Worried at the Doctor graphite on paper by T. age 7 T. is a little girl age 7 who lives with almost daily pain and discomfort from longstanding, severe allergies. Food allergies, environmental allergies, rashes and real, cramping stomach pain. For several years now she has been using art therapy skills to help her with both the physical pain and the emotional distress. This drawing was done in the patient treatment room with her doctor while she waited on whether or not she was to … [Read more...] about Worried at the Doctor
Archives for August 2012
Denial
Denial oil pastel self portrait by "F" This oil pastel self-portrait was inspired by an introduction to Freda Kahlo, a Mexican artist who lived with daily pain and sorrow. The part of Freda’s story that impressed this patient is the way Freda includes her emotional and psychological self in her portraits. Freda painted more than what she looks like; she regularly shares what’s on her heart and what’s on her mind. This includes chronic physical pain and painful relationship … [Read more...] about Denial
Bi Polar bracelet
bi polar bracelet by "F" recovering addict Very often when an addict stops using s/he finds an underlying emotional/psychological problem. This begs the old chicken/egg question; did drug addiction and use cause the mental health issue or was it the precursor that prompted the individual to use in the first place? It may be an attempt to self-medicate a pre-existing condition. Common dual diagnoses include alcoholism/drug addiction and depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, various … [Read more...] about Bi Polar bracelet