Getting Better: Choosing a Greater Happiness

The last few mornings I have been reading and meditating on the following passage from a book entitled The Still Point Dhammapada:

“By giving up a lesser happiness one may gain a much greater one. Let the wise give up the lesser to attain the greater.”

As I sat, repeating that passage to myself . . . . → Read More: Getting Better: Choosing a Greater Happiness

Eye Don’t Know Why Eye Prescribe This Stuff . . . Additional Worries About Topamax (topirimate)

I got another bulletin of alarm in the mail the other day . . . I get these periodically. They come in a white envelope with a BIG red warning on the front that yet another major side effect was found with one of the many medications that are available for my use. This one . . . → Read More: Eye Don’t Know Why Eye Prescribe This Stuff . . . Additional Worries About Topamax (topirimate)

The Great Divide–Bridging The Gap Between Medical and Psychiatric Care

A couple of articles in my local rag caught my attention (The Philadelphia Inquirer . . . and yes, I still read the paper version of it) and has brought me back to the writing table. Thursday’s article about entitled “A global mental health concern” spoke the growing realization that mental health issues are becoming . . . → Read More: The Great Divide–Bridging The Gap Between Medical and Psychiatric Care

Living With Bipolar Disorder . . . Picking A Partner–Lessons Learned From My Patients, Part II

I was going to write on another subject today, but was struck by the tone of this letter I received from the UK. I couldn’t help but respond. My original subject will wait a few days . . .

i have recently been diagnosed with bipolar. my fiance has turned really mean, puts me down . . . → Read More: Living With Bipolar Disorder . . . Picking A Partner–Lessons Learned From My Patients, Part II

“So What Does It Mean To Be Emotionally Well?”

I was working a health fair last weekend. Standing there at my table with my big ol’ sign behind me announcing myself as a “Partner in the Pursuit of Emotional Wellness” was interesting to say the least. Being a shrink is an odd job. I am more used to talking to people about their deepest . . . → Read More: “So What Does It Mean To Be Emotionally Well?”

Advocating For Access To Mental Health Care . . . It Is Time For Us To Stand Up For What Is Right

I am encouraging you to go to Philmont Guidance Center’s Facebook page and listen to a 6-minute video I uploaded there. Get past the boring talking head thing (psychiatrists tend to be a bit dry sometimes) and LISTEN to what he is saying and THINK about what this will mean if the trend is generalized . . . → Read More: Advocating For Access To Mental Health Care . . . It Is Time For Us To Stand Up For What Is Right

In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly have made a few appearances lately, telling their story of bravery and determination following the horrific shooting in January that left Giffords near death. Giffords’ has made a near miraculous recovery, due in large part to a hefty dose of luck, and the determination of those around her, . . . → Read More: In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Paddling Upstream . . . Figuring Out The Role Of TMS In The Treatment Of Major Depression

Whenever a new medication or new technology hits the market, there is always a learning curve for both the public and for practicing physicians. Tempering the excitement about receiving/delivering help with a dose of skepticism is healthy. It keeps the public and physicians from being bamboozled by snake oil salesmen. That is the whole idea . . . → Read More: Paddling Upstream . . . Figuring Out The Role Of TMS In The Treatment Of Major Depression

Mood Instability . . . PMDD or Bipolar Disorder . . . Or Both?

I am a 29 yo mother and was diagnosed as being bipolar at approximately 25 yo. I have taken a variety of medications(lamicatal, fluoxetine, topamax, lithium) and respond but i have always had “flare-ups” of exaggerated moodiness(rage, sadness, etc) about 2 weeks before my period. Since I have been married my husband has been able . . . → Read More: Mood Instability . . . PMDD or Bipolar Disorder . . . Or Both?

So Where Has The Doctor Been??? . . . Some Personal Reflections on Depression, Health and Life In General

I had a few responses to my blarticle on providing TMS to patients in the Philadelphia area. I actually thought there would be more . . . but articles on Vyvanse, Klonopin and Lamictal reign supreme . . . more on that another time. Let’s start with two viewpoints and then I will get personal . . . → Read More: So Where Has The Doctor Been??? . . . Some Personal Reflections on Depression, Health and Life In General