Focus

SBS are currently screening Focus.

I've seen this before - it's about how in the waning months of World War II, a man and his wife are mistakenly identified as Jews by their anti-Semitic Brooklyn neighbours, and then persecuted for it.

Thing is, it's not just about anti-Semitism, but about discrimination and how it works. The this is, that it's what what a person is that counts, but the idea that one person can push them around, deny services and all that sort of crap, just because of who they think you are.

A bit blatant perhaps, but it gets the point across.

Depression Test?

I just joined ever_perceived, which seems to have a lot of posts. One of them (actually, several) had the following test, which I just couldn't resist.

Disorder	Your Score
Major Depression:	High-Moderate
Dysthymia:	Moderate
Bipolar Disorder:	Moderate
Cyclothymia:	High
Seasonal Affective Disorder:	Moderate
Postpartum Depression:	N/A
Take the Depression Test

Perhaps not the best quiz to take, though I answered truthfully. I looked up the link for Cyclothymia and it read:

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by mood fluctuations that shift between depressive and hypomanic phases. Cyclothymics do not experience the extremes of major depression or manic episodes.

The depressive or hypomania symptoms of cyclothymia may last for a few days to several weeks at a time, with brief intervals of normal mood in between. Personality changes are often evident to family and friends. Individuals who have a stable mood for longer than two months at a time are not likely cyclothymic. Symptoms may be mimicked by substance abuse, borderline personality disorder, or other mood disorder. A family history of depressive or bipolar disorders increases the risk.

Symptoms of Cyclothymia

Hypomanic Phase

• Excessive confidence and self-esteem
• Reduced ability to concentrate, easily distracted
• Sleep difficulties, excessive energy
• Heightened irritability
• Reduced inhibitions, may make foolish decisions
• Hypomania lasts between several days and several weeks

Depressive Phase

• Feelings of inadequacy, low self-confidence
• Difficulty falling asleep, unrestful sleep
• Fatigue, lack of energy
• Negative thinking, feelings of guilt and sadness
• Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
• Depression lasting between several days and several weeks

The cycling between phases must be present for at least two years for a diagnosis (one year for teenagers). Work and family life are often negatively affected by the shifting moods.

Golly - that sounds about right!

Sick Peggy

Went for a walk with Pegasus this morning. It was unusual, in that we went the reverse route that we usually take. He was sedate, but determined (if that makes any sense). However when we got home all he could do was lie on the sofa, with stomach rumbles coming from him. Didn't have an appetite though. For a while I had the strong feeling that he was dying. He hasn't yet. I sat out the back with him for a long long time, while Hallie ran around like the puppy she is.

Peggy's health worries me.

Poor Peggy

Pegasus just brought up his dinner.

Must have a tummy bug. Poor thing (and poor me for having to clean it up)!