Voice Hearers

For those diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder

A potential root cause of mental health has been found

Mental illness has been an enigma and point of confusion for many researchers and scientists. Despite medical advances, the root cause of mental illness has remained unknown.

Dr. Christopher Palmer, a Harvard professor of psychiatry, has been connecting the dots of thousands of research articles regarding the relationship between mental illness and mitochondrial dysfunction.

A pivotal moment in 2016 started the psychiatrist on a new path when he helped a patient with schizoaffective disorder lose weight. The patient not only suffered from severe mental illness but also low self-esteem due to the weight gain he experienced while on psychotropic medication.

Palmer relayed that he initially couldn’t believe switching to a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet could stop chronic auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions. He quickly started using this intervention in other patients and saw similar—sometimes even more dramatic—results.

This experience encouraged him to begin a scientific journey to understand how a change in diet could help severe mental illness.

Possible origins of the voices heard by voice hearers

Here are some possible origins of the voices heard by voice-hearers or people who have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

1. Subconscious mind

This is the cause most believed by psychiatry departments. Is Schizophrenia a Disorder of Consciousness?

2. External radio signals

This is a cause often believed by the experiencers of voice-hearing. The question is: why do only some people hear voices and not others if they are caused by radio signals?

3. Spiritual sources

A common experience of voice-hearers is to attribute the voices to angels, demons, or spiritual sources. This can be debilitating or inspiring, depending on if you believe the source if good or evil. Psychosis or Spiritual Emergence?

4. Future technology

The voices I hear sometimes imply they have been sent from the future back into the present. It would be virtually impossible to prove this, I believe.

5. Alien technology

Some voice-hearers believe in the possibility of alien civilisations being involved in the voices we hear.

Delusions of Technical Alien Control.

What do you think?

Leave a comment on what you think causes the voices we hear.

The best jobs for someone with schizophrenia

The best jobs for someone with schizophrenia

Are you wondering what kind of jobs a schizophrenic can do?

Here are 50 jobs you can do from home. Working from home can be a great comfort for those with schizophrenia.

1. Affiliate Marketer

Have you ever heard of affiliate marketing? It refers to market someone else products to earn a commission.

Let’s understand it with a simple example. Just imagine you have a website. You can refer a book or any other product listed on Amazon to the visitors of your website.  If the visitor buys that product by clicking on your affiliate link, you will get a commission.

Affiliate is popular among people because it helps them earning with minimum start-up cost.

2. Baker/Chef/Caterer

Is cooking or baking your passion. If yes, what’s bad in earning by making it your side business? For instance, you can be a personal chef while fulfilling your catering needs from your kitchen.

Moreover, selling your cakes and other bakery stuff to neighbours, friends, online or local marketplaces is also a good idea.

3. Animator

Do you love art and the know-how to be creative to create visual effects and animation? If yes, working as a freelance animator is the best option for you. You can create visual effects and animation for video games, movies, television, and other media types.

You can earn from $25 to $106 per hour as an animator on freelance marketplaces such as Upwork.

4. Blogger

Another super idea to earn from home is blogging. It’s easy to start as well as inexpensive. You can write anything in blogging. It can be about your favourite food, music, or holiday site.

You can write all this stuff on your website to earn money. However, it may take time. So, you should be patient and consistent if you want to earn from blogging.

5. Bookkeeper

Some people believe that a CPA is a must to stat bookkeeping. But it’s not the fact. So you might be wondering how it is possible. Well, sign up on any online course or at community college to become an expert in bookkeeping.

You can start earning on the course completion. And surprisingly, your salary may reach up to $34,000.

6. Clinical Research Coordinator

As a clinical research coordinator, your duty would be to manage the clinical trial operations. Amazingly, you don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to do this job. Moreover, you can earn up to $48,000 as a clinical research coordinator.

7. Child Caregiver

Chile caregiver is a lucrative business idea that demands you to work from home. You can run this business for a few hours to the entire day at your convenience.  However, you need permits and licenses to run this business without any issue.

8. Customer Service Representative

You can work as a customer service representative and earn up to $8-$15. It’s only possible if you have a reliable internet connection, landline, and most importantly, excellent communication skills.

9. Consulting

What could be easier to earn from your experiences? Yes, you’re reading right. Just share your knowledge in a specific area with others. For instance, you can help small businesses to earn more money as an accountant or lawyer.

Moreover, you can also help businesses in using specific software.

10. Copy Writing

Every business needs copy to boost its sales. But every business doesn’t know how to write a copy. So, if you know how to write a copy, the ball in is your court.

You can earn up to six figures by writing these sales copies while sitting home. In addition, you can take help from Upwork or Fiverr to find potential clients.

11. Data Entry

The data entry task may not be an interesting task for you. However, it doesn’t need any experience and helps you earn at a rate of $10 per hour.

12. Editing and Proofreading

If you have a firm grip on English, the proofreading and editing tasks are a piece of cake for you. You can work for companies like Book in a Box pay. These companies offer up to $20/h to proofreaders, book jacket designers, and editors.

13. E-commerce Store Owner

E-Commerce businesses rely on five different types of models. These models include subscriptions, white-labelling, manufacturing, wholesaling, and dropshipping.

You can launch your e-Commerce store quickly by taking help from various sites, such as WooCommerce, Magento, and Shopify.

14. Film and Post Instructional Videos

Creating a YouTube channel and share something you’re an expert in is a good idea to earn. However, to earn money from YouTube, you need to enrol in the partner program of YouTube. It will help you earn $1-$2/1,000 views.

15. Event Planner

An organized and professional is always the choice of people to arrange a corporate event, birthday party, or wedding. However, if you are creative and love event planning, don’t think more and just start following your passion.

16. Graphic Designer

Most business keeps looking for designers to design the visual ads, websites, and logos. So, proper skills in this area can help you make a handsome monthly income. Moreover, with a higher skill level, you will get clients who are willing to pay higher.

17. Grant Writer

Nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and universities often apply for grants. The difficulty level of these writings demands talented writers. If you can write these grants well, you can earn $40,300-$67,000 in a year.

18. Instructor

Do you know how to maintain health with yoga? Or do you know musical instruments?  If you have any skills, you can benefit people with your skill. And people will pay you to get benefits from you. You can arrange both online and in-person training. Isn’t it a superb idea?

19. Handmade Crafter

Do you have the skills to craft furniture and jewellery? If yes, Etsy Shop, where you can sell your crafts, can bring a lot of profit to you.

20. Online Juror

Attorneys often need feedback on their cases while preparing for trial.  You can share your opinion with the attorneys to earn from $5 to $150.

21. Internet Security Specialist

An internet security specialist helps businesses to identify the security threats on networks. Besides, you will also be responsible install a data protection system and implement security standards.

A surge in this type of job is expected in the coming years due to rising concerns about online security.

22. Patent or Intellectual Property Lawyer

Many individuals need expert advice to protect their intellectual property and apply for a patent. If you’re a lawyer, it’s a golden opportunity for you to earn extra. This skill can help you make $112-$121 in an hour.

23. Online Tutor

Online teaching is the need of the hour in this critical time of pandemics.  If you also have a passion for teaching and want to teach in flexible hours, consider online teaching.

You can use Skype or Zoom to teach. Moreover, pre-recorded sessions by Connections Academy and K12 can also help you in this regard.

24. Pet Groomer

Not everyone has a passion for styling and clean pets. But if you got this passion, Pet Groomer is the best business that you can run from your home.

25. Peer-to-Peer Lender

You can invest your money to get some interest. And the websites such as prosper and Lending Club could help you in this. These websites allow individuals and businesses to lend money.

26. Product Reviewer

Reviewing a product is also a good source of income. You can tell the pros and cons of a product that you’re using to your audience.

These reviews help people to make better buying decisions while making money for you. You can earn from $20,000-$95,000 with this home-based task.

27. Photographer/Videographer

Videography and photography can also help you earn. You might be wondering about the scope of photography skills when everyone has a camera on their phone. Well, photography is a skill, and not everyone is good at it.

Moreover, events such as weddings demand professional photographers. Besides, you can photograph nature or anything you want to sell on the sites such as Foap.

28. Realtor

If you have a real estate license in your state, you can go for a realty business. Moreover, you also have to construct a home to win the trust of a potential client. However, you don’t have to go to that home to show it to your client. Technology can help you in this.

29. Programmer

Learn any programming language and become an expert in it. This programming language will help you earn $61/h.

30. Renter

Does the basement of your home empty? Or do you not use your car much? If yes, why are you leaving these things spare? Just rent them and earn some extra cash.

31. Repairer

The talent to repair things such as computers, cars or bicycles could help you earn a good amount of money. But, firstly, you have to launch your service. And then you can do marketing to win some clients. So, if you already have resources and tools, it will not cost you much to start this business.

32. Social Media Manager

Do you spend the most time on Social media? If yes, you can be a social media manager. Many firms require social media managers to handle their social media accounts. On the other hand, some firms also want someone to create a complete social media marketing strategy.

33. Short Tasks

Short task refers to any task that you can complete quickly. For instance, the short task includes watching a video, taking a survey, and reviewing. Although you may not earn much from this, it’s an easy and fast way to make money from home.

34. Survey Taker

Surveys can’t help you make much money. However, you can make from $1 to $50 based on the time you spend reviewing products, answer questions, and taking an opinion poll. PayPal, points, or checks are the most common payment methods.

35. Stylist

A passion for fashion can help you work as an online stylist. Mostly online stylists earn $15/hour on average.

36. Become an Expert

These days, people are looking for online help to solve their problems. Besides, people prefer individuals rather than any large company to solve these issues.

Catalant is such a resource that hires an expert from $15-$280/hour.

37. Tax Preparer

You can be a tax preparer. However, it’s a seasonal job. Nevertheless, it can help you make more than $30,000. If you want to be in this business, make sure you register with IRS.

38. Telephone Nurse

Are you a registered nurse? If yes, you can work with health management companies such as UnitedHealth, Aetna, Humana, and health insurers. These companies may hire you for patient education; handle case management and treatment authorization.

39. Translator

Fluency in any other language can also benefit you a lot. So make this skill your power and start earning by translating the documents. Moreover, you can also become an interpreter.

40. Transcriptionist/Transcriber

As a transcriber, you have to carefully listen to audio such as medical dictations or lectures to type what you hear.  You can earn up to $25/ hour for this entry gig.

41. Virtual Assistant

The position of a virtual assistant is ideal for you if you’re organized. You have to handle duties like calendar management, replying to emails, social media assistance, and data entry. You can earn $10-$15/hour as a virtual assistant.

42. Travel Agent

Although various travel sites could take your stress of planning a trip, it can still take time. In addition, lack of awareness about weather conditions takes the tourists to the travel agents to get the best deals and plan itineraries.

43. Virtual Recruiter

This job is similar to an in-house recruiter. The only difference is that you can work from anywhere you want. Another difference is that you may have to explore different websites to find a suitable employee for a particular position. You may also have to screen the applications and interview the right candidate.

44. Virtual Public Relations Representative

Some small and medium-sized firms lack the financial resources to hire a vice president of marketing, a dedicated chief marketing officer, or even hire a public relations company. However, they may be able to afford to hire a virtual public relations representative to handle tasks such as business promotion or crisis management.

45. Voice Acting

You can earn between $56- $72/ hour if you have a lovely voice.

46. Virtual Tutor

If you have substantial knowledge in a specific subject, coaching students over the phone or Skype might pay you $12- $35/hour.

47. Web Search Evaluator

Search engines pay people to examine search results to provide the most relevant services to the clients. You can earn from $12 to $15/ hour with little experience.

48. Web Developer

In this era of e-Commerce, website developers are in demand. If you’re an expert in website development, you can earn from $55,000 to $175,000 for building a website from scratch.

49. Writing Gigs

Businesses need written content, like eBooks, website copy, and blog posts. The demand for these services leads to thousands of writing gigs that can pay anywhere between $10 to $100/hour.

50. Website Tester

Businesses want their websites to be user-friendly and simple to navigate. For this purpose, they’ll give people directions on how to visit their website. Each test takes about 15-20 minutes on average. You’ll usually get paid $10 to $15 per exam in exchange.

 

This article originally appeared on introverts.org.

Within us are two wolves locked in a constant state of battle

Within us are two wolves locked in a constant state of battle

There is an old story that is ascribed to the Cherokee. It captures how to amplify the voices that encourage us to be the best version of ourselves and quiet the voices that spew doubt, fear, and shame.

It goes something like this.

A grandfather was walking with his grandson through the woods, sharing the wisdom he had gleaned throughout his 73 years. Holding the young boy’s hand, the old man began. “Within us,” he said, “are two wolves locked in a constant state of battle – a good wolf and a bad wolf. The good wolf represents all of the good things we seek to be: brave, honest, true, happy, and generous of spirit. The bad wolf represents greed, anger, selfishness, arrogance, hatred, and fear. Throughout our lives,” the man finished, “these two wolves will battle.”

The young boy looked up at his grandfather and asked, “Which one will win?”

The grandfather replied simply, “Whichever one you feed.”

Those wolves represent the voices we all have inside of us. No one is the perfect version of themselves. No one is free from self-doubt or immune to anger or jealousy.

And every one of us is capable of joy and love and acts of generosity.

But here’s what most of us don’t do well. Most of us don’t take a step back to look – and I mean really look – at the things we do that feed our good wolf and our bad wolf and then mindfully and thoughtfully seek out the people and the things that feed the good wolf.

There are people in your life who feed your good wolf. The friends who support you and love you unconditionally. People who make you laugh, encourage you to grow and support you when you need them. And then there are people in your life who feed the bad wolf by spewing negativity and doubt and gossip.

It helps to recognize that those people are spewing that negativity because of them, not you. Perhaps they are jealous as they see you taking steps forward toward your best life. Perhaps they are so lost in their own unhappiness or challenges that they simply don’t have it in them to give.

Perhaps … well, you know what? It doesn’t matter. If there are people in your life who feed your bad wolf, you must consciously remind yourself that their issues are their issues and mindfully limit your connection with them. I’m not suggesting that you cut them out of your life entirely – though sometimes that is the best solution. But sometimes those people are members of your family, or your neighbors, or parents of your child’s best friend, people who you simply can’t cut out entirely. If you can’t remove them from your life, you must consciously refuse the treats that they offer to your bad wolf.

Consider your use of social media: is it feeding your good wolf or your bad wolf? If you are like me, and I suspect most of us, it is feeding both. It is lovely to see my cousin’s children growing up in California, exciting to learn about the movie recently produced by an old high school friend and fun to catch a meme that so perfectly captures my day. Those things feed my good wolf. But my bad wolf is fed by images of perfectly-curated lives that spur jealousy, competitors who seem to be doing “more” and succeeding faster, pounds lost, weights lifted, and money earned by “friends.” For most of us, social media feeds both wolves, and it is on us to consume it carefully and thoughtfully.

Consider how you spend your time and what you prioritize in your day. Here’s a secret: your good wolf loves to be outside – in nature. She loves to move and stretch and grow. She loves to be with people who stroke her fur. She loves to play. She loves hard work. She loves to care for her pups. She loves a den that is cozy, safe, and warm. She loves her pack. She loves fresh food and sunshine.