Kitt O’Malley

Stuck to the Couch

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Kitt Stuck to Couch

Another brief update as I’m taking it easy, trying to get myself over yet another bout of gastroenteritis. (I do not suffer nearly as much as my son does, but it has me struck me down, glued to the couch, not wanting to stand or make any sudden movements.) Anyway… This upcoming weekend I am training with NAMI to become a Provider Educator, that is one of their panel members who teach mental health providers what it is like to live with a mental illness or be a family member of someone living with a mental illness. Since I’ve been licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist (back in the day the license was MFCC for Marriage, Family and Child Counselor) dating back to July 1990, even though I haven’t practiced in over twenty years, I attended the training as a provider (and hopeful future NAMI provider trainer) and received FREE (yahoo! free!) continuing education units (CEUs) towards my license renewal. What a deal! Usually you have to pay for CEUs. You wonder what I’ve done in the last twenty years, if not psychotherapy. Well, heck, go check out my LinkedIn profile.

Comments

29 responses to “Stuck to the Couch”

  1. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you so much!

  2. happygrumpymom Avatar
    happygrumpymom

    Congratulations! Not about the gastroenenteritis, but about training to be a NAMI Educator! You will be awesome!

  3. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Rebecca called at 12:30 this afternoon. As you were typing this comment, she interviewed me over the phone. Apparently, she couldn’t do it over Skype due to privacy issues. We did it over “land lines” – good old telephones. I enjoyed it.

  4. dyane Avatar
    dyane

    Craig is on his way to San Jose to pick up a Schwinn elliptical, thank God, he’s really spoiling me, but he also knows I become a ^%&% when I don’t work out & he likes to use it too. The model he’s getting got good reviews. I’m bummed that we missed our redwood walk too, mountains lions or not, but we’re going to do it – it will happen! I think Skype is a great idea with Rebecca but wait until you’re feeling much better; I you know it’s not easy to rehash the issues for 90 minutes. She’s a sweetheart though….I am SO sorry about this stomach crap you’re suffering with! I’m going to pray for magical Divine 12-hour 100% healing for you, so you won’t be sitting in the corner at NAMI training tomorrow. XOXOX

  5. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Jamie, I agree with you to not injest herbs and spices against doctor’s advice or instead of medication. I see nutrition, including proper use of supplements such as fish oil and beneficial herbs and spices, as an adjunct to psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy, not as a replacement.

  6. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Sorry that your elliptical is officially dead. You no doubt got many hours of exercise out of it. I was so much looking forward to walking in the redwoods with you (mountain lions beware). Glad the exhausting but fruitful interview with Rebecca went well. I think I may suggest a Skype call with her next week. We’ll see. I’m still sick to my stomach, but am going to my NAMI training this weekend nonetheless. (Maybe I should wear a mask so that I do not get others sick.)

  7. hirundine608 Avatar
    hirundine608

    It dates from the 17th century. Consequently, it is more than a little dated. There may be better books, that have similar info? It still remains my bible. I would never interfere with any doctor’s advice. Yet, as a vegetarian. I use many of the herbs listed, for my benefit. Cheers Jamie.

  8. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Jamie, I agree that herbs and spices in meals are medicine. I now must add Culpeper’s Complete Herbal to my reading list. Thank you.

  9. dyane Avatar
    dyane

    Thinking of you….I’m hoping you are feeling better by the hour, my sweet. Our modem died yesterday morning & we didn’t get things back up to speed until today, otherwise I would have popped on here sooner! I know you understand.

    The “E” is officially dead. 🙁 Craig took it apart and the bearings are shot – he’s a fixer-upper type of guy, but this was too much for him, and he thinks it’s time for another brand. Now I feel bad advising you to get a NordicTrack…I hope yours continues to behave itself. I’ll always love my NordicTrack despite what happened – we shared s many good, sweaty times together. 😉

    I had a very positive 90 minutes with Rebecca G. of the Wright Institute during my interview. She was compassionate, and I found it to be a rewarding experience. It was also quite draining to discuss painful events, but it was my choice, of course to do that. There was absolutely no pressure on her part. So, as you can imagine, I’m tired.

    Love you and hope you spot this soon!

    More tomorrow…
    XO
    Dy

  10. hirundine608 Avatar
    hirundine608

    Ah, good.

    I’ve had plenty to be depressed about in life. Also, I’m a glass half full personality type.

    But, I meditate and that always helps me find my way. I’ve done meditation for so long. It’s difficult to remember life prior. I do remember the feelings of alienation, etc. The meditation gave me skills to cope. So, when it comes to the life experience you describe. It’s difficult for me to imagine, etc.

    Since reading Culpepper’s Herbal, in my twenties. I’ve always viewed herbs and spices, in meals, as medicine. Yet, so many people do not view them like that. It’s staggering to me. I’m no expert but I still hold that view of life. Cheers Jamie.

  11. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, Diane!

  12. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Unfortunately, some of us with mental health conditions deny our diagnoses and do not seek or accept help. You did what you had to do for your own peace. When I was in my 20s, I sought help from psychotherapy, but did not seek psychiatric help which may have helped me far more effectively and efficiently.

  13. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I was once 110 lbs at 5’7″ and thought I was fat. Now I’m 150 ish which I consider healthy for a 51 year old mom. Then again, I’m no longer 180. Took work to get from 180 to 150.

  14. pattyalcala Avatar
    pattyalcala

    You’re welcome

  15. writerwannabe763 Avatar
    writerwannabe763

    Hope you feel better by the weekend… take care Diane

  16. hirundine608 Avatar
    hirundine608

    For what it is worth? Mohammed was also allergic, or something, to garlic. Which is why many muslims avoid eating it.

    Given all the things it seems you are either allergic to or sensitive to. You are likely fed-up with well-meaning advisors like myself? It must be hard, living with all that baggage? I can hardly imagine myself dealing with it.

    I was married to my ex. for twenty three years. It was a sort of torture, for me too. For she would cry, almost without reason. On and on. Though I expect, she saw plenty of reason? Nothing would cheer her up. Then the next she was on top of the world, etc. Just prior to our break-up she said she was diagnosed with bipolar. Then a month later she said “no”. How does someone deal with all that prevarication, or misinformation? In the end it was too much for me to deal with. After i had given up so much for her, in my life too. Yet my ex. could not see that.

    She had a remarkable capacity to remember the contents of books, for years after reading them. She could not, apparently, remember our conversations. Nothing was ever good enough. … sigh! Cheers Jamie.

  17. blahpolar Avatar
    blahpolar

    Well you look skinny too. I mean, sure, you eat, but……… ahem. Hope your son feels stronger soon too.

  18. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you so much, Zoe!

  19. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, Patty.

  20. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks, Blah. Actually, unlike most who get gastro, I still eat. My son, who is very skinny, does not eat and loses too much weight. My son has a very low threshold for vomitting. We are seeing a pediatric gastroenterologist in June to address his sensitive GI system.

  21. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks, Jamie. Garlic I must avoid due to SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Though garlic has many benefits; unfortunately, it’s a high FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols) food. Turmeric I am occasionally taking as a supplement, as well as Oregano oil and Cinnamon. My son’s pediatrician recommended that he take probiotics, so I purchased soy/gluten/dairy free probiotics in capsule form which we are all taking. Not sure if herbs and probiotics are contraindicated, as the herbs have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

  22. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    Feel better and congratulations, Kitt. You inspire me!

  23. pattyalcala Avatar
    pattyalcala

    Feel better soon. And have a great time at your training.

  24. blahpolar Avatar
    blahpolar

    Awww you’re all pale and skinny and sad 🙁 hope you can leave the couch with confidence soon. Gastro is such a brutal weight loss programme. Lots of love.

  25. hirundine608 Avatar
    hirundine608

    Don’t know how much you use or may not use herbs and spices, in cooking? Garlic and cayenne are both blood purifiers, as too ginger. Ginger tea, can be very helpful. Turmeric is very useful too. Turmeric can be bought in capsule form, should you be uneasy with using it in food recipes.

    Hope some of this may be useful? That, you start to feel better soon. Cheers Jamie.

  26. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, Anne.

  27. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Yes, continuing education is awesome. Always more to learn.

  28. annepm2015 Avatar
    annepm2015

    Sorry, you are going through this and hope you feel better soon. 🙂

  29. Just Plain Ol' Vic Avatar
    Just Plain Ol’ Vic

    Hopefully you will be feeling 100% soon! Isn’t it always enjoyable to be able to continue your education and interface with your peers?

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