Stress: Don't suffer alone, seek support
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/support/MY01238
- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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March 12, 2010
Stress: Don't suffer alone, seek support
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
As I reflect on the powerful stories people have shared with me, I see a recurrent and powerful theme. Humans are creatures of the herd. We gathered as small clans around fires in the days of the caveman. We hunted game in small groups. The individual who was isolated became prey for some hungry beast. Being part of a group meant survival.
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This is one of the reasons programs such as Al-Anon are so powerful. As Barbara A. commented, "I was no longer alone." By sharing our suffering we become empowered to take care of ourselves and not let our lives be held hostage by those who are chemically dependent.
Having lived with alcoholism, I know too well the turmoil and the frustrations of this dreadful disease. I'm often reminded of the comfort of the Serenity Prayer in these circumstances: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Simple words. Not easy to live by, but at least they provide a compass to guide us.
Yes, we survive in the herd, and we need to reach out to each other. This is no less true for those struggling with post-traumatic stress syndrome. You can't go it alone. You need professional guidance to find your way.
How else can we help each other deal with some of the unfairness life throws at us?
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