This is part 2 of a 6 part blog series. Each post will have one part of a complete Mental Health Humor Cartoon.

|Depression 1| Depression 2| Depression 3| Depression 4| Depression 5| Depression 6|

Are you happy? What does it take to be happy?  There are some basic requirements needed for happiness in life. They are not hard to achieve.  Keeping them, on the other hand, is where we all find difficulty.

What do we need to be happy?

• Peaceful home and living environment…one where you have a feeling of security and safety – in short: Peace of Mind.

• A caring and loving family and supportive friends you can trust and count on and that they can count on you.

• Good Physical and Mental Health, you can’t have one without the other, and both are hard to keep.

• At least three meals a day, clean clothing, and roof on our head (shelter).

• Do you have a “Purpose in life?” Don’t guess, don’t just say something others say, think about it: what is your “Purpose,” not sure, don’t worry.  Many people don’t have a “true calling.” A calling when you make a personal vow and dedication in your heart and mind that you are going to focus on that purpose. 

• HOPE – Without hope, there is no hope! Hope for the future is an important key to happiness.  Because when things are down, HOPE tells us things will get better.

I was once told to”Remember hope is never lost, it’s just up to you to get up and fight through it. Don’t lose hope! ”  Of Course, what they told me was a bit confusing! Since they first told me “ hope is never lost” then ended with “Don’t lose hope.“… Now that is my type of AMBIGUOUS advice. Reminds me of my favorite Mental Health Humor cartoon.

♥ Mental Health Humor Cartoons by Chato Stewart

This is part 3 of a 6 part blog series. Each post is  one part of a complete Mental Health Humor Cartoon.

|Depression 1| Depression 2| Depression 3| Depression 4| Depression 5| Depression 6|

Yo, is there any reason to think we can find a robot relaxing?  Gosh, if you watch TV, you might of seen the show the Humans? It is about creepy Blade Runner (Movie in 1982 Fantasy/Thriller starring Harrison Ford) life-like robots/androids.  Humanoids that lack feelings?  Sounds like me–when I’m depressed.  Just going through the motions like a robot…beep-beep-bot-boot-beep!

Bipolar Depression can really suck dry the “Hydrogen power cell” of this bot… Need to find a way to get some relaxation techniques that will charge up the battery cells.

Topping this off with the anxieties of the day-to-day is like smacking you around like a tin man in a rock crusher.

Plexing!

STRESS

Yo, one key factor feeding bipolar, depression and anxiety seems to be stress.  Sometimes as with my depression, that stress could be just getting out of bed or getting motivated… Or when I can’t sleep, and I will be awake for a few days or more only getting “catnaps” – until I just pass out!  During this period, my stress level is high.  No amount of tolerance can tolerate it, the littlest things break the eggshell exterior.

It’s times like these I wonder if being a robot would be an ideal thing…but is that what I would be? a thing?

So, Yo, being human is a good thing, stress and all!

Now we just have to take care of the depression.

Yo, if you have kids, you should see a connection in this grouping of post cartoon characters I’m drawing.  Trust me there is a connection.

♥ Mental Health Humor Cartoons by Chato Stewart

This is part 4 of a 6 part blog series. Each post is one part of a complete Mental Health Humor Cartoon.

|Depression 1| Depression 2| Depression 3| Depression 4| Depression 5| Depression 6|

Yo, Emotional Eating To Deal With Sadness or Depression can have devastating affects on your body and mind.  I would tell my therapist, “I am depressed so I eat, and I eat because I’m depressed.”  It is like lighting a match at both ends and hoping you don’t get burnt.  “Man must live, Not on bread alone” – but when it come to Emotional eating, bread is not the only edible thing in my reach.  I had comfort food that I used as “coping food” when things were down.  My “weakness” foods – Shrimp, Eggplant, Roast Beef or Steak tips.

One night, when things were at my worst for me and I was suicidal, I made my mind up that I was going to give in and let my bipolar disorder win the day.  I bought myself the best steak and went home, prepped and cooked the best philly steak tips (seared on the outside, raw in the middle- that is the way I love to eat steak).  If it was not for the time it took for me to cook that great meal, I would not be here! So in a weird sense, this emotional eating saved my life! Because just as I finished eating, my family came home and I saw my kids and started crying. I could not believe I was on the verge of doom.  Needless to say, I contacted my doctor right away and we adjusted my meds and I got more help.

Food feeds the beast of depression, but it’s an empty pit.  One type of food that I used to be hooked on was one type of cookie…Nabisco Nutter Butter Peanut Butter.  I could eat the whole package in one sitting.  I LOVE anything with Peanut Butter…Even scooping it out of the jar.

Over the years, it has taken me a long time to be honest with myself about food I digest.  Why I buy it, why I eat it.  I realised I was telling myself falsehoods about my deitary needs.

What about what we drink? Obviously beer and liquor is one way some try getting away from emotional depression, but does that ever really happen? It’s more like it adds to the issues, well after the bender is over.

Coffee and even energy drinks could also fall into that same category.  While you are not getting buzzed or drunk, some heavy consumption of coffee and energy drinks can influence your mood in a way not intended.  I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say with a fact what really is happening medically speaking.  Nevertheless, I know after 6 or 7 cups of coffee…I get really anxious, jittery and irritable. What powers you artificially has the tendency to drop you like a rock when it runs its course.

I don’t need soda!  So why buy it, just because it’s on sale.  Is it saving me money?  Or causing me problems?  So, I went from regular soda to diet for a while. I hated the taste of diet, so good thing I quite soda all together.  It has been almost 3 years since I bought soda regularly.  I buy Ginger ale for my wife and the kids, from time to time, but it’s a treat, not a drink.  When I take a sip now, it’s like a nasty, acidic drink.  So, I know I never need to drink a 2 Liter Bottle of soda or more a day.

Peer pressure  can get us in trouble more often than not.  When was the last time you had good Peer Pressure?  Today, I want to give you some good Peer Pressure.  Try to stop one bad habit for one week.  Nothing big, start small, what is your reward? You get to add 1 more bad habit the next week.  Keep doing that in over 6 months you will see a lot of little changes add up to big changes.  All by doing 1 little sustainable change.

♥ Mental Health Humor Cartoons by Chato Stewart

This is part 5 of a 6 part blog series. Each post is one part of a complete Mental Health Humor Cartoon.

|Depression 1| Depression 2| Depression 3| Depression 4| Depression 5| Depression 6|

NAMI∇ says studies suggest that 1 in 20 people will be affected with food and weight issues at some point in their lives. Ultimately without treatment, eating disorders can take over a person’s life and lead to serious, potentially fatal, medical complications.

Anorexia Nervosa. A person with anorexia will deny themselves food to the point of self-starvation as she obsesses about weight loss. With anorexia, a person will deny hunger and refuse to eat, practice binge eating and purging behaviors or exercise to the point of exhaustion as she attempts to limit, eliminate or “burn” calories.

The emotional symptoms of anorexia include irritability, social withdrawal, lack of mood or emotion, not able to understand the seriousness of the situation, fear of eating in public and obsessions with food and exercise. Often food rituals are developed or whole categories of food are eliminated from the person’s diet, out of fear of being “fat”.

Yo, I grew up with 3 older sisters.  What I am about to say now is something that may not be a stretch of my imagination at all, but I believe one of my sisters dealt with Anorexia Nervosa in her teen years.

I have never really asked her about this. It kind of has been a mute/moot point in our lives…since there was so much messed up and twisted stuff going on.  Growing up in a violent area, having a Father prone to violence and being a disciplinarian with a leather belt, did not help my backside much.  With so much other S#%@ going on in the house, it was easy to see how: IF maybe  my sister had an eating disorder like Anorexia, it could fall through the cracks. There were so many other things 10X worse going on…eating issues would be hard to identify. Even more so, since we did not have much food in the house to begin with. So, how can you be Anorexic if you’re already starving? (Dad was a proud person and rejected the Idea of Food Stamps and welfare.) Needless to say, growing up in the projects, we were one of the only family NOT ON WELFARE.  We were poor among the poorest due to pride, as I see it…I resented my Father for a long time for not getting us help and making us siblings fight over every bit of food.

I think this may have the roots to my own issues with food, and why I emotionally eat?  I believe, if my sister was truly suffering from Anorexia then, this must of also played a part. It could also go hand-in-hand with the depression and anxiety with which she deals.

Food in our house growing up was sparse. There would be days without and even weeks with any real meals. Other than eating at school for breakfast and lunch.  During the week–might be mac & cheese or pasta.  Or PB and J or just bread with whatever we could find in an empty fridge. When we did have food, it was war over who would get it.  So it was feast or famine, as a tween, seeing my sister purging…I never made any connection to any thing wrong; other than a bad meal. (May be it was situational Bulimia?)  It still could of been that bad meal.

My sister always thinks she is fat even now, when, in fact, she was/is perfect weight and size.  She was/is beautiful but she could not see it.  When she was 18, she was always dieting.  I’m not sure if “Anorexia” was THE  THING /new fad diet in the early 80’s as acceptable.  Now it is seen as what it really is: an eating disorder.  I’ve seen the t.v. show about “Anorexia” and it’s scary.  My sister was never that extreme, but the reasoning on food and self-esteem sounded familiar.

I admit, I don’t know much about Anorexia but when you see your sister bingeing when you’re a tween a number times, it’s not hard now to look back and connect the dots… Low-self esteem…depression… irregular heart rhythms… irritability… obsessions with exercise…and bingeing altogether make a case /signs of Anorexia.

I know her self-esteem never recovered much…she dated dead-beat guys.  Always questioning her looks, even though she is gorgeous, beautiful, brilliant woman and most loving sister a guy could have!  I’m lucky because I have three gorgeous, beautiful, brilliant, loving sisters.  While I will always be their younger brother, I love them all very much and I try to share every and anything I’ve learned, over the years of my advocacy, with them.  Some times– they are considered pearls of wisdom, other times ..well, other times, I’m still their younger brother giving younger brother advice and younger brother suggestions…You know the type of advice you just write off because I’m the younger brother!

Now did that “publicly” expose one my sisters as once having Anorexia? Something she may never of had–just based on memories that may be corrupted by years of medication and by my young age. I think, She would not mind this post if she knew that just by talking about this topic that…I think–looked like/pointed to Anorexia now in retrospect…may get others to talk or get help with Anorexia now.

My sister will read this post, she gets around to reading a lot of my posts.  She may text me “CHATO I NEVER HAD “Anorexia” – or She may say “how perceptive I am”… It a 50%/50%!

But what if it was your sister or brother (yes, boys can have Anorexia, too)?  Do you know the signs? What to look for? What the differences are between Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?  

Chato Stewart

∇”NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.”

♥ Mental Health Humor Cartoons by Chato Stewart

This is part 6 of a blog series. Each past post is one part of this whole, complete Mental Health Humor Cartoon.

|Depression 1| Depression 2| Depression 3| Depression 4| Depression 5| Depression 6|

“Yo GaBBa Gabba” jumped in my head when I was reading fellow Psych Central’s Dr. Rick Nauert PhD blog post  “Animal Studies Show Promise for New Class of Antidepressants.”  In the post, he refers to research by Scott Thompson, PhD who is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM). The research has identified some promising compounds that could successfully treat depression in less than 24 hours – this was published this month in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

“Our results open up a whole new class of potential antidepressant medications,” said  Thompson. “We have evidence that these compounds can relieve the devastating symptoms of depression in less than one day, and can do so in a way that limits some of the key disadvantages of current approaches.”

When Rick Nauert posted on July 14th and quoted below, I was happy to read about the “potential” of a fast acting depression compound – but having 4 kids, I could not get my mind off the Yo Gabba gabba connection.. with the GABA-NAMs.

The researchers focused on another neurotransmitter besides serotonin, an inhibitory compound called GABA. Brain activity is determined by a balance of opposing excitatory and inhibitory communication between brain cells. Thompson and his team argue that in depression, excitatory messages in some brain regions are not strong enough. 

Because there is no safe way to directly strengthen excitatory communication, they examined a class of compounds that reduce the inhibitory messages sent via GABA. They predicted that these compounds would restore excitatory strength.

These compounds, called GABA-NAMs, minimize unwanted side effects because they are precise: They work only in the parts of the brain that are essential for mood.

This is good news to people like me and many others that regular SSRIs may be having less and less effectiveness on their depression.  Still, I’m sure this is many years away for human trial.  A Golden pill for depression and to work within 24 hours with minimal side-effect. Yo, GABA NAMs may be the pipe dream, we living with depression, have all been dreaming about.  Then again, watching Yo Gabba Gabba just might be more effective in lifting our mood.

Who is to say:  If the FDA fast tracks GABA-NAMs in some type of new medication, would you take it?  Right now Rats are showing goods signs, but the jump from a depressed rat to a depressed human…

“These compounds produced the most dramatic effects in animal studies that we could have hoped for,” Dr. Thompson said. “It will now be tremendously exciting to find out whether they produce similar effects in depressed patients. If these compounds can quickly provide relief of the symptoms of human depression, such as suicidal thinking, it could revolutionize the way patients are treated.”

Needless to say, we will all be looking forward to more updates from Dr. Rick Nauert PhD in the future.  Thanks for keeping us so up- to-date on the important issues.  And for always inspiring some great cartoon ideas.

Neuropsychopharmacology (22 April 2015) | doi:10.1038/npp.2015.112

We hypothesized that negative allosteric modulators of GABA_A receptors would exert similar effects on brain activity as ketamine, but would not exert as many side effects if targeted only to GABA_A receptors containing α5 subunits, which are enriched in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Here, we show that the α5-selective negative modulator L-655,708 reversed the alterations in hedonic behavior in the sucrose preference and social interaction tests produced by two different chronic stress paradigms in rats within 24 h of systemic administration.

I also want to give a quick shout out to fellow Psych Central Blogger LaRae LaBouff. When I read her blog today, I could see she and I were thinking the same thing when I read the sentence/term “GABA”. In her post,  Bipolar with Migraines May Be New Subtype she says “First, let’s talk about GABA. It doesn’t have anything to do with the kids’ t.v. show. GABA, in the most basic definition, is your body’s chill factor.”  It is a good read–check it out.

♥ The Mental Health Humor cartoon is draw by Chato B Stewart. This is my rendition of the Yo Gabba Gabba Group coming together to do a PSA for Depression. It was not my intent to negatively depict Christian Jacobs, Scott Schultz in any other way but depressed in connection with the new compound “Gaba-Nams”.  The word association gave way to me drawing the characters dealing with depression and DJ Lance Rock ready to help.  While this is a stretch from their normal image, spoofing the gang is for a positive cause: promotion of mental health awareness. 

Chato Stewart

♥♥♥ Trademarks relating to Yo Gabba Gabba! and its characters are held by GabbaCaDabra, LLC.

“Yo Gabba Gabba! logo” by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Growing up I could not understand why–it seemed like my father was always angry?  From when I was around 6 till I was out of the house, he always had a mean streak.  Yet when my father was balanced, he was an extremely loving and caring person.  He taught me many life lessons from caring for animals to helping people in need.  While my father did have limits to and growing up there was some very messed up stuff (mostly due to the fact that he was living a life with uncontrolled bipolar disorder, compounded with physical injury to his spine that should have had him in a wheelchair back in the 70’s and 80’s)…yet all the pain drugs and trial drugs, for his condition(s), did not help his mood disorder. I believe it feed it fuel. I know he loved me is his own way.

On thing we did together was baseball.  He signed me up to play and would toss the ball around.  The above, Mental Health Humor cartoon, would have made him laugh.  Nowadays, there is a long-list of Baseball Players Accused Of Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs.

Performance-Enhancing Drugs, in sports are wrong, we know it, it’s cheating; but in life: Performance-Enhancing Drugs help so we can function normally, go about our day-today.  It’s not cheating death, or cheating life, is it?

Old Back Burner Hotdog: I used to be a Footlong!
New hotdog: “!”
Caption: Big Issues NOW? Leave them “On The Back Burner” look SMALLER later.

What is the benefit of putting “it on the back burner”?

I’ve worked in a number of restaurants, everything from making Pizza at Papa Gino’s in Melrose to Cottonwood Cafe’s side bar restaurant to Snake Bites in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  I was the grill man/cook, and as any grill guy will tell you is: you use the:  Put it on the back burner, not just to keep food warm, but it’s used in timing the dish. If you cook steak and chicken and salmon for 12 plates, all for the same table, you want all the plates out at the same time. But the 3 steaks are well, 2 are Philly and 6 are medium – the chicken 6 oz…all cooks about the same time if the the grill is hot. The fish cooks the fastest and that has to go on the flat grill, then to the fire to get good grill marks…and everything has to come out at the same time with each plate containing rice and beans and garnish. That is when the “Put it on the back burner ” is the most powerful. It helps with the timing of the meal, getting everything ready, so it meets and exceeds the customer’s expectations.

Can this be applied in everyday-real-life scenarios?  Well yes. The perfect example is when dealing with difficult people, problems or issues in life that are interpersonal in nature.  There are not tasks that are required nor needed to be done such as a to-do list.  Tasks can be put on the backburner too, but in this case, we are talking about dealing with people.

We will have people offend us, (we will offend others).  It is what we do next that elevates, or escalates the situation.

Have you ever had anyone from the many social networks (I’m sure you have profiles on and use: Twitter, Facebook, instagram and the like), have you ever had a negative comment? YOU WILL get one at some point.  What we do next will elevate, or escalate the situation!

If you’re human and like me and along with the over 2 Billion Global Social Media Users  (who have people who are your “friends” or friends of your friends comment on your post or any pics, or anything you put on line)…When we put anything on-line, we have to remember there are always two points of view. Yours and mine. I’m always going to be RIGHT!  Dealing with self-deluded people like me can be exhausting and there are 2 billion social media users Getting OVERWHELMED via Social Media. Trying to keep up with all our virtual “friends”has more and more people taking Social media vacations. Or putting SOCIAL MEDIA on the back burner.

People will offend us – offend is a mild way of saying it, they will irk us, they will irritate us, piss us off, they will get under our skin, they will push our buttons – IF WE LET THEM!  WHY do we LET THEM? If we are confronted online, do we lash out with words online or do we search for where they live, so we can have some choice words in person?  Do you lose control?  It’s like one match dropped in the woods, the flame can die out if you step on it or you can rage. If you dump dry grass on it, then douse it with gas…Before you know it, you have a forest fire.

For sure “Putting it on the backburner” comes in handy.  Not responding quickly with an emotional fury of slurs and angry word imagery–can save you a lot of stress!

This works in real-life too, if you have issue with a friend or loved one…the issue is not going to really be solved with a yelling and screaming contest.  Put it on the back burner, till it can be calmly approached and talked about with proper attention if needed.

You may find that Overstating Actual Knowledge by the time you get back to that BIG issue, it is much smaller than once thought; it’s not as important.

Ernie: Remember that pledge you made, but never paid up cause we’re on “public television?” We’re now on HBO punk! We learned some new collection techniques!
caption: Bert and Ernie join the “family.” The Soprano Family.

HBO is the home of  “The Sopranos” and “Game of Thrones” – violence and mayhem with ruthless mobsters, sex, drugs and debauchery. And now “Sesame Street, the essence of innocence.” Will Innocence Be Lost?

“The non-profit producer of public television’s “Sesame Street” and HBO announced a unique and surprising partnership Thursday morning, in which the premium subscription network will air the next five seasons of the Emmy-winning, Muppet-populated educational series for children. New episodes of “Sesame Street” could start airing and streaming on HBO’s TV and Internet platforms as early as this fall.”  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2015/08/13/hbo-gets-sesame-street-for-the-next-five-seasons-dont-freak-out-pbs-will-still-have-the-show-too/

When I read that Sesame Street was moving to HBO, the Above Mental Health Humor cartoon “Bert and Ernie join the ‘family.’ The Soprano Family.”  just drew itself.

I remember growing up watching the pledge drives, wondering who is collecting all the money pledges.  Yes, today with all the tech it makes it much faster and easier–one swipe or type a few numbers and ping your done, but this is Sesame Street we are talking about…

In the above Mental Health Humor cartoon, can you pin-point any of my common “Symptoms of Bipolar?”

During a manic phase, symptoms include:

• heightened sense of self-importance
• exaggerated positive outlook
• significantly decreased need for sleep
• poor appetite and weight loss
• racing speech, flight of ideas, impulsiveness
• ideas that move quickly from one subject to the next
• poor concentration, easy distractibility
• increased activity level
• excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
• poor financial choices, rash spending sprees
• excessive irritability, aggressive behavior

During a depressed phase, symptoms include:

• feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• loss of interest in pleasurable or usual activities
• difficulty sleeping; early-morning awakening
• loss of energy and constant lethargy
• sense of guilt or low self-esteem
• difficulty concentrating
• negative thoughts about the future
• weight gain or weight loss
• talk of suicide or death

Psychcentral.com Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder(Manic Depression)

This recently triggered a few of the above symptoms.

“Ever wonder if there is really even such thing as bipolar disorder, or whether its just a lazy diagnosis when you can’t find evidence of anything else?”

(- This recent FACEBOOK  comment that wanted to make me SCREAM!!! What The BLA-BLA-BLANK-BLA-BLA!!!!)

I know you want to add some choice words to say right now too…I am sure you have case studies and research and years of knowledge to give this person the who-what-and for-speech!  It has been a few weeks (or more) since I got that comment on a posted Cartoon at Psych Central page. I did not want to even comment back to the troll.  Instead, I just approached the comment and the person with apathy.  They were seeking a public argument calling into question the validity of mental illness as a real “thing” and those that diagnose Bipolar Disorder as incompetent quacks.

I put the whole thing on the proverbial “back-burner!” – i.e.”put it on the back burner.”

My Symptoms of Bipolar

The following is a graph description of a glimpse of what my “a lazy ‘Bipolar’ diagnosis” feels like – NOTE : it could be a trigger for some I DON’T RECOMMEND YOU READ IT–IF YOU’RE SENSITIVE TO DARK IMAGERY.”

I am Chato Stewart. The cartoonist behind the original Mental Health Humor Cartoons, started in 2008 and moved to Psych Central 5 years ago. Most of the time my blogs are meant to lighten with dabs of humor …with hopefully a Mental health humor cartoon that may make you laugh. Or may make you think, or may make  You say, “I don’t get it.”  Trust the people who do get it, they absolutely understand..  When I started thinking of this blog post about dealing with difficult people…I had a few people in mind, but I had to Put it on the back burner.

There are two things I have found most helpful if you have issues with someone- DON’T let it fester.  Don’t immediately toss it to the back burner without trying to fix it.  Living with Bipolar Disorder, I know I have caused a lot of “pain” and I have had to mend a lot of fences and rebuild many bridges. Sometimes over and over again.

Have an OPEN HEART – TRY to understand that yes, we may “LIVE with the daily pain and anguish of the darkest depths of our inner loathsome hepless lives> SOMETIMES< then get help and meds > and we are may be 10%=35% of our old self but we are improving in our dark, damp dungeon of words in our head, fighting every inch to make it better even for just one second, one damn second of relief.  We are intertwined in a labyrinth of our own world. Punching to get out, our fists are bloody and knuckles bear to the bone, but we lunge every punch as to numb out the illness inside.  On the outside, we look like you.  But inside: war, in the trenches, and death stench and rot abound.  The reaper is on our heals, yet we fight. Day-in-day-out. no so “lazy”, it’s a lot of hard work to stay alive.

Depression: OMG, Like We’re Twinsies!
Caption: You Found happiness? Grab it! Never let it go! Even when sadness comes.
The Family Stew

Is It Delusional or Narcissistic To Want To Be Happy?

Is it delusional or narcissistic to want to be happy? and Believe I deserve to be happy? (That part, may be, He is a bit delusional!) If I was a narcissist, I would be so overly self-deluded and self-involved i would not have any time to try and help any others. So I would never draw the Mental Health Humor Blog! Since that is my goal: to help (with the Mental health humor cartoons) my fellow peers living with Bipolar, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, mood disorders and other cognitive behavioral issues.

Fact: Happiness is fleeting.  If you are like me and deal with bipolar or depression or any other ‘mental health’ or deal with any other health issue or even a financial issue…can steal our happiness away in a flash. Then when we have a chance to be happy, we need to grab it, hold on to it for as long as we can. Do everything we can to feed that happiness.  USE it because, one thing I have learned about depression is that no matter how much space I try to put between us on the “Road to Recovery” … Depression ALWAYS seems to have a full tank of gas.  So, we need to keep filling the happy tank to keep that little clown car putting along ahead.

Take away: If being self-involved about my mental health is narcissism, then i’m gorgeous! (think about it, it’s a joke)

Here are Some of Chato Stewart’s Mental health humor on the Subject of:
Bipolar, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder,  ptsd,  mood disorder and other cognitive behavioral issues.

Cartoon Issues:
Narcissist, agoraphobia, personality test, psychopath, depression test, sex addiction, stages of grief

Chato Stewart 1990: (narcissism) Bla bla bla bla look at me bla bla bla….
Chato: In my day we HAD Selfie Sticks Too…We called them trees!
Bobby Bob: Hey, look @ Me LOL OMG! I’m Kool So Awesome Am I
Caption: You’re So Vain

It seems to me, cameras get small. Incredible how small the video camera got over the years. A few things happened, Amateur videographers went from taping/videoing their kids, pets, friends and families – BORING! To get videoing himself or friends and in some very regrettable situations…ah-ha could this be the beginning of video Narcissism as we know it?

Narcissism Feeding 25 Year of  America’s Funniest Home Videos

Soon getting kicked in the crotch, hit with footballs, baseballs, bats and bikes in the crotch and getting it caught on video was NEW framework of the television show launched November 26, 1989. NO, Hidden camara; those are professional camera people. This was the the movement of the “Amateur videographers.”  But now you can get PAID to get your kids, pets, friends and families in embarrassing, humiliating, funny situations. Make fun of yourself on national television with a chance of winning thousands in prize money…Winning $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos, I have to be honest, I wanted to send in more than a few videos try to win. Always thought it would be easy money.

When the iphone came out, putting a video camera at your fingertip, it changed the world as we know it.  While I believe the true video Narcissistic really did not come full circle till Youtube…I truly believe the video camera has played a definite part feeding into the obsession with ourselves. You can almost follow the growth of Narcissism over the 2 and half decades.

Say it, “I’m A Narcissist,” I’m So Vain, and I’m Awesome!

Still not sure? Well in the Mental Health Humor Cartoon above I show me, Chato Stewart, using the tree selfie stick.  Trust me, that is the truest story, I have video of me doing “video diaries.”  So, how does this self professed narcissist compare 25 years later?  Well, here’s one way to find out: I will take the Psych Central Narcissistic Personality Quiz.  This is the very first time I have ever taken a test like this about narcissism.  It was not until this past week that someone suggested I should look into some narcissistic traits to see if there are any that match my own.  Advice given so I could better understand myself and improve my greatness, no doubt.

To what extent do you agree with this statement: “I am a narcissist.“ (Note: The word “narcissist” means egotistical, self-focused, and vain.)

This website will allow you to access the newly published Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS) developed by researchers at Indiana University, Gettysburg College, and The Ohio State University. Please answer the questions as honestly as you can, and you will receive immediate personalized feedback about how high your narcissism score is compared to our normed samples.  https://goo.gl/CQPg9n

“And narcissism is bad for society because people who are only thinking of themselves and their own interests are less helpful to others.”

• If You chose 1 on the 7 point scale, the is the lowest option.  70% are kind peeps who truly care about others
• If You chose 2 on the 7 point scale, which makes your narcissism score a little bit below average.
• If You chose 3 on the 7 point scale, which makes your narcissism score about average.
• If You chose 4 on the 7 point scale, which makes your narcissism score higher – bit narcissistic.
• If You chose 5 on the 7 point scale, which makes your narcissism score higher moderately narcissistic.
• If You chose 6 on the 7 point scale, which makes your narcissism score higher

Chato Stewart chose 7!

On the 7 point scale, which is the highest response. This means that your narcissism score higher than 99% of the people who have taken this test. Does this surprise you? If so, consider ways that you can better connect with others.

Narcissistic Trait	Strength of Trait
Authority: 7.00
Self-Sufficiency: 4.00
Superiority: 2.00
Exhibitionism: 3.00
Exploitativeness: 4.00
Vanity: 0.00
Entitlement: 4.00

Below you will find a brief interpretation of each narcissism trait and what your score relative to that trait may indicate about you.

Authority

Authority refers to a person’s leadership skills and power. People who score higher on authority like to be in charge and gain power, often for power’s sake alone. You scored particularly high in authority, suggesting you see yourself as a leader or as someone who values power.

Chato Stewart Says: Well, this tips my hand, tips my hat, letting the -cat-out-of-the-bag, YES, I PLAN to rule the universe!

Self-Sufficiency

This trait refers to how self-sufficient a person is, that is, how much you rely on others versus your own abilities to meet your needs in life. You scored particularly high in self-sufficiency, suggesting you are highly self-sufficient.

Chato Stewart Says: Okay, high in self-sufficiency, that’s a good thing, right?

Superiority

This trait refers to whether a person feels they are more superior than those around them.

Chato Stewart Says: This has to be wrong, since this test is only an “A” -“B” test, I have to pick the best that fits, without skipping. So I think the 2 points I got in this category 50% is wrong. I’m telling You it is!

Exhibitionism

This trait refers to a person’s need to be the center of attention, and willingness to ensure they are the center of attention (even at the expense of others’ needs).

Chato Stewart Says: This was me for most of my life, not so much now. Hey, I’m talking to you…are you listening to what I’m saying!

Exploitativeness

This trait refers to how willing you are to exploit others in order to meet your own needs or goals. You scored particularly high in exploitativeness, suggesting you don’t mind exploiting others in order to meet your own needs or goals.

Chato Stewart Says: You will have to talk to my wife about this one.

Vanity 0

This trait refers to a person’s vanity, or their belief in one’s own superior abilities and attractiveness compared to others.

Chato Stewart Says: I scored ZERO, this seems to be right on target!

Entitlement

This trait refers to the expectation and amount of entitlement a person has in their life, that is, unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with one’s expectations. People who score higher on this trait generally have a greater expectation of entitlement, while those who score lower expect little from others or life. You scored particularly high on entitlement, suggesting that you may have a higher sense of entitlement than most people.

Chato Stewart Says: Don’t ask my wife about this one, while the  entitlement does quite fit me, the  unreasonable expectations is me all the way. But I deserve more anyway, right?

Take the test to see if You’re So Vain.  Share your results if you wish here.

Chato Stewart.

Stages of Mental Health Conditions

Chato Stewart says: For me this feels like a cold creeping up on me sometimes.  I get more emotional.  I start to “feel” every emotion of a song or movie or t.v. ad commercial…OH, this is funny, when I cry/get teary-eyed over a Budweiser commercial!  The takeaway:  mild symptoms can quickly turn into something much worse; prepare accordingly. As my symptoms go downhill, I make an appointment to see my doctor…

Chato Stewart says: At this point my bipolar symptoms are kicking in.  I should have an appointment to see my doctor soon…going will depend on how downhill I go.  My fuse is short, I’m shutting down, and closing off family and friends.  It’s now that I make my attempts to save myself from getting worse. 

 

FREE LARGE PRINT Out of Chato Stewart version of the #B4Stage4: Changing the Way We Think About Mental Health:

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/humor/files/2015/08/Stages-of-Mental-Health-Conditions.jpg

© Copyright Mental Health America 7/02/2015 b4stage4

Published at http://www.cbhcfl.org/blog/

Stages of Mental Health Conditions

 Chato Stewart says: At this point, I’m locked away in my room, it’s been a few weeks since I have shaved or showered.  I look bad and smell bad!  I am in a battle in my head with myself, dealing with my negative critic telling me to hurt myself.  I’m still trying to be in control and trying every coping tool I have in my arsenal. Or utilizing techniques like drawing, walking, trying to get out of the house (even if it’s to go shopping or to get the mail). I will play video games for days at a times.  Yes, I will play video games to try and get my mind to focus on nothing but the game.  Sometimes it works for me, but only as a pacifier at best for my depression. At this point, I know what’s coming and I’m sinking – If I have a moment of clarity at this point, I would call 911 and ask for help, but it’s too late.

Chato Stewart says: I am not me, my depression has crippled me and if my psychos has kicked in, then it gets scary.  Because a very cold and callous me takes over.  In my mind, it is me at the age of 17 for some reason.  I start doing things I would never do.  Am I dangerous? Yes. A danger to myself mostly.  But if confronted in this state of mind, it could easily be a “danger to others.”

In Stages 3 and 4, the danger here is suicide, and to friends and family.  This can be with both verbal and or physical dangers.  If we are hitting “STAGE 4″ unprepared, our marriage, relationships, family bonds may weather the storm, mostly we “OURSELVES” may not survive the storm.

Here in Florida, each year, we prepare/get ready starting in June for Hurricane season.  We know there will be storms brewing, some will be stronger than others, but we hope they miss our area completely.  And if they come, we prep for them the best we can, get out of the path.

The same can be done for our mental health perception. We know there will be triggers, there will be “stages” we reach.  How we prepare for them can determine how we weather them, the storm and if they will reach “Stage 4.”

Maybe all that is needed is a medication adjustment, or someone to talk to…to get you through a difficulty or emotional strife or stressful situation.  

Something Joan and I did when I first got diagnosed was set up a “Safety Plan.”  This was a way out for her and the kids, in case, I went off the “deep end.”  Something we/she would never need.  Yet, Did she use it?

FREE LARGE PRINT Out of Chato Stewart version of the #B4Stage4: Changing the Way We Think About Mental Health:

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/humor/files/2015/08/Stages-of-Mental-Health-Conditions.jpg

© Copyright Mental Health America 7/02/2015 b4stage4

Published at http://www.cbhcfl.org/blog/

The Mystery of Mental Illness Solved?
Caption: Ancient Relics reveal plausible reason why natives disappeared. Depression!

Yes, you know those are the Easter Island heads.  The Island in the Pacific Ocean, and yes, legend is that the island was named  “Easter Island” because it was discovered on Easter Sunday. As Chilean territory, it is very remote..over 2,000 from mainland and near 65 square miles [166 sq km], the island is basicly 3 connecting extinct volcanoes.

On the island there is an exotic array of delicacies. Fruits such as pineapples, avocados, papayas, and varieties of bananas. And the ocean provides fish by the hollowed out tree loads.  Yes, these natives called the Rapa Nui, no doubt, needed all the food they could handle to make these head and full body Ancient Relics on Easter Island called Moai. There are some 887  statues.  Island archaeologicalist dating them back to 1250 C.E. Some weighing in at 82 tons.  Or as much as an 82 ton Bradley Fighting Vehicle Tank  and some as tall as 3 story high buildings.

Yes, monumental statues, called moai, created by its early Rapa Nui inhabitants during the 10th-16th centuries. The moai are carved human figures with oversize heads, often resting on massive rock altars called ahus. Ahu Tongariki has the largest group upright.

Chato Notes: Started off with drawing the the Over-medicated.com cartoon series with sad faces on the Easter Island Moai.  The caption: “The Mystery of Mental Illness Solved?” As  I drew, 3 heads turned to 4, then I added a hill and put 3 more in the back.  Even added 3 birds pooping on the head of one of them.  

Finishing up the cartoon I had it ready to go, but  then changed the  above ©Mental Health Humor Cartoon caption because I felt the gag would go over  the head of many people if they didn’t connect the joke  right away. The caption originally was: “Shocking Discovery finds proof Easter Island links Moai to MAOI’s .”

Did you ger the reference and play on words??? MAOIs or  monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were more from the 1950s to the late 70’s till ‘80s, when Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) like Prozac (fluoxetine ) hit the scene.

The cartoon works better with “Ancient Relics reveal plausible reason why natives disappeared. Depression!”  I think it explains why I’ve drawn Moai sad and depressed looking.

Step One: Learn the Signs

Take a few minutes to learn the warning signs of suicide.

Call 9-1-1 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider when you hear or see any of these behaviors:

• Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself
• Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person

Seek help by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of these behaviors:

• Hopelessness
• Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking

  Mental Health Humor and psychological disorder humor and cartoons by Chato Stewart

• Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family and society
  
• Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Dramatic mood changes

If you are suicidal or you think someone you know is, we want you to know that help is available and recovery is possible. Start by learning the warning signs, and do whatever you can to get yourself or someone you care about to the help they need so that they can return to living a fully functioning life.

This list of Warning Signs for Suicide was developed by an expert review and consensus process informed by a review of relevant research and literature. Additional information about the warning signs can be found in the following published article: Rudd, M. D., Berman, A. L., Joiner, T. E., Jr., Nock, M. K., Silverman, M. M., Mandrusiak, M., et al. (2006). Warning signs for suicide: Theory, research, and clinical applications. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 36(3), 255-262.

Step 2: Join the Movements

Use your status updates and tweets to help save lives.

Follow us on Facebook!

Be a part of the Take 5 Facebook family and help us count down the days until World Suicide Prevention Day! Receive prevention tips and updates on your news feed to share on your own wall and/or with your friends.

Pledge to Take 5 on World Suicide Prevention Day by joining the Take 5 virtual Facebook Event! Invite at least 5 friends or family members to join the Take 5 Pledge too.

Follow us on Twitter!

Tweet or retweet Take 5 or World Suicide Prevention Day posts using hashtags #take5 #preventsuicide #WSPD

Step three: Learn the Signs

Make a commitment to tell 5 people about World Suicide Prevention Day.

Tell 5 friends or family members about World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and how they too can Take 5 by visiting www.take5tosavelives.org.

Use your social media channels to help spread the word about World Suicide Prevention Day and the Take 5 to Save Lives Campaign!

Suggested Facebook Posts:

Individuals:  It’s World Suicide Prevention day and I’m Taking 5 to Save Lives. Join the movement by visiting www.take5tosavelives.org and updating your status with this message. #take5

Organizations:  It’s World Suicide Prevention day, Take 5 to Save Lives. Join the movement by visiting www.take5tosavelives.org  and updating your status with this message. #take5

Suggested Tweets

Individuals:  It’s World Suicide Prevention day and I’m Taking 5 to Save Lives. RT www.take5tosavelives.org #take5

Organizations:  It’s World Suicide Prevention day, Take 5 to Save Lives. RT www.take5tosavelives.org #take5

World Suicide Prevention Day was started by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization. IASP has developed an array of suicide prevention activities that you can take part in. To learn more about IASP’s World Suicide Prevention Day activities, click HERE.

Step 4: Support a Friend

4 Support a Friend

Know what to do when someone you know is struggling.

Mental Health Humor and psychological disorder humor and cartoons by Chato Stewart

If you are concerned that someone you know might be thinking about harming themselves and believe they may be in immediate danger of hurting themselves, call 911. For additional guidance and support call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk with a professional.

Note that it is important to not deal with the situation alone. Suicide is too big to deal with all by yourself. Include and involve others in the care, recovery and support of a friend or family member.  School-aged individuals should tell a trusted adult, a parent, a teacher or school counselor. Adults can reach out to a professional health worker or a trusted friend, family member or co-worker.

Suicide is not a secret and cannot be kept a secret. It is better to lose a friendship than it is to lose a friend to suicide.

How you respond to someone that is showing signs of emotional distress or a potential problem is often dependent on your relationship with that person. If you have a long history with the person, you may be a key resource for support and feel comfortable having a discussion with them about how they are feeling.

Ways to be helpful to someone who may be suicidal but is not in immediate danger: 

• Be aware. Listen to them and learn the warning signs.

  Mental Health Humor Build Mental walls or bridges by Chato Stewart

• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide. Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow them to talk openly about their feelings.
  
• Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.

  Mental Health Humor and psychological disorder humor and cartoons by Chato Stewart

  
  

• Get help by reaching out to someone you trust. Another adult, a school teacher, a counselor, a close friend or family member.

Step Five: Reach Out

Learn how to get help if you are concerned about your own thoughts and feelings. Know you are not alone and that recovery is possible! 

In a medical emergency, call 911 (if located in the United States).

If you are suicidal and need someone to talk to, call the Lifeline to speak with a trained professional at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or visit the website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Sunday Silly By Chato Stewart’s Girl Dj age 10 – Title Eye Phone (iphone)

9:59 A.M. Collapse of the World Trade Center’s South Tower
10:28 A.M. Collapse of the World Trade Center’s North Tower

The tragedy does not need to be rehashed out on this post, so i will just hit some 9/11 facts. You know what happen this day September 11, 2001. It was at 8:46 A.M. Hijackers crashed Flight 11 into floors 93 to 99 of the World Trade Center’s North Tower (Tower 1).  Then at 9:03 A.M Hijackers crashed Flight 175 into floors 77 to 85 of Tower 2 at the World Trade Center South Tower. There would be two more Hijacking that day but for me the Twin Towers sum up the day.  After the attack, people were running to get out and get away.  Who could blame them right.

“First Responders”

The NYPD calls a second Level 4 Mobilization, bringing its total deployment to 2,000 men and women. The FDNY issues a second Fifth Alarm, dispatching 235 firefighters, 20 engines and eight ladder companies. Other companies and off-duty personnel, not directly called, respond to the attacks. -.911memorial.org

I watch every channel back home in Boston. I watch with the rest of the world. As a new father, I watched with my wife and new born baby girls and 2 year old son.  I still see faces of the dead to this day!

Each year I feel compelled to draw the 9 11 tribute cartoon. It is my own personal Mental Health Humor cartoon, yes, it is for me as art therapy.

I have noticed as the years go by my drawing gets more and more transparent – fading…Healing as I like to think of it.

Below are a few of the drawing i’ve made into Mental Health Humor cartoons to share.