Archive for July, 2006
How Drug Companies Communicate Information with You
I’ve been hearing some talk in the drug industry about how they desire to better communicate with patients and consumers. I’ve also become aware of some companies exploring blogs as a way to reach consumers and market to them.
I’m quite wary of these types of approaches - but I have a personal interest in this [...]
UK Mental Health Worker Opens Up About Bipolar Disorder
BBC News Online published a story about Robert Westhead, a 33-year old National Institute of Mental Health (NIHME) worker who suffered from bipolar disorder.
Robert began experiencing symptoms at age 19 and became seriously ill with severe mood swings. His moodswings happened in cycles of 8 days where he would be manic for 8 days and [...]
Treating Depression in Pregnant Women
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a Public Health Advisory on treating depression in pregnant women, because doctors and moms-to-be have to weigh the risks and benefits of antidepressants during pregnancy.
A risk of stopping antidepressants for a patient suffering from depression and taking depression medication is that the patient may experience a relapse. [...]
Mixing Some Antidepressants and Migraine Drugs May Cause Lethal Serotonin Syndrome
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a warning that mixing certain sSRI/SNRI-type of antidepressant medications and triptan-based migraine drugs may cause a potentially lethal condition called Serotonin Syndrome.
According to the FDA website, when the body has too much serotonin, symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome will occur. These symptoms may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, [...]
“Low-Grade” Depression - This Too, Shall Pass
I’m feeling the funk lately, like a storm cloud hovering just above my head. We’ve had some thunderstorms in California. Maybe my mood is mirroring the unpredictable weather - though I don’t think my mood’s linked with the weather.
I’ve had depression relapses, and I know how severe those can be. I’ve had one a few [...]
61-Year Old Man Finds Support and Encouragement After Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
Mr. Tom Doucette had suffered from bipolar disorder most of his life but didn’t know it. When his hallucinations about his dead mother became severe, Tom went to see his doctor and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 56.
Tom considered the day that he received his diagnosis the day he “was born.” [...]
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Gene Not Linked to Serotonin
Many antidepressants work by changing serotonin levels in the brain, which is why these classes of antidepressants are called Selective Serotonin Receptor Inhibitors (SSRIs). In May 2006, a study was published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics that suggests that a gene for major depressive disorders (including bipolar disorder) was found, and is not [...]
Misdiagnosis and Back: My Journey Through Depression
Prologue
I was misdiagnosed as having type 2 bipolar disorder sometime in February or March of 1998. These entries are excerpts from my journal, and documents the process of misdiagnosis, treatment, and correct diagnosis of depression.
Over time, as I look back at my experience and gain better understanding of the drugs and treatment side effects, I [...]
All information in Jane's Mental Health Source Page website is for your information and education. The information does not replace or substitute for professional medical treatment or for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.
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