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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
She upped the Lexapro to 20mg and said that I need to exercise more and drink less alcohol. What I expected her to suggest.
Then she said some people find painting or drawing helps with anxiety, depression and improving concentration. I gave her a dagger look and she said, you don't have to draw something yourself, you can get a child's coloring book and pay attention to staying within the lines.
It appealed to one of my inner kids so on the way home I bought a Peanuts coloring book and a Tom and Jerry/Flintstones coloring book and some crayons.
Beats her other suggestion of meditation as I have tried it and those negative thoughts do not get replaced with positive ones. Coloring is more my mental speed.
Poet
Posted by llurpsienoodle on April 1, 2008, at 17:56:48
In reply to Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color, posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
I have a therapeutic coloring book too. Actually, several of them. I have one of egyptian designs that are intricate and fun to do. Another one of garden nymphs.
You know who first suggested coloring to me? Fallsfall. :)
(((((Falls)))))
She's been quiet lately... I miss her
-Ll
Posted by raisinb on April 1, 2008, at 18:53:42
In reply to Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color, posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
My T has games in her office and I've always wished she'd suggest we play one, instead of doing the incredibly hard stuff we do. Once I covertly suggested it, asking her, "so other people get the easy road, huh?"
Maybe I'll take in some coloring books next time. I can just imagine the look on her face.
Posted by Kath on April 1, 2008, at 20:24:37
In reply to Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color, posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
Yay for you that you got those books!!!!
My inner child LOVES it when I use my left-hand (I'm right handed) & let 'her' draw with felt pens.
Lately she had taken to drawing herself & behind her were angels wrapping their 'arms' around her. There's also been alot of her on swings!
If I am upset & do NOT know why, I'll get out the felt pens, let 'her' draw & afterwards I almost always feel okay!
I hope your colouring helps you to feel better.
love, Kath
Posted by rskontos on April 1, 2008, at 20:32:55
In reply to :-) - maybe doc isn't SO clueless `smile` » Poet, posted by Kath on April 1, 2008, at 20:24:37
Today at the store I wanted badly to buy some coloring books but my son held me back. I plan to go back without him and get some. I want some nice crayons too. A large box too!!
I have been weird the last few days so I think this will help.
I think Dr. Clueless might have a few good thoughts up there afterall. I am glad it helped you.
maybe there is hope for Dr. clueless.
rsk
Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2008, at 21:09:15
In reply to Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color, posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
:)
I used to love to do big projects to explain psychological concepts. In crayons of course. I have a number of boxes, both before and after the discontinuation of some of the original colors.
I find coloring in the lines a bit too challenging for me though. I can't even write anymore since the computer took over. My handwriting is illegible.
I think it's a great idea. Very elemental and relaxing.
Posted by obsidian on April 1, 2008, at 21:33:51
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color » Poet, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2008, at 21:09:15
there are so many different types of coloring books...I have A LOT of them
mandalas are nice to color
http://www.amazon.com/Coloring-Mandalas-Susanne-F-Fincher/dp/1570625832
Posted by rskontos on April 1, 2008, at 21:53:44
In reply to 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by obsidian on April 1, 2008, at 21:33:51
When I get back from vacation I am ordering this one, thanks Obsidian, and I am getting some crayons with periwinkle too :)
rsk
Posted by Daisym on April 1, 2008, at 23:58:51
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-) » obsidian, posted by rskontos on April 1, 2008, at 21:53:44
I have a whole basket of coloring books - I love Christmas coloring books especially. I have the flintstones too! :)
And I have GREAT crayons - the big box that are just mine. And I have a bunch of others to share. I keep them in a really pretty bin in my office and when my nephews come to visit, or my friend's kids, they always go get them.I love to color. And Falls taught me that it was OK to do it even when kids weren't around. That and swinging. :)
Posted by Fallsfall on April 2, 2008, at 8:22:06
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by Daisym on April 1, 2008, at 23:58:51
Of course I can't resist a thread on coloring!
The mandala book looks great.
I like books in this series: "Roger Burrows Images: The Ultimate Coloring Experience", but I do them with colored pencils - crayons are not precise enough. This means you don't get the wonderful crayon smell, though.
Coloring gives me a chance to do something with my hands and create some order to the world.
Poet, I hope coloring is therapeutic for you!
Falls.
Swinging, on the other hand...
Posted by rskontos on April 2, 2008, at 12:04:20
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by Fallsfall on April 2, 2008, at 8:22:06
Ok I now have two books to order, pencils I got from all the projects my son is doing. He forgets where they are, buys new ones, and I find the old ones which are used once. And we have loads of colored pencils now.
I might find some books at the beach if I have too much free time on my hands. I am going alone well with my teenage son and his friend so I might want to color. It might be what I do the hour I would have had therapy..the two hours I would had therapy.
rsk
Posted by B2chica on April 2, 2008, at 12:06:21
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by Fallsfall on April 2, 2008, at 8:22:06
i think its a great suggestion and can help great.
if i need i color with crayons in a coloring book, othertimes i used colored pencils with the mendalas.
it IS helpful. VERY.
i've even hung up a few in my IRL daughter's room :)
and DOH! beware the powder blue!
(for those of you homer simpson fans...remember?)b2c.
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:20:39
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color » Poet, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 1, 2008, at 17:56:48
Hi Ll,
Falls is pretty darn smart. I'll have to work my way up to egyptian designs. Though I may color Dino pink instead of purple, rebel that I am.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:22:08
In reply to I'm jealous! » Poet, posted by raisinb on April 1, 2008, at 18:53:42
Hi Raisinb,
Dr. Clueless said if I try anything she suggested to let her know. Depending on how well I stay within the lines (Poet the perfectionist strikes again) I will bring the books in when I see her again in four weeks. Maybe she'll hang on one her wall.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:25:22
In reply to :-) - maybe doc isn't SO clueless `smile` » Poet, posted by Kath on April 1, 2008, at 20:24:37
Hi Kath,
I'll have trouble staying within the lines using my right hand. Long ago my T had me writing as my inner child with adult me responding. She suggested I write for the child with my left hand and big me with my right hand. She's lucky she could read it.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:27:03
In reply to Re: :-) - maybe doc isn't SO clueless smile`Poet, posted by rskontos on April 1, 2008, at 20:32:55
Hi rsk,
I think Dr. Clueless finally is getting a clue, though she did suggest meditation first so she blew the first call. I hope you get those coloring books and a big box of crayons.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:29:53
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color » Poet, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2008, at 21:09:15
Hi Dinah,
I remember my third grade teacher sending home blank lined paper for me to practice on. I must have made them into airplanes because my handwriting is pretty bad. I print out notes whenever possible.
Coloring in the lines will be challenging for me too, I am far from artistic.
I hope it proves elemental and relaxing and maybe Dr. Clueless will hang one in her office.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:31:48
In reply to 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by obsidian on April 1, 2008, at 21:33:51
Hi Obsidian,
The mandala coloring books are cool, I'll have to work my way up to them as right now kid cartoons are challenging to stay in the lines. I've bookmarked the site, thanks for passing it on.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:35:00
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by Daisym on April 1, 2008, at 23:58:51
Hi Daisy,
I'm glad there is another Flintstone colorer (is that a word?) out there. I am going to be daring and color Dino pink and other colors besides his traditional purple with black spot. I don't want the purple crayon to run out. Unlike "Harold and the Purple Crayon" whose crayone never ran out. Remember that book?
Happy coloring.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:37:24
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by Fallsfall on April 2, 2008, at 8:22:06
Hi Falls,
I haven't colored since I was a little kid and I hope it is theraputic. At least my inner kid will have some fun, I don't let her have that too often.
I like swings, but I tend to get dizzy: darn motion sickness.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:40:23
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-), posted by B2chica on April 2, 2008, at 12:06:21
Hi B2chica,
I hope I find coloring as helpful as you and so many other babblers do.
If memory serves, wasn't the crayon stuck in Homer's head and when it was removed he got smart? In any case Homer better not steal mine and stick it up his nose.
Poet
Posted by Kath on April 2, 2008, at 20:54:44
In reply to Re: :-) - maybe doc isn't SO clueless `smile` » Kath, posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:25:22
Pl let us know how it goes.
hugs, Kath
Posted by B2chica on April 3, 2008, at 8:04:07
In reply to Re: 'periwinkle' is a nice color :-) » B2chica, posted by Poet on April 2, 2008, at 19:40:23
You got it poet!
when the pulled it out he became super smart, but at the end he decided to shove it back in...
hehe.
good memory!
b2c.
Posted by CareBear04 on April 11, 2008, at 1:21:14
In reply to Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color, posted by Poet on April 1, 2008, at 17:54:02
hey poet-- i haven't been keeping up with PB lately, but i was scanning through and your post caught my eye. i definitely agree that there's something calming about coloring. the first time i was in the hospital, i was in an adolescent and young adult program, and they did a lot of activities including art therapy. stuff you mentioned like drawing or painting actually makes me more stressed because i feel required to produce something "good," but i don't feel that with coloring. i also found origami really soothing. i should get out my crayola big box and hello kitty and carebear coloring books-- i definitely need some kind of release!
thanks for the reminder,
cb
Posted by Poet on April 14, 2008, at 15:03:56
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Wants me to Color » Poet, posted by CareBear04 on April 11, 2008, at 1:21:14
Hi CareBear,
My sixth grade teacher destroyed my confidence in any type of art when she ripped the picture I had painted in half and said "this is exactly what I didn't want." So when Dr. Clueless first said to draw, my immediate reaction was negative. I would not do well in art therapy.
I got a bigger box of crayons and am going to get some more coloring books.
Poet
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