Who's who in therapy?

In textiles group today we got talking about psychotherapy and previous therapists we'd had. I shouldn't laugh but some of the things they did in session..

1 - Fall asleep. Hmm.. We all thought our issues were quite complex so maybe that was a good sign??

2 - Yawning. Kind of makes you think you should go and get into a bit more trouble thus make it a bit more exciting for them. Hang on.. who's paying who?

3 - Preaching the good lord. I have absolutely no problem with belief, but repeatedly being told  "God loves you and he will save you" was not what I signed up for, I was expecting a bit of time management.

4 - Role reversal. When they end up telling you THEIR problems instead. I once had one who said she was convinced her husband was seeing someone else. Looking back I should have said "God loves you and he will save you"

5 - Text therapy. One therapist actually suggested this as a substitute for face to face therapy.

Feel free to "comment" adding any experiences to the list. 

Foods for Mental Health

I came across this on the Mental Healthy website - please click, print, and stick on your fridge.

http://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/food/mind-food/food-for-good-mental-health.html

Depression

Vitamin C

• Strawberries, oranges, kiwi, pineapple, cranberries, satsumas, grapefruit, cherries, blackberries, mango.
• Broccoli, celery, red cabbage, red peppers, watercress, tomato, pumpkin, artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, leeks, potatoes, radishes, spinach, courgettes.

Vitamin B3/B6

• Brown rice, oats, barley.
• Beef liver and kidneys, chicken, turkey, pork loin.
• Tuna, salmon, trout.
• Chick peas, sunflower seeds.
• Watercress, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, squash, courgettes, mushrooms, broccoli.
• Bananas (low quantities of B6)

Magnesium

• Oatmeal, long grain rice, barley, wheat bran.
• Walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, almonds.
• Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
• Strawberries, blackberries, orange, raisins, bananas.
• Broccoli, sprouts, peppers, watercress, spinach.

Tryptophan (essential amino acid)

• Almonds, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts.
• Milk, cheddar, Swiss cheese.
• Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds.
• Turkey, chicken.
• Soya beans, kidney beans.
• Bananas, figs, dates.

Zinc

• Mozzarella, cheddar.
• Kidney beans, chick peas, lentils.
• Chicken legs and thighs, turkey, lamb, pork, minced beef.
• Spinach, broccoli, asparagus.
• Kiwi, blackberries.
• Walnuts, almonds, cashews.

Omega 3

• Walnuts.
• Salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, trout, shrimps.

Selenium

• Calves liver, turkey.
• Shrimps, cod, halibut, salmon, tuna.
• Mozzarella.
• Sunflower seeds.
• Spinach, mushrooms, garlic.

Folic acid

• Calves liver, turkey.
• Lentils, chick peas, kidney beans.
• Spinach, lettuce, asparagus, sprouts, parsley, broccoli, green beans.
• Walnuts, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts.
• Tuna, salmon, cod.

Lack of concentration

Vitamin B1

• Fresh pasta, brown rice, oats, barley.
• Hazelnuts, pine nuts, pecan nuts, brazils.
• Asparagus, aubergines, spinach, watercress, mushrooms, broccoli, peppers.
• Mussels, tuna, salmon.
• Pork loin.

Lack of memory

Vitamin B5

• Wholemeal bread, granary bread, brown rice, oatmeal.
• Raspberries, strawberries, lemons, watermelon.
• Broccoli, carrots, peas, sweet potato, celery, cauliflower.
• Broad beans, chick peas.

Vitamin B6

• Barley, oats, brown rice.
• Trout, salmon, tuna.
• Pork loin, turkey, chicken.
• Chick peas.
• Sunflower seeds.
• Cabbage, peppers, asparagus, potatoes, watercress.

Omega 3

• Walnuts.
• Salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, trout, shrimps.

Vitamin B12

• Chicken, turkey, calves liver, lamb.
• Clams, trout, salmon, oysters, crabs, sea bass.
• Milk, boiled eggs.

Lack of appetite

Zinc

• Mozzarella, Swiss cheese, cheddar.
• Spinach, asparagus, broccoli, squash.
• Kiwi fruit, blackberries.
• Almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts.
• Shrimps, mussels, oysters.
• Chicken legs, turkey legs, pork loin, lamb.

Lack of focus and motivation

Tyrosine (Non-essential amino acid)

• Stilton, cheddar, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, sour cream.
• Spinach, avocadoes.
• Bananas, plums, raisins, prunes.
• Tomatoes.
• Soy sauce.
• Marmite (yeast extract).

Zinc

• Mozzarella, cheddar.
• Kidney beans, chick peas, lentils.
• Chicken legs and thighs, turkey, lamb, pork, minced beef.
• Spinach, broccoli, asparagus.
• Kiwi, blackberries.
• Walnuts, almonds, cashews.

Insomnia

Magnesium

• Strawberries, blackberries, oranges, raisins, kiwi fruit, bananas.
• Pistachios, cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, macadamias.
• Peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, watercress.
• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
• Oatmeal, long grain rice, barley.

Stress

Vitamin B3/B6

• Brown rice, oats, barley.
• Beef liver and kidneys, chicken, turkey, pork loin.
• Tuna, salmon, trout.
• Chick peas, sunflower seeds.
• Watercress, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, squash, courgettes, mushrooms, broccoli.
• Bananas (low quantities of B6)

Magnesium

• Strawberries, blackberries, oranges, raisins, kiwi fruit, bananas.
• Pistachios, cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, macadamias.
• Peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, watercress.
• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
• Oatmeal, long grain rice, barley.

Anger and irritability

Vitamin B6

• Barley, oats, brown rice.
• Trout, salmon, tuna.
• Pork loin, turkey, chicken.
• Chick peas.
• Sunflower seeds.
• Cabbage, peppers, asparagus, potatoes, watercress.

Magnesium

• Strawberries, blackberries, oranges, raisins, kiwi fruit, bananas.
• Pistachios, cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, macadamias.
• Peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, watercress.
• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
• Oatmeal, long grain rice, barley.

Selenium

• Calves liver, turkey.
• Shrimps, cod, halibut, salmon, tuna.
• Mozzarella.
• Sunflower seeds.
• Spinach, mushrooms, garlic.

Anxiety

Magnesium

• Strawberries, blackberries, oranges, raisins, kiwi fruit, bananas.
• Pistachios, cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, macadamias.
• Peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, watercress.
• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.
• Oatmeal, long grain rice, barley.

Folic acid

• Calves liver, turkey.
• Lentils, chick peas, kidney beans.
• Spinach, lettuce, asparagus, sprouts, parsley, broccoli, green beans.
• Walnuts, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts.
• Tuna, salmon, cod.

This information is intended as a guide only. If you are experiencing any mental health problem you should seek expert medical advice immediately. Please be also aware that some foods might cause allergic reactions.

Heart of Hackney Top Tip no2

Stylus broken? Blow the cobwebs of your nanna's sewing machine and slam your foot down on the pedal. WARNING.. Please take care to vacate the premises BEFORE him indoors gets in if using his records.

The Science of Paracetamol and Pound Shops

I recently got an email from a friend I haven't seen since sixth form, he's been following my other blog (seesaw-seatingplan.co.uk)and took a particular interest in 'Side-Effects of Effectiveness'. He keeps pretty up to date with new science stuff and explained to me that pain-killers have been proved to help with intrusive/ compulsive negative thinking (the stuff that bugs me the most). The upshot of the research is that compulsive thinking actually creates emotional stress/pain in the same part of the brain that tells our bodies that they are experiencing physical pain. Early tests seem to show that paracetamol is the most effective drug in inhibiting receptors in that part of the brain. Thus - paracetamol (or similar drugs) are likely to be part of the formulation of future anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs.

Could this explain why some of us are addicted to painkillers? I myself have been through phases of popping codeine pills at every opportunity, convincing myself I had a cronic stomach ache when I was just hungry, walking into A&E with self diagnosed meningitis when it was just an ignored sell by date, and don't even get me started with my strokes and hangovers. 

So next time I see Mr Upstairs I think I'll hide a camcorder in my handbag to catch his face as I ask him to ditch the lithium and prescribe me paracetamol for bipolar disorder. The Pound shop stuff will do. I will feed back (from the ward no doubt!)

Heart of Hackney's Top Tip

Seesaw seating plan tip of the month

Run out of brown wool on your knitting machine? Why not use your boyfriend's sentimental childhood cassettes. Then run!

All Day Burger Blues @ The Victoria Mile End

This place is worth a mention, it's the Victoria pub Mile End (Just outside Hackney, I've cheated a bit) known for it's live music, poetry, art and events. It's also a family run pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

Sunday just gone they have their monthly All Day Burger Blues with cinema screening of The Man With No Face, World Of Curiosity jumble and burgers on tap.

Amongst the stalls were my traditional toilet roll dolls, vintage bunting, sausage dogs and home made jam. 

For more on The Victoria.. http://www.myspace.com/thevictoriae3
For my home-made tat.. http://nanscabinet.blogspot.com/