http://bipolar.about.com/ Bipolar Disorder http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm BALANCE, which stands for Bipolar Affective disorder: Lithium/ANticonvulsant Evaluation, is a multi-country study to compare the effectiveness of valproate (e.g., <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/depakote/a/qf_depakote.htm">Depakote</a>) alone, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/lithium/a/0103_lithium1.htm">lithium</a> alone, and lithium plus valproate in treating bipolar I disorder. The study followed 330 patients age 16 and up for a period of two years to see at what point it was necessary to start a new treatment because of a new episode of mania or depression.<p> Results, published this week in <i>The Lancet</i>, showed that both lithium alone and the combination of lithium and valproate were more effective than treatment with only valproate.<p> Patients taking both lithium and valproate were 41% less likely to have a new episode, particularly a manic episode, within two years, and those taking lithium alone 29% less likely, than those taking valproate by itself. These results were the same regardless of the initial severity of symptoms.<p> What does this mean for you? If you are taking only lithium or only valproate, and don't feel it's doing as well as it could, consider talking to your doctor about combination therapy. <i>Note:</i> these results apply only to valproate, not to any other <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_anticonvulse.htm">anticonvulsive medication used as mood stabilizers</a>.<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i><p> <small><b>Sources:</b><p> BALANCE Investigators and Collaborators. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2809%2961828-6/fulltext">Lithium plus valproate combination therapy versus monotherapy for relapse prevention in bipolar I disorder (BALANCE): a randomised open-label trial</a>. <i>The Lancet</i>. 23 Dec 2009. 27 Dec 2009.<p> Geddes, John R. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/l-clp122109.php">Combined lithium plus valproate or lithium monotherapy better at preventing relapse in bipolar patients than valproate monotherapy (Balance study)</a>. <i>EurekAlert</i>. 22 Dec 2009. 27 Dec 2009.</small> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm">Valproate Work Better With Lithium Than Alone</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 18:29:06.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm&zItl=Valproate Work Better With Lithium Than Alone">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/27/lithium-and-valproate.htm 2009-12-27T18:29:06Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm Dreamer31, a member of our forum, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=63245">has been in a bad state lately</a>. Part of the post reads:<p> "I feel really depressed and worthless right now. I have felt that way pretty much all week.<p> "My friends from high school that are my Facebook 'friends' finished college, went on to grad school and law school, and some of them are working for the CDC, the JAG Corps in the Army, Human Rights Watch, etc. I had always considered myself to be somewhat intelligent, but these people's accomplishments and quotes on their pages make me look pathetic and puny.<p> "I really wanted to be a REAL grown-up, not a shabby, dumbed-down, self-absorbed middle-aged adolescent. I wanted to graduate from college, not drop out several times after having nervous breakdowns. I wanted to think the way others thought and believed the way they did. I am able to think for myself, but for some reason I feel that other people have more authority than I do, and they're right and I'm wrong, no matter how I truly feel about it in my heart (or what logic tells me).<p> "I am obviously unable to deal with life on life's terms, as they say in AA."<p> Comparing yourself to others is often depressing, especially when a mental illness interferes with your life. Many years ago I went into a bad depression after receiving a letter from a high school friend telling me about her life, her children, her successes, the book she was about to have published. I never answered the letter ... I felt like a complete failure and hated her, at the time, for being so successful.<p> It took a long time for me to realize that I had my <i>own</i> successes, even if they weren't all ones that I could brag about to others. So I never won an Oscar or published the books I've written - it doesn't mean I'm a failure. For example, I can <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/whatme/ig/Guide-Marcia-s-New-Home/index.htm">look out the window of my home office</a>, loving my new home, and know I am a success.<p> What about you? Do you relate to Dreamer31? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=63245">The discussion is still going on</a>, and your input could be valuable. You can also comment on this blog to talk about your own experience with feelings of success or failure, or difficulties with comparisons.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm">Success / Failure - Comparisons Can Hurt</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 16:28:12.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm&zItl=Success / Failure - Comparisons Can Hurt">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/22/success-failure-comparisons-can-hurt.htm 2009-12-22T16:28:12Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm A <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/maniahypomani1/a/manic_episode.htm">manic episode of bipolar disorder</a> is more than just an extremely elevated mood. It may include such elements as grandiose thinking and behavior, little need for sleep, recklessness and more. But what sets a manic episode apart is that it must have a severe impact on the person's daily life, cause hospitalization, and/or the patient experiences at least one form of psychosis - hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia.<p> Here's a plain English look at the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/maniahypomani1/a/manic_episode.htm">symptoms of a manic episode</a> and what goes into the diagnosis.<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm">What Is a Manic Episode?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 14:14:39.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm&zItl=What Is a Manic Episode?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/20/what-is-a-manic-episode.htm 2009-12-20T14:14:39Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm The <i>New York Times</i> reports that a research team from Rutgers and Columbia has found that children on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/medicaid/a/medicaid101.htm">Medicaid</a> are four times as likely to be prescribed <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/antipsychotics/a/antipsychotics_hub.htm">antipsychotic drugs</a> than kids whose parents have regular health insurance. Not only that, but the Medicaid children get these drugs for less severe conditions.<p> Children living with the severe stresses of poverty, says Duff Wilson of the <i>Times</i>, do have twice as high a rate of mental illness than others, accounting for some of the difference. The concern is whether antipsychotics are being prescribed for too many children because it's the easiest and least expensive thing for doctors to do.<p> The study, says Wilson, found that poor children often received antipsychotics for conditions such as ADHD and conduct disorders - uses for which the drugs have not been approved. It's not illegal to do this, but the drugs may not really be helping, either. And another concern is the long-term health risks of these medications - obesity and metabolic changes.<p> Have you had an experience where you believed your child was prescribed an antipsychotic drug inappropriately? Was Medicaid a factor?<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i><p> <small><b>Source:</b><br /> Wilson, Duff. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/health/12medicaid.html?_r=1">Poor Children Likelier to Get Antipsychotics</a>. <i>The New York Times</i>. 11 Dec 2009. Web. 14 Dec 2009.</small> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm">Children + Medicaid = More Antipsychotics</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 16:41:24.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm&zItl=Children + Medicaid = More Antipsychotics">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/children-medicaid-more-antipsychotics.htm 2009-12-14T16:41:24Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm Earlier this year we reported that the FDA had ordered 8 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used as mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/04/13/fda-orders-suicidal-ideation-warning-on-many-mood-stabilizers.htm">carry a warning regarding thoughts of suicide</a>. At the time, there were some who questioned whether the warning should apply to patients with bipolar disorder.<p> Now a study has been published that looks at precisely this issue. The records of nearly 48,000 patients with bipolar disorder. The researchers found that there was no significant difference between suicide attempt rates between people taking anti-seizure medications as mood stabilizers were reviewed. They found no significant difference in suicide attempt rates between those taking AEDs and those being treated without AEDs or lithium.<p> What they did find was a much higher rate of suicide attempts before treatment with AEDs than after - 7.2% per year vs. 1.3%. This large-scale study certainly seems to bear out the belief that using anti-seizure medications as mood stabilizers is an exception to the earlier findings that led to warnings about increased suicidal thoughts.<p> However, it still remains true that if an AED or <i>any</i> new medication brings on thoughts of suicide, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, or seek emergency medical attention if you feel you are in crisis.<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i><p> <small><b>Sources:</b><p> Gibbons, R.D., et al. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/12/1354">Relationship Between Antiepileptic Drugs and Suicide Attempts in Patients With Bipolar Disorder</a>. <i>Arch Gen Psychiatry</i>. 2009;66(12):1354-1360. 12 Dec 2009.<p> Kaplan, K. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/12/bipolar-disorder-suicide-antiepileptic-medication.html">Reconsidering antiepileptic medications as a treatment for bipolar disorder</a>. <i>Los Angeles Times</i>. 7 Dec 2009. 12 Dec 2009.<p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/UCM100190">Suicidal Behavior and Ideation and Antiepileptic Drugs</a>. <i>US Food and Drug Administration</i>. 05 May 2009. Department of Health and Human Services, Web. 12 Dec 2009.<p> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm">Questioning the Warning on Anti-Seizure Drugs in Bipolar Disorder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 01:00:36.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm&zItl=Questioning the Warning on Anti-Seizure Drugs in Bipolar Disorder">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/14/aed-warning-2.htm 2009-12-14T01:00:36Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm Do you post to your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. about having bipolar disorder and the impact it has on your life? LadyJesse, a member of the forums, doesn't think it is a good idea. In her forum post <a href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=63185"><i>Keep BP off FB</i></a> she comments, "I mean why make your whole life about bipolar disorder (bp) and subject people to it all the time? My page is bp free because there is more to me than this illness. I wish other people could also develop other things to talk about."<p> What's your take on this? <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm">Are Your Social Media Pages Bipolar-Centric?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 20:14:51.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm&zItl=Are Your Social Media Pages Bipolar-Centric?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/10/are-your-social-media-pages-bipolar-centric.htm 2009-12-10T20:14:51Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/antidepressants/a/antidepressants_hub.htm">Antidepressants</a> are a key component in the treatment of those with bipolar disorder. We all know they are used to treat depression including depression associated with bipolar as well as anxiety. And I think most of us probably have a grasp on the idea that antidepressant can be the culprits in triggering mania for some people. But here something we didn't know.<p> A new published study has found that antidepressants may actually cause a change in your personality. The research team found evidence that these medications decrease <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://depression.about.com/od/glossaryn/g/neuroticism.htm">neuroticism</a> and increase <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://giftedkids.about.com/od/glossary/g/extrovert.htm">extraversion</a>. These changes are independent of the improvements in depression though they do seem to predict how well and how long remission of symptoms may occur.<p> Anne Harding, in an article titled <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/08/antidepressant.personality.changes/index.html"><i>Antidepressants Change Personality, Study Suggests</i></a>, quotes the lead author, Dr. Tony Tang, "Medication can definitely change people's personalities, and change them quite substantially. Those changes are very important."<p> She also makes an important note, "Although the new study sheds some light on the relationship between SSRIs and personality, there is much that remains unknown about these drugs." <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm">Can Medications Change Our Personality?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 21:15:37.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm&zItl=Can Medications Change Our Personality?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/09/can-medications-change-our-personality.htm 2009-12-09T21:15:37Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm Life with bipolar disorder is a 400 meter, long hurdle race. Nowhere is this more telling than the workplace. For those with severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, there are obstacles just getting out of bed and to the office. Tackling the barriers of stigma, misinformation and insensitivity seems insurmountable sometimes. These effects carry over to the loved-ones of those with these disorders.<p> We know this, but our supervisors and employers don't always have the same firsthand experience we have. Stewart D. Friedman, a Professor of Management at the University of Pennsylvania, talks about this in <a href="http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/friedman/2009/12/the-hidden-business-cost-of-me.html"><i>The Hidden Business Cost of Mental Illness</i></a> published in <i>Harvard Business Publishing</i>. Yes, you read that correctly ... a business professional writing to business professionals offering salient advice that benefits both the business and the employee.<p> "There are real costs associated with employees having to carry this heavy weight of worry and responsibility, especially if they feel they must do so without the understanding and support of their organization. There is stress, unwanted social isolation in the workplace, and the feeling that they must find clandestine ways of responding to urgent demands for their attention. All of this undermines productivity by causing burn-out, unplanned absences, distractions from focused effort on tasks, and poor confidence in being able to contribute to the team. As a leader in your organization, you can reduce these costs and inspire greater performance from valued employees."<p> I've bookmarked this article and plan to use it when I'm doing training with members of my staff. Dr. Friedman presents a few solid suggestions for reducing stigma and these aren't just for managers. They are for anyone. <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm">Improving the Workplace for Those with Bipolar Disorder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 20:17:24.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=Improving the Workplace for Those with Bipolar Disorder">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/08/improving-the-workplace-for-those-with-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-12-08T20:17:24Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm One of our forum members, Bwaisley, posted about the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=63153">difficulty of discontinuing Ativan</a>, which is a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_meds/a/benzodiazepines.htm">benzodiazepine</a> anti-anxiety medication:<p> "I have been trying for months to get off Ativan. The best I can do is where I am right now on 0.5 mg a night. Whenever I try to reduce by a little bit, I spin into an anxiety attack. I've been on it for months. I even tried titrating off when my pdoc started titrating me onto Depakote ER. That didn't work. To top it off, every Sunday night I have to take 1 mg of Ativan because of the anxiety of starting a new work week. What the hell do I do now? I only want it for emergencies, but it won't let me. I feel trapped with no way out. Yuck!!!! Any suggestions?"<p> I feel for Bwaisley. I went through benzodiazepine withdrawal myself, when I had to go off <i>all</i> my medications in order to take part in a clinical trial. Discontinuing the other drugs wasn't bad - <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/whatme/a/050915_3nomeds.htm">stopping Ativan was absolute misery</a>.<p> Have you been through this, with <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/ativan/a/ativan.htm">Ativan</a> or any of the other benzos? Please <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=63153">offer any suggestions you have</a> to Bwaisley, or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm#gB3">leave a comment</a> below.<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm">Benzodiazepine Withdrawal</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 15:51:57.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm&zItl=Benzodiazepine Withdrawal">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/07/benzodiazepine-withdrawal.htm 2009-12-07T15:51:57Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm Over the years Kimberly and I have written about ourselves - for example, Kimberly <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/children/a/cobpd_debate.htm">wrote about her son</a>, and for a long time I shared my story in my <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/whatme/a/9905_wm_day1.htm">I'm Bipolar Journal</a>, which started on the day I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. If you've followed the journal, you probably know me well by now, but we know far less about you. So today I'm asking: Who are you? Why do you visit this site? What here has helped you the most? Leave your <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm#gB3">answers</a> at the bottom of this message. We'll be listening!<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm">How About You?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 16:08:22.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm&zItl=How About You?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/06/how-about-you.htm 2009-12-06T16:08:22Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm Lists abound of suggestions and gift ideas based on any number of criteria including bipolar disorder. You can find books, t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs, zany clocks and even art by those with bipolar disorder. Aside from a whole library of books, my favorite to date is a t-shirt asking, "What makes you think your brain chemicals are normal?"<p> Tread carefully with gifts like these because one person's sense of humor is far from another's. I was appalled when I found a t-shirt depicting a stick-figure monkey running with a knife titled "Skippy, The Bi-Polar Monkey."<p> Also keep in mind that something you think is wonderful or helpful just might offend. I'm personally not fond of self-help books as gifts. To me, it smacks of pretension or judgment. A reader commented that she was put-off by a pill organizer as a gift. She felt she was being told her memory wasn't sufficient.<p> Don't forget to make sure your gift is appropriate i.e., <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://addictions.about.com/b/2009/12/03/appropriate-holiday-gifts.htm">alcohol is generally not a good idea</a>. Many folks with bipolar disorder struggle with addictions.<p> What should be added to this list? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/u/ua/support/bad_gift_ideas.htm">What is something you think is a terrible gift idea for those with this disorder?</a> <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm">What Not to Buy for Someone with Bipolar Disorder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 19:50:17.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=What Not to Buy for Someone with Bipolar Disorder">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/03/what-not-to-buy-for-someone-with-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-12-03T19:50:17Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/celebritiesrumoredwithbp/p/anthony_michael_hall.htm">Anthony Michael Hall</a> has snagged headlines a number of times here in November, but not for his acting or producing skills. Rather he has been accused of domestic violence from a row with his girlfriend (now ex), Diana Falzone, who has filed a restraining order against him.<p> As I often remind my kids, if we lose our temper or control, we are responsible for our actions regardless of our intentions. A fact I am sure no one needs to tell Michael. Since the story first hit the news, it has taken on the life of <i>Star Gate</i> replicators with every conceivable news venue and blog cranking out almost identical articles of the alleged details or lack thereof. <p> There are literally hundreds of these reports and every one of them reference that Michael has bipolar disorder. But does he? Perhaps it exists in an archive somewhere on the net, but I was unable to find an interview or a quote from Michael in which he discusses having bipolar disorder. <p> All of the comments about his bipolar disorder seem to stem from reports that the insurance company covering the production of <i>The Dead Zone</i> sued him in 2003 because of a shutdown of production in 2001 due to his hospitalization for "bipolar affective disorder depression with psychotic features." According to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b44825_anthony_michael_hall_sued.html">Josh Grossberg writing for E!</a>, the suit claimed his hospitalization occurred after he stopped taking his medications. I could not find the outcome of the suit so I'm not sure this is the smoking gun to tag Michael with a diagnosis. I would rather hear it directly from him. <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm">Does Anthony Michael Hall Have Bipolar Disorder?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 04:00:59.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=Does Anthony Michael Hall Have Bipolar Disorder?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/02/does-anthony-michael-hall-have-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-12-02T04:00:59Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm There is quite a lot of research to support the idea that a family history of mental illness increases the risk of a mental illness also developing in a child. As I previously noted in <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/my_child.htm"><i>Could My Child Have Bipolar Disorder?</i></a>, as many as 10% of those with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder will also develop bipolar disorder. Studies have also demonstrated that family members with both schizophrenia and unipolar depression are commonly found in the same family tree as those with bipolar disorder. <p> Recent research studies are finding the same evidence. In <a href="http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1490412?verify=0"><i>Offspring of Parents with Bipolar Disorder</i></a>, Dr. Karen Wager shares some of the latest numbers:<p> <ul><li>10.6 percent of 388 kids who had at least one parent with one of the bipolar disorders also had one form of bipolar disorder or another compared to only .8 percent of 251 kids whose parents did not have the disorder. <li>29 percent of the 388 kids of those kids with both parents diagnosed also had the disorder. <li> 52 percent of these children were diagnosed with some form of serious mental illness compared to only 29 percent of those whose parents did not have bipolar disorder.</ul><p> These figures may seem scary even daunting if you have kids or you are considering pregnancy. However, "While your risk of having a child who develops a mental disorder is higher than if you or the child's other parent didn't have bipolar disorder, it isn't a guarantee that this will happen. And of course, nothing says that having a child with a mental disorder -- whether it appears in childhood or later in life -- won't still be a wonderful, fulfilling experience." (see <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/od/pregnancy/f/inherit_bipolar.htm"><i>Will My Child Inherit My Bipolar Disorder?</i></a>) <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm">Kids' Risk of Developing Bipolar Disorder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 19:31:03.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=Kids' Risk of Developing Bipolar Disorder">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/12/01/kids-risk-of-developing-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-12-01T19:31:03Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm <img src="http://z.about.com/d/bipolar/1/0/3/E/buzz.09-05-27x170.jpg" alt="Buzz" align="right" hspace="6" vspace="3" />I've had two of my cats since 2005, and this year I adopted a kitten from the same shelter who is about 7 1/2 months old now. I never worried about them getting into my meds. I keep medication bottles closed tight at all times, and the only time pills are out is right before I take them, when I get them all out morning and night and put them all on a little tray before taking them. The only time I'd be concerned was if I dropped one - then I always made sure I found it.<p> Well, that was fine with the two older cats, but the other night the youngster, Buzz, got up on my desk and started licking the pills in the tray, which I'd set out but not taken yet. ACK! I grabbed him right away and tossed him off the desk, then took the pills immediately (yes, the ones he'd licked - they're just too expensive to throw away).<p> So now I know I <i>have</i> to take my meds as soon as I get them out. Fortunately, I was right here when he did that, so there wasn't time for him to hurt himself with them. But I knew I had to share this story, which proves that no matter what pets have done in the past, a new pet may behave differently - and is a reminder that even existing pets may do something they haven't done before.<p> This made me wonder whether you, our readers, have stories to tell about your pets and your meds. Leave yours in a comment!<br /> ~<i>Marcia</i><p> <small>Photo of Buzz at 9 weeks old by Marcia Purse. All Rights Reserved.</small><p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm">Your Pets and Your Meds</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 19:17:36.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm&zItl=Your Pets and Your Meds">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/30/your-pets-and-your-meds.htm 2009-11-30T19:17:36Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm Medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder can be prohibitively expensive. However, there are programs offering medications free of charge or at reduced prices. Many <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/financialassistance/a/medassistance.htm">pharmaceutical companies offer programs</a> to reduce or even provide needed meds for those who qualify. Lady MacBeth has graciously compiled a list of phone numbers to the assistance programs for specific drugs. She writes, "These are the phone numbers for assistant drug programs. Sometimes I call them myself and other times I have to get my psychiatrist's office to call them."<p> If your prescription is not available through one of these programs or if you don't qualify, there are some other options you can use to help reduce the cost of your prescriptions. Michael Bihari, the About.com Guide to Health Insurance, offers <a href="http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/prescriptiondrugs/a/10_ways_to_save_on_drugs.htm"><i>Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Medications</i></a>. He shares, "Your prescription medications can be very expensive and may strain your budget, especially if you have a chronic illness. Whether or not you have health insurance with drug coverage, there are many ways to save money on your medications."<p> Do you have any other suggestions? Please share! <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm">Save Money on Your Prescriptions</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 21:02:12.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm&zItl=Save Money on Your Prescriptions">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/29/save-money-on-your-prescriptions.htm 2009-11-29T21:02:12Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm A few days ago, I asked for your strategies for getting through the holidays. We have a few excellent points made by readers. <p> As a Certified Professional Coach for supporters in the bipolar community and the wife of a man with bipolar disorder the most important thing I do and recommend others to do is be prepared and learn from the past. If you know that certain situations or people spark the triggers of the illness than make the conscious choice to stay away. If they don't understand then they're not the kind of people you want to be around. You must love yourself and your partner above all others and keep "family guilt" out of the equation when deciding what to do and where to go for the holidays. <i>from Kathleen</i><p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/u/ua/support/tips_for_surviving_holidays.htm">Share what you are doing to ameliorate holiday stress.</a><p> And <b>happy Thanksgiving</b> to those celebrating this U.S. holiday today. On this day of thanks, let me say thank you to each of you for giving of yourself in this community even in the midst of your own difficulties. Each of you make a difference in other people's lives every day. <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm">Holiday Survival Tip – Keep Family Guilt Out of the Equation</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 09:49:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm&zItl=Holiday Survival Tip – Keep Family Guilt Out of the Equation">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/26/holiday-survival-tip-keep-family-guilt-out-of-the-equation.htm 2009-11-26T09:49:02Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm It is perfectly normal to have days where you feel low and days when you are on top of the world. The emotional rise and fall of life is part of the human condition. So how can you tell when your experiences are normal and when they've pushed into the extremes of depression or mania associated with bipolar disorder? Should you consider scheduling an appointment to be evaluated by a psychiatrist? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/diagnosissymptoms/a/am_i_bipolar.htm">Consider three basic rules of thumb.</a> <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm">What's Wrong With Me? Do I Have Bipolar Disorder?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 10:16:25.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=What's Wrong With Me? Do I Have Bipolar Disorder?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/25/whats-wrong-with-me-do-i-have-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-11-25T10:16:25Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm The holiday season is usually a stressful time for most people; it is even worse for those with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. However, there are ways to alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the many events associated with the holidays. How do you manage the stressful festivities? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/u/ua/support/tips_for_surviving_holidays.htm">What are your tips for surviving the holidays?</a> <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm">What Are Your Tips for Surviving the Holidays?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 09:42:37.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm&zItl=What Are Your Tips for Surviving the Holidays?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/what-are-your-tips-for-surviving-the-holidays.htm 2009-11-24T09:42:37Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm That's what the family of Michael J. Gibson is saying after a San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officer shoved him into a window of a train station, breaking the glass and injuring both. According to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://rawstory.com/2009/11/bart-cop-breaks-glass-suspects-head/">The Raw Story</a>, Gibson has been charge with "felony battery of a police officer, obstructing and resisting an officer, disorderly conduct and public intoxication." Gibson's sister, however, says the officer was way out of line, and that her brother suffers from "bipolar disorder and schizophrenia."<p> The incident was caught by a passenger with a cell phone and the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/11/23/2009-11-23_san_francisco_bart_police_officer_.html">video</a> posted on YouTube, where it gained widespread attention. (Warning: there is a lot of foul language in the video.)<p> It is plain from the video that Gibson was out of line, and that the officer could not have determined the man was mentally ill. Regardless, it appears to me that there was absolutely no reason for the officer to slam Gibson into the glass. And would the officer have treated Gibson differently if he <i>had</i> known about the man's mental illness? What do you think?<br />~<i>Marcia</i><p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm">Excessive Force?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 00:40:04.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm&zItl=Excessive Force?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/24/excessive-force.htm 2009-11-24T00:40:04Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm The antipsychotic Geodon (generic ziprasidone) has been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder, when used along with <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/lithium/a/0103_lithium1.htm">lithium</a> or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/depakote/a/qf_depakote.htm">valproate</a> (Depakote, etc.). In a controlled clinical trial, more patients went six months without a mood episode when Geodon was combined with either lithium or valproate than those who got a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossaryp/g/gl_placebo.htm">placebo</a> instead of Geodon - 80.3% compared to 62.6%. In addition, more people taking the placebo dropped out of the study due to side effects than did those taking Geodon.<p> Geodon was previously approved in 2001 for <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_schizophreni.htm">schizophrenia</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_schizoaffect.htm">schizoaffective disorder</a>, and in 2004 for treatment of acute <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/mania/ht/bl-ht-mania.htm">manic</a> or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/frequentlyaskedquestions/a/mixed_episode.htm">mixed episodes</a> in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/bl_bp1.htm">bipolar I disorder</a>. The additional approval for maintenance treatment gives doctors another long-term use drug to help stabilize moods.<p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_meds/a/meds_geodon.htm">Geodon Drug Profile</a><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_meds/a/meds_geodon.htm">Geodon Side Effects</a><p> <small><b>Sources:</b><br /> Gever, John. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/BipolarDisorder/17144">Ziprasidoned Okayed for Bipolar Disorder</a>. <i>MedPage Today</i>. 11-23-09.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020825s034lbl.pdf">Geodon Approved Label</a>. <i>Drugs@FDA</i>. 11-19-09. 11-23-09.</small><p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm">Geodon Approved for Bipolar Disorder</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 16:25:14.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=Geodon Approved for Bipolar Disorder">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/23/geodon-approved-for-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-11-23T16:25:14Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm Does it seem like your prescriptions for bipolar disorder are getting more expensive every time you go to the pharmacy? You may be right. There is growing concern that drug manufacturers are raising prices to bolster their return on investment before health care legislation is enacted that might impact what they can charge.<p> Duff Wilson, in an article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/business/16drugprices.html">published Monday by the <i>New York Times</i></a>, reported that "the industry has raised the wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs by about 9 percent, according to industry analysts. That will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year. By at least one analysis, it is the highest annual rate of inflation for drug prices since 1992."<p> Apparently members of Congress have received enough evidence to call for an investigation. Wilson noted in another <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/health/policy/19drugs.html"><i>New York Times'</i> article yesterday </a>that Democrats in the House submitted a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting the investigation. The letter is quoted as saying "Any price gouging is unacceptable, but anticipatory price gouging is especially offensive." <p> No kidding! Even with health insurance, the prescription bills for our household equate to more than a week's worth of groceries. Greed knows no bounds. <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm">Are Your Prescription Prices Increasing?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 22:02:17.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm&zItl=Are Your Prescription Prices Increasing?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/19/are-your-prescription-prices-increasing.htm 2009-11-19T22:02:17Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm Relationships are hard. I often think of my marriage like a binary star system with each of us on our own ecliptic but orbiting each other in tandem. However, the reality is that the physics of gravity that keep stars in beautiful synchronicity don't work so well with people. Add a severe mental illness such as bipolar disorder to the equation of relationships and the potential for difficulties is exponential. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&#038;nav=messages&#038;webtag=ab-bipolar&#038;tid=62898">Lifevirtues</a>, a member of our forums, eloquently shares her fear of relationships, "Damn the social experience. It is a deceitful dynamic; we are perpetually befriending our enemies, and we inevitably hurt the ones we love. Whatever dialectic ideal exists is simply that - an ideal. Actuality does not allow for balance. <p> "How can I say it is wrong when it is all there is? This is humanity. I can avert my eyes, I can try to brush past those who attempt to ignite the social flame, but I can't deny nature. Connections kindle and grow, and someone is always burned in the process. <p> "I am scared to get close to people. Terrified, actually. I don't care if I get hurt by someone. I don't care if someone mentally or verbally abuses me, I don't care if someone betrays me. What frightens me is <i>my </i> potential to hurt others."<p> I hear you, Lifevirtues. But bipolar disorder isn't the common denominator for our potential to hurt others. Each of us can and usually will hurt the ones we love at one time or another. This is the human condition as you noted. However, two other important components of the human psyche are the ability to learn and to forgive. What do you guys think? <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm">Relationships … Connections. Seriously?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 21:30:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm&zItl=Relationships … Connections. Seriously?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/18/relationships-connections-seriously.htm 2009-11-18T21:30:02Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=9054636">ABC News</a> and other organizations are reporting on a study that found people with bipolar who smoke appear to have a higher risk of suicidal behavior than those who don't. Prior studies have had similar results, but this time researchers think they have come up with one possible reason.<p> The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19840000?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&#038;ordinalpos=1">study</a> by Dr. Michael Ostacher and others at Massachusetts General Hospital looked at 31 smokers and 85 non-smokers. The researchers a standard questionnaire that measured suicidal thoughts and behaviors along with one that measures impulsiveness, as well as noting actual suicide attempts.<p> They found that smokers had a higher rate of impulsiveness than non-smokers and that the smokers generally scored higher on the test for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. They also found that the smokers in the study had a significantly higher number of suicide attempts within 9 months - 16.1% compared to 3.5% for the non-smokers.<p> I'm a smoker, and I've never attempted suicide. I also haven't experienced suicidal thoughts to any great degree. What about you? Do you smoke? Do you have problems with thoughts of or preparations for suicide, or have you made an attempt?<br />~<i>Marcia</i><p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm">Smoking Adds Suicide Risk to BP</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 01:21:20.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm&zItl=Smoking Adds Suicide Risk to BP">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/17/smoking-adds-suicide-risk-to-bp.htm 2009-11-17T01:21:20Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/lexapro/a/lexapro.htm">Lexapro</a> is one of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossarys/g/gl_ssri.htm">SSRI</a> antidepressants and was created from <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/celexa/a/meds_celexa.htm">Celexa</a> (citalopram). The generic name of Lexapro is escitalopram, but Lexapro is not currently available in generic form.<p> There are several warnings about Lexapro, especially about mixing it with other drugs and over-the-counter supplements, and discontinuing Lexapro treatment too quickly can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects.<p> Our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/lexapro/a/lexapro.htm">Lexapro Drug Profile</a> will give you in-depth information about this antidepressant. <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/About-Bipolar-Disorder/247528340444?ref=ts">FACEBOOK</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm">Learn About Lexapro</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 17:19:30.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm&zItl=Learn About Lexapro">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/16/learn-about-lexapro.htm 2009-11-16T17:19:30Z http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose. There is currently no definitive <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/od/diagnosissymptoms/f/bipolar_test.htm">medical test for this disorder</a>. Furthermore, there are a number of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_diagnosis/a/diag_physcond.htm">physical conditions</a> and quite a few <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_diagnosis/a/diag_psychcond.htm">psychiatric disorders</a> which present symptoms that can be confused with those of bipolar disorder. And just to complicate things a bit more, a great many psychiatric disorders can occur in tandem.<p> Mark Zimmerman et al with Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University School of Medicine discuss this in an article, "Performance of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire in a Psychiatric Outpatient Setting," published in the November edition of <i>Bipolar Disorders</i>. "Bipolar disorder is a serious illness resulting in significant psychosocial morbidity and excess mortality. During the past few years a series of research reports, reviews, and commentaries have suggested that bipolar disorder is under recognized, and that many patients, particularly those with major depressive disorder (MDD), have, in fact, bipolar disorder. Even for those patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the lag between initial treatment seeking and the correct diagnosis is often more than 10 years."<p> To facilitate and improve the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, researchers and practitioners have developed a number of screening questionnaires and assessments. One of these is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) developed by a team of psychiatrists, researchers and consumer advocates led by Robert M.A. Hirschfeld with the University of Texas Medical Branch. The MDQ is one of the most commonly used of these assessment tools. You can view the full questionnaire on the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/MDQ.pdf">Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance</a> website.<p> Unfortunately there is growing evidence that the utility of the MDQ might not be as strong as is needed for accurately diagnosing bipolar disorder. In the most recent research report about the MDQ, Mark Zimmerman and his team found the results of this questionnaire to be more limited then initial research indicated. "A screening measure needs to have high <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://std.about.com/od/glossary/g/sensgloss.htm">sensitivity</a>, and each of these three studies found that the sensitivity of the MDQ was less than 70% when the scale was scored according to the developers recommendations."<p> So what does this mean for us? It means that we shouldn't accept a diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on a brief questionnaire. If your doctor or a therapist uses the MDQ or another similar screening tool, you should simply consider this a starting point towards an accurate diagnosis. Your physician should proceed with a full clinical evaluation for bipolar disorder. <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_diagnosis/a/0401_how_diag.htm"><i>How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?</i></a> discusses what this process involves. <i>~Kimberly</i> <p align=center>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <br /><em>Learn more or join the conversation!</em> <br />_{<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm">NEWSLETTER </a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://forums.about.com/ab-bipolar/start/?lgnF=y">FORUM</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bipolar.about.com/mbiopage.htm">BIO</a> &#124; <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/Keleila">TWITTER</a>} <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm">Does the Mood Disorder Questionnaire Accurately Screen for Bipolar Disorder?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/">About.com Bipolar Disorder</a> on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 08:00:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm&zItl=Does the Mood Disorder Questionnaire Accurately Screen for Bipolar Disorder?">Email this</a></p> http://bipolar.about.com/b/2009/11/13/does-the-mood-disorder-questionnaire-accurately-screen-for-bipolar-disorder.htm 2009-11-13T08:00:02Z