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Right now is a great time to be proud of yourself

I know that sometimes just getting out of bed can feel like an accomplishment. What are some things you've done today that you're proud of?

Also, I'm so grateful for all of you and would love to get to know you all better outside of The Mighty, so if you're on Instagram, feel free to reach out at:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

Speaking of thanks for all, I was hoping we could acknowledge everyone who comments below. I know it seems like a small gesture, but many people here have never opened up to anyone before and being open and honest with strangers can be quite scary. So, if we could show our gratitude by giving their comment a simple reply or heart, I’m sure they would really appreciate your team support. What do you say?

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether #SchizophreniaSpectrumPsychoticDisorders

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Think about housing before thinking about suicide

Wow! I just found out a person can be denied housing, if they've ever been on a psychiatric hold for a suicide attempt. What if the main reason for the attempt was because of lack of housing?!!

I wonder if they deny applicants who have any other life-threatening illness, like cancer or hereditary chronic pancreatitis.

#homelessness #DomesticViolence #Suicide #Stigma

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Benefits of Nutmeg

Did you know nutmeg trees are evergreens? They grow mostly in the Spice Islands of Indonesia.
Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against the signs of aging, cancer, heart disease, and liver disease.
Nutmeg has lots of health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, prevent leukemia, and improve blood circulation. Many of us suffer from depression, anxiety or even both. It's always best to aim for natural remedies, and there is no better one than nutmeg. Nutmeg contains myristicin and elemicin, two significant compounds. By working together, they relax your brain and act like a mild sedative. Nutmeg also promotes serotonin and other neurotransmitter production in the brain.
Ancient Romans and Greeks noticed the benefits of nutmeg on the mind right away. They made it into a tonic and drank it to prepare for grueling mental challenges. Nutmeg improves your brain's sharpness and memory capacity.
Having difficulties sleeping at night? Give nutmeg a try. It can work as a natural sedative and calm your body down. Because it's so soothing, you can relax and fall asleep easier than ever. It's a natural sleep aid.
Many experts either advise adding nutmeg to your diet or taking nutmeg-based medicines.
Myristicin is not only useful for battling stress and sharpening your mind. This essential oil that is present in nutmeg allows you to get rid of any joint or muscle pain. This is because it has many anti-inflammatory properties. It doesn't only reduce pain. It also battles swelling, infections and other possible detrimental factors. To get the full effect, use nutmeg oil. Mixing it with coconut oil or olive oil, you get relief from the critical area of any possible pain. Adding a little bit of spice to your cooking might also help. Problems with acne? Nutmeg is another healthy food full of antioxidants. In fact, it's so abundant with them, there aren't many foods that can treat skin conditions better and faster. The antioxidants in nutmeg have multiple ways of battling acne and skin conditions. They prevent free radicals from multiplying too much. Also, inflammation and irritation will be a thing of the past. If you have acne scars, rub a little nutmeg oil into them. They will start being less noticeable on a daily basis.
Nutmeg has many benefits to the digestive tract. From nausea, vomiting, indigestion and bloating, and Crohn's disease – it eliminates everything. Many people face digestion problems because they have a high amount of intestinal juice. The essential oils lower the concentration of juice. Some studies have also shown that nutmeg is an excellent fast-acting solution for diarrhea. It brings the colon and the esophagus back to normal.
Nutmeg also has incredible antibacterial properties. Tooth decay happens by neglecting to clean food particles from your mouth. Those particles attract bacteria, which can infect your mouth. Nutmeg has a strong antibacterial effect. On consuming it, all those bacteria will go in a matter of minutes. You can also eat a bit in the morning. It’s excellent for preventing bad breath.
Nutmeg is full of nutrients. Add antioxidants to that, & you get an efficient system against diseases & infections. Antioxidants are important. They prevent free radicals from spreading & reduces infection. Potassium, calcium, & iron are also key ingredients.
Thinking about adding nutmeg to your diet? No more than a half teaspoon daily is recommended.

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My hope for December is...

The dawning of a new month means a whole bunch of newness (both good and bad): new stressors, new emotions, new goals, new slivers of joy. You name it.

And we don’t know about you, but December can be a special brand of mixed emotions with the holidays in motion. There’s increased pressure to perform and experience joy and there’s often a significant amount of end-of-year burnout that crops up.

We’re curious what you hope this month holds for you. Mighty staffer @xokat is having surgery in a week(ish) and she’s hoping (and crossing ever appendage she has) that the recovery is smoother than her last one!

#MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe #MightyMinute #Anxiety #Depression #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #Caregiving #Cancer #Autism #ADHD #CheerMeOn

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Things to let go of

Which one of these is the most difficult for you to let go of? Which one has been easy? If one has been easy, can you share how you did it so someone else who finds it hard can learn from your experience? If this goes right, we will have methods for letting go of all of these by the end of the day. Can we do this as a team?

Also, I'm so grateful for all of you and would love to get to know you all better outside of The Mighty, so if you're on Instagram, feel free to reach out at:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

Speaking of thanks for all, I was hoping we could acknowledge everyone who comments below. I know it seems like a small gesture, but many people here have never opened up to anyone before and being open and honest with strangers can be quite scary. So, if we could show our gratitude by giving their comment a simple reply or heart, I’m sure they would really appreciate your team support. What do you say?

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlineP ersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether #SchizophreniaSpectrumPsychoticDisorders

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Surviving Perimenopause: Year One

Part 1 of 2 Sometime in 2022, I started bleeding and just I didn’t stop.

It would help to have a little background. At that time, I was a 43 year old woman with 2 children. I was newly divorced and trying to feel very hot, and very datable. I mean, I was wearing lingerie!

And then one day, my period came, and it just didn’t stop.

When I say “didn’t stop”, I mean this was a mess. Postpartum levels of carnage. I was soaking through tampons and pads, and I could hardly leave the house. And those little thong bodysuits I had recently acquired? Please.

This was unusual for me, so I made an appointment with an OBGYN. We thought that perhaps the stress of my divorce had thrown my cycle off. She had me wait it out. Weeks later; I was dizzy, depressed, and exhausted. I went into urgent care and I told the doctor that every woman on my maternal side has had some sort of cancer. (I was so afraid that I was a newly single parent, and now I also had cancer. It felt like a ‘universe piling on’ type of situation. This was not a chill time for me.)

They did tests. Pelvic exams, uterine biopsies. Those seemed to be clear, and what my gynecologist eventually said to me changed my life. She said, “Well, Natalie, you’re 43. This might simply be perimenopause.”

This was not welcome news. I thought I was way too young for menopause, I didn’t actually understand what perimenopause was, and I had no idea what my next move ought to be.

So, I went home and did some digging.

Turns out, 43 is exactly the right age for the first stages of menopause to creep in. Our ovaries are slowing down, and our entire body can be affected. The symptoms might look different for lots of folks, but most of us will have some shared experiences. (I’m using ‘symptoms’ because menopause is caused by a hormone deficiency, and even though it happens to everyone with certain reproductive parts- I’ve learned more and more about ways that we can actually treat it.)

It’s very possible that nobody will tell us this is about to happen. Unlike pregnancy, women don’t tend to talk to each other about menopause. Doctors don’t tend to give us a head’s up that we can start looking out for signs and symptoms. Largely, we will feel unseen and unsupported as we try to navigate a very intense change that half of the human population is scheduled to go through.

1. Your cycle will change. Less frequent or sporadic periods are common, but what is also common is relentless bleeding. When you walk around and see 40-50 year old women going about their business, it’s very possible that many of them have been bleeding for months and months, without relief. Fun!

2. You gain weight! Hormones do so much to control our weight and metabolism, and even small changes can make a big difference. Quite suddenly, most of your clothes might not fit, and your decades old diet and exercise habits might not be working for you. Belly weight seems to be the most common- I’ve given away a lot of pants this year.

3. Your vagina will change. Mine became more sensitive, generally. I need more gentleness during any genital contact but especially during penetration, I’m much more prone to yeast and BV, and for the first time in my life, I constantly need to use lubricant. My body feels tender, and I’m learning to treat it with the care it now needs.

The more openly I talk about perimenopause- both to friends and on social media- the more symptoms I’m made aware of. Brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, lack of sleep, gut issues, food and alcohol intolerance, memory loss, body aches- the list goes on. It’s mostly women who are experiencing these symptoms, and women are notorious for soldiering through pain and discomfort (out of necessity), so it really takes a lot for many women to open up about what’s happening with them. For many of us, it takes multiple doctor visits, and often even switching doctors, to receive decent information and care.

As some of us have been doing this leg work, I think it’s helpful to share what we’ve found. For me, here are some treatments that have saved my quality of life during this time.

1. Hormone replacement therapy. That’s right- HRT is for everyone, and it can save lives! To control my own bleeding; I tried Estradiol, a hormonal birth control pill, and a hormonal IUD. None of those helped (and in fact, the IUD led to constant bacterial infection and discomfort). What eventually has helped is Synd, an oral contraceptive containing only drospirenone, which is a progestin. I’ve been taking Slynd for 3 months, and besides some initial weight gain, I haven’t noticed negative side effects. A very positive side effect has been stopping menstruation, which is significant for me due to the distressingly heavy bleeding I was experiencing. I have n

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The HPV vaccine: Weighing up the risks and benefits

Part 1 of 2 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous and sexually transmitted virus affecting millions worldwide. It is a leading cause of various diseases, including cervical cancer, making it a significant public health concern. This introduction aims to shed light on the critical role of the HPV vaccine in preventing these diseases by providing an overview of HPV, its associated health risks, and the primary purpose of this post: to inform, educate, and advocate for HPV vaccination.

HPV, with over 100 known types, is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. While most HPV infections resolve independently, certain high-risk types can lead to cancers, including cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, causing approximately 311,000 deaths globally in 2018. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address HPV infection and its consequences.

Understanding HPV:

HPV is primarily a sexually transmitted virus. It can be transmitted through genital, anal, and oral contact, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Understanding its transmission pathways is crucial in both prevention and education efforts.

High-risk HPV types, particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18, are strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. These types can infect the cervix’s cells and, over time, lead to precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. These lesions are often asymptomatic, making regular cervical cancer screenings essential for early detection.

Statistics highlight the severe health risks associated with HPV. Approximately 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. This underscores the urgency in comprehending the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer and the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure.

The HPV vaccine:

The HPV vaccine is a groundbreaking medical advancement in the fight against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated health risks.

There are several HPV vaccines available, with the two most widely recognized being Gardasil and Cervarix. Gardasil, for instance, protects against the most common high-risk HPV types, HPV-16 and HPV-18, and low-risk types that cause genital warts. These vaccines offer comprehensive protection against the most concerning HPV types, reducing the risk of developing cervical and related cancers.

The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is well-established through extensive clinical trials and real-world data. Studies have consistently shown that the vaccine effectively prevents HPV infection and associated diseases. For instance, research has demonstrated a substantial decrease in HPV-related conditions, including cervical precancerous lesions and genital warts, in vaccinated populations. These findings underscore the vaccine’s role in preventing HPV transmission and the subsequent development of related health issues.

Safety is a paramount concern for vaccines, and the HPV vaccine has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its safety. Common side effects include pain at the injection site, mild fever, and dizziness. Serious adverse events are rare and thoroughly investigated by healthcare authorities to maintain public trust in vaccination programs.

The impact of the HPV vaccine:

One of the most significant achievements of HPV vaccination is the marked reduction in HPV-related diseases. Cervical cancer, in particular, has seen a substantial decline in cases, which is expected to continue. Vaccination has significantly decreased the prevalence of high-risk HPV types, reducing the occurrence of cervical precancerous lesions and ultimately preventing cervical cancer.

The impact is not limited to cervical cancer; it extends to other HPV-related conditions like genital warts and oropharyngeal cancer, contributing to improved public health outcomes.

On a global scale, several countries have successfully implemented robust HPV vaccination programs, achieving impressive results. Countries like Australia, which initiated school-based HPV vaccination programs, have seen remarkable reductions in HPV prevalence and related diseases. These success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive vaccination efforts and serve as models for other nations.

Recommendations for getting vaccinated:

The HPV vaccine is recommended for specific populations to maximize its benefits. Adolescents are a primary target group, with vaccination typically recommended for boys and girls starting at ages 11 or 12. Initiating vaccination at this age ensures that individuals receive the vaccine before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity. Catch-up vaccination is also available for those not vaccinated at the recommended age, extending the opp

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What’s something you wish they taught about your condition in medical school?

Here’s a scene that happens more often than we’d like: You are talking to a health care professional about your condition and suddenly you realize that they don’t know what you’re talking about (or haven’t even heard of your diagnosis or medication in the first place!).

It can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging to have to teach a member of your health care team something you had hoped they would already understand. (Mighty staffers nod their heads.) What’s something you wish they taught about your condition in medical school? What would help providers be better versed in your lived experiences?

#MightyMinute #CheckInWithMe #MentalHealth #Anxiety #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #CPTSD #Fibromyalgia #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #Depression #Cancer #Migraine

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Choose your focus

The thing about negativity is that if you look for it, you will find it. Fortunately, if you look for positivity, you will find that too. Which one will you focus on?

Also, I'm so grateful for all of you and would love to get to know you all better outside of The Mighty, so if you're on Instagram, feel free to reach out at:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

Speaking of thanks for all, I was hoping we could acknowledge everyone who comments below. I know it seems like a small gesture, but many people here have never opened up to anyone before and being open and honest with strangers can be quite scary. So, if we could show our gratitude by giving their comment a simple reply or heart, I’m sure they would really appreciate your team support. What do you say?

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether #SchizophreniaSpectrumPsychoticDisorders

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