some people promote antineoplaston therapy …
Jun 22 2011
Picking on myself
I couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I was checking out UW’s mental health clinic, mainly because I wanted to facepalm at the Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncturist screener. I wanted to explain why I was going, for two main reasons: I don’t want people to worry about me, especially since it’s not that bad. I …
Apr 16 2011
Off my ASS for …myself – Week 15
Starting weight: 186.4 lbsTwo weeks ago weight: 171.8 lbsCurrent weight: 169.8Weight loss past two weeks: 2.0 lbsTotal weight loss: 16.6 lbs Getting back on track. Don’t have much to add this week, except that I’ve gone from this:To this:Next goal*: Be able to take that last photo without sucking it in. *Real next goal: Put …
Apr 02 2011
Off my ASS for …myself – Week 13
Starting weight: 186.4 lbsLast week’s weight: 170.6 lbsCurrent weight: 171.8Weight loss this week: -1.2 lbsTotal weight loss: 14.6 lbs Weight loss… Y U NO MAKE SENSE?!?! I was so good this week! I worked out every day, I was at or under my calorie budget…but I gained weight. Blargh. This is what we call a …
Mar 26 2011
Off my ASS for …myself – Week 12
Starting weight: 186.4 lbsLast week’s weight: 170.8 lbsCurrent weight: 170.6Weight loss this week: 0.2 lbsTotal weight loss: 15.8 lbsHow in the world did my weight basically stay the same while traveling? I eat horrible food when I’m on an adventure! Fast food in the airports, bar food after the talks, free meals, free alcohol… I …
Mar 19 2011
Off my ASS for …myself – Week 11
Aka, the week of Fail. Starting weight: 186.4 lbsLast week’s weight: 169.4 lbsCurrent weight: 170.8Weight loss this week: -1.4 lbsTotal weight loss: 15.6 lbs Oops. Yeah, it wasn’t a good week for weight loss. I ate out and drank way too much – and while I thought I was staying under my calorie restrictions, it’s …
Mar 12 2011
Off my ASS for …myself – Week 10
Starting weight: 186.4 lbsLast week’s weight: 171.6 lbsCurrent weight: 169.4Weight loss this week: 2.2 lbsTotal weight loss: 17.0 lbs I finally got sick of putting up with my increasingly baggy size 12 pants, so I went shopping with a friend today. Size 10 was actually a little too big, and size 8 (which I haven’t …
About the Author
Recent Comments