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Showing posts from January, 2018

Two Words

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(c) 2018 "Pain" Photo by L. M. Neas In this blog, we have explored the meaning of many words. We have discussed how words touch us; how they can heal and hurt. We have even looked at the power of words; their use and popularity. Sometimes, words that were once powerful, become almost inert. They simply sit in the consciousness, failing to trigger the correct synapsis for a reaction. Or, should I say, for the reaction that is typical to the words. Two such words are "chronic pain."  Let's look at their meaning and origin, first. Chronic comes to us from, as many words used in the realm of science, the Greek language. Khronos,  which means "time," is the root to words such as chronical, chronology, and chronically. In English, the word "chronic" means repetitive, occurring constantly. Pain has a dual nationality, coming from both Latin and Greek - poena/poine, respectively - both meaning "penalty ."   (Is it any

Facing Our Demons

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(c) 2017 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas We humans are a strange lot when it comes to what we will and won't talk about to others. We will share the most intimate details of our lives. We will discuss STD's  without so much as a blush. We will even openly talk and joke about vaginal dryness and penile dysfunction! But, if someone dares mention mental illness, shades are drawn, voices drop to a whisper and denial takes center stage. Why? I'm not a doctor or researcher; however, after observing humankind for over sixty years, I have my opinion. I believe it all has to do with control. Let me elaborate. When someone suffers from mental illness, you often hear people say that he or she "is not in control" of his or her senses. In ancient times, people believed that the person with mental illness was possessed by demons. They would be ostracized, cast out of the community, and even killed out of fear that the possession could spread.  As humanity became more aware o