Watershed

Oxford’s second definition of the word ‘watershed’ goes like this:

“an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs.”

For patients in a psychiatric hospital, I have always viewed their days there as a watershed opportunity. A time first to pause, and then to turn one’s life around - which could mean

re-connecting with one’s essence. A time to look oneself in the mirror, which is the first step toward good mental health.

But one certainly does not need to be behind the locked door of a psychiatric hospital to have a watershed moment. We all have the capacity to turn our lives around. It starts with a moment, with clarity of who we are and where we are going. Grab the moment and don’t let go.

Beautiful Blindspots

I was rounding at a nursing home where the elderly residents have dementia. I looked down the hallway and saw a man ambling away from me. He had put his pants on the wrong way, the zipper on his backside.

As I watched, a kind nurse pointed this out to him as she was passing by. In response, the man wrapped his hands around his belt and tugged vigorously to one side. But without first taking his legs out, his earnest efforts were all in vain. Nevertheless, he continued to tug, determined to turn his pants around.

The moment gave me pause. My heart went out to him. This gentle man seemed so lost there in the hallway. He continued to tug and tug, and became understandably frustrated. I found the nurse and she brought him to his room, helping him correct his pants.

There are so many tender and poignant moments in life. He didn’t see me observing him, nor was it likely he would have remembered even if he had. But these few seconds did remind me that there is much we are all unaware of as we walk through life.

Ecstasy and PTSD

Dear Dr. Guterson: Someone told me that ecstasy can help people with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Is this really true? A: Yes, based on a study performed in 2021, it does appear to be true. Ecstasy (also called ‘Molly’ or MDMA) increases both oxytocin and serotonin, and thereby the thought is that it can increase resilience. It also appears to target the area of the brain called the amygdala, which is thought to be the biological center for those afflicted with PTSD. Together with appropriate PTSD therapy and a living connection with our soul that knows no bounds, ecstasy may well be an extremely powerful treatment as we go forward. In my private practice, I have yet to use it - but I definitely am looking into it moreso based on this study.