Ken Donaldson, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Seminole, Florida

02/04/2026

Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.

Great results are rarely the outcome of dramatic change.
They are built through small, consistent actions over time.

— Jim Rohn

01/11/2025

10/15/2024

Who knew?...

The state’s process for involuntary psychiatric evaluations is getting a major overhaul under legislation that’s cleared the Legislature this year, with advocates saying its long overdue.

10/12/2024

Love Druggin'

**Verse 1**
Dopamine hit, got me feelin' so high,
Thinkin' 'bout you, I’m lost in the sky,
You’re flawless, no lies, but it’s all in my mind,
I’m chasin' that buzz, like I’m stuck in rewind.

Oxytocin flow, got me feelin' attached,
Dreamin' of you, like we already matched,
I crave that closeness, it’s deep in my bones,
You’re the drug I fiend, but I’m all alone.

**Chorus**
When love is the drug, I’m addicted, no doubt,
Chasin' that high, can’t figure it out,
My heart’s on a rush, and my brain’s in the game,
But I’m lost in a chemical flame.

When love is the drug, I’m feelin' the heat,
From my head to my feet, it's bittersweet,
I’m trapped in the rush, can’t see through the haze,
I’m stuck in these neurochemical ways.

**Verse 2**
Serotonin’s slippin', my mind’s obsessed,
Can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you, no time to rest,
Got me idealizin', like you’re the best,
But it’s all just a fantasy, nothin' real left.

Endorphins hit, givin’ comfort and ease,
Like a warm hug in a cold-breeze tease,
I’m chasin' that safety, but it’s just a dream,
Livin' off fumes, swimmin’ upstream.

**Chorus**
When love is the drug, I’m addicted, no doubt,
Chasin' that high, can’t figure it out,
My heart’s on a rush, and my brain’s in the game,
But I’m lost in a chemical flame.

When love is the drug, I’m feelin' the heat,
From my head to my feet, it's bittersweet,
I’m trapped in the rush, can’t see through the haze,
I’m stuck in these neurochemical ways.

**Bridge**
Cortisol’s up, now I’m stressin' for real,
Can’t get validation, it’s all surreal,
Norepinephrine got my pulse on the rise,
Feelin’ that thrill every time you pass by.

But it’s all a loop, got me caught in the spin,
Runnin’ on chemicals deep within,
When love is the drug, it’s a hard game to win,
But I’m playin’ it out, let the fix begin.

**Chorus**
When love is the drug, I’m addicted, no doubt,
Chasin' that high, can’t figure it out,
My heart’s on a rush, and my brain’s in the game,
But I’m lost in a chemical flame.

When love is the drug, I’m feelin' the heat,
From my head to my feet, it's bittersweet,
I’m trapped in the rush, can’t see through the haze,
I’m stuck in these neurochemical ways.

10/12/2024

Thoughts??
-----------------------------------
When Love Is The Drug

When someone overly romanticizes relationships, several neurochemicals and brain systems are involved. Here's a simplified explanation of the key players:

# # # 1. **Dopamine** (The "Feel-Good" Chemical)
- **What it does:** Dopamine is released when you anticipate or experience something pleasurable, like when you're attracted to someone or feel excitement in a relationship. It's the brain's reward system at work.
- **Why it matters:** If you're romanticizing someone, your brain releases extra dopamine when you think about them, making them seem even more perfect than they are. It creates that "high" feeling of infatuation.

# # # 2. **Oxytocin** (The "Bonding" Hormone)
- **What it does:** Oxytocin is released during moments of intimacy, like physical touch, deep conversations, or emotional closeness. It's also known as the "love hormone" because it helps bond people.
- **Why it matters:** When you overly romanticize a relationship, you might seek or imagine that intense bond that oxytocin can reinforce. Even just imagining closeness can trigger feelings of attachment.

# # # 3. **Serotonin** (The "Mood Stabilizer")
- **What it does:** Serotonin regulates mood, and when levels are low, it can cause obsessive thinking, especially about people or relationships.
- **Why it matters:** When you're infatuated or overly focused on someone, serotonin levels can drop. Serotonin can make you obsess over the relationship and idealize the person more than usual.

# # # 4. **Endorphins** (The "Comfort" Chemicals)
- **What it does:** Endorphins are released during moments of happiness or physical touch, reducing stress and making you feel calm and comfortable.
- **Why it matters:** In romantic relationships, endorphins create feelings of emotional security. When imagining a relationship, you might be chasing the comfort and fulfillment that endorphins bring.

# # # 5. **Cortisol** (The "Stress" Hormone)
- **What it does:** Cortisol is released when you're stressed or anxious. In the early stages of a relationship, when things are uncertain, cortisol can spike.
- **Why it matters:** When you overly romanticize someone, you might also experience anxiety about the relationship. Cortisol can lead to a cycle where cortisol rises, making you more focused on the relationship in a stressful way, pushing you to seek more validation from the other person.

# # # 6. **Norepinephrine** (The "Excitement" Hormone)
- **What it does:** Norepinephrine heightens alertness and energy. It's released during the early stages of attraction, causing that rush of excitement and butterflies in your stomach.
- **Why it matters:** This hormone fuels the euphoria and excitement when you think about someone new, making it easier to romanticize the relationship.

# # # Conclusion:
When you're overly romanticizing a relationship, it's often because your brain is flooded with dopamine, oxytocin, and norepinephrine, making you feel excited, attached, and emotionally invested. At the same time, low serotonin and increased cortisol can lead to obsessive thinking or anxiety about the relationship, further pushing you to idealize the person or the situation.

Together, these chemicals create a potent mix that can make relationships (or the idea of them) feel more intense and magical than they might be. Does this help clarify the neurochemistry behind overly romanticizing relationships?

10/12/2024

John P. Weiss writes, "Some bookstores are lonely, and some are not. But they are all forts. Shelters from the ignorance and dark places of the world.

Bookstores spill light onto the sidewalks, illuminating the way for lost wanderers. Bookstores civilize our neighborhoods.

Bookstores remind us that we are never alone."

Read more....

I think the love affair with bookstores began during my middle school years, although I was anything but a prolific reader back then.

10/09/2024

Yo, Hurricane Milton

(Verse 1)
Yo, Hurricane Milton, rolling in with a roar,
Winds howlin' loud, but we’ve weathered this before.
Rain’s pouring down, but we’ll stand strong,
Together, we rise, it won’t be long.

(Chorus)
Hold on tight, we’re gonna see it through,
Sunshine will break, and we’ll find a way to renew.
From the storm’s embrace, we’ll rebuild and grow,
Hope shines bright, like a lighthouse glow.

(Verse 2)
Trees may sway, but our spirits won’t bend,
Neighbors united, that’s how we mend.
Got each other’s backs, in the darkest of nights,
When the skies clear up, we’ll bask in the lights.

(Chorus)
Hold on tight, we’re gonna see it through,
Sunshine will break, and we’ll find a way to renew.
From the storm’s embrace, we’ll rebuild and grow,
Hope shines bright, like a lighthouse glow.

(Outro)
So here’s to the journey, the trials we face,
In the heart of the storm, we find our place.
With love and resilience, we’ll carry the weight,
Together, we stand, and together we create.

~Keni Lee

10/09/2024

For those who might benefit:

This virtual support group is for individuals in their mid-life & older experiencing eating disorders. It is held every Tuesday at 8 PM EST.