Greetings!
| In
this issue... |
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| Start Simplifying Now |
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If you find yourself overwhelmed at the thought of
starting your “Spring Cleaning”, try starting small
with an eye towards simplifying. Pick one room to
start
with. Make sure it is one that you spend time in
so you can enjoy the benefits
immediately.
Learn how... |
| MySelfHelp Monthly Price Increase: Existing Members and Those Who Sign Up Before April 10 Not Affected |
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Effective April 10, MySelfHelp.com will raise the
monthly membership fee to $20 per month for access
to the entire family of online self-help programs.
“We have worked hard to avoid a price increase
since we introduced our first program three years
ago,” said Dr. Richard Bedrosian, president of
MySelfHelp.com. “With the addition of 10 new
programs, we
are forced to raise the fee to cover the costs of
program development and updates, web hosting,
member communications and support, staff
compensation, and so on. We are doing everything in
our power to keep the fees low so that they can
remain affordable for as many people as possible.”
Existing members and anyone who signs up before
April 10, 2006 will not be affected by the price
increase.
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| Ask
Dr. B: |
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Dear Dr. B.:
I was diagnosed with HIV last year - contracted it
from my partner, who didn't know he had it at, or at
least said he didn't. We have since broken up, and I
am devastated over everything. I am scared to
death of getting sick, tired of being alone, and my
chances of having a relationship with anyone are slim
to none. It just doesn't seem worth it to go on. I
don't have any family or friends I can talk to about
this, and am afraid of anyone finding out at work. It's
getting harder to get out of bed anymore. I am
desperate for any solution or advice.
- John W. Click here for Dr. Bedrosian's Response... |
| MEDA Offers National Phone Consultation |
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 MEDA is now providing phone consultations to
individuals concerned about their eating/exercise
behaviors, and to loved ones of those struggling with
eating disorders. A clinician will gather information,
discuss any questions or concerns, and provide
referral resources.
For more information, call 866-343-MEDA.
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| Calendar of Upcoming Events |
Hope and Inspiration Eating Disorder Support
Group
April 1
MEDA, 92 Pearl Street, Newton, MA
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Upcoming walks:
April 4, Tallahassee, Forida
April 15, San Diego, California
May 6, Wilmington, Delaware
May 6, Maitland, Florida
May 6, Artisani Park, Brighton, Massachusetts
May 7, Wantagh, Long Island, NY
May 20, Seattle Washington
For more information, go to www.nami.org
National Association of Social Workers Conference
April 6 - 7
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Hope and Inspiration Eating Disorder Support
Group
May 6
MEDA, 92 Pearl Street, Newton, MA |
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Sure to Receive Future Newsletters: Add Us to Your Address
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To be sure that your ISP recognizes MySelfHelp.com as a
trusted and reputable site, please add info@MySelfHelp.com
to your address book and trusted/approved sender list.
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| Start Simplifying Now |
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If
you find yourself overwhelmed at the thought of starting your “Spring
Cleaning”, try starting small with an eye towards simplifying. Pick
one room to start with. Make sure it is one that you spend time in
so you can enjoy the benefits immediately.
Gather
a few empty boxes or storage bins and remove all the clutter from
tables, shelves, closets, corners etc. This will make it much easier
to clean. Start cleaning top to bottom and enjoy your space
clutter-free for a few days. Spend extra time on areas you seldom
clean during the year.
Reduce
Clutter by 50 Percent
Remember
to rethink each item before putting it back in its old spot. Promise
yourself that you will remove 50 percent of the clutter. Keep only
the items that you actually use and cherish. Donate items you no
longer need. Even if you can’t bear to part with something,
store it until a later time.
Try
a new location for the remaining items. Again, resist the temptation
and wait a few days before putting something back in the old spot.
Plan to get rid of an item each time you buy a new one.
Lighten
Up!
Remove
heavy draperies, pillows, blankets and anything else that makes you
think of winter. Replace these items with accessories of lighter
color and texture.
A
few pillows or flowers can change the feeling of a room.
Stay
Focused
Don’t
get distracted by another room in need of help. Stick with this one
until you are satisfied. Break up the cleaning into small blocks of
time if that works better for you.
Enjoy!
Invite your family or friends for a spring break in your new room. A
fresh start in one of your rooms can improve your outlook and allow
you to experience the joys of spring!
Top
of newsletter |
| Ask
Dr. B: |
I
was diagnosed with HIV last year - contracted it from my partner, who
didn't know he had it at, or at least said he didn't. We have since
broken up, and I am devastated over everything. I am scared to death
of getting sick, tired of being alone, and my chances of having a
relationship with anyone are slim to none. It just doesn't seem worth
it to go on. I don't have any family or friends I can talk to about
this, and am afraid of anyone finding out at work. It's getting
harder to get out of bed anymore. I am desperate for any solution or
advice.
-
John W.
Dear
John:
Finding
out that you are HIV positive is a devastating experience. The fact
that you contracted it from a long-term partner adds another source
of emotional distress as well. It is understandable that you are
feeling very alone and frightened about the future. It sounds as if
now you may also be experiencing a significant depression as well.
Twenty
years ago, contracting HIV was a death sentence – the illness
typically progressed to full-blown AIDS and inevitably led to the
dire consequences you seem to be envisioning for yourself. However,
there have been many significant advances in treating the illness
since then, so that being diagnosed with HIV no longer means the end
of one’s life. Advances in treatment now enable many people
with HIV infection to lead productive, meaningful lives.
In
the course of developing our Hope for HIV and Depression program, we
met a number of people with the illness. Like you, we had envisioned
a very negative picture of what it meant to be HIV-positive. Instead,
we found that there were numerous individuals who had remained
healthy and active for many years after contracting the illness.
Instead of withdrawing from the world, they were able to lead normal
lives in every respect, including having intimate relationships.
There
are three important things you ought to consider doing for yourself
right now:
- Set up an appointment with a doctor or clinic specializing in HIV
infection, so you can receive information about treatment options.
Your caregivers should be able to tell you how to take care of
yourself to maximize your quality of life.
- Seek treatment for depression. I believe it will be helpful for you
to discuss your reactions to the diagnosis and the potential options
for treatment with an objective, supportive third party. Medication
might be helpful for you as well.
- Get in contact with others who are living with HIV infection. Your
healthcare providers may know of support groups in your area. There
are also several excellent websites providing information and support
for the HIV community including AIDS Info (www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/).
Dr. Richard Bedrosian is a clinical psychologist,
president and founder of MySelfHelp.com, Associate in
Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical
School, and author of “Treating Family of Origin
Problems: A Cognitive Approach”.
Send your questions for Dr. B. to info@myselfhelp.com.
You will remain anonymous if your question is printed
in an upcoming newsletter.
Top
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Free Online Program for
Families of Individuals
with Eating Disorders |
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MySelfHelp.com has introduced Caring for Loves
Ones, a free and confidential online program for
family and friends who want to learn more, obtain
support, and help someone with an eating disorder.
“Those who love and care about someone who has
an eating disorder often feel helpless, frightened,
frustrated, and alone,” said Dr. Richard Bedrosian,
president of MySelfHelp.com. “We wanted to create
a program that would educate them about the illness
and provide them with the help and support they
need – both for their loved ones, and for themselves.”
Too Few Resources for Families
According to Dr. Bedrosian, while there are a growing
number of resources and tools to help individuals with
eating disorders, there is not much available for their
family and friends. “The caregivers have little
resources available to them and often feel isolated
and confused about how to help,” said Dr.
Bedrosian. “Our programs teach them how to help
themselves, as well as what to do to help their loved
one – and what not to do.”
Caring for Loved Ones complements the
MySelfHelp.com family of 10 programs for individuals suffering from eating
disorders, depression, stress, insomnia, and a range
of other mental health problems. The programs were
developed in part through grants from the National
Institute of Mental Health, and are designed to
complement and reinforce treatment.
Learn More |
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