MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'bipolar'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:47:52 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174664&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F29%2Fnutritional-supplements-to-treat-adhd-bipolar-depression-empowerplus%2F In this study, only 49 percent of the participants kept providing the researchers data at 6 months — meaning the majority of them dropped out of the study before the 6 months were up! LOCF is generally frowned upon in good research unless there’s a very good rationale for its use. Why? Because research shows that this method gives a biased estimate of the treatment effect and underestimates the variability of the estimated result. In other words, it stacks the deck to demonstrate a treatment’s effectiveness — even when it might not be. It’s a research slight of hand. The bigger problem with this study and most of the studies cited by TrueHope is that they all suffer from significant design problems. All are open-label designs with biased, self-selected samples... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174664 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:45:54 +0100 5174664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139874&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-19-2011%2F Ask me about a trip I took with my dad to Maui ten years ago and I can barely recall what we did. But ask me about my childhood toys and suddenly I remember every detail, every curve of a ball, color, texture and even the faint smell of a favorite toy. There is one toy I remember in particular. It was a half red, half blue sphere covered with different shaped holes and yellow plastic shapes (triangles, stars, circles, etc.) meant to fit through them. If you’re curious, this is what it looked like. What I remember is being very young and feeling frustrated because no matter how hard I pushed I could never get all of those puzzle pieces into the holes. It was only when I got older that I realized every piece had its place. I was wasting my energy trying to force pieces where they didn&... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139874 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:11:34 +0100 5139874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139875&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fintroducing-to-the-edge-and-back%2F Living with a mental health issue or mental disorder as serious as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety is no easy task. Ask anyone who grapples with these concerns on a day-to-day basis. But what can complicate even serious mental illness is a misdiagnosis of one disorder over another. To the Edge and Back is a blog about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of day-to-day life with a very peculiar psychological impairment. Steven Pace says that he is capable of tremendous achievements in a variety of fields on any given day. However, due to the chaotic and disruptive nature of his affliction, he fears that he may never be able to maintain a consistent level of productivity that would allow him to be recognized as a contributing member of society. This blog will share bits of his journ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139875 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:22:46 +0100 5139875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140109&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F5Hpp2h0kPiA%2F I’ve been seeing an increasing number of stories and studies lately on ‘soft bipolar disorder,’ or bipolar II, which is—in the crudest terms—basically a less serious version of classic bipolar disorder, or bipolar I. According to a University of Texas survey, approximately nine million Americans, or 4% of the population, have this disease. My curiosity piqued, I checked a book out of the library recently called Less Than Crazy: Living Fully With Bipolar II by Karla Dougherty. The writing is … not stellar (it’s like a publishing rule, I think, that self-help books must use cheesy metaphors at least three times per chapter). But overall, the book provides a good base for understanding bipolar II, how it differs from regular bipolar disorder, and why it (alle... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140109 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:15:07 +0100 5140109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139900&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Fonline-mood-chart%2F Buffer Life Charts or Mood Charts are used by psychiatrists and patients with bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder. Keeping track of mood fluctuations such as in depression or manic phase together with medication use and possible triggers can be of immense value to treatment plans. Optimism is a mood chart app that helps you develop strategies to manage depression, bipolar or other physical and mental health conditions. It can be customized completely to suit your specific circumstances, making it relevant to any health condition that affects (or is affected by) mood. Optimism helps you to: Monitor and develop strategies, specific to yourself, that help you remain in good health. Grow in your understanding of “triggers” that affect you, and the early warning signs or symptoms of a d... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139900 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:15:13 +0100 5139900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125806&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F13%2Fthe-idiots-guide-to-dealing-with-idiots%2F Idiots. The world is full of them. How hard it is for us, non-idiots, to put up with them. But to get our jobs done, our kids fed, and our pets groomed, we must deal with them. Idiots come in many shapes, forms, and types, but the ones that frustrate me the most are those who don’t believe in any form of mental illness. These creatures maintain that all mood disorders are cute, creative stories crafted by persons who enjoy obsessing, ruminating, and crying their eyes out… a wealthy bunch who can’t think of anything better to do than come up with a make-believe tale about a few neurons wandering around the limbic system afraid to ask for directions, just like Moses. We must tune out the idiots to achieve any kind of sanity or serenity. But how? Here are four ways that have work... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125806 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 11:07:11 +0100 5125806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125808&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-12-2011%2F Every day can seem pretty ordinary. It can look almost identical on the surface. But if you were to take a magnify glass and zoom in on the individual moments of your day, you may be surprised by what you find. Within those 24 hours, there are mini lessons, opportunities to choose differently and open doors toward self-growth. The problem is we’re usually too busy to notice them. Take today, for example. There was the lady who blatantly and unashamedly pushed me out of the grocery line. I could have chosen to say something. But I didn’t. I was also late for an appointment. I could have carried the guilt I felt throughout the rest of my day. But I didn’t do that either. And there was that darn migraine. The headache that I’ve had since high school-the type that makes... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125808 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:34 +0100 5125808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107600&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F08%2Fbipolar-disorder-missed-when-presenting-with-depression%2F Coming as a surprise to more than a few mental health professionals, a new study out today suggests that bipolar disorder is often missed in patients who present only with major depression. The study examined 5,635 adults seen at community and hospital psychiatry departments in a number of different countries. The discrepancy was reported because of the use of “bipolarity specifier criteria” that are broader than the DSM-IV criteria, the standard for diagnosis of mental disorders by mental health professionals. Using the broader bipolar criteria developed by the researchers found an additional 31 percent of patients who could have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. So what’s really going on here? Are professionals really “missing” bipolar disorder? Or have ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107600 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:49:39 +0100 5107600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096341&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F04%2Fdoctor-is-my-mood-disorder-due-to-a-chemical-imbalance%2F Dear Mrs. ——– You have asked me about the cause of your mood disorder, and whether it is due to a “chemical imbalance”. The only honest answer I can give you is, “I don’t know”—but I’ll try to explain what psychiatrists do and don’t know about the causes of so-called mental illness, and why the term “chemical imbalance” is simplistic and a bit misleading. By the way, I don’t like the term “mental disorder”, because it makes it seem as if there’s a huge distinction between the mind and the body—and most psychiatrists don’t see it that way. I wrote about this recently, and used the term “brain-mind” to describe the unity of mind and body.1 So, for lack of a better term, I’ll just refer to “psychiatric illnesses.” Now, this notion of... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096341 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:35:19 +0100 5096341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062294&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F24%2Fmental-illness-is-not-simply-a-brain-disease%2F Last month, Andrew Brown writing for the UK’s Guardian, noted when Professor David Nutt kept referring to depression as a “brain disease” on a popular UK television program. We commend Andrew Brown for his calling out Professor Nutt in trying to dumb down the portrayal of mental disorders to simply “brain diseases.” Mental disorders remain complex disorders that involve all aspect of a person’s functioning and life — their brain and biology, their psychological makeup and personality, and their social interactions and relationships with others. The cause isn’t just one of these things in the vast majority of people who have a mental illness — the cause is all of these things, in differing proportions. I’ve written about this in th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062294 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:36:25 +0100 5062294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992955&cid=t_92589_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fmass-general-sanctions-joseph-biederman.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992955 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:26:00 +0100 4992955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992756&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F01%2Fis-anyone-normal-today%2F Take a minute and answer this question: Is anyone really normal today? I mean, even those who claim they are normal may, in fact, be the most neurotic among us, swimming with a nice pair of scuba fins down the river of Denial. Having my psychiatric file published online and in print for public viewing, I get to hear my share of dirty secrets—weird obsessions, family dysfunction, or disguised addiction—that are kept concealed from everyone but a self-professed neurotic and maybe a shrink. “Why are there so many disorders today?” Those seven words, or a variation of them, surface a few times a week. And my take on this query is so complex that, to avoid sounding like my grad school professors making an erudite case that fails to communicate anything to average folks like me, I often ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992756 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:03:11 +0100 4992756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984501&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FbjbrRmU_AUk%2F URL: http://psychology.vanguard.edu/amoebaweb/Outstanding resource maintained by Douglas Degelman, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Features over 2000 categorized links to quality psychology content. For: Anyone, Researchers, StudentsTopics: ADHD, Abnormal, Academia, Addiction, Anxiety, Behaviour Management, Bipolar, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Depression, Eating Disorders, General Psychology, Mental HealthFeatures: Articles, Databases, Information, Links Outstanding resource maintained by Douglas Degelman, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Features over 2000 categorized links to quality psychology content. Also, lists monthly featured websites, psychologically related, of cours... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984501 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:00:13 +0100 4984501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975943&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F27%2Fdare-to-be-happy%2F If there is no struggle, there is no progress. ~ Frederick Douglass Let’s get this out in the open: I am bipolar II. That means the mania is really low-key and infrequent and the depression, at least in my case, for most of my life, has been pretty much nonstop. There are degrees of depression, of course. Mine gets severe relatively quickly and stays that way a relatively long time. Yes, I have been an inpatient at psychiatric hospitals. Yes, I have self-harmed. Yes, I have been on every psychotropic medication known to man, and failed most of them. The two that I’m on right now combine for one really annoying side effect. I have even, since about New Year’s, been undergoing a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). My memory is shot, along with many other things, but the suggesti... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975943 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:49:03 +0100 4975943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934343&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2Fna5reMeRs38%2F URL: http://askjan.org/The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. For: Anyone, Consumers, Researchers, Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Abnormal, Attachment, Behaviour Management, Foundation Website, Personality disorders, Relationships, Sexual Assault, Aspergers, Autism, Bipolar, Chronic Disease, Foundation Website, Mental Health, Social SupportFeatures: Articles, Collaborative News, Conferences, Information, Links, Research, Res... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934343 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:05 +0100 4934343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934338&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F13%2Fbipolar-disorder-tips-for-reducing-relapse%2F For many mental illnesses relapse is part and parcel. Bipolar disorder is one of these. What’s especially unnerving for people is that relapse can seem random, as though you go to bed feeling one way and wake up another, feeling hints of mania or depression. Why relapse occurs is largely unknown. But we do know certain facts based on research findings, according to Joseph R. Calabrese, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Program at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, in this excellent article in bp Magazine on relapse: “Those who are diagnosed with bipolar II are more likely to relapse than those with bipolar I. Their episodes of depression, mania or hypomania are often shorter than the episodes experienced by those with bipolar I but tend to return more of... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934338 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:34:54 +0100 4934338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902486&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F05%2F6-bipolar-rules-for-eating%2F The following post is by Hilary Smith, author of “Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar But Were Too Freaked Out to Ask” (Conari Press, 2010) as well as a cool blog to go with it, Welcome to the Jungle. We’ve all heard about “mood foods” that can promote wellness for people with bipolar and depression–fish oil for brain health, oatmeal for stable blood sugar, chocolate for, well, chocolateness. But it’s also important to think about how we eat. How we eat can have just as big an impact on our mood as what we eat, yet it often gets neglected in conversations about bipolar and food. Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy mood through mindful eating practices. 1. Make eating an art. How you eat is sometimes a r... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902486 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 10:05:30 +0100 4902486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872165&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F26%2Fwhen-mental-illness-stigma-turns-inward%2F This study shows in some cases, it might even be increasing.) We see stigma everywhere. Every time violence is automatically connected to mental illness in an article or news report, we see it.* We see it in movies and other forms of media. We see it at work where stereotypes might be perpetuated, where employees are afraid to “come out” with their diagnosis. We see it with our families or friends, who might say versions of “just snap out of it” or “get over it already” or offer “advice” like sleep more, eat less, look on the bright side and try harder. There’s also just pure ignorance, especially when it comes to serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. As E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., wrote in Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872165 Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:16 +0100 4872165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848004&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F20%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-20-2011%2F You probably noticed by now, but we’re all excited that it’s not only Mental Health Awareness Month, but a few days ago on May 18, our bloggers participated in blogging for mental health. It’s been a wonderful week spreading information about mental health and busting stigma that still exists on mental illness. Why is spreading mental health awareness and fighting prejudice so important? About ten years ago, I was talking to a college classmate about depression. He was just 20 years old and I was a few years older and several years ahead of him in terms of my experience with mental illness. I had witnessed the impact depression had on my grandfather when I was 16. When the topic of mental illness and depression came up, he passionately voiced his opinions to me. He felt t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848004 Fri, 20 May 2011 10:24:20 +0100 4848004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841582&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F18%2Fapa-mental-health-blog-party-2011-roundup%2F Here is our roundup of posts from the Psych Central Blog Network that blogged about mental health today as a part of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Mental Health “Blog Party.” Psych Central is the world’s largest independent mental health network run by ordinary mental health professionals. Each month, over 1.5 million people visit our site from around the world to learn more about better mental health and conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD and anxiety. Psych Central bloggers are some of the most dedicated and passionate people I’ve met in the field of mental health. Some are professionals, some are not, but all share one thing in common — they have a knack for writing about psychology and mental health issu... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841582 Wed, 18 May 2011 14:55:30 +0100 4841582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841587&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F17%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-17-2011%2F Do you feel it in the air? It’s change. Every season has an end. And with any end comes fear, uncertainty and sometimes sadness. Even if ends bring new beginnings like a marriage, a baby or a new career, the loss of what we know can feel earth shattering. Instead of embracing change, we grasp on, holding desperately to what was instead of what will be. Does that sound like you? How are you continuing to do things that don’t serve you or your new life out of fear of change? Maybe you need to take the time to grieve for your old self and your old life so that you can embrace your new one. It’s something important to contemplate this week as we get closer to summer. It also fits with one of our posts on transitions. Have a great week and enjoy! Seven Rules of Mindful Eating ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841587 Tue, 17 May 2011 13:50:25 +0100 4841587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829164&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FplF9O_o_GRw%2F I probably shouldn’t ever do online tests that claim to be reliable indicators of my health or personality, but that doesn’t stop me from frittering away my time every once in awhile. Who doesn’t want to know how their IQ stacks up with their friend’s, whether their personality type is compatible with their partner’s, or if they could be considered a “fitness junkie”?  I know I do. So when Alternative Depression Therapy’s online bi-polar test showed up in my Twitter stream, I was too curious not to see my results. I’ve never been diagnosed with any mental illness, but hey, this could save me the trip to the psychologist, and an excuse to get my hands on some good pills! (Kidding, of course.) But all the test really taught me is that I&... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829164 Mon, 09 May 2011 20:18:32 +0100 4829164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803387&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FplF9O_o_GRw%2F I probably shouldn’t ever do online tests that claim to be reliable indicators of my health or personality, but that doesn’t stop me from frittering away my time every once in awhile. Who doesn’t want to know how their IQ stacks up with their friend’s, whether their personality type is compatible with their partner’s, or if they could be considered a “fitness junkie”?  I know I do. So when Alternative Depression Therapy’s online bi-polar test showed up in my Twitter stream, I was too curious not to see my results. I’ve never been diagnosed with any mental illness, but hey, this could save me the trip to the psychologist, and an excuse to get my hands on some good pills! (Kidding, of course.) But all the test really taught me is that I&... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803387 Mon, 09 May 2011 20:18:32 +0100 4803387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789639&cid=t_92589_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0g87fDI2KB0%2F Was the evidence used for prescribing Abilify to combat bipolar disorder skimply? That’s the contention in a new paper, which argues the justification for using the Bristol-Myers Squibb drug as maintenance treatment was based on one long-term, controlled trial that had numerous limitations. Moreover, the paper maintains these limitations were not identified in many of 104 subsequent review articles and treatment guidelines. For its part, Bristol-Myers disagrees (keep reading). The original trial was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2003 and compared the safety and efficacy of Abilify with placebo for treating bipolar patients. The study concluded that the pill had “significantly greater efficacy than placebo for the treatment of bipolar disorder patients in ac... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789639 Wed, 04 May 2011 15:04:41 +0100 4789639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780432&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F7PCdFHF6dWQ%2F We know it’s unsafe to drive after two or three glasses of wine, but what about after 1,050 milligrams of Lithium? Sure, my impulse response is good. My cognitive functions are fine. I know when I have to stop, where to look, and how to flip the bird if I have to. But my hands do tremor. And although most of the time no one notices, there are times when the shakes are quite visible, and embarrassing. Like on the morning of my first day at my new consulting job, where 300 consultants waited in one single file line to submit proper paperwork. I couldn’t get my Styrofoam coffee cup to stop shaking as I held copies of my birth certificate, driver’s license, and proof that I was not an alien. The man behind me noticed my shaking hands and said, “Oh, you poor thing. Your blood sugar is l... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780432 Tue, 03 May 2011 14:00:42 +0100 4780432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768046&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F29%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-29-2011%2F You know what amazes me? No matter how far we come in life, there is always a point where we suddenly forget. Maybe it’s the relative who negated your recent accomplishment or the friend who brushed off your latest idea. It could be the classmate that surpassed you in school or the colleague who got one step ahead of you in your career. Suddenly, everything you ever did is just not good enough. How do you get back to that place of peace and gratitude? How do you return to the moment where you remember all of the trials and tribulations and trauma you have already overcame in the past? You get back to yourself. Whether it’s by yoga, meditation or walking, these posts will help inspire you to do just that. Yoga and Meditation: The Benefits (ADHD in Focus) – Are you mystifi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768046 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:07:25 +0100 4768046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753886&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F9Wk_mdxjoSg%2F The Lithium Chronicles is a Blisstree series focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Last time in The Lithium Chronicles, we heard Ross McKenzie’s story of how he got fired by his psychiatrist when he decided to go off of lithium, a drug he took daily for 15 years. Bipolar patients going off of lithium is already a pretty controversial topic. But there’s an extra twist in Ross’ story that isn’t exactly in the mainstream. Ross attributes the process of chelation with much of his mental health today. Ross has been off of lithium and symptom free for over a year. But when he was in his early 20s, Ross had all of his metal dental fillings replaced. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he was tested for metals in his blood stream and found his resu... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753886 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:47:51 +0100 4753886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742468&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F22%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-22-2011%2F Happy Earth Day! And Happy Early Easter! We’ve got lots to celebrate as tomorrow is also our new monthly, “Ask the Therapist Live event” on Facebook. Here are the details: When? Saturday, April 23 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm ET (11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT). What? Our Live event is your chance to “Ask the Therapist” your questions on everything from career to relationships. Who? Our therapists from the Ask the Therapist page, me and you! Where? Facebook. Read below for more information on how to join our Psych Central Ask the Therapist group to participate in tomorrow’s event. How? Ask your question as a Facebook update and our therapists will respond in the comments. This time I created an Psych Central Ask the Therapist group, which will help keep thin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742468 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:05:41 +0100 4742468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734440&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FJZP1aFn3AdA%2F Gone are the days when mental health issues were taboo (something we’re all grateful for), but now that they’re out in the open, we wonder if all the examples of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are all painting a realistic picture. To find out who’s getting it right, we spoke with Ryan Howes, Ph.D., a California-based psychologist. Howes explains that, while there are accurate depictions of various mental health issues in pop culture, some aren’t so easy to pin down: Depression is difficult to define because it’s not one thing but a collection of symptoms that can vary from person to person, male to female, young to old. We’ve all experienced some of the symptoms at points in our life (low energy, guilt or irritability, for example... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734440 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:33:25 +0100 4734440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723941&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F18%2Fcatherine-zeta-jones-bipolar-ii-is-not-diet-coke%2F Dear readers, I owe you all an apology. I was wrong in my post about Catherine Zeta Jones’s diagnosis of bipolar II to compare bipolar II to Diet Coke. It was flip, inappropriate, and a lame attempt at humor. I hereby admit that I was wrong. So there is no need to further bash me. I was wrong because it suggests that bipolar II is not as serious, not as painful, not as debilitating as bipolar I. But, as a person diagnosed with bipolar II myself, I certainly know that isn’t the case. I realize that the depressive cycle for someone with bipolar II can actually be more severe than the depressive cycles of folks with bipolar I. And sometimes the depression can be psychotic. I was there myself, although I’m not sure if it was the illness that made me psychotic or the drug cocktail of abo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723941 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:00:17 +0100 4723941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723951&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34958&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.counsellingresource.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychology-philosophy%2F%7E3%2Fc_MA2D2nltU%2F There's definitely a connection -- but it's not what you might be thinking. You'll have to try out the latest additions to our psychological quizzes to be sure.Tags: ADHD, bipolar, online mental health, psychiatry, relationships, schizophrenia, site news (Source: Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life) Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723951 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:00:27 +0100 4723951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723946&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F16%2Fcan-drug-rehabs-treat-mood-disorders%2F Awhile back the Washington Post ran an excellent article by Maia Szalavitz entited, “So, What Made Me an Addict? Experts Debate Whether Disease or Defect Is to Blame.” This question is so crucial to how we treat persons suffering from both addiction and mental disorders, and especially how we deal with those with dual-diagnoses. Just after I was discharged from Johns Hopkins Hospital, a friend of mine strongly encouraged me to go away to a halfway house of sorts for three or more months … where they treat addicts primarily, and some persons battling mental illness … in order to allow time to heal. I ran it by my doctor. Did she think three months of AA meetings and yoga and group therapy would pull me out of my depression? Her response was interesting, and one I re... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723946 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:10:54 +0100 4723946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4720028&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FEogBLn8v39g%2F Catherine Zeta-Jones released a statement yesterday, announcing that she not only has Bipolar II Disorder, but that she also recently sought treatment at a mental health care facility in the wake of hubby Michael Douglas’ cancer scare. Good on her for being so forthcoming – usually, celebrities go to exorbitant lengths to hide their illnesses from the public which, in most cases, is a recipe for disaster. Hollywood just can’t keep secrets today like it could 20 years ago. TMZ, Perez Hilton, and the 24-hour AP newswire all have insiders and whistleblowers informing them of every celebrity hang-nail, papercut, bunion and sniffle. But Zeta-Jones has effectively issued a preemptive strike against speculation by just owning up to the truth of her situation. Here’s a list of ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4720028 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:06:48 +0100 4720028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719895&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FxoVcIRBN-tE%2F By Robin Strongin. When I think of the actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, my mind immediately goes to Velma Kelly, the role she played in the movie Chicago.  Brash, self-assured, confident in using both her sensuality and a tommy gun as effective weapons, Zeta-Jones owned that character and was the silver screen epitome of a powerful woman. But now we’ve learned that the woman playing Velma Kelly and other memorable roles is, in actuality, a very vulnerable individual facing significant challenges in her life.  Her publicist announced on Wednesday that Zeta-Jones had checked herself into a mental health clinic for treatment of a bipolar disorder. Juxtaposed this week with the actress’s revelation was a study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointing out that... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719895 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:09:17 +0100 4719895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714825&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F15%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-15-2011%2F When I reflect back on my life, when I recall the really hard times, I think about how I was mere moments away from a breakthrough. If I was worried about a lack of work, I would get an assignment a few days later. If I was feeling upset and lonely, a friend would call that I needed to talk to. Sometimes ambiguity and uncertainty were hours away from answers. I just needed the patience and faith to wait those difficult times through. Although it’s a struggle to see hope in the midst of heartache, sorrow and pain, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, I am certain you already walked through that door before. This week take some time and reflect on your darkest moments and then think about how you were able to get through it. Maybe the memory of your past struggles and ho... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714825 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:57:11 +0100 4714825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714827&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F14%2Fcatherine-zeta-jones-bipolar-i-vs-bipolar-ii%2F Although I wouldn’t wish the pain of bipolar disorder on anyone, I am sort of glad to find out another accomplished, beautiful movie star has joined our manic-depressive group. After spending five days in a mental health facility, Catherine Zeta Jones has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. I like to call bipolar II the “Diet Coke” of bipolar, if you recall the scene from “Austin Powers” when Dr. Evil says to his son, Scott: “You’re quasi-evil. You’re semi-evil. You’re the margarine of evil. You’re the Diet Coke of evil. Just one calorie, not evil enough.” That’s how I view bipolar II: one calorie short of bipolar I. Those with bipolar II experience the same symptoms as persons with Bipolar II, just not to the extreme. For example, when I get manic,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714827 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:37:29 +0100 4714827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684630&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F269tqQJo1ik%2F The Lithium Chronicles is a Blisstree series focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Ross McKenzie was diagnosed as bipolar at the age of 21. After 15 years of daily lithium doses, he went off his meds last February. He’s been drug free ever since. This is the continuing story of how he made his way back to a life without psychotropic medication, after he ended up walking naked down a highway on one ill-fated night. At the end of my first year on lithium, I almost died. For an entire year I had been taking 1200 milligrams of lithium a day. At the end of the year my psychiatrist called me in a panic telling me to drop my dosage immediately: “Your test results were in the extreme toxic range. Which can cause death.” All psychotropic drugs are highly toxic. ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684630 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:32:52 +0100 4684630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658413&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2Fgrowing-up-bipolar%2F “Were you bipolar growing up?” a magazine editor asked me the other day. “I don’t know,” I said. “Do you think you were misdiagnosed back then as depressed?” “I don’t know,” I said. I wasn’t annoyed. I wasn’t rushed. I just really don’t know. I can clearly say that something was wrong with me, but I’m very careful to throw the “bipolar” word around when it pertains to kids given all the debate today on the topic. Friends of mine rant on another friend for medicating their daughter for bipolar disorder, who, according to the friends’ eyes, is perfectly fine. And then I hear the sadness and utter frustration of another friend whose bipolar daughter was just expelled from school. While I tend to be pretty conservative about meds myself (you’d never guess t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658413 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:30:32 +0100 4658413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658415&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2Fintroducing-partners-in-wellness%2F I’m pleased to introduce our newest blog, Partners in Wellness by Kate Thieda. This is a blog that is meant to provide information and support to relationship partners and spouses who are in a marriage with someone who has a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Coping with someone who has a serious mental illness can often times be trying, difficult, and stressful. This blog will deal with topics to help caregivers and partners learn to better communicate and improve their relationships with someone who has a mental health concern. Partners in Wellness will focus on helping people who are in a relationship with a person who has a mental health issue. While this may include what people often refer to as “caregivers,” it is focused on people who are par... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658415 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:55:29 +0100 4658415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642590&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrlindagalloway.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F1156714_perscription_drug_case.jpg Periodically, the FDA publishes drug warnings that should be shared with the public, especially if it affects pregnant women. Each year, over 4 million babies are born in the US and 43% will continue to be breast fed at 6 months. All of these moms will invariably use meds at some point after birth, so which meds are helpful and which are potentially harmful? These questions may now be answered by the Infant Risk Center, at the Texas Tech University Health Center, in Amarillo, Texas. This center provides up-to-date information regarding the safety of medications that are taken both during pregnancy and after birth. Most drugs enter breast milk immediately after birth and during the first 4 to 10 days of life at a fairly fast rate based on the physiology of breast cells. New moms must theref... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642590 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:00:37 +0100 4642590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580955&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F14%2Fdiet-coke-and-depression%2F When you are a recovering drunk, you don’t have a ton of options at parties. I used to be an avid Diet Coke drinker. But last summer my sister scared the well you know out of me when she started talking about what aspartame can do to your system. I am chemically sensitive as it is, and many of you are, too, probably — which is why I don’t drink alcohol and gave up smoking. But I was curious if Diet Coke was really that dangerous. I did some research, and as you well know, every paranoia will be confirmed eventually by some article on the web. I found an article about Diet Coke on John McManamy’s website about Diet Coke . What was particularly interesting to me was the relationship between aspartame and depression and bipolar disorder. Says John: In 1993, Dr Walt... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4580955 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:15:06 +0100 4580955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570757&cid=t_92589_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPmtKJqwRTaY%2F AstraZeneca agreed to pay $68.5 million to 36 states and the District of Columbia to resolve a lawsuit charging the drugmaker with illegal marketing of its Seroquel antipsychotic, failing to sufficiently disclose potential side effects to health care providers and withholding negative info in studies about safety and effectiveness. The drugmaker allegedly marketed Seroquel, which was approved only for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, for several off-label uses to treat both children and the elderly, specifically in nursing homes. Among the unapproved uses: Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and post traumatic stress disorder, according to the lawsuit (read here). “This case sends a message that we take seriously the duty pharmaceutical companies have... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570757 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:37:14 +0100 4570757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570692&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FV4C8Pa1qQGs%2F photo: WENN.com via "Daybreak" Dear Charlie Sheen: We read an excerpt from your new exclusive interview with Life&Style magazine in which you make the following claims: “I’m really starting to lose my mind,” and “I’m ready to call anyone to help.” Well, Chuckles, look no further. Blisstree, your friendly health and wellness website (for men, too, not just for goddesses!) is here for you. We are anyone. To prove it, we’d like to offer you some health advice based on the stuff you spouted in that Life&Style article. Now, we’re not medical doctors or psychiatrists or bitchin’ rock stars, but you don’t seem to hold the former two in very high regard anyway, so this relationship could work out nicely for both of us. N... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570692 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:45:28 +0100 4570692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4566271&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FLwNz2AoXBeY%2F Vh1’s show Celebrity Rehab may attempt to help those suffering from addiction, but increasingly the show is making a mockery of its patients mental health. The most recent debacle? Real Housewife Michaele Salahi has been booted from Dr. Drew’s rehabilitation facility because she doesn’t exhibit any actual addictions. But that never stopped the show’s casting agents before. So it’s time for VH1’s hit show to get its own rehab. Or maybe the network just needs to drop it cold turkey. The show was initially created to treat celebrities with major drug and alcohol addictions. Coincidentally, such people make for great TV. Not that there ever was a purity to the program, but increasingly, people who have questionable addictions are being cast. One patient from last season... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4566271 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:37:29 +0100 4566271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560559&cid=t_92589_140_f&fid=39203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdawnwillis.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F08%2Fquickly-quickly-lickety-split%2F Quickly Quickly Lickety Split   Go for it, go for it do it now. You know it’s the way. Quickly quickly lickety split. Your failure is that fear, of letting go of a life without reason, your final frontier. Go for it, go for it, Dawn, do it now! The end is very near. Swallow slowly take a hit..hit..hit   Dawni 08/03/2011 Filed under: Dawn's Crash and Burn Out Diaries Tagged: bipolar, mental illness, pills, suicidal thoughts (Source: Dawn Willis sharing the News and Views of the Mentally Wealthy) Dawn Willis sharing the News and Views of the Mentally Wealthy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560559 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:36:56 +0100 4560559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560488&cid=t_92589_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FDvcVhxBmrJs%2F Therese Borchard There’s a reason why I don’t read a lot of tabloids or visit websites like TMZ. Because when I do, I usually come away terribly offended. I remember when Britney Spears first started taking antidepressants in early 2007, and the tabloids threw that into the same category as her panty-less photos. Really? The two are related? Because I’ve never read a story about, say, a diabetic celeb whose taking insulin was tossed into the same kinds of headlines as, well, a night with porn stars. Bipolar sufferers and addicts now have yet another “bi-winning” poster boy to represent their serious issues: Just sacked Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen, who apparently thinks that people struggling with mood disorders are a bunch of whiners who can’t get over the egg-... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560488 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:08:41 +0100 4560488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552072&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F05%2F7-reasons-charlie-sheen-may-hate-alcoholics-anonymous%2F In one of the myriad interviews he gave over the last week, Charlie Sheen said clearly that he hates AA. A lot of people have trouble with Alcoholics Anonymous. AA is full of people and people can be messy and flawed. The human train wreck formally known as Charlie Sheen is a common sight in the AA meeting halls. The only difference between Mr. Sheen and other self-absorbed, delusional, frantic addicts is the size of the audience to which they rant. These people do not last long in AA. They mock the Fellowship and the 12 Steps (PDF) as too religious or simplistic. AA is beneath them. Here are a few possible reasons why Charlie Sheen might hate AA so much. Reasons Why Charlie Sheen May Hate AA He would have to admit he is powerless. He would need to embrace Humility. Deep tissue Change wo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552072 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:13:27 +0100 4552072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4527774&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FbJpvDC6g7sQ%2F URL: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcomee-couch is a self-help interactive program with modules for depression, generalised anxiety & worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss & grief. It provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity. For: AnyoneTopics: Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Behaviour Management, Bipolar, Clinical Psychology, Depression, Emotional Health, General Psychology, Life, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Personality, Personality disorders, Relationships, Self-help, Treatment PlanningFeatures: Clinical Tools, Resources, Self Monitoring, Self-quizzes, e-learning, ebooke-couch is a self-help interactive program with modules... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4527774 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:00:44 +0100 4527774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470514&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F12%2Fhope-as-verb-noun-andor-feeling%2F Everything I am feeling in this moment is in the context of having watched, via television and Twitter, the roller-coaster of events in Egypt these past 18 days, of having just listened to the Feb. 6 (2011) edition of Tapestry from CBC Radio with Mary Hines, and of having made the seemingly Herculean effort to [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470514 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:03:43 +0100 4470514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460006&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Fintroducing-adventures-of-a-bipolar-mom%2F I’m pleased to welcome you to Adventures of a Bipolar Mom with Beth Vandagriff. Beth is a 30-year-old wife and mother of 4 beautiful children. She was recently diagnosed with Ultra-Rapid Cycling Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, Anxiety and Paranoia. She joins us here to share her experiences with bipolar disorder and parenting — how it is to juggle all the demands of motherhood along with the demands of living with a combination of mental health concerns. Bipolar disorder, also known by its older name “manic depression,” is a mental disorder that is characterized by constantly changing moods. A person with bipolar disorder experiences alternating highs (what clinicians call “mania“) and lows (also known as depression). Both the manic and depressive periods can be... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460006 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:11:04 +0100 4460006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455433&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F09%2Ftxt-telephone-or-blog-lets-talk-about-mental-illness%2F This is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Multiple Olympic medallist Clara Hughes, lead spokesperson for the campaign, was on CTV News in Toronto today. From among the calls she fielded came this articulate gem, “To kill the pain too often means to kill oneself.” However, and this was Clara’s message, help and hope are available to [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455433 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:48:33 +0100 4455433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411563&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F28%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-january-28-2011%2F There is a ton of things that can touch us in a week. In one day alone, I can easily get lost in every day activities and not only in what happens to us and around us, but what happens within us. One of my greatest fears is that I will allow too much outside noise to silence the most important one. My own. As I reflect on another week past, I recall the President’s State of the Union address, a conversation with a friend, a dream I had beckoning me in the morning, an episode of The View where Michael Jackson’s sister Rebbie Jackson talks about her daughter’s bipolar disorder diagnosis. It’s so much to digest that I can easily lose sight of the way I’m feeling right now. I can too easily forget what I’m doing, how I’m interacting with those around m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411563 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:05:27 +0100 4411563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361249&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F17%2Fthank-you-candy-crowley-and-state-of-the-union%2F “I think you might have bipolar disorder,” he (psychiatrist) said. “Oh, thank God,” I answered. Surprise registered on his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever had that reaction before.” “No, I am so relieved,” I said. “Now that we know what it is, we can fix it.” Andrea Ball (Statesman.com) – Jared Loughner and the [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361249 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:22:55 +0100 4361249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361069&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F17%2Fi-too-have-a-dream-about-mental-health%2F Some of you may recognize my dream, but I like to repost it every now and then to keep it alive and give it legs. In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.: I have a dream that one day I won’t hold my breath every time I tell a person that I suffer from bipolar disorder, that I won’t feel shameful in confessing my mental illness. I have a dream that people won’t feel the need to applaud me for my courage on writing and speaking publicly about my disease, because the diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder would be understood no differently than that of diabetes, arthritis, or dementia. I have a dream that the research into genetics of mood disorders will continue to pinpoint specific genes that may predispose individuals and families to depression and bipolar disord... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361069 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:15:06 +0100 4361069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355871&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fengaging-more-in-my-mental-health-care%2F The mass shootings in Tucson, and the evolving picture of the mentally deranged man being held responsible, continue to both intrigue and inform me. I eagerly watched three of the Sunday morning news shows: NBC’s “Meet the Press”, ABC’s “This Week” and last, only because I wanted to highlight it, CNN’s “State of the Union” [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355871 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:44:44 +0100 4355871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331190&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F10%2Ftheres-enough-insanity-to-go-around%2F Gun control activists are not just concerned about the criminally insane having guns. (Such diagnoses are too often only made after a shoot-’em-up anyway!) Otherwise sane people can act violently, too, and guns just make things that much worse. When I hear criminals dismissed by news-jockies as “crazy”, “unbalanced”, “off”, I sometimes take on those [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331190 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 05:21:13 +0100 4331190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4327040&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F09%2Ftheres-enough-insanity-to-go-around%2F Even some of my best friends…can be described as having, at least, a nodding acquaintance with mental illness. While, as far as I know, a police check would not flag me as mentally ill, I probably owe that more to the fact that my only direct personal contact with police has been cordial and no [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4327040 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:21:13 +0100 4327040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281394&cid=t_92589_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FQk3g6-Bkx3s%2F Controversies Surrounding the Pediatric Bipolar Diagnosis & Treatment (Bioethics Briefs) A research scholar at a bioethics center describes issues and controversies with children diagnosed with bipolar disorders or a newer diagnosis proposed for the DSM-V, temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria (TDD), which would reclassify those who may have been given a bipolar label. Discusses some issues involved with changing diagnoses, and with the lack of effective treatments for either. Excellent, very informative commentary examining pros and cons. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281394 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:06:22 +0100 4281394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258921&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F14%2Fhelp-the-child-and-adolescent-bipolar-foundation-win-a-pepsi-grant%2F The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is competing for a $250,000 grant from The Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of December. The winners will be decided by popular vote so CABF needs your vote every day this month! They are currently Number 2 in voting, so every vote counts. There are over 5 million U.S. youth who live with depression or bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, only a small percentage receive treatment. CABF will use the grant from Pepsi to raise public awareness and help more youth who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder. They also intend to use the money for greater outreach and to expand their website to include more mental health concerns — not just bipolar disorder — that children and teens deal with. Less than a minute of your day f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258921 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:30:30 +0100 4258921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258924&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F13%2Fssi-encourages-families-to-label-healthy-children-with-adhd-as-disabled%2F It’s one of those “unintended consequences” of a government program started with the best of intentions — help the poorest of the poor families in our society get adequate treatment for their severely disabled child. Yes, I’m talking about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and The Boston Globe ran an in-depth investigative piece yesterday about some of those consequences, including rampant diagnosing of very young children and the over-prescribing of medication for them. “Many cash-strapped parents have come to believe that if only they can muster the necessary array of medical records, their children have a good shot at this benefit, even if it means carrying the stigma of the word “disabled.’’” A program that was supposed to help only a sm... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258924 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:10:15 +0100 4258924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249057&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftreatment-resistant-depression-new-insights%2F2010.12.10 Only one-third of people with major depression achieve remission after trying one antidepressant. When the first medication doesn’t adequately relieve symptoms, next step options include taking a new drug along with the first, or switching to another drug. With time and persistence, nearly seven in 10 adults with major depression eventually find a treatment that works. Of course, that also means that the remaining one-third of people with major depression cannot achieve remission even after trying multiple options. Experts are hunting for ways to understand the cause of persistent symptoms. In recent years, one theory in particular has gained traction: that many people with hard-to-treat major depression actually suffer from bipolar disorder. However, a paper published online this week i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249057 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:00:24 +0100 4249057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249088&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F10%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-december-10-2010%2F If your goals in life are to be your best and live your best life, then what happens when mental illness takes a hold of you and everyone you hold dear? More importantly, what happens when one of the best treatments for depression is no longer being used? It’s kind of like the philosophical riddle, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” If no ones using psychotherapy, is it still relevant and effective? Our World of Psychology post on psychotherapy and its decline as a treatment for depression sparked a conversation yesterday on Facebook. I was surprised to learn that many of our commenters cited things like cost, convenience and comfort level (as in not having to deal with the difficulties psychotherapy often brings about) as... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249088 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:34:36 +0100 4249088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237943&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-december-7-2010%2F When my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than 10 years ago, I thought my family would fall apart. My mom and her siblings had a few years earlier, lost their father. And now they would inevitably lose their mother in spirit. At that time, I was in my early twenties and had the luxury of never really knowing the woman my family was afraid of losing. I took that opportunity to really be with her, get to know her and listen to what she had to say when she could say it. Those moments would prove valuable to me. After she was unable to live by herself, my family moved her to a care home. Although she couldn’t remember who I was when I visited, she would always remember my name. She would often count me as one of her daughters instead of her granddaughter. Her ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237943 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:38:28 +0100 4237943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230189&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F05%2Fspirituality-and-bipolar-disorder%2F According to Kevin Culligan, O.C.D, manic depression can mimic the behavior of someone growing in her spiritual life. Hey, that’s great news for me! The next time I get manic and tell an inappropriate joke to a colleague, I can say that I’m just getting closer to God, that’s all. Here’s what he has to say, Keith Egan’s book, Carmelite Prayer: A Tradition for the 21st Century… The spiritual life can also easily mask a bipolar disorder or what has traditionally been called a manic-depressive condition. As a mood disorder, depression has usually been linked in systems of classifications of mental disorders with mania, an agitated mood that is at the other end of the affective continuum opposite a depressed or dysphoric mood. Manic symptoms are many: inappr... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230189 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 12:57:18 +0100 4230189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225565&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F03%2Fthe-fear-factor%2F During a lunch meeting with friends today someone spoke of past states of generalized anxiety which professionals often tried, unsuccessfully, to pin down – fear of flying, fear of social situations, “What are you afraid of?” That didn’t work. Then, my friend recounted, while sitting with people she didn’t know she blurted out her frustrations [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225565 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:39:30 +0100 4225565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205978&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FYhavII1oCz0%2F URL: http://www.mhselfhelp.org/The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse, the nation’s first national consumer technical assistance center, has played a major role in the development of the mental health consumer movement. The consumer movement strives for dignity, respect, and opportunity for those with mental illnesses. Consumers–those who receive or have received mental health services–continue to reject the label of “those who cannot help themselves.” For: ConsumersTopics: ADHD, Anxiety, Aspergers, Bipolar, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Depression, Eating Disorders, Emotional Health, General Psychology, Health Promotion, Health and Social Services, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Obsessive Co... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205978 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 17:00:05 +0100 4205978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172058&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-just-like-someone-without-mental-illness-only-more-so%2F2010.11.16 I’ll cut to the chase: I loved this book. Five stars. Two thumbs up. When I read books, especially psychiatry books that I write about on Shrink Rap, I often read more carefully and sometimes more critically. I was so immersed in reading “Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So” that I didn’t stop to think, I just went on the journey. Mark Vonnegut is a pediatrician and the son of my favorite author when I was in junior high school. His memoir is a poignant and candid account of his struggles with, well, life in general, and life with a psychotic illness in particular. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder — who knows? (I’ll vote for bipolar disorder.) Some illness where he had three episodes in his twenties, then another episode 14 years later. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172058 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4172058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172113&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F16%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-16-2010%2F Do you remember the first time you began thinking about yourself as your own person, separate from mom and dad? I think for me it began when I was a child and saw that I could choose what I wanted to wear for school, what I wanted to eat and what I liked to do. But not only that. My tastes, sense of style and opinions were different too. Yet, this sense of, “Who am I?” definitely did not stop as a child. It grew in my twenties and continues to grow for me as an adult. The more I am able to step out of my family’s shoes and develop my own sense of me, the further along the path I walk toward authenticity and self-identity. It’s a road less traveled especially if you come from a family-centered culture like mine. If you are an artist, writer or any creative person, th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172113 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:59:46 +0100 4172113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4187057&cid=t_92589_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation%2FwAgT%2F%7E3%2FH8Of2EywSpk%2F This study examined the degree to which patients seeking routine dental care report these diagnoses.Data was gathered from records of 508 consecutive new patients whose treatment plans were submitted for faculty approval.The patient’s self-reported mental illness was obtained from the patient questionnaire and physical evaluation forms of the dental record.One hundred thirty-six patients (27%) reported at least one mental illness.Of all diseases and disorders recorded in the medical history, self-reported depression was second only to hypertension in frequency.Substance abuse (alcoholism, addiction, medication), anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were also common findings.This study establishes the need for training of de... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4187057 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:53:15 +0100 4187057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151877&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F09%2Fhelp-the-child-adolescent-bipolar-foundation-win-a-grant%2F The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is competing for a $250,000 grant from The Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of November. The winners will be decided by popular vote. CABF needs your votes every day this month! There are over 5 million U.S. youth who live with depression or bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, only a very small percentage receive treatment. CABF will use the grant from Pepsi to raise public awareness and help more youth who suffer from depression or bipolar disorder. Less than a minute of your day can have amazing long-term benefits for children and teens. Learn more by going to www.bpkids.org/pepsi and a chance to win 1 of 3 iPads (if they win!). Click through to vote now! Or vote through one of the links below… Vote on the Pepsi Site Vo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151877 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:14:29 +0100 4151877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139290&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F05%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-5-2010%2F Only a few days ago, it felt like summer and now the holidays are fast approaching. As the warm days sheds its last ray of summer sunlight, I can’t help but reflect on the past. It seems as though somewhere between childhood and today, there was a time when life seemed a lot simpler, and so much more magical. Instead of fear, worry and disappointment, there was excitement, joy and hope. And even though being an adult often mean less presents and more shopping during the holidays, I still believe in the possibilities of the end of an old year and what the beginning of a new one brings. Maybe it’s all in our attitude. If we can learn how to bring gifts to ourselves and those we love through appreciation and recognition for the things done well, then maybe we can forgo the need fo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139290 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:27:10 +0100 4139290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133835&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F02%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-november-2-2010%2F Something I both admire and enjoy about our Facebook community is how honest everyone has been about their experiences. Besides divulging their feelings on everything from Seasonal Affective Disorder to the holidays (Yay or Bah Humbug!), many of our fans have comforted each other, provided tips and shared their own personal stories and life lessons that got them through some tough times. It’s just a reminder of how much we all go through on a daily basis, how important compassion is and how influential a community can have on the lives of individuals. Pretty powerful stuff! With that being said, I’d like to thank our Facebook community, blog commenters, and Twitter followers. And hopefully return the support and love with these fabulous five posts. It’s all about betterin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133835 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:30:58 +0100 4133835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121920&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F30%2Flaugh-when-youre-afraid%2F “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane,” sings Jimmy Buffett. “Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods,” says a Japanese proverb. A sense of humor, for me, is by far the most useful weapon in my depression arsenal. Which is why Eric is panicked when I stop laughing, when my funny bone is split in 43 places. For two nights in the psych ward, our group therapy session was to watch a comedy act by an actress (I forget her name, sorry … I was on too many sedatives to take notes) who pokes fun at depression and mood disorders, the way I try to do on Beyond Blue. Our psychiatric nurses were well aware of the studies showing that laughter can be a powerful tool for recovery and healing. In between meals and meds, they did their best to evoke a fe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121920 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:11:56 +0100 4121920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119078&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F29%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-october-29-2010%2F You know what I’ve been thinking about lately? The ghosts of Halloween’s past. The heat from a plastic Strawberry Shortcake mask, the discomfort of being herded with groups of children, the shame of begging for sweets and the sickening feeling from eating too much candy. Funny how recalling those memories actually make me happy. Watching mom dig through my winnings, tasting what seemed like every single one, made me feel comforted. And even though walking around in a costume felt silly and uncomfortable, there was something exciting about dressing up and being anonymous for one night. When did Halloween get so complicated? Yep, there are rules now about age limitations for Halloween and questions about what kids should and should not wear. But at least for me, I’d love to... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119078 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:43:29 +0100 4119078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098053&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F24%2Fdr-ken-duckworth-on-living-with-bipolar-disorder%2F Aside from my own psychiatrist, Dr. Smith, there are few doctors that can explain a confusing and complex condition like Bipolar Disorder with such clarity as the medical director of NAMI, Dr. Ken Duckworth. Three years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing him when I was the Patient Advocate for the Bipolar Center of Revolution Health. At the NAMI National Convention in DC last month I attended his talk on treating bipolar disorder. This is what he had to say about some simple steps that those of us living with bipolar disorder can take to stay well. 1. Start with the four basics: sleep, stress, exercise, and cognitive therapy. One of the reasons I respect Dr. Duckworth so much is that he insists that we participate in our own recovery. Medication will only help us to a certain extent... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098053 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:36:19 +0100 4098053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082274&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F19%2Fchanging-my-mind-could-change-yours-about-mental-illness-and-margaret-trudeau%2F This is an autobiography, her third, of someone whose slow-motion train wreck – no, a series of fast-moving train wrecks – was seen, at least in part, by political watchers and gossip magazine readers the world over. We suspect the ending is happy, and we know to expect several of the deeply sad climaxes, but [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082274 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:50:31 +0100 4082274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074148&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F15%2Fjill-bolte-taylor-a-stroke-of-insight-and-our-brains%2F Many of you may have seen the Ted video by Jill Bolte Taylor, the neuroanatomist and spokesperson for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center who survived a stroke in 1996, at age 37, to describe the shifts in her brain that took place as part of her recovery. Fascinating stuff. And very useful and inspiring to not only those recovering from neurological disorders, but also psychological ones. I had the privilege of meeting Taylor and attending her workshop at the NAMI National Convention in DC. This woman knows her stuff and is a powerful communicator. I couldn’t scribble fast enough to get it all down on paper. First she described the right brain (the buddha): Nonverbal Thinks in pictures Kinesthetic Present moment Holistic thinking Seek similarities Perceives energy Compassiona... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074148 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:01:16 +0100 4074148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4061078&cid=t_92589_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FJm5q94WjWFs%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day has arrived. We have gotten off to a reasonable start by hustling one of the short people to the schoolhouse on time. Of course, there is still much to do. So join us as we peruse the news of the world and celebrate the passing of another year with a cup of stimulation. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Lundbeck Buys Rights To Merck’s Bipolar Disorder Drug (Bloomberg News) Halozyme Cuts Workforce By 25 Percent (InPharma-Technologist) Sara Bloom Fights Health Care Fraud (The Washington Post) Four Big Drugmakers Bid For Paras Pharma (The Business Standard) Pfizer Reports Promising Data On NSCLC Drug (PharmaTimes) Turkey’s Biofarma May Be For Sale (Reuters) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4061078 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:05:00 +0100 4061078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053487&cid=t_92589_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fwho-intervention-guide%2F Image via Wikipedia WHO simplifies treatment of mental and neurological disorders A new Intervention guide to facilitate the management of depression, alcohol use disorders, epilepsy and other common mental disorders in the primary health-care setting GENEVA — Millions of people with common, but untreated, mental, neurological and substance use disorders can now benefit from new simplified diagnosis and treatment guidelines released today by WHO. The guidelines are designed to facilitate the management of depression, alcohol use disorders, epilepsy and other common mental disorders in the primary health-care setting. The Intervention guide extends competence in diagnosis and management to non-mental health specialists including doctors, nurses and other health providers. These ev... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053487 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:49:00 +0100 4053487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036647&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fokay-to-be-a-doctor-and-bipolar%2F2010.10.06 “I have bipolar disorder. Can I be a doctor?” One of our readers asked this. It’s one of those questions to which there is no real answer. Being a doctor takes a long time, it requires reliability, diligence, and a willingness to learn things you may not want to learn (organic chem anyone?) and do things you may not want to do. It requires endurance and passion. You need to be tolerant of many things: Arrogant supervisors, irritable colleagues, sick people who may not be charming and who may, in their distress, be downright nasty. You have to tolerate a militaristic order and be willing to work with a system that may be very difficult, wrong, and demand your obedience in ways that may be uncomfortable. (Oh, I am so happy to no longer be a medical student or a resident in ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036647 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0100 4036647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002967&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F26%2Fevidence-based-treatments-for-children-teens%2F We talk a lot about the different types of research conducted in psychology that measure the effectiveness of various treatment methods. In fact, we publish daily news stories that cover a lot of new research findings every week. Some of the treatment research has to do with medications, some with psychotherapy, and some with other methods of treatment. But it’s all confusing and can be more than a little overwhelming. Take, for instance, the contradictory findings and results surrounding antidepressant medications. Some research says they are no better than sugar pills — placebos. Other research says they can be effective, but you just need to find the right one at the right dose. It’s hard to know what the research really says as a whole. Wouldn’t it be nice if th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002967 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 10:29:12 +0100 4002967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994012&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2Fantidepressants-useless-an-interview-with-glenn-treisman%2F I’m still bothered by all the hype awhile back about antidepressants not working any better than sugar pills (otherwise known as placebo) because I know that the people who need treatment — possibly those that will go on to take their lives — read that story and decided there was no hope in medicine. That’s why I like to publish insightful articles like the one I found in John Hopkin’s newsletter, “Hopkins Brain Wise.” They included an interview with Glenn Treisman, professor of psychiatry and internal medicine who is best known internationally for his care of HIV-infected patients who also suffer from a psychiatric illness. Here’s the interview… Q. These studies are dangerous, you say. Dr. Treisman: Ten to 20 percent of people with ma... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994012 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:30:52 +0100 3994012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980992&cid=t_92589_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fjoseph-biederman-and-friends-defend.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980992 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:13:00 +0100 3980992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973119&cid=t_92589_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation%2FwAgT%2F%7E3%2F3XEILuaqAG4%2F Going slower is better. Patients’ risks for relapse increase when lithium or antipsychotic medications are discontinued rapidly rather than gradually. To compare rapid (1–7 days) versus slow ( 14 days) discontinuation of antidepressants, researchers in Sardinia followed 398 patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (n=224), panic disorder (n=75), bipolar II disorder (n=62), or bipolar I disorder (n=37). Follow-up lasted at least 1 year (mean, 2.8 years; mean length of antidepressant treatment, 8.5 months). In this observational study, the treating clinicians or the patients had chosen to discontinue medications when patients were clinically well; antidepressants were withdrawn rapidly in 188 patients and gradually in 210. Rapid discontinuation was associated with a signific... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973119 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:49:32 +0100 3973119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942979&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F07%2Fhiv-and-friends%2F “HIV and friends” as in HIV and other diagnoses which have been visited upon me and/or HIV and how friends can, and do, help – with apologies to my favourite English teachers for lack of sentence structure. What physically ails me most are HIV and diabetes type deux. After-effects of the broken femur and wrist [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942979 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:35:50 +0100 3942979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3935825&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FhmDWyIEvhcM%2F URL: http://www.quackwatch.com/Quackwatch has grown considerably. To help visitors with special areas of interest, we maintain 22 additional sites for autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot topics. For: AnyoneTopics: Academia, Behaviour Management, Bipolar, Chronic Disease, Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Depression, Diagnosis, General Psychology, General Science, Health Promotion, Health and Social Services, Life, Lifestyle, Medicine, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Self-helpFeatures: Articles, Case Studies, Clinical Tools, Collaborative News, Community and Social Networking, Group Management, Information, Links, Networking, Newsletter, Research, Research Tools, ResourcesQuackwatch has grown considerably. To help visit... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3935825 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:00:04 +0100 3935825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3902859&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fbumps-down-under-daily-health-quiz%2F We know it’s summer, but our school is cool. Let our Daily Health Quiz test your know-how. Answer our question, below, and check back tomorrow for the answer and your next pop quiz. photo: Thinkstock Today’s Question: If you find a bump on your va-jay-jay, does that automatically mean you have herpes? What’s another possible reason you might find a lump down under? #MicroPollDiv_272559 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Answer to Yesterday’s Question: We bet you didn’t even know that there were two types of bipolar disorder. What is the difference between them? People who have bipolar I disorder have manic or mixed episodes with depressive episodes, which conforms more to the definition of bipolar disorder. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by more sever... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3902859 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:06:09 +0100 3902859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899350&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fbipolar-problems-daily-health-quiz%2F We know it’s summer, but our school is cool. Let our Daily Health Quiz test your know-how. Answer our question, below, and check back tomorrow for the answer and your next pop quiz. photo: Thinkstock Today’s Question: Bipolar disorder affects more than 2% of American adults. But do you know the difference between bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder? True or false: Bipolar I disorder involves more major depressive episodes and less severe mania than bipolar II disorder. (Explaining this whole thing is making us crazy!) #MicroPollDiv_272421 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Answer to Yesterday’s Question: Man, how great is sex? Boatloads of fun (hopefully), with some hidden perks. Sex boots the hormone oxytocin, which increases endorphins, which will reduce pai... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899350 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:30:45 +0100 3899350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3913178&cid=t_92589_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FTn3IbiEMA_w%2F The Ups and Downs of Bipolar Disorders Good comprehensive talk by the Medical Chief, Bipolar Disorders Program at the Douglas Institute. Covers the evolving definition of bipolar spectrum disorders, myths, symptoms, making a diagnosis, and current research. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3913178 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:30:21 +0100 3913178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899447&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F24%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-24-2010%2F What did you do over the weekend? I spent part of mine watching the 2006 movie Marie Antoinette. It wasn’t the best of the bunch, but it did move me. It got me thinking about a time when women had little power and control over their own lives. When things were decided for you and the world, in general, was chaotic and out of control. Watching the movie made me grateful for the time that we’re living in now. Yes, it is still chaotic and unpredictable. But for us fortunate ones, we have a lot more control over our emotions, perceptions and our well-being today than we did in the past. If you’re having some difficulty with getting control over these three, don’t worry because this week’s top posts are all about gaining control of your life. You’ll learn how... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899447 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:08:32 +0100 3899447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891802&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F22%2Fa-streetcar-stop-reunion-brings-back-memories%2F The other night, my arms heavy with groceries, I heard my name being called at the corner of Yonge and Carlton. That’s a very busy corner so this is definitely a ‘small world’ story. He told me, as I didn’t immediately recognize him, that he was Pete Bailey from The Standard (in St. Catharines) and [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891802 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:37:10 +0100 3891802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891708&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F22%2Fways-people-help-one-another-with-mental-health-issues%2F I often write about the latest research findings in mental health or psychology here, but most of the day-to-day work of helping people with a mental health issue falls onto people in one’s local community. Sure, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals do the bulk of the work — individually or in small groups — but always in private and with little notice or recognition. Beyond these front-line professionals, there are hundreds of small organizations, loosely-knit groups, and other advocates who expend constant effort to try and help people learn more about mental health concerns and reach others with their message. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), a group of students is being trained to help recognize the signs and symptoms of de... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891708 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:20:51 +0100 3891708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876714&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F18%2Ftexting-helps-diabetic-teens%2F For all of the negative attention that technology sometimes gets — especially when it comes to teens — it was nice to come across this news article a few weeks ago. A researcher running a small pilot study at the Columbus, Ohio Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that treatment adherence rates shot up amongst teen diabetic patients after they received personalized text message reminders on their cell phones. Which really is not all that surprising, since previous research has demonstrated similar increases in adherence to treatment with text messaging. But a demonstration of the power and utility of our interconnected world — how things like cell phones and iPhones can be used for good too. Jennifer Dyer, MD, MPH conducted the study, but the way it was conducted su... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876714 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:06:20 +0100 3876714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868783&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F16%2Fintroducing-guideposts-to-happiness%2F I’m pleased to introduce Guideposts to Happiness, our new blog about helping you find tidbits of wisdom and happiness in your life, with Will Meecham. Will Meecham, MD, MA comes to us by way of his blogging for the excellent Tom Wootton at Bipolar Advantage. He was a surgeon that suffered the loss of his career at age 42. This forced him to explore the popular and technical literature surrounding mood disorders and trauma. Combining his study with professional help, he gradually gained ground against these difficulties. We’re happy to welcome him to his own blog here at Psych Central, to help people understand how to navigate through their own mood concerns and unexpected traumas that life throws at us. He hopes to offer his own ideas, reflections and advice about how to find t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868783 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:05:14 +0100 3868783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794845&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-july-27-2010%2F This weekend I got in touch with a different side of my personality: the nature loving one. It’s the part of me that often gets buried underneath daily worries, fears and your garden variety neuroticism. While tending to issues are important, so is taking a break from them. Based on the outpouring of responses I got concerning outdoor activities on Facebook, it seems like I might not be the only one. Isn’t it nice basking in the ray of hope and possibility instead of fear and uncertainty every once in awhile? That’s what I spent my time doing in a rustic cottage in the country. I stared out the French doors of the tiny cottage for several minutes without fear of boredom or anxiety from doing nothing. I heard and felt comforted by the subtle soundtrack created by the soun... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794845 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:36:06 +0100 3794845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790752&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F26%2Foverdiagnosis-mental-disorders-and-the-dsm-5%2F Is the DSM-5 — the book professionals and researchers use to diagnose mental disorders — leading us to a society that embraces “over-diagnosis”? Or was this trend of creating “fad” diagnoses started long before the DSM-5 revision process — perhaps even starting with the DSM-IV before it? Allen Frances, who oversaw the DSM-IV revision process and has been an outspoken critic of the DSM-5, suggests melodramatically that “normality is an endangered species,” due in part to “fad diagnoses” and an “epidemic” of over-diagnosing, ominously suggesting in his opening paragraph that the “DSM5 threatens to provoke several more [epidemics].” First, when a person starts throwing around a term such as “over d... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790752 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:02:09 +0100 3790752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3787013&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F25%2Fdid-abraham-lincoln-use-faith-to-overcome-depression%2F Abraham Lincoln is a powerful mental health hero for me. Whenever I doubt that I can do anything meaningful in this life with a defective brain (and entire nervous system, actually, as well as the hormonal one), I simply pull out Joshua Wolf Shenk’s classic, “Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness.” Or I read the CliffsNotes version: the poignant essay, “Lincoln’s Great Depression” that appeared in “The Atlantic” in October of 2005. Every time I pick up pages from either the article or the book, I come away with new insights. This time I was intrigued by Lincoln’s faith — and how he read the Book of Job when he needed redirection. Following I have excerpted the paragraphs from Th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3787013 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:32:02 +0100 3787013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786159&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F24%2Fgenetic-testing-for-mental-disorders-avoid-23andme-navigenics-others-for-now%2F Genetic testing allows individuals to submit a genetic sample to a company, which then analyzes the genes for known anomalies or other problems. The idea is that by having that information, you may be able to be more aware of potential health problems down the road. Or even stave them off before they become a problem by changing your behaviors, diet, and exercise regimen. Companies like 23andme and Navigenics provide genetic DNA testing reports that purportedly tell you your risk factors for getting not only certain medical conditions, but also mental disorders, like bipolar or attention deficit disorder. This may work fine for some very well-defined health issues, like heart disease (although a recent government investigation into these companies’ abilities to provide even this info... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786159 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:35:23 +0100 3786159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780516&cid=t_92589_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F22%2Ffussin-fessin-and-feelin-better%2F The drug holiday hasn’t been as long this time. I just hope, as my specialist said the first time, that I still have “horseshoes up (my) ass” (medical-speak for good fortune) with no irreversible consequences. No doubt there’s a reason my blogging hasn’t been as prolific as usual lately. I cracked open some fear and [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780516 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:55:04 +0100 3780516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776378&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Flife-without-a-mental-disorder-is-it-possible%2F2010.07.21 There’s a noteworthy column in Psychiatric Times, “Normality Is an Endangered Species: Psychiatric Fads and Overdiagnosis,” by Allen Frances, M.D. He was chair of the task force that worked on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual — DSM-IV — one edition of the “bible of psychiatry.” He is professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine. There’s a lot of common ground between what Dr. Frances writes and what Dr. Daniel Carlat (the subject of an earlier blog posting) writes about. Dr. Frances is concerned about the directions that might be taken in the authoring of DSM-V, now underway. Excerpts: “Fads in psychiatric diagnosis come and go and have been with us as long as there has been psychiatry. The fads meet a d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776378 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:00:01 +0100 3776378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776439&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2F4-steps-to-free-yourself-from-limiting-beliefs%2F Psychologist and mental health blogger Elisha Goldstein quotes a favorite author of mine, Don Miguel Ruiz, in his post “4 Steps to Getting Free from Limiting Beliefs”: “You see everything is about belief, whatever we believe rules our existence, rules our life.” I’ve been using Ruiz’s book, “The Four Agreements,” to help me process the beliefs of others, especially toward me (i.e. “people who struggle from depression are lazy”). But Elisha is right when he explains that the beliefs we hold about ourselves are just as disabling and disempowering as the ones other folks hold about us. He writes: Of course, whatever we believe colors the lenses of how we see the world and our very next interaction. If we believe we can’t give t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776439 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:58:24 +0100 3776439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776382&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-doctors-letter-to-patients-with-chronic-disease%2F2010.07.21 Dear Patients: You have it very hard — much harder than most people understand. Having sat for 16 years listening to the stories, seeing the tiredness in your eyes, hearing you try to describe the indescribable, I have come to understand that I, too, can’t understand what your lives are like. How do you answer the question, “How do you feel?” when you’ve forgotten what “normal” feels like? How do you deal with all of the people who think you are exaggerating your pain, your emotions, your fatigue? How do you decide when to believe them or when to trust your own body? How do you cope with living a life that won’t let you forget about your frailty, your limits, your mortality? I can’t imagine. But I do bring something to the table that you may not know. I do have ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776382 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:00:02 +0100 3776382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764185&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F18%2Fare-you-spiritual-or-psychotic%2F In his bestselling book, “Strong at the Broken Places,” Richard Cohen profiles, among five persons living with chronic illness, mental health advocate Larry Fricks. He writes: Larry had been to hell and back and now his spirit soared. “Religion is for people who fear hell,” Larry told me. “Spirituality is for those who have been there.” Life to Larry is not about a church but belief in the human spirit. “Richard, that spirit is why I get up each day.” For him, doctors did not understand this dimension. “Psychiatry tried to beat it out of me, to convince me this was just a symptom of my disease, a psychiatric disorder” “And that was not the whole story?” “No. Even in sickness, I see a spiritual realm that to me is... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764185 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:09:59 +0100 3764185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757922&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F15%2Fmel-gibson-bipolar-disorder-and-alcohol%2F As Mel Gibson’s voicemails to his ex-girlfriend continue to be leaked to the Internet this week, many media outlets are asking questions about Mel Gibson’s mental health. That’s no wonder — the voicemails are laced with profanity, racial epithets, and threats. In a 2008 documentary, Acting Class of 1977, he first talked about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But are the rants to his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva related to a possible mental health diagnosis? Alcohol? Or something else? It’s not easy to answer this question, because nobody except Mel Gibson, 54, and his doctors know. All we can do is speculate, based upon observations of his reactions, tone and behavior as recorded in the voicemails that are publicly available. So let’s take a loo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757922 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:30:22 +0100 3757922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743555&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F11%2Fwhy-suicide-an-interview-with-eric-marcus%2F Today I have the pleasure of interviewing New York Times bestselling author Eric Marcus on the important topic of suicide. Eric is the author of several books, including “Is It A Choice?, Making Gay History,” and “Together Forever.” He is also co-author of “Breaking the Surface,” the #1 New York Times bestselling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis. For more information, please visit: www.ericmarcus.com and www.whysuicidebook.com. Question: Why did you write “Why Suicide?” Eric: When I started work on the original edition of “Why Suicide?” in 1987, I knew that I wanted to write the kind of book that I wish had been available to my mother when my father killed himself in 1970 so she would have known what to say a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743555 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:29:28 +0100 3743555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733302&cid=t_92589_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholism-tops-disease-onset%2F This study looked for the first onset of substance use disorders (i.e., alcohol and drug abuse and dependence) and major mood and anxiety disorders. This landmark survey is the first conducted in the U.S. to identify rates of people who FIRST suffer of these disorders in any one year. The research found that each year the following percentage of the population would BEGIN to suffer one of these diseases. alcohol dependence 1.7% or one in every 59 people will begin to be alcoholic, alcohol abuse 1.0% or one in every 100 people will begin to abuse alcohol, major depressive disorder 1.5% or one in every 67 people will begin to be depressed, generalized anxiety disorder 1.12% or one in every 89 people will begin to be anxious, panic disorder 0.62% or one in every 161 people will begin ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733302 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:48:00 +0100 3733302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3702982&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F27%2Fstrong-at-the-broken-places-on-living-bravely-with-chronic-illness%2F I love this man. Richard Cohen. I love him. His mantra is mine. His hope I cling to. He inspires me. He tells the story of coping with his multiple sclerosis and colon cancer in his New York Times bestseller, “Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness.” Awhile back, he came out with a fascinating book, “Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, a Chorus of Hope,” profiling five brave persons battling illness. Writes Richard, “These are the faces of illness in America. Do not look away. The characters may surprise you, even shatter a stereotype or two. They are people, not cases, survivors, not victims. Quite simply, they are us. they carry shared resolve, a determination to survive. To flourish.” I read parts of the book two years ago. I was especi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3702982 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:27:10 +0100 3702982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699547&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F25%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-june-25-2010%2F Well it’s here! We’re officially in the midst of summer. In fact, we’re almost at the end of June. July here we come! Yet, for some of us summer doesn’t automatically mean fun. There’s the oil spill, for example, the economy and everything else on the news. Added to that are our plain old daily concerns on everything from our weight to our empty wallets. Yes, we definitely need an extra boost to have fun as adults. It’s not just about ice-cream cones or playing in the sand anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If we have to work harder to have fun than so be it. We deserve to play as much as any kid out there! Even if you can’t get away this summer because the cost of a vacation is just too much for you this year, there’... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699547 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:41:48 +0100 3699547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3678562&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F19%2Fchristian-and-depressed-what-churches-can-do-to-help-persons-with-mood-disorders%2F The other day, I received this email from a Beyond Blue reader: “I’m a Christian, and have been struggling with depression and my faith since my brother took his life 2-1/2 years ago. I joined your group for friends and tips on dealing with problems with Major Depression. I feel like I just make my church friends uncomfortable, and they can’t understand why I haven’t snapped out of it and declared amazing victory through my faith.” I experienced that too, which was very disappointing. Because my faith is such a huge part of my recovery from depression and addiction, I didn’t understand why so few Christians, and even fewer pastors or religious leaders, knew what to say. One time in college I stood up in the middle of a homily and walked out. The priest... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3678562 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:32:14 +0100 3678562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648600&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2Fxj9kjb1Hkpk%2F URL: http://health.discovery.com/centers/mental/mental.htmlChock full of links, pertaining to mental health issues (and some not), with features and ask the expert. Includes quizzes, blogs, podcasts and more. Also includes videos about certain mental health issues and subjects. For: AnyoneTopics: ADHD, Abnormal, Addiction, Behaviour Management, Bipolar, Clinical Psychology, Depression, Eating Disorders, Educational Psychology, Emotional Health, General Psychology, General Science, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Personality, Personality disorders, Self-help, VariedFeatures: Articles, Assessment Instruments, Collaborative News, Commentary and Blogs, Information, Links, Multimedia, Podcasts, RSS Aggregator, RSS Feeds, Resources, e-learningChock full of ... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648600 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:00:57 +0100 3648600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629691&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F04%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-june-4-2010%2F I was out on break for a bit, but now I’m back. I’m just wondering one thing: Did you miss me? Well the start of summer means lots of you are also on summer break — break from work, school, your favorite television show or maybe it’s more time with the kids. One thing you can count on is another week of top posts to read. Don’t worry if you were too busy barbecuing, partying or hanging out at the beach! There’s plenty of time to catch up. In fact, you can start with these. Here’s another quick round-up of our best posts for this week: Mental Health Hashtag List (World of Psychology) – One of the best things about Twitter is that you get the chance to chat with people all over the world. Twitter hashtags are one of the ways you can do so. But ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629691 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:57:46 +0100 3629691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625662&cid=t_92589_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FZsPNGmGXhy0%2Fsleep-genes-and-bipolar-disorders.html Clocks & Rhythms with Colleen McClung A leading researcher on bipolar disorders and chronobiology is interviewed about her groundbreaking work with clock genes and circadian rhythms. A SciVee Pubcast, DOI: 10.4016/10858.01. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625662 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:30:28 +0100 3625662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3611939&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FToT9Pefn2Ho%2F URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/psychetruthI make internet videos of things I am interested in, including but not limited to, health, alternative health, art, comparative religion, science, mental health reform, philosophy or anything else I want to know about. I like knowing stuff. I think you should like knowing stuff too. For: AnyoneTopics: Abnormal, Academia, Addiction, Behaviour Management, Biological Psychology, Bipolar, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Counselling, Depression, Eating Disorders, Educational Psychology, General Psychology, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Psychology and Technology, Psychology and the MediaFeatures: Collaborative News, Commentary and Blogs, Community and Social Networking, Links, Multimedia, e-learningPsyche = Mind, ... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3611939 Sat, 29 May 2010 17:00:58 +0100 3611939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607557&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F28%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-28-2010%2F There are just a handful of days left until Memorial Day. How are you celebrating this three day weekend? For me, the holiday signifies the start of summer and all that the warm season brings. Superficially, I’m reminded of the things I love like barbecues, tank tops and flip flops and the things I could do without such as termites, cockroaches and hot weather. But on a deeper level, the summertime brings me back to new beginnings and a fresh start. The hope of facing old fears, the courage of tackling new inner battles and the ever present possibility of a better me, one that’s closer to loving and accepting who I am warts and all. It’s something about the season, more than at the beginning of a new year (maybe it’s the shedding of our outer coats) that brings me c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607557 Fri, 28 May 2010 11:34:35 +0100 3607557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603652&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F26%2Femail-not-that-effective-with-college-depression%2F I’m always on the lookout for how technology can better help people with mental health issues. But some uses of technology leave me scratching my head. Take, for instance, this one: If you email a depression assessment quiz to college students, some will take it. Some of those who take it will have depression. Those are the astounding findings from a research study presented the other day at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. But few of the students who received the email at four different colleges bothered taking the quiz — only 691 students — suggesting that it remains an ineffective way of reaching students (except those who may already believe they have or may be at risk for depression). Worse yet, the email quiz did nothing to encourage stude... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603652 Wed, 26 May 2010 16:35:24 +0100 3603652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585671&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Fneither-blame-nor-indulge%2F Andrew Solomon offers this brilliant paragraph in his classic, “The Noonday Demon” about the relationship between medication and therapy, when we should make Herculean efforts to break free from depression or rather lie listless on our beds as victims of a loathsome illness: The conflict between psychodynamic therapy and medication is ultimately a conflict on moral grounds; we tend categorically to assume that if the problem is responsive to psychotherapeutic dialogue, it is a problem you should be able to overcome with simple rigor, while a problem responsive to the ingestion of chemicals is not your fault and requires no rigor of you. It is true both that very little depression is entirely the fault of the sufferer, and that almost all depression can be ameliorated with rigo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585671 Thu, 20 May 2010 16:56:02 +0100 3585671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566612&cid=t_92589_87_f&fid=36710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.organizedwisdom.com%2Fhealth%2F2010%2F05%2Ffollow-friday-featuring-5-patient-experts.html Meet these patient experts who rise above when it comes to inspiring and providing support to others. These individuals not only share their experiences and expertise, but they raise awareness and offer insights so that others can identify and be better informed. @breathinstephen Marathons and severe asthma—no way? Think again. Stephen Gaudet has lived with severe refractory asthma since birth. Beating most odds, he has walked his way into the record books by becoming the first person with documented severe lung disease to finish the Boston marathon. Just this past April, he finished it again to raise awareness about current asthma research. His Breathin' Stephen blog is simply inspiring. He chronicles his fitness routine and shares tips for the benefit of others. His message is cle... The Health Wisdom Blog™ (by OrganizedWisdom) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566612 Sat, 15 May 2010 00:59:10 +0100 3566612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566662&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-21-2010%2F Is it too late for spring fever? Those of you who are anticipating the end of a school year or an upcoming vacation (based on the tweets of our Twitter followers and Facebook friends there are a lot of you) will love this end of the week list of top posts. Why? Because we’ve got tips on how to get motivated, build your confidence, open yourself up to the possibility of love and make use of all that time you’ve spent sitting, waiting and dreaming of something you’d rather be doing instead of what you’re doing right now. So here we go! How the Moments You’re Missing Can Lead to a Better Life (Mindfulness & Psychotherapy) – In between point A where you are and point C where you want to get to, there’s point B the here and now. Learn how to embrace... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566662 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:33:06 +0100 3566662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3564028&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-21-2010%2F Is it too late for spring fever? Those of you who are anticipating the end of a school year or an upcoming vacation (based on the tweets of our Twitter followers and Facebook friends there are a lot of you) will love this end of the week list of top posts. Why? Because we’ve got tips on how to get motivated, build your confidence, open yourself up to the possibility of love and make use of all that time you’ve spent sitting, waiting and dreaming of something you’d rather be doing instead of what you’re doing right now. So here we go! How the Moments You’re Missing Can Lead to a Better Life (Mindfulness & Psychotherapy) – In between point A where you are and point C where you want to get to, there’s point B the here and now. Learn how to embrace... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3564028 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:33:06 +0100 3564028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556156&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F12%2Fan-overmedicated-nation-thats-not-the-real-problem%2F “Our country is over-medicated.” I get that a lot, usually right after I tell someone that I write a mental health blog. Not as a hobby. As my job. Part of me agrees, the part that doesn’t want to get into a long and frustrating conversation, where I explain that it’s really not that simple… That the issue is fairly nuanced and complex. Are some people overmedicated in this country? Yes. Absolutely. I devote a few chapters of my book, Beyond Blue, to describing the dangerous phase in my recovery led by a doctor whom I call “Pharma King.” I was taking something like 16 pills a day, enough to drop my head into my cereal bowl every morning for about three months. And I wasn’t at all uncomfortable with how the nurses at the outpatient psych prog... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556156 Wed, 12 May 2010 10:05:32 +0100 3556156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552304&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-11-2010%2F As I’m writing this, I’m watching the rain drops slide down my window. It’s a rainy spring day and I’m loving it. As someone who’s not a big fan of gray skies and cold, I’ll admit it’s the not the weather that’s making me smile. It’s not Mother’s Day or Mental Health month that’s got me either. So what is it? It’s the realization that we really do have control over our own lives. We can create our experiences and not feel ashamed, guilty or sad that we don’t have the life someone else or society told us we’re supposed to have. This may mean redefining mental illness or not believing we need to have the so-called “perfect” body and instead embracing a different type of reality. A reality that&#82... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552304 Tue, 11 May 2010 12:08:08 +0100 3552304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546894&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F09%2Flife-lessons-from-a-mentally-ill-mom%2F This is my 22nd Mother’s Day. Or my first, depending on how you look at it. You can read my experiences with being a birthmom here and here. Part 3 is rather happier: This is the first Mother’s Day following my ridiculously blissful reunion with my wonderful son and his equally wonderful parents. It’s hard to say much, mostly because the memories of those few days in December are so intensely personal and the emotions still so raw. I’m not quite ready to let the world in on them. What I will say is that, as magical as it all was, and as healing as it all was, it wasn’t a cure-all. Right now, I’m on my third antidepressant combo in two months, trying to get out of the most recent episode, just so you know that even really joyous events don’t instantly cure longstanding... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546894 Sun, 09 May 2010 09:55:17 +0100 3546894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545474&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F08%2Fmy-illness-is-not-my-identity%2F I was asked by Diana Keough of ShareWIK.com to write about the topic of living with bipolar without letting my mood disorder define me. You can get to her blog post by clicking here. “A label is a mask life wears,” writes Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., one of the first pioneers in the mind, body, health field. “Labeling sets up an expectation of life that is often so compelling we can no longer see things as they really are. . . . In my experience, a diagnosis is an opinion and not a prediction. What would it be like if more people allowed for the presence of the unknown, and accepted the words of their medical experts in the same way? The diagnosis is cancer. What that will mean remains to be seen.” I used to think that meant that I shouldn’t call myself bipolar, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545474 Sat, 08 May 2010 13:23:21 +0100 3545474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538396&cid=t_92589_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F0HcoCaup0tw%2F Dual Disorders – Third Edition A recovery book. Depression Bipolar Schizophrenia. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Millions of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric or emotional disorders must battle an equally menacing and powerful disease–chemical dependency (alcoholism, addiction, marijuana). First published in 1993, Dual Disorders is the leading text on the biological and psychological relationship between mental illness and addiction. New this spring, the third edition of this Hazelden best-seller has been updated to include the latest research, information about new medications, and an explanation of new diagnostic criteria. Key features and benefits outlines the relationship between chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders contains important resources for ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538396 Wed, 05 May 2010 16:05:00 +0100 3538396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524309&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F02%2Fto-tell-or-not-to-tell-your-boss-bipolar-and-depression-in-the-workplace%2F Daniel Lukasik, creator of the site Lawyers With Depression asked me awhile ago to write a guest post on work and depression. You can click here to read the original post. Just when I think our world has moved a baby step in the right direction regarding our understanding of mental illness, I get another blow that tells me otherwise. For example, I awhile back I quoted an intelligent woman who wrote an article in a popular women’s magazine about dating a bipolar guy when she was bipolar herself. She recently discovered that she had jeopardized a job prospect because the article came up –as well as all those who referenced it, like Beyond Blue — when you Googled her name. So she requested everyone who picked up that article to go back and change her real name to a pseudony... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524309 Sun, 02 May 2010 11:22:38 +0100 3524309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490680&cid=t_92589_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F21%2Fthe-pocket-therapist-mental-health-to-go%2F Imagine a GPS navigational system that said something like this: “In approximately 30 minutes, you will run into your old boss, who will want to make you feel like a worthless pile of feces. Erect personal boundaries immediately…. I said, Get in your bubble, Woman … Are you listening? She’s approaching you on your left. Lock up all childhood tapes now (the ones that convinced you that were weak, ugly, and pathetic) and DO NOT, I said DO NOT play them for her. Remember, their messages are no longer valid. Proceed carefully. You will speak to her in approximately 3, no 2, no 1 second.” Me? I would like one of those. So I made one. In book form. You see, I am an obsessive-compulsive woman who has recorded, in her journals, 12 years of therapy sessions, 21 years ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490680 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:07:59 +0100 3490680