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 . . .

Getting the kids involved . . . could someone teach me a thing or two???

I’ve had a number of responses to the blarticle from January 13th (” . . . the good doctor was WRONG”). Seems what my ex-patient had to say hit a nerve. I’ve always been pretty aware of my own limitations as a mental health practitioner. Limitations on the effectiveness of the medications, limitations on the . . . → Read More: Getting the kids involved . . . could someone teach me a thing or two???

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

Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents–The good doctor was WRONG

I put the following up because of how many important messages it sends to me, to patients and to parents . . .

I was a patient of yours 5-6 years ago when I was between the ages of 14-16. I was quickly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed pills (first depakote then, after . . . → Read More: Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents–The good doctor was WRONG

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

Is common sense really in that short supply?

Shelly writes in with the following disturbing comment:

Thank you for intelligent, medical, heartfelt, honest mental health information. Information I can really use and makes sense, a lot of common sense. The most successful of all of my treatment for bi-polar has been a result of applying recommended coping skills, eating good and healthy . . . → Read More: Is common sense really in that short supply?

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???