with L.W. Outlaw, PhD
It’s been quite a while, since I’ve wrote anything concerning epilepsy, but considering the fact that my own journey with epilepsy delayed my writing and brought me to this point, I felt the need to share this fact with you.
On December 26th, 2018, I was riding in the car with my daughter driving (thank God) on our way to have lunch with my wife but less than 10 blocks from our home, I had a grand maul seizure. My son was in the back seat and called for the paramedics. Neither of my 2 children accompanying me had ever witnessed me having a major seizure and was frightened terribly. When the paramedics got me to the hospital, the ER doctor had difficulty waking me up. When I finally woke up, they performed a CAT scan and found me normal but when I was returned to my room, I had a second seizure and the doctors were considering inducing a coma; thank God they did not. They simply put me on two additional anti-seizure meds and released me 24 hours later and told to see my neurologist ASAP; which I did.
Epilepsy not only causes seizures but can cause drastic changes in a person’s life; for those of us that have had this dreaded condition since birth.
I have experienced physically the most changes ever since that dreadful day in 2018: my family will no longer let me drive(although I am legal to do so), or leave me at home alone, I was left with difficulty in using my left leg (although I can walk but often with the assistance of a cane),I must wear light weight shoes, I have lost some strength in my left arm and hand and I was also left partially incontinent and if that wasn’t bad enough, I can now easily experience photo sensitive seizures from prolonged use of artificial light, and using the computer or watching TV without the use of anti-blue light glasses.
I hope this explains a bit more why I have written articles in a while.
This article came about by accident as a reader sent in a comment about an article I wrote over a year ago; and not really about mental health but rather a neurological condition, namely, epilepsy which I have lived with since birth and mostly without medication.
Mind you I know the stigma. My grandfather suffered, with this dreaded condition; while running a farm and being the father to eight children.
None of my aunts or uncles would discuss it and tried to hide it from me. My father was told I needed help from a neurologist when I was a child. He refused to do so and told me just before he passed that he refused to let our family doctor label me as “crazy”. That was the “stigma” associated with epilepsy during the “50’s and 60’s”. If you had epilepsy; you were “crazy” at the least and “demon possessed” at best. Either way, parents of such children were seen as the problem and not the child themselves. Parents were concerned about their social status in their church, their business, their lodges or clubs.
Those such as my father were afraid that people might think there was some sordid deed in his past life before he became a Christian that God was holding him accountable through his son. Fortunately that is not how God works. Jesus came to Earth to forgive human beings of their sin and to heal people spiritually and physically.
There are those that want to make epilepsy or any discussion of such as something which must be discussed from within the social, medical and political correct verb age of the day; In other words if you and your Neurologist have always referred to you as “epileptic”, yet suddenly one day, one of the many Epilepsy Foundations ( last I read there were 2 major foundations and at least 32 regional foundations in Texas alone) decides that particular term is offensive and you now have to refer to yourself as a person with epilepsy rather than an epileptic; it does nothing to help the person or treat the condition. In fact, changing the verb age actually damages our ability to get proper treatment, financial assistance and even the correct medication for your type of epilepsy.
Epilepsy has over the past several decades has experienced many changes in doctors moving from epilepsy specialist to Epileptologist that treat only epilepsy, dozens of new time released medications, DNA testing, new surgical procedures and much more on the way.
If we start moving the goal post of verbal discussion, it will simply preclude treatment for those that need our help.
I apologize to anyone I might have offended by referring to myself as an epileptic. I do have EPILEPSY and I don’t mind being referred to as an “Epileptic”. In my opinion, it makes no difference how you identify yourself, just be sure to get regular neuro checks, take your meds on time and get at least 8 hours sleep nightly.
I hope this will explain and clarify my stance on Epilepsy.
BTW, I do NOT receive any financial remuneration from Big Pharma but I do accept private donations via Pay Pal of any amount via Dr. Lee Outlaw Drtruthman@live.com
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This article will be moved to “Epilepsy in Plain Sight” in two weeks in order to conserve space.
Lee W. Outlaw III, PhD
It was December 31, 2020 that I wrote my last article for Drtruthman Counseling and a lot has happened since.
Since the Covid-19 lock down I have noticed much less joy in the hearts and lives of people; for obvious reasons. Nobody likes to be imprisoned; even within their own home at the least, not to mention their mind! Many of us weren’t sure if we would live or die; especially those of us over 65. I didn’t go out for nearly 6 months.
We lost several either directly or indirectly we had loved over the years, including: Larry King and Rush Limbaugh.
Like everyone else, I too was relegated to my home; which was unfortunate considering my studio, (being remodeled) was only partially completed making it difficult to get anything via Drtruthman Counseling completed.
So here we are, mostly “Post Pandemic” and yet much of the world still very much mourning and scared to death.
Very few people are laughing; certainly I have had no laughing disorder cases such as hebrephrenia or pseudobulbar.
It’s been a difficult time so nobody is laughing and it recently occurred to me that we must come out of all this despair.
Like many of you, I was also affected by covid-19. My wife had to be tested and re-tested 4 separate times in order to have serious cancer surgery, My 2 year old grandson had to be tested twice for necessary surgery. My youngest sister and youngest brother-in-law passed away (both in their fifties). I had 2 cousins diagnosed with Covid-19 and one remains hospitalized.
I also experienced a tremendous loss of income, my daughter and one of my sons also lost their jobs.
In essence, it’s been tuff on every one.
As the old saying goes, “In every cloud, there is a silver lining” and so there is; my wife is now cancer free and Joy Marie Outlaw, a healthy baby girl! 6lbs 14oz brown hair, blue eyes was born June 17, 2021 in Houston, TX to my son Tim and his wonderful wife Sara.
I’m not laughing yet but I am happy over these recent developments and feeling much better and more positive about things in general.
Since I am a Christian and Christian Counselor and this is an article for “On the road to a sound mind with L.W. Outlaw PhD”, let me offer a few words from God’s word:
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
This passage is one of my favorites and I hope it can bring comfort to many of you.
Wait for the Lord, give Him time and you will ultimately laugh once again. God’s blessings on us all.
© 2022 L.W. Outlaw III, PhD
In the world of Optometry 20/20 refers to clear and perfect vision, ironically the year 2020 for most of us has been anything but clear.
Having just celebrated 10 years on Drtruthman Counseling and Opinionand now, “On the road to a sound mind with L.W. Outlaw PhD” I want to thank each of you that taken time over these now 12 years to visit my website, read my articles and leave comments.
As 2021 comes to a close and 2022begins, please join me as I expand the Drtruthman.com site to something much different throughout the coming year with new features, original video programs and written articles.
My goal is to help everyone seeking clarity on life.
As each of us begin the journey into 2022, may God grant us clarity and love through His only son, Jesus.
Thank you to everyone who has recently followed and/or liked my site. I appreciate each and everyone of you.
I realize I am far behind in my responses and I do apologize; especially to my epilepsy followers. As many of you are aware from my previous articles on epilepsy, I am a multi-symptom, generalized epileptic and I am capable of having any kind of seizure anytime; especially under stress. I was actually born with epilepsy and over the 69 years of my life I have found “controlling stress” to be the key factor in staying “seizure free”. I know many of you have questions and I will answer those questions ASAP.
My wife was recently diagnosed with cancer and it has been a full time job dealing with that while trying to remain “seizure free” amongst the related stress. (I’m sure you fellow epileptics understand).
We are still planning on an early December, 2020 launch date of our weekly taped video program.
Once again thanks to each of you, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lee W. Outlaw III PhD
(aka; “Drtruthman”)
NO PSYCHO-BABBLE HERE.
JUST SIMPLE PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR MANY OF LIFE’S DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
COMING SOON IN BOTH AUDIO AND VIDEO
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Riot/Protest in Minneapolis
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?
by Dr. Lee Outlaw
With the death of George Floyd in the news, the age old question returns: “What is wrong with people?”
In general the question seems to be both cross generational and cross cultural but overall the intricacy of the question can be broken down as follows:
The negative behavior of people (both individually and within any group) seems to be a result of the following:
1. People don’t think things through thoroughly
2. People generally tend to take the easy way out
3. People tend to care more about themselves than the greater good of others
4. People tend to care more about themselves than the law
5. People tend to care more about themselves than God and their faith
6. People care more about feelings than consequences
7. People tend to believe the unbelievable but can’t believe in an all knowing and all powerful God.
In the area of psychology, we refer to this study of people and what sometimes appears to be a less than normal and lack of common sense approach to life as “Social Psychology”.
Of course within secular psychology, the study of such is an attempt to scientifically understand and explain how thoughts, feelings, and behavior of people are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others within society. Simply stated, social psychology is all about understanding how each person’s behavior is influenced by others and their social surroundings; a.k.a “peer pressure” as we have seen in the protest and riots all across our country.
Although there are many theories concerning this man’s horrific death (including numerous conspiracy theories), the bottom line is that every part of this story from the police action to the resulting protest and riots are the result of humanity’s sinful nature. The Bible says, “All have sinned…”Romans 3:23.
The problem within mainstream secular psychology however, is that there is no real defined moral base or ethical value such as the Bible from which to standardize such a study of an individual’s thoughts, feelings and behavior. Sadly, people, especially our youth no longer attend church or even believe in God.
As a result, apart from fluctuating statistics in comparison analysis of the same given criteria among ones peers or an established psychological norm (at any given moment) there is no established standard for people to follow, so if one person does a certain thing and it seems right to another person, then the same action is repeated.
Regardless of one’s philosophical, political, religious or psychological view, we have all been dissatisfied, disappointed or even frustrated by people either within or outside our social and family circle and we have asked the question or variation thereof, “What is wrong with people?”
It is time for this destructive behavior going on throughout our country to stop.
Either a strong rational behavioral modification must be attempted or a more radical consequence utilized to force these adult children to relinquish their riotous and dangerous actions.
Let me emphasize that I do not desire any further hurt, death or destruction but the recent riotous actions must stop and not be allowed to continue.
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will give strength and comfort to our president along with the wisdom to make right and Godly decisions and may God intervene to destroy the demonic powers which have possessed those committing these heinous acts.
For more, read my series from 2018 on Drtruthman Counseling, “What is wrong with people?”
Links below:
http://drtruthman.com/2018/03/11/what-is-wrong-with-people/
http://drtruthman.com/2018/03/23/whats-wrong-with-people-part-1/
http://drtruthman.com/2018/06/14/whats-wrong-with-people-part-2/
http://drtruthman.com/2018/09/15/whats-wrong-with-people-part-3/
© 2020 Lee W. Outlaw III, PhD
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