Zombie children . . . what is the goal when stabilizing mood?

I can’t begin to tell you how often this issue has walked into my office. A kid and family who have struggled with symptoms goes to her doctor to discuss the pro’s and con’s of the current regimen and nothing is changed. Are her symptoms gone . . . no. Are there concerning side effects . . . → Read More: Zombie children . . . what is the goal when stabilizing mood?

Rapid-cycling Bipolar II–what to do . . . what to do

Jeff writes in with a common problem . . . feeling kind of crappy on the medicine:

Hey doctordan, I was in counseling for 11 months. Blah. The same questions over and over. Point being, I dont need to talk . Honestly. I’m a smart cookie. Now, ONTO the LAMICTAL I have been diagnosed with . . . → Read More: Rapid-cycling Bipolar II–what to do . . . what to do

Post-partum Depression–on being prepared

Since I see a fair number of patients who are of the age where they expect and want to have babies, the issue of managing depression during and after the pregnancy often arises. Today I thought I would focus on a small segment of this large issue–that of the spector of postpartum depression. This issues . . . → Read More: Post-partum Depression–on being prepared

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road . . .

I want to pass along a thank-you to all who have written in recently on the use of nutrition and life-style changes to address psychiatric issues (esp depression/anxiety/anger). I find myself a bit overwhelmed with the volume of information that is available out there. My intent is to critically look at as much of this . . . → Read More: Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road . . .

Re-occuring depression . . . an attack of tachyphylaxis

Laurie writes in with the following observation . . .

A few years ago, it would make me sad knowing I might be on anti-depressants and/or mood stabilizers for the rest of my life. (I have been diagnosed with major depression, but several psychiatrists, including my current one, have suspected bipolar II disorder.) Because . . . → Read More: Re-occuring depression . . . an attack of tachyphylaxis

Weight gain and Bipolar Medication

Amber writes in to say . . .

I am 20 and have just recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Type II. Right away my doctor prescribed me Lamictal, in addition to my Welbutrin…then added lithium. It all just seems too much. I have been taking birth control for years now and I am afraid that . . . → Read More: Weight gain and Bipolar Medication

Medicine forever?

A difficult point to get across to someone, especially a young person, is that they may have to take medicine forever. I know from my own personal experience with health issues that it is not MY first choice! My cholesterol is chronically high and for years I swore I would not take medicine and would . . . → Read More: Medicine forever?

Using Xanax and Klonopin–is that safe???

It’s nice when things go smoothly, isn’t it . . . Now, personally, I can’t remember a time when things DID go smoothly. It always seems that something is cropping up and disturbing the day. Stress from home. Stress from work. The kids. Traffic. And then . . . once again, you are in panic . . . → Read More: Using Xanax and Klonopin–is that safe???

Meridia and antidepressants–Part I and Part II

PART I

Last week a patient came in with question regarding the use of antidepressants while taking the weight loss drug Meridia. Seems her family doc took her off the two antidepressants I had her on to treat her depression (Lexapro and Wellbutrin if my memory serves me), and gave her Meridia to treat . . . → Read More: Meridia and antidepressants–Part I and Part II

Who holds the pills???

I still have a few connections at one of the local psych hospitals in my area, so I hear from time to time complaints and concerns from “the inside”. One of the big questions that comes up is why kids have access to their medicine and, oftentimes, are given complete control of their medicine. This . . . → Read More: Who holds the pills???