Day Two

Theoretically, a device could be used to measure the number of respirations by being positioned on the chest and measuring chest rise.  I was never good at measuring respirations visually.  The device would have a self-timer (like a 1-minute or 15/30 second stopwatch) and measure with a wavelength visualizer for review, and be about the size of a silver dollar. 

I think that depression is treated incorrectly.  Pharmaceuticals conveniently think the chicken comes first, which is the chemical imbalance that leads to the mood.  This is a profitable way of dealing with depression.  I think that the egg comes first, which equates to the various isolated unresolved issues within one's life that accumulate and eventually lead to a generalized perspective of apathy, disinterest, etc...psychological disturbances are associated with chemical abnormalities, but nobody understands how or why those abnormalities occur.  Some theories suggest genetic predisposition, but what about the family dynamics that influence or lead to repeated behaviors within a family?  In short, identify and manage the problems causing the depression and the chemical imbalance will go away.  Why is this so hard?  Because many things that we have come to expect as perfectly normal in our lives are actually important problems that are leading to the chemical imbalance associated with depression...those things are normal, commonplace, and often impossible to avoid if you are functioning as a regular member of society.  Deep down, we are doing things we don't want to do, every single day - and it wears at our psyche, which then alters our neurochemical balance.  It's not just that we don't want to do those things, but, more importantly, we are not supposed to be doing them.  They are cultural norms.  Have a job, 9-5 five days a week.  Weekends are just about all the time you get to yourself.

This is my second day.  Orientation comes this morning.  I have to buy a watch before I go, since I forgot my old one. 

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End of second day.  Roller coaster ride of anxiety leading to a peak, and a surprising relief at the end of that peak.