leighdu's Posts

Washing hands excessively ?

2/22/2008 9:38:00 AM leighdu
205 Posts

My neighbor's 7 year old daughter comes over a lot to play with my daughter. I have noticed that every time she is over, she washes her hands at least every half hour or so, sometimes every 15 minutes depending on what she is doing. I asked her mother about this and she said that she does this all the time, and that it's really not a big deal. I am not so sure about this. Couldn't this be a possible sign of OCD disorder ? Is there a certain age when OCD can be diagnosed ?

Re: Washing hands excessively ?

2/22/2008 12:44:56 PM leighdu
205 Posts

Aries wrote
It's normal for little kids to have some odd traits, just branding a kid as OCD is just rude, and will probably earn you a slap if you say she might have OCD. Besides, kids don't have carefully defined rules for things. She probably thinks that you need to wash them a lot to stay clean, and you know how a little kids logic works.

Still, don't go passing labels around when people have a single trait that's a bit off, I once smacked someone across the jaw for saying I was crazy for having "Unusual interests", because labeling someone is considered a dire insult in this day and age.

Trust me, I brought it up as casually as possible, saying it's great that her kid has such great manners and always makes sure to wash her hands. It was her mother that said she washes her hands constantly, to the point where the skin on her hands are cracked, and she thought nothing of it. I didn't say it to her, that's why I asked in here

, to see what others thought.

While I do agree that young kids don't have carefully defined rules yet, I also think it is ignorant to rule things out as well if there are potential signs there. Children with OCD caught early, I have just learned, have a much better chance of controlling it as adults as opposed to if it is ignored or covered up. I hope the neighbor's kid is just going through a phase, but if it were my child, I would want to know the warning signs of anything that could potentially be an anxiety disorder or anything else that they may need help with.

Re: Has anyone ever purged ?

2/22/2008 1:17:34 PM leighdu
205 Posts

Aries wrote
The only time you should make yourself vomit is if you eat something that's not properly cooked or poisonous. It should never be done in excess because you lose a lot of stomach acid and fluids, which needs to be made again. The acid also wears down the throat, causing permanent damage over time if you do it often like a bumiliac.

When you have an addiction, all common sense flies out the window. Just as most drug addicts know the only time they should be taking drugs is when they are prescribed, most bulimics know that they should only be throwing up when their body needs to get rid of something negative or toxic. The problems is that addicts can't quit without an excrutiatingly painful recovery process.

My question, however, back to the point, was if anyone has done this regardless? I know quite a few that have done it once or twice. It's just something I could never do nor do I want to, but just wondering how many out there have actually tried it.

Re: Seems that Heath Ledgers death was an accident

2/24/2008 8:53:53 AM leighdu
205 Posts

Aries wrote
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-to.hs.prescription07feb07,0,5243276.story

Shame, I really liked that guy, he was still young as well and a brilliant actor. Sad that he had to die, why is it the good ones die young and the assholes stay standing. Life works in mysterious ways.

If he was getting that many drugs and hiding it from each of his doctors, then he surely knew that all of those combined couldn't be good for him. I agree though and don't think he meant to die. I hold these doctors responsible. They should do a full history and medical records check, if possible, before doling out medication as if it were candy. Of course, there are also many that are getting these drugs illegaly as well.

Re: Britney Spears and her Never Ending Troubles

2/24/2008 8:56:06 AM leighdu
205 Posts

RainbowBright wrote
I think I might be a little crazy with the whole world watching me like a microscope. For a while, she was the topic of every conversation, even her kids were posted on almost every magezine cover, she was being called a bad mother for strapping them into their car seats I mean that's depressing to me. I'm not saying she has a right to go out and use drugs and party all night, but maybe it's the only way she can deal with her illness.

I agree with this to a certain extent. But she also brought a lot on herself with her outlandish behavior. If she truly has a mental disorder though, it it undertandable, and hopefully she will get the treatment she deserves.

Does anyone use pills to help them sleep?

2/24/2008 9:03:00 AM leighdu
205 Posts

I've always been a bit cautious when taking any kind of sleeping pills. Are there any out there that anyone has tried that have been non addictive and safe? I usually read a book and it helps me to fall asleep, but sometimes that doesn't work.

Re: Exercising makes you smaarter??

2/24/2008 9:11:52 AM leighdu
205 Posts

YeaYeahYa wrote
Do you think that exercising can make a person smarter? Kids with ADD are encouraged to exercise because it increases concentration and can even improve test scores...

I think that exercise helps relax you, and in turn helps you focus more on the tasks at hand. So many kids may find that they are doing better on tests because they are not as stressed as they were had they not exercised.

I personally don't see how it can make someone smarter, but I guess others disagree, but keep in mind that these tests were done on "mice" :

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-to.hs.prescription07feb07,0,5243276.story

Re: Gaining Weight in the Workplace

2/24/2008 9:15:06 AM leighdu
205 Posts

Since many people that are gaining weight have desk jobs, I would suggest getting up every hour and stretching or walking around. There are many times I will stand and type or do small stretches while I am on the phone. I also move my legs and arms a lot while sitting down.

RE: Hit and Drag?

2/27/2008 8:20:19 PM leighdu
205 Posts

.018 AFTER six HOURS ? Most people would be completely blacked out way before that point. This man is a lost cause. Alcoholic, addict, or not, throw the book at this guy and lock him away forever. He stupidly drove home after drinking that much, and ruined a family's life. I think strong examples need to be set that this will not be tolerated. It sickens me all the things I see people getting away with after driving drunk.

RE: Re: Impaired Driving Facts

2/27/2008 8:24:10 PM leighdu
205 Posts

quenlin said: Copy/paste it into the browser window, works fine when you do it like that.

And yeah, I agree with you completely. What kind of idiot drives if he can't even stand? Just call a taxi, easier, and it wont cost much. Drunk driving can cost a liscense, and a life as well.

I'm getting so sick and tired of morons drinking and driving. After everything that has happened in the past over and over with drinking related accidents, you would think people would learn by now. Heck yeah, take their license away; and make them pay a fine so hefty that they think twice. If I had my way, all drunk drivers would be doing jail time.

RE: Re: Ebay Addicts

2/27/2008 8:33:46 PM leighdu
205 Posts

cm said: I knew this guy that would surf ebay all day at work, it would make me mad cus then I would have to pick up the slack for him. He was addicted to online gambling also, but he would buy the most random stuff it was wierd.

I've noticed this a few times with Ebay addicts. They just bid on random and weird things just for the sake of bidding and winning. In my opinion that is a very clear sign of addiction.

RE: Online shopping - your preference?

2/27/2008 8:38:56 PM leighdu
205 Posts

princess2008 said: Do you prefer shopping online to actually walking around the shops and browsing?

I noticed that more recently I prefer to shop online as it is more convenient and less hassle for me, I also find that when I shop online I get what I need as opposed to walking around the shops picking up things that I dont need but just buy for the sake of it. Obviously you cant beat a Saturday walking around the shops with the girls having a good browse but it certainly controls my spending.

What are your shopping preferences?

I like walking around and browsing things in person when I have the time, but you are right; you just can't beat the convenience of just clicking a button and ordering. I also have found that I seem to be able to find more things online that I sometimes can't find in stores.

The one downside to online shopping is that I am be impatient. When I want to buy something, I would prefer to have it then and there, but I usually end up shopping online anyways, unless of course it is something I need that very day and cannot wait (such as a lost textbook that I had to have for class a few years back. I could have saved lots getting online but I had to have it that day to study, and I couldn't reach any classmates in time to share).

RE: Exposing homosexualing to children

2/28/2008 10:02:43 PM leighdu
205 Posts

I think when people treat the subject as taboo and hidden, then that will create more problems in the long run. Parents do more damage than good sometimes in the things that they want to keep their children from knowing.

I don't care how many people will disagree with this, but there is nothing wrong with homosexuality and there is nothing wrong with children knowing. If they are informed early enough, they think of it no more than they would think of one person being a boy and another person being a girl. I have a six year old daughter who knows that one of my friends is gay. It has not affected her in one little bit. She said, " Oh, so he likes boys instead of girls? Ok". And that was it. She went right back to playing and didn't give it a second thought.

If people are open about it then children will be too. It is the ignorance that is hurting kids more. I do agree that I would like to be the one to tell my own child, because you never know how another person will explain it.

RE: crazy mother!!

2/28/2008 10:13:48 PM leighdu
205 Posts

My cousin (who is only 15) was telling me a story very similar to this, and it is something happening right in front of him. His friends mother lets kids come over and drink and have parties in her house. Of course he won't tell me who the friend is, but says that the mom allows it because she would rather have her son drink in her home then out drinking, which she says he would do regardless. This is the most asynine thing I think I have heard in a while. Instead of being a real parent and keeping an eye on your child doing wrong, you allow it your own home.

RE: Ever wonder how much you spend a year on cigarettes?

3/2/2008 9:59:42 AM leighdu
205 Posts

dartz said: Here's how to figure it out, if you smoke 5/day, do 91 x the price of a packet of cigs.

10 a day? 182 x the price of a pack.

20? 365 x the price of a pack.

If a pack costs $5, then that's $455/year, assuming you buy a 20 pack when you run out, $910/year for 10 a day, and a whopping $1825/year for a 20 a day habit. That's just a $5 pack, I'm sure cigs are a lot more expensive than that these days. Even a penny adds another $3.65 to a 20/day habit.

And all that money just to slowly kill ourselves. Pretty sad isn't it? Nicotine is evil, and one of the hardest things ever to quit.

Marketing Ploys should be Illegal

3/2/2008 10:19:58 AM leighdu
205 Posts

Have you ever noticed how most of the marketing/advertising that tobacco companies do seem to always cater to teens? It is not as bad as it used to be, but it is still out there. I just think it should be illegal to make it look "cool" to smoke. I started smoking when I was about 14 because I thought that trying a few would not get me addicted . Problem is those few turned into a few more and on and on, and everywhere I looked it seemed as if the tobacco companies were condoning this.

RE: How much would pay to have the best tv?

3/2/2008 12:35:36 PM leighdu
205 Posts

I did buy an hdtv because I've watched my friend's a few times and loved it. But I by no means bought the biggest and the best. There are some televisions out there that cost enough to feed a family for a whole year, and even if I had that kind of money I just don't know if I could spend that kind of money on a television.

RE: Denial...how does a relative cope with someone in denial?

3/2/2008 9:28:16 PM leighdu
205 Posts

Seems to me that your sister has what is called a personality disorder. Of course I am not a doctor, but based on what you have said, that would be my guess. And I would probably guess it to "Paranoid Personality Disorder", again just guessing by what you told us. The sad fact is the most people with this disorder do NOT seek any help, because they see themselves as perfectly normal.

Anyhow, people with his disorder typically think that people are being malicious and underhanded with them when it is not the case at all. They are also hostile to others and have a hard time cooperating, and almost ALWAYS feel that they are in the right and others are just out to get them. Genetics and biological make up can play a big factor too.

Here is a good site on it. My sister is studying for her Phd in Psychology, and she has analyzed everyone in our family whether we needed it or not :-) :

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3700/3796.asp?index=9784

RE: How can I tell the difference between just odd behavior and mental illness?

3/2/2008 9:32:56 PM leighdu
205 Posts

The only tried and true method is to get her to seek professional help and get diagnosed. The problem with this though is that most people with disorders do not feel that they need any help, so it can be a bit tricky. Short of having her commited, there is not much you can do unless she admits to herself that she indeed may have a problem and seek help or at least a diganosis.

RE: Can someone get addicted to multiple-partner sex?

3/2/2008 9:37:45 PM leighdu
205 Posts

I think it could be possible. Having multiple partners could be a "high" for some people that they cannot reach with one partner alone. Then it could probably get boring for them to be with only one person, and in order to feel that same high, excitement, euphoria, etc., they would just keep going back to multiple partners. I have personally never heard of this, but I wouldn't doubt it.

As far as how to overcome, my guess would be as good as yours on that one.

RE: Re: Downloading Music

3/2/2008 9:49:19 PM leighdu
205 Posts

workyworky said: Its a very bad thing top do cause the person who has made the music is not getting paid for his work and its art also , this is very wrong thing to do , I never do this .

What's funny about this to me is that when bands and musicians are just starting out and trying to get their name out there, before the business side of music grabs a hold of them, they are begging for people to listen to their songs for free and even give out their demos left and right to people they want to become future fans. Then of course when they make it big time, their attitudes completely change and everyone must pay pay pay for their music. When I used to download music, it was usually to hear a few songs off an album that I would consider buying anyways. If I liked what I heard, then I would buy the cd. If not then at least they had more people listening to their music right?

I am not condoning downloading music illegally. I just think that in the long run it could possibly help their sales if people downloaded just to see if they liked what they heard, and then ended up buying their cd.

RE: im a grandma

3/2/2008 9:57:34 PM leighdu
205 Posts

grannie28 said: I'm a grandma and I'm trying to stop my grandkids from becoming addicts. I know they are using drugs because I've found painkiller in their pockets and I know they are getting high because I've seen all the signs on them lots of times. However when I mention it to them they deny it or find excuses. Those are the drugs that I know of and I'm scared to think of all the other drugs they could be using. And what scares me more is I really dont know how to stop them.

It seems that many people are afraid to show some tough love to their kids and grandkids. If you have a feeling that they are doing drugs, and they are not opening up to you, maybe it's time to ship them to rehab. So many people think that that is harsh, but if your grandkids are minors then you (if have the legal right to) or their parents have every right to get them that kind of help.

RE: How can I tell the difference between just odd behavior and mental illness?

3/4/2008 10:17:07 AM leighdu
205 Posts

alexdg1 said:
leighdu said: The only tried and true method is to get her to seek professional help and get diagnosed. The problem with this though is that most people with disorders do not feel that they need any help, so it can be a bit tricky. Short of having her commited, there is not much you can do unless she admits to herself that she indeed may have a problem and seek help or at least a diganosis.

Getting her to seek professional help is the sticking point, me thinks. We have tried to get her to see a psychologist or therapist, but, as you say, she insists there's not a thing wrong with her.

Unfortunately many people are like that. Good luck though, and keep us posted as to what she decides and/or what happens.

RE: Working online for hours does not mean...

3/4/2008 10:24:00 AM leighdu
205 Posts

bettyblue said:
Intrill01 said: that you are an internet addict. I have seen a few threads in here where people are wondering if they are addicted to the internet because they work plus 9 + hours a day online, and the answer is, no, you are not. There are many people that work longer than that each day and most do not even second guess it. They see it as them making a living. People have put such a negative spin about people being online too that it makes people feel guilty if they are online too much. That is a crock of BS. If you working and have a job to do and it happens to be online then noone should feel bad about that. The people that always complain about it are the ones who have no idea how powerful the internet can be when it comes to making money and learning.

I think the problem, in some cases, could be one of perception vs. reality. For people who don't have Internet access or just use it casually, the whole notion of willingly sitting down at a PC for hours and being online smacks of "addiction." It's not, at least not for those of us who have at least part-time paying jobs online as writers or researchers.

Exactly. People that are ignornat when it comes to the internet often hear the rumors about internet or just plain do not understand, so when they see others onlne for that long, in many cases they just automatically assume that they are one of those statistics.

RE: When did you start drinking?

3/5/2008 7:55:18 PM leighdu
205 Posts

Aries said: Around when I was 14, I drink every now and then but it's never anything strong. Usually weak things like shandies, never stronger things like vodka and those fancy wines.

I think I had my first drink when I was around 14 too. It was only three beers, maybe four, but that did the trick. I was running my mouth and the room was unfocused. Fortunately I didn't get a hangover af that. That came much later, and many times over.

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