Rosie, Thanks But...
Rosie O'Donnell has done a great service for everyone with depression, a psychiatric disorder that literally and figuratively kills people by taking away their will, their joy and, sometimes, their life. But I'm concerned that along with the wonderful information and encouragement she provided on "The View," she gave some misleading information too.
People watching the show are going to be influenced by Rosie's celebrity and that can be a very good thing, but not when she makes statements that, to my understanding, don't have any scientific basis.
I watched the clips of Rosie swinging upside down, which is part of her daily regime to maintain her mental health. As I watched, I heard her say that doing this would "release the serotonin," or words to that effect. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter (brain chemical in plain language) involved in depression. My concern is that the statement is without any scientific support and swinging upside down like that could provoke a stroke in people who never knew they were at risk for one. So, while it may have provoked a lot of much-needed talk about depression and its treatments, this one "treatment" I feel can be dangerous.
Rosie, please take note of my concern and thanks for your help with helping others realize how effective treatment can be for depression.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: depression, serotonin, Rosie O'Donnell, The View, health-and-wellness
People watching the show are going to be influenced by Rosie's celebrity and that can be a very good thing, but not when she makes statements that, to my understanding, don't have any scientific basis.
I watched the clips of Rosie swinging upside down, which is part of her daily regime to maintain her mental health. As I watched, I heard her say that doing this would "release the serotonin," or words to that effect. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter (brain chemical in plain language) involved in depression. My concern is that the statement is without any scientific support and swinging upside down like that could provoke a stroke in people who never knew they were at risk for one. So, while it may have provoked a lot of much-needed talk about depression and its treatments, this one "treatment" I feel can be dangerous.
Rosie, please take note of my concern and thanks for your help with helping others realize how effective treatment can be for depression.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: depression, serotonin, Rosie O'Donnell, The View, health-and-wellness
Labels: depression, health-and-wellness
20 Comments:
It is obvious Rosie has something real wrong. But I think the exercise was a Photo Op, nothing more.
I, too, use an inversion table at home. HOWEVER, I would NEVER claim that it helps release serotonin. That is just crazy. I enjoy my inversion table because it's just plain ol' relaxing to me. But one should get their doctors' approval first. Hanging 'upside down' as some of you put it, can lead to a stroke as mentioned in the WebMD Blog if you have hypertension. Remember, too, that some people have hypertension and don't even realize it. This is why it's called the "Silent Killer". Please, get your docs approval first before you, too, decide to hang upside down!
Inversions (yoga postures having the head below the heart) are associated with relief from anxiety and depression in yoga literature, but there are always cautions mentioned for people with high blood pressure,etc -- anyone who might be at risk for stroke or eye problems or headaches -- should check with their doctor. and there are easier partial inversions, like downward facing dog, that are less strenuous but still have a positive effect on the mind and emotions.
I hope Rosie pays no attention whatsoever to Donald Trump. He's the one who should take a look in the mirror....horrors!!! Rosie is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and by her telling us about her depression, she has probably helped so many others by her telling her story.
I believe that this may indeed help her. That doesn't mean anyone else should do that unless your doctor ok's it.
She has brought light to a dark subject. I am concerned that the ridicule she has been faced with almost daily could be dangerous to her. I don't think I could take it.
bjd
Rosie, much like Tom cruise are ignorant misrepresentations of what they think is scientific knowledge. Both of their comments are misleading and I know I for one have suffered from depression and dont need Rosie telling me about her story to make me feel better or have any more insight into my own problems. Personally, listening to her depresses me. I think her and other celebreties are more than welcome to share their stories if they must, but as far as making suggestions or scientific assessments, they should keep their mouths shut!
Rosie does not need to offer mis-information on that show. She used deperession as just a publicity stunt. Hanging upside down may cause more problems than it solves, and can cause a stroke. I feel Rosie is a terrible role model for any woman, and has some serious mental issues she needs to address
Rosie O is first and foremost an entertainer. She is relatively quick witted and frequently amusing. Her job includes making attention getting and humorous statements. She is very good at her job; nothing more!
Rosie is a seriously unstable person who uses her celebrity statis to promote her agenda (whatever it happens to be at the time!) If she wants to hang upsidedown, she should, isn't that what bats do?
I agree that Rosie's openness about her depression is a good thing and I'm glad to see it. I don't watch much TV so I didn't see the show or the inversion clip.
It's a shame she couldn't simply say that this is relaxing to her and that relaxation is helpful for depression (and certainly anxiety) and then go on to cite the many ways one can find to relax.
I accept that Rosie says she has depression. I suspect, from observing her, that she also has a lot of axiety. Sometimes the symptoms overlap so who knows. If so, then the relaxation/inversion therapy may be addressing anxiety as well.
I do think celebrities and any other type of public figures need to be very careful about what they promote, directly or indirectly.
MultiTasker
Rosie needs to go away now. When did she become such an expert on everything? I don't care for Donald Trump either, but he does have some valid points where she is concerned. Does she not realize how obnoxious, loud, and annoying she is? She has never been funny and never will be.
Sounds like Rosie did a good thing by bringing attention to depression in this country. Maybe she honestly didn't know about the stroke risk. I am sure she does now. Anyway why is everyone confusing this with her feud with Donald Trump? He called Rosie some horrible names and got away with it. I lost a lot of respect for him.
She was right about the nude photos of the beauty queen and the alcohol and drug abuse. Not exactly a role model. So....slam Rosie? Doesn't make any sense!
Rosie has flipped in more ways than one. Depression isn't solved by flipping around in the air. I think most people see that she is a publicity seeker who has gotten a bit off track.
I think Rosie is extremely opinionated, cynical and her bouts with other celebrities is probably one of the causes of her depression. Its all that negative energy. I agree with one of the topics/links that mentions exercise as one of the ways to combat depression. Rosie doesn't look like she exercises at all. The release of endorphines from a good work out is so therapeutic. I also suggest music. The power of music is amazing.
I heard that losing serotonin is really bad. You lose seotonin when you do the drug extasy. How could this possibly be good for you. Rosie is out of control
Matt
I think Rosie is a wonderful person. I applaud her for all the good she has done in her life and all the generosity she has shown. I have had bipolar disorder and severe OCD my whole life. Medication, therapy & prayer have saved me & I'm much better now.
I am thinking of purchasing an inversion table (for my back though!) I have to get an okay from my osteopath (bone doctor) first but I'll also ask him about the serotonin thing.
Thanks for the musicals Rosie!!! God bless you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Humm, maybe that is her way of canceling out the depression. She believes that hanging upside down is good for releasing serotonin. Well actually she is displaying a suicidal act of hanging that may end in her demise. Be careful people.
You question Rosie's statement as having no scientific basis, when you yourself state that hanging upside down could "provoke a stroke", this also has no scientific basis. I don't agree with Rosie in any way...but I can't agree with your statement either
I also use an inversion table at home. I don't care about any of the "Rosie" or "Donald" comments either.
I only invert to about a 60% incline, and gain great relief from my constant back pain. My doctor has given me the ok, even though I have diabetes, 'controlled' high blood pressure, and weigh 325 pounds. I've actually lost weight since I started inverting, and I can feel the stomach muscles get a work out from the inversion. Be careful doing it; I always have a spotter with me to make sure something doesn't go wrong, and make sure you check with a doctor before doing this. For me, it's a way to put off the surgery a little bit longer.
I use an inversion table for back pain relief. But sometimes I get an upset stomach when using it if I go up side down. Has anyone else had this happen, I don't know if it is common or something to be concerned about. Any comments I would like to hear.
Thank you,
C/F
Post a Comment