Service Nova Scotia now requires people renewing their licences to indicate on an application form if they’ve had a "psychiatric or psychological condition." People who indicate yes — even if it was something such as a bout of depression — are asked to provide more specific details and then must have a doctor complete a medical, sharing what’s usually confidential information with the government.
From Critics: Don’t tie driver’s licence renewal to psychiatric history
via TTWS -Baby You Can't Drive My Car
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Licenc(s)e to pry before licenc(se) to drive
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
What is this sleep thing of which you speak?
I am continuing to improve. I have more good days than not. The troubled days are rare and rarely severe. The troubles usually come unannounced. I can take me until mid-morning to be able to say, "Oh, that's what's happening." At that point, I set down whatever breakable objects I might be carrying and find a chair.
My BDI scores occasionally show numbers that are typical of what you'd expect from someone who's listened to too many Leonard Cohen tunes. I'm tolerating the meds well and some of the side effects are starting to recede.
Nevertheless, sleep remains a mystery. We started keeping track of the times that I ate and took the meds in the evening, thinking that we might be able to determine why I fall like a brick some nights, only to wake in a few hours, unable to re-doze. The last two nights, I've not been able to get to sleep until well after 1 and then, as evidenced by the timestamp on this note, wake a short while later.
My spirits, for the most part, remain good, hopeful, and my days are productive. A few months ago, two nights of bad sleep would have been devastating. Today, i have more tools and experience to deal with such nights and days.
I should note (and I don't mean to be submissive to any suggestions, hoping that I'm not sounding like "I've tried everything and nothing works for me.") that I practice lots of different techniques to help with sleep: meditation, breathing exercises, relaxation response, sleep hygiene habits, little or no caffeine after noon, 'n such.
A number of years ago, I went to an acupuncturist. After several sessions that led to little relief, the acupuncturist remarked that my soul was wandering. He meant it as a statement of resignation (his treatment hadn't worked) and apprehension. Me? I think of it as a Yoda-like figure, traveling through the woods and across open spaces. There will be nights for good sleep. This wasn't one of them.
[Update: here's a summary of The 11 Kinds of Insomnia.]
My BDI scores occasionally show numbers that are typical of what you'd expect from someone who's listened to too many Leonard Cohen tunes. I'm tolerating the meds well and some of the side effects are starting to recede.
Nevertheless, sleep remains a mystery. We started keeping track of the times that I ate and took the meds in the evening, thinking that we might be able to determine why I fall like a brick some nights, only to wake in a few hours, unable to re-doze. The last two nights, I've not been able to get to sleep until well after 1 and then, as evidenced by the timestamp on this note, wake a short while later.
My spirits, for the most part, remain good, hopeful, and my days are productive. A few months ago, two nights of bad sleep would have been devastating. Today, i have more tools and experience to deal with such nights and days.
I should note (and I don't mean to be submissive to any suggestions, hoping that I'm not sounding like "I've tried everything and nothing works for me.") that I practice lots of different techniques to help with sleep: meditation, breathing exercises, relaxation response, sleep hygiene habits, little or no caffeine after noon, 'n such.
A number of years ago, I went to an acupuncturist. After several sessions that led to little relief, the acupuncturist remarked that my soul was wandering. He meant it as a statement of resignation (his treatment hadn't worked) and apprehension. Me? I think of it as a Yoda-like figure, traveling through the woods and across open spaces. There will be nights for good sleep. This wasn't one of them.
[Update: here's a summary of The 11 Kinds of Insomnia.]
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