Cryonics and Dysthymia

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."– Will Rogers

How many of you have you ever thought about your immortality? Well, eating correctly, exercising appropriately, avoiding a tragic accident, and not having a psychological disorder diagnosis may not be enough of a guarantee. You just might have to do more for yourself. I have another idea about immortality and it is called cryonics. Okay, what is cryonics?

I recently read in the Wall Street Journal July 26, 2011 that my professor at Wayne State University died at age 92. Robert Ettinger founded the Cryonics Institute in Detroit. He believed that if you store a legally dead body in liquid nitrogen at 320° below zero that one day, in the future, you could revive the dead person and treat him with a new medical cure that is now available. Remember, you have to be legally dead prior to immersion. This is faith that science will figure out the cure. The cost for this immersion is approximately $30,000 and that includes perpetual care. One question I have “what about the funeral?”

I suppose one could take the attitude “I am going to live it up, live for today, die, freeze myself, and enjoy life tomorrow”. Remember, much of what happens to us relates to the choices we make. Make sure you make the correct choice for yourself. Mistakes can be costly.

Another article, from the paper, pertained to dysthymia which is a form of depression. A study at Columbia University reported that unknowing individuals with this disorder are more likely to have physical problems, more likely to be on Medicaid or Social Security disability, and less likely to work full-time. They also found that this disorder is found in families,   can lead to a worse form of depression, and is related to a higher incidence of substance abuse and attempted suicide. Also of significant importance is that this illness starts before the age of 18 and is often mistaken for shyness or irritability in young children and goes untreated because it’s rationalized as just part of one’s personality. If you have a question a useful start is to consult your family physician.

 If treatment is needed, one can consult a mental health professional for psychotherapy and if necessary antidepressants. Important adjuncts include meditation, exercise, proper nutrition, and family support.

Secretariat and I started out for one of our familiar 10 mile trail run loops. After 6-7 miles, I tripped, fell, and landed on my face. I braced my fall by holding out my two water bottles in front of me and in the process landed on a rock cutting my left palm. So, we walked back to the house where Linda cleaned out the bloody wound.

The trail can be dangerous as you never know what  is in store for you. Secretariat said that tripping is not a function of age because "I have been tripping for a long time." The moral of the story is that one has difficulty predicting the future even when doing a trail run. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.