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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(O C D)
Approximately 2.5% of the general population will be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in their lifetime.
This disorder is equally common in males & females.
OCD usually has its onset between the ages of 6 & 15 years for males & between ages 20 & 29 for females.
Symptoms
Obsessions- A persistent, irrational thought that repeatedly goes through a persons mind. For example, a person may think anything he/she touches will be contaminated and will contaminate other people.
Compulsions- Repetitive, intentional acts performed in a certain way. The act is done to prevent discomfort but is usually not realistically connected to what it is supposed to prevent or is done very excessively. For example a person may wash his/her hands repeatedly in a very specific manner to get rid of germs.
People with OCD may have either obsessions or may have both components of the disorder. For a diagnosis of OCD the obsession or compulsion must cause the person distress, be time consuming (take more than! hour per day) or interfere with everyday life. Usually the person suffering from OCD knows that his/her behavior is bizarre and will go to lengths to hide the behavior from others.
Cause
The cause of OCD is unclear at this time. Scientific studies suggest that OCD is a biologically based illness. It appears that OCD results from a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Research has found a genetic link for OCD. Specifically, if you have OCD there is a 25% chance that one of your immediate family members will have it also.
OCD is NOT caused by poor parenting or by an individual weakness in the person with this disorder.
Treatment
OCD will continue for years if left untreated. The symptoms may become less severe at times, but generally OCD is a chronic illness.
A primary form of treatment for OCD is medication. Medications that regulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors However medication is not completely effective for with everyone with OCD.
Behavior therapy is commonly used in combination with medication or alone. This type of therapy exposes a person to a feared object or thought. The person is then discouraged from carrying out the compulsive response.
The most effective way to treat OCD is to use both medication and therapy.
The Advantages of Working
Being employed part-time is very helpful to me. It improves my self-esteem and gives purpose to my life. Receiving a paycheck is nice. It is always nice to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It is nice to interact with my co-workers and to be focused on my work. I am grateful for the
T.E.Program at the Rainbow Center, Millie and Tom have been very helpful. Being productive and conscientious at work is important and also increases self-esteem.
JUDY STORER
What The Rainbow Center
Means To Me
By Brenda Lett
The Rainbow Center means I can learn new skills that they offer without a high financial worry as well as a place to socialize and have somewhere I can go to monthly activities. Being able to get away some where to meet new friends and talk to old ones. The Rainbow Center can be a learning experience in many different ways. Members as well as the staff learn from one another. Im glad there is such a place where a person on a fixed income can go to learn new skills to maybe change their job or future. Life in it self is enough struggle to worry about. Why not lighten the load when ever possible? It can happen by coming to the Rainbow Center where they are willing to help out.
Attitude Adjustments
Power of Positive
Reported by: Brenda Lett
Did you know positive and negative attitudes could affect mental and physical health as much if not more than external factors? The key to improving your attitude and ultimately your life is Embracing encouraging thought patterns.
Visualize many athletes visualize sinking a putt or kicking a goal before the big game. If you visualize your self as prepared and successful it is more likely to happen in real life. Here are five to increase positive thinking.
1 Have fun energize yourself mentally emotionally and physically. Laugh and take time for your self. 2 watch your diet a diet high in protein fruits and vegetables helps control stress and weight. 3 Get moving _ Exercise recharges you mentally and physically while reducing weight blood pressure and risk of heart disease. 4 Ask for help everyone needs a hand once in a while. Call a friend don’t be afraid to reach out. 5 enjoy today dwell on the past or fear the future. A sunny outlook enhances mood and pumps up the immune system. Just keep in mind we are all different and we must do what will make us feel good about ourselves.
SLEEP HYGIENE
By: GINGER NOVELLE
Insomnia or chronic sleeping are common symptoms of mental illness. Setting up good sleep hygiene can help overcome these problems. I used to alternate oversleep and undersleep. Sometimes sleeping only 15 minutes a night for months. Now I fall asleep by 10:30 every night and get up at 9: 00 every morning. I’ve read many books on the subject.
Don’t eat for an hour before bedtime. An active digestive system can keep you awake. Especially limit caffeine.
Set up a routine around bedtime that will routinely signal your body to shut down. E.G., I read a chapter in a non-fiction book from 9 to 10 then I brush my teeth, set my alarm and undress for bed.
Go to bed and get up at the same hour every day including weekends and holidays. A routine around waking can help too. I journal for a hour write my autobiography for an hour eat breakfast, shower then catch the noon bus downtown and walk to the Rainbow Center.
If you don’t sleep until the wee hours of the morning gradually move your bedtime forward instead of back an hour until you reach the time you what to go to bed. If you normally fall asleep at 3 am move your bedtime to 4 am then 5am etc. until you are going to bed at 10 or 11pm.
Setting a goal that is dependent on good sleep hygiene helps too. For example I wanted to work a T.E. job which meant needed to get enough rest during the night and stop napping during the day.
Eliminating daytime naps is another way to be ready to sleep at bedtime.
These steps seem simple but they work.
Steps to Avoiding Heartburn
Avoid high fat foods. Dietary fat causes the body to produce a hormone that weakens the esophageal valve letting acid into the esophagus.
Don’t eat big meals. Eating a lot of food makes your body produce a lot of acid. Instead eat five or six small meals a day.
Don’t eat before bedtime. Lying down soon after eating makes it easier for the stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. It’s better to eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed.
Cut out coffee and tea- both caffinated and decaffeinated. Its not the caffeine that causes increased stomach acid but some other unknown ingredient in these beverages.
Cut down on carbonated beverages (especially cola and beer), citrus fruits, and tomatoes. This food can trigger your stomach to produce extra acid.
Watch out for spices. Spicy foods are common causes of excess acid.
Chuck the chocolate. The fat and other ingredients in chocolate can open the acid faucet causing painful heartburn.
Loosen you belt after eating. Tight clothing such as belts pants and support hose can create additional pressure and make heartburn worse.
Skip the Spearmint and Peppermint.
These normally healthful herbs often enjoyed in tea or as a flavoring in after dinner mints loosen the esophageal valve.
Nix the Nightcaps. If you have acid indigestion drinking alcohol in the evening almost guarantees a late-Night episode of heartburn.
Lose weight. While losing may be easier said than done, being 10 to 20% over your ideal weight puts you at risk of heartburn.
Stop smoking. Smoking weakens your esophageal muscle allowing acid to pour into the esophagus.
Reported by: BRENDA LETT
APRIL
By: Doug Booth
April time a sunny daylong enjoy it all in your own way play guitar music, song doing things all day long roses, tulips, flowers grow rainbow high colors glow feel the warm and comfort tooSunshine shining down on youTime to walk down streets you know Leave behind the winter snowThe morning sun and springtime fun April time for anyone.
BIKE TALK
By: Joan Haspray
I glanced out the window a few minutes ago…
Some bicyclists were riding passion on the street always….
They looked to be having fun on this winter day.
"Bikes built for two" some had.
Perhaps for brothers or sisters or moms or dads.
How cute they looked depending on each other to go down the road.
Traveling perhaps to abode.
Children I bet would like to ride that particular style…
Both in a straight single file.
It reminded me on how the other day passing.
I exercised and my bleak seemed self-assassinating.
I walked the track and rode a bike.
Thought it would me good…mainly for my psyche.
That bike had a high seat.and innocently I thought fat Id defeat.
Well perhaps they could make these exercise bikes made for two – to promote inspiration and togetherness.
But for me whatever bike Im
Staying away far. For my old backbone hurts like a new scar!
The pain made me feel terrible but now its bearable.
With Ragbrai I ll not participate but rather observe.
Perhaps because of my back and eating too many hors d oeurves.
I wont complain but swimming and walking seem best.
For these I feel more zest.
Changes occur – adding on and making others a burr.
Just as dreams may fall apart…
Others are a new start!
On Monday March 3rd Shannon and Rachel two ISU graduates who are doing internships to become certified dieticians from Iowa Healthcare came to the Rainbow Center to present information on nutritional health. Having graduated from Iowa State University they enlightened us with their copious knowledge. They presented the food pyramid with its emphasis on grains fresh fruits and vegetables. They offered ideas on healthy snacks and the perils of empty calories such as pop. They fielded questions from members and staff and talked about healthy snacks recommended energy intakes and fiber facts. An important point was made about portion sizes and the impact it has on calorie intake. Overall it was a positive meeting with helpful information for everyone.
By: Mark Grunzweg
CALL RAINBOW CENTER-243-6929— Its educational its fun It’s the speakers Bureau—call them—they will teach you about RAINBOW Center and about CLUBHOUSE!!
QUARTERLY MEETING
Occurred on March 6th 2003.
28 members and staff attended. The following subjects were discussed.
1. Attendance is always an issue—we are consistent at 33 to 35 but need to increase membership.
RAINBOW Center philosophy is that members come to the Clubhouse whenever they wish however in order to keep a vibrant growing Clubhouse—we need to increase our average daily attendance.
2. Develop TE jobs
Mainstream job available
We need clerical jobs. We need members to develop their clerical skills.
3. Develop a PR Committee
Make RAINBOW Center more visible in the community.
ICCD certification—October or Nov of 2003.
12th I.S. Conference in MN—Linda said that she would like to take a bigger number of members to Minneapolis for the 12th International seminar.
Saturday Activity- What will bring people here? - Go places—The program needs energy and participation
Keep 1 Sat. a Month open at the RAINBOW Center - No real answer--- encourage members to come.
8. LATE NIGHT, WHAT IS THE DRAW?
Have more meals and then members go home on the bus?
Survey the people who come to late night. Talk about options
9. Cleaning up after yourself.
10. Board applications. Members need to write letters.
Linda Oleson-King soliciting Non Member Board Members
11. Future: Where will we be in 5 years? Buy our own building. Need a good location on one floor good parking.
The next meeting will be in June 2003.
Reasons to Tolerate Healthy Eating By: Mike Lewis
Longevity
Better Health
Attractiveness
Happiness
Conditioning
Stress Reduction
Something Constructive to do
Dating Again
Self Confidence
Toleration of Frustration Dieting Statements—I unconditionally accept myself even if my diet performance is less than desirable. I can tolerate not eating something I want.
I can tolerate eating Healthfully just because I crave something to eat doesn’t mean I need to eat it.
LONG TERM SEXUAL ATTRACTIVENESS
Pray to higher power
I quit using cigarettes, pot, drugs and alcohol.
Budget Cuts – RAINBOW Style
I am sure you have all heard as much about the budget issues for the State and County as you care to, but here is one more piece!! Here is the RAINBOW Center’s take on billing, members attending the club and budgets. The primary & first thing we think about is the voluntary nature of the clubhouse. This relates to the first standard, and is central to all that we do. If you want to come to the clubhouse you can and should!
The second thing we think about is how do we get money to run the program. A logical program that focused on billing and money would reverse the order of those two items but as clubhouse folks we really think about the person first. You all know that money is essential to the running of the clubhouse. Case managers throughout the county have been given the difficult challenge to cut the spending on your personal budget by 5% which at times means budgeting to come to the clubhouse less.
We all know that attendance at the RAINBOW Center is not just to do some work, but really to connect receive support contribute build self-esteem and really feel better. SO if you want to come to the clubhouse come. We want to see you as you are what makes the program successful. If we are only able to bill for a certain number of days that is what we will do until this crisis improves. We will work with your case managers to offer the best services we can! Thanks! Hope to see you soon! Linda OK
Together We can All Be Winners!
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