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Sunday, May 31, 2009

For Herrad - Go Herrad, go!



This is for Herrad at Access Denied.
For those who don't know her and her blog she has been fighting multiple sclerosis and lives in Amsterdam.
She always publish amazing photos of her city where I spend two days and loved and soon will be going up and down the town with her husband.
Look at Anne Frank's poster at the ceiling of one house. I don't know if it is the representation of the place Anne has hided away with her family because I entered and there was nothing.
Anyway...







Go Herrad, go!






Second Life: pedophilia, prostitution, drugs, slavery, rape, robbery...

There was not a single soul at this exhibition
... that is it. Everybody knows and there's nothing new I'm reporting here but as I spend some time trying to find nice things at Second Life the bad could not be avoided because it's everywhere. Even when you are alone as I was while visiting Liverpool (I've put some pictures at this post) someone appears and try to have a conversation.
There are some few good places and when you go you find nobody not even a member. I will not describe because I believe you all know. I would never leave my child alone in Second Life.
What saddens me is that, dear Lord!, how many interesting things could be created and kept!
There are good things but the harassment is almost constant and it's really amazing and annoying. I went to one of this clubs and they are really professional. No Mark Krusen! I was doing a research.
I don't understand why universities and other institutions leave their bad designed buildings at Second Life since there is no activity. It only makes those who are in search for healthy and good content believing that they will find it. There is not. The nice places must be visited alone or with a friend you have in Real Life (RL as they say in SL - Second Life).
You can enjoy some dancing places by listening to the music and dancing at the comfort of your home. Just don't look at the monitor if you are a woman because you will be sick to death of seeing half-naked girls avatars.
But don't expect finding good conversation or people to share your ideas. When you search for places to go the first answers are X rated content opposed to Real Life.
Here are some links of many people who have written about the crimes in Second Life:

Prostitution and a journalist pretended to be a client;
Pedophilia; Rape; Police investigating robbery and other crimes;

I ask myself about the emotional effects of a virtual rape and all of this:

"There is no question that forced online sexual activity -- whether through text, animation, malicious scripts or other means -- is real; and is a traumatic experience that can have a profound and unpleasant aftermath, shaking your faith in yourself, in the community, in the platform, even in sex itself."

"It's always been true that what happens offline and what happens online interconnect,"

Thursday, May 28, 2009

People who suffers Alzheimer preserves musical memory

I've just remembered that musical memory is preserved in Alzheimer disease. I've copied this article from here:

Department of Psychology and the Hannah Chair in the History of Medicine, Queen's University at Kingston, 78 Barrie Street, Kingston, Ont., Canada K7L 3N6.

"Despite intriguing and suggestive clinical observations, no formal research has assessed the possible sparing of musical recognition and memory in Alzheimer's dementia (AD). A case study is presented of an 84-year old woman with severe cognitive impairment implicating AD, but for whom music recognition and memory, according to her caregivers, appeared to be spared. The hypotheses addressed were, first, that memory for familiar music may be spared in dementia, and second, that musical recognition and memory may be reliably assessed with existing tests if behavioral observation is employed to overcome the problem of verbal or written communication. Our hypotheses were stimulated by the patient EN, for whom diagnosis of AD became probable in 2000. With severe problems in memory, language, and cognition, she now has a mini-mental status score of 8 (out of 30) and is unable to understand or recall standard instructions. In order to assess her music recognition abilities, three tests from the previous literature were adapted for behavioral observation. Two tests involved the discrimination of familiar melodies from unfamiliar melodies. The third involved the detection of distortions ("wrong" notes) in familiar melodies and discrimination of distorted melodies from melodies correctly reproduced. Test melodies were presented to EN on a CD player and her responses were observed by two test administrators. EN responded to familiar melodies by singing along, usually with the words, and often continuing to sing after the stimulus had stopped. She never responded to the unfamiliar melodies. She responded to distorted melodies with facial expressions - surprise, laughter, a frown, or an exclamation, "Oh, dear!"; she never responded in this way to the undistorted melodies. Allowing these responses as indicators of detection, the results for EN were in the normal or near normal range of scores for elderly controls. As well, lyrics to familiar melodies, spoken in a conversational voice without rhythmic or pitch clues, often prompted EN to sing the tune that correctly accompanied the lyrics. EN's results provide encouraging support for our hypotheses that sparing of musical memory may be a feature of some forms of dementia and that it may be reliably and quantitatively assessed through behavioral observation. The contrast between EN's response to music and her mini-mental status is dramatic. The article concludes with several considerations why music may be preserved in dementia and suggestions to guide future research."

I remember reading it a long time ago and it's amazing that almost nothing was done to use this amazing tool. The vast majority of studies are from the eighties.
We will have to wait the pill culture changes to see other ways of treatment being implemented.
I believe I'll buy a guitar because I have already read many amazing things that music can achieve. Future research? Let's wait.

Trying to explain the harms of psych-drugs is so stressful that sometimes it's overwhelming

I went to Furious Seasons to catch up with the news. We are dealing with a very stressful subject but just taking some time away the right dimension of our feelings really shows.
I was not feeling like crying any longer and my anger had calmed down.
But when I started visiting blog's friend reading how they are feeling and participating in some discussions at Furious Seasons I started to feel like crying and angry.
I do posts on other stuffs trying to cheer up but it's useless.
We are dealing with suicides, homicides, lost of cognitive abilities... so many harms that is byond comprehension how what we had to learn to help us is not at the first page of all newspapers around the world.
We are dealing with crimes. Can anybody listen? Psych-drugs are drugs that make people kill others without knowing why. This is one of the side effects.
I have a lot to say but I'm tired. I just wanted to share this feeling with you.
I'll try to update it or write another post about it.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Line Country Dancing is great!


I believe that many of you never have danced it.
I only saw it at movies and always thought it was great.
Today I had a glimpse of what it is.
Mark Krusen I know you will ask me where I'm: white shirt and black pants and ponytail (Wow! Very appropriated.).
I'm publishing it because my Americans blog friends might forget some how rich their culture is.
Sometimes a person from another country makes me see something I don't know about my country.
I only realized how great our natural light is when a French woman showed me.
I wish I could do it in real life.
Click to bigfy.


Julian Lennon talks about the difficult relation with his father


I came across with this video and felt like sharing with you. I don't mean to judge or do any harm to Lennon's reputation and it would make no sense since I like his work as a musician and as a peacemaking. I just think that what Julian says is touching.

"I was also scared at the same time because there had been some situation where he was quite verbally aggressive."

"Did he heat you?"

"Verbally aggressive and it has affected me in life."
"I used to smile a lot and smile a lot... for many years I wouldn't laugh, I wouldn't smile just because subconsciously was in there that if I tried to enjoy life I would be told off."

"Why do you think he did that to you?"

"I don't know... I think it annoyed him to a certain degree...(if you enjoyed life) yeahh.
I really don't know but it was very strange.
I feel that... I wouldn't say that it was his fault, but I feel that one of the difficulties that daddy had with me being around was... I mean... You are never ready for children. I think he definitively wasn't ready for children."

"Pretty young?"

"Yeahh. Early twenties... you know. So with the fame with everything else that was going on...
I clearly understand that. So, in respect of that... there has been opportunities where I could have children.
But in my own heart and soul I feel that there will be a right time. I have to much work to do at present for the next couple of years I will try to achieve the goals that I have set to my own mind.
Then I can seriously consider a family and take care of that family and look after that family as best as I can."

I hope you do Julian!

Lariam the anti-malaria drug whose side effects are homicide, suicide, psychosis also among US soldiers


I just found this article at "The Guardian" about Lariam a anti-malaria drug. According to Wikipedia it can causes sever and permanent adverse side-effects: severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, nightmares, insomnia, seizures, birth defects, peripheral motor-sensory, suicidal ideation...

The article at The Guardian by Mark Honigsbaum tells the story of:
"On Friday August 23 - a week after the discovery of the bodies of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Suffolk - police on the other side of the country received a call that a 22-year-old student had gone missing from her home in Sketty, a suburb of Swansea. Unfortunately, by the time South Wales police located Vanessa Brunt, lying unconscious in undergrowth a few yards from her home, it was too late. Depressed by a two-year battle with mental illness that had forced her to abandon her law studies at Cambridge, she had apparently taken an overdose of pills and died in hospital a few hours later.

If that was all there was to Brunt's short life and tragic death it would not warrant further comment, being simply a footnote to a summer of parental anguish. But drugs campaigners and doctors argue that, unlike Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, Brunt's death might have been avoided. Indeed, they claim that if Hoffmann-LaRoche had taken their concerns about the severe psychiatric side effects associated with its anti-malaria medication, Lariam, more seriously seven years ago, Brunt mightnow be enjoying a brilliant career at Cambridge. According to Vanessa's parents, it was their daughter's experience with Lariam during her gap year abroad in south-east Asia in 1999 that started her on a downward spiral."

It's a very good article that approaches many aspects of Lariam scandal:

"Now there is growing suspicion that psychiatric reactions to the drug may lie behind a series of killings at a US army base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In a three-week period this summer, four soldiers recently returned from tours of duty in Afghanistan allegedly murdered their wives then, in two cases, turned their guns on themselves. Although US army epidemiologists say they are perplexed by the killings, drug campaigners point out that three of the soldiers had been taking Lariam and had reportedly experienced dramatic mood changes that coincided with the administration of the weekly anti-malaria pill. In the case of Master Sergeant William Wright, a special operations officer who had been taking Lariam on and off for 10 years, family and friends noticed that after his return from Afghanistan he became prone to sudden rages and silences. Wright, who was jailed in July on suspicion of murdering his wife, is now said to be in a psychotic state."

It's worthy reading the whole article.
I will never understand why US treat their soldiers this way. I'm sorry I have to say this:
There are two days to remember those who have died.
What about those who are at battlefield? What about those who return alive to US and are mistreated over again?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

I'm not a burden, I'm a child

I've copied this collage Marj at Survivors can Thrive! did and also copied the title of the post because it touches me too. I found it very beautiful and Marj is a great advocate trying to raise awareness on child abuse and it's prevention.
It's beyond my comprehension any kind of harm an adult can inflict a child. But there are many ways to do it and the scars are for life. I was emotionally abused, but I'm fine. Twenty years of therapy was of great help.
However there's something that no therapy can take away, a kind of void that sometimes I feel and I use to put my hands in the center of my chest because it seems that is the place the void is. I'm not talking about the
normal void all people feel from time to time. It's something I know has it's roots in childhood.
When I did Yoga, in my twenties, my teacher said that there's a gland that works a lot during childhood and adolescence and it stops working. It's placed exactly where I put my hands. It's just a coincidence but sometimes I remember it. I'm also sure that after all these years something new must have been found about this part of the body.


"But, the more I looked at these linked news articles, blog posts, YouTube videos and tweets, the more upset I got. A few of them really brought the tears on for me. I decided I needed a little art therapy, so I went over to Polyvore and created a collage.


I think what got it all started--the feeling of the intense feelings, I mean--was a news article at CBS about the recent rise in reports of child abuse. I searched the topic "child abuse" at YouTube to see if the news video was posted there. You know me, the cyber klutz: It's the only way I know how to post videos here at my blog."

Read the whole post Marj did.

Philip Dawdy knows a psychiatrist that urges their colleagues to be ethical

Philip Dawdy, yes always Philip, wrote a great post about the DSM-V wanting to bring back the concept of psychotic disorder and another one with the opinion of one psychiatrist he knows:
"The upper echelon of psychiatry has become so corrupt, complacent, and out of touch with the daily dealings in clinical care, that anyone who makes political decisions in this field that shows no consideration to the impact of diagnosis and care of psychiatric disorders as previously defined as appropriate and responsible, should be removed from whatever office or level of impact on care matters for the sake of patients and responsibly invested clinicians.

"And, where warranted, criminal investigations should be considered and implemented to show there are ramifications for irresponsible, unethical, unwarranted behaviors and interventions in clinical care that cause harm and malfesance. In other words, it is time for people who give a damn about the profession of psychiatry to stand up to the alleged leaders of this field and tell them to go to hell--just retire or find an alternative line of work. Leave the profession to those who take health care seriously and respect the Hippocratic Oath and practice based on principles and documented treatment interventions, not about money or standing in the profession."
I have nothing more to say.


Monday, May 25, 2009

I'm trying to find a way to do a mental health center at Second Life

Just to inform you this.
I'm still learning and I don't know how to have a place. It will take a little time but I'm trying to understand.
If possible I'll do it even if it's for the future.

Scary proposal - win $10,000 cash to write for a site - Help

Has anybody received this e-mail?

Tara Marinello

22 Maio


Mensagem de acompanhamento
Hi ,

I came across your blog at Blogger.com. It is very interesting. If you are interested, I would like to extend an invitation to join Allvoices. It is a citizen journalist site. We discuss, debate and write about everything under the sun here.The site has a lot of people who are passionate about writing and use this as a tool to make a difference.

Allvoices also has an incentive programme for writers who can earn up to $10,000 cash. You can visit http://pea.to/p2 for more details and register.

Thanks,
Tara
Every time I receive this kind of offer I think I'm not doing a good job. I did a quick visit to Allvoices. Still don't know what to think but and instead of feeling grateful for the compliment I think that if I was really doing a good job there would be no way anybody would do me a proposal like that.
I believe that the posts that I write that don't approach directly mental health issues are responsible for that. Everything at this blog is related to mental health. Even dancing at the beach to relax. These are the posts I write to tell my blog friends that I'm here and also to easy our minds a little.
I believe this e-mail is just a way to make people join the site.
Please, I don't think it's the best way. Implying that those who hoin might receive $ 10,000 cash?
I would like to see they sending this e-mail to Philip Dawdy. LOL
I hope they do a good work.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I've just arrived from Liverpool now and then - Beatles tribute






















Left: Beatles Right: News and an ad
I have taken eight photos. I would like to share them all with you. They are a little dark. I believe it's necessary to bigfy them.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Mental Health Awareness Month - Calendar Project 2 and my little break

I have already posted on this great project to raise awareness.
During this whole month Chato reveals a new cartoon everyday.
This is the cartoon for today and you can click at it to see those who have already been published and the cartoon of the day.
The avid readers, specially mummy lol, must be missing my great posts.
I'm really trying to be a little more happy.
At the beginning of this month I said I was feeling sad.
Now I'm trying to catch up and be a little happy.
I'm not visiting my blog friends but I want you to know that I'm always thinking of you.
Of course Nell tells me everything too and Koda of course tells everything to Stephany, Spike to Herrad, Mark's dog and Holly, meowwww to Susan.
Nell is happy because she is going out on a regular basis. I really needed a little break. Next month it will be blog birthday. One year! I never thought I would do it.
Of course it was possible because of of you, blog friends. Thank you all!
I'm at Second Life almost everyday. I have learned how to do some stuffs. If any of you want to join me I can help you. It's very interesting and has many places to go.
I believe that in a near future we will have to have something there about Mental Health it's growing and have sites of universities and some institutions. Peta is there.
You can download Second Life and ask me for help. It's a bit tiredsome learning at the beggining. But it's funny too.
In a way it has helped me lifting up my spirit. Funny but it's been a long time I didn't dance, something I love and helps me a lot.
As I have visited some Lounges (never thought I would say this word, :)) and listened to musics I like and did my avatar dance I started dancing too.
You don't need to dance. There is plenty to do there. I'm really amazed by numerous things you can find.No need to pay.
Hope you are all fine.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Sorry - I've been dancing...


Wow! I'm at Second Life! Sorry. I'm remembering my twenties. Today vampires have tried me to join them. It's amazing how they can not explain in so many words what do they do. Click at the images to find the URL of this place.
I believe that we are experts on evasive answers after talking to psychiatrists.
I'll be back soon...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Social and medical model of disability - "caregivers" are excluded for mental illness problems

I took this excerpt from the review, of the book great "Rethinking the Sociology of Mental Illness" organized by Joan Busfield. It's about the the difference of the concept "disability" in medical and in sociological fields.

"Julie Mulvany’s paper “Disability, impairment or illness” compares the work of sociologists on mental illness with the work of sociologists on disability. In disability studies, the medical model of disability, in which the person with a disability is seen as having a deficit and therefore being less able to participate in the world, is contrasted with the social model of disability, in which a person with functional impairments of mind or body is seen as disabled by the ways society has excluded people with such differences from the practices of ordinary life. Mulvany argues that sociologists of mental illness have a great deal to learn from the social theory of disability, and her argument is a rich one. She faults disability studies for paying little attention to psychiatric illness, and does a great job at building bridges between the two areas of study. She writes without resorting to jargon and gives a strong argument for her main claim." (emphasis mine)

If the person is excluded from social life there's no room left for any other treatment other than medical.
However it's well known that many people who are depressed or suffering any kind of mental problem are alone at their homes or at mental institutions with no help from their families. People at mental institutions just receive the chemical or electrical treatments and governments think that their job is done and giving them occupational therapy or the visit of social workers and any kind of other coping strategy is waste of time and money. The concept of "caregiver", which helps many people who suffer from many diseases, means nothing when mental illness is the problem. The stigma, yes, stigma this word that explains and put an end to the discussion, that any person who has ever visited a psychiatrist is amazing. When a person has a mild depression s/he no longer is seen as capable even in what they are and has to fight not only the disease but reclaim their dignity on a daily basis. Hard work. It would be great if "caregiver" could reach those who are suffering not only a emotional and their disabilities.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Andy Behrman trial - launching Ana's T-Shirt


Again? The Electroboy again?
Yes!
It's being very hard for me to deal with this "judgment" and I wrote two posts about the "defendant" with an insinuation that he was selling too much at his site. I wrote him an e-mail but he didn't reply. I guess he took me for one of these people who are claiming he is a "sold out".
We have the same expression in Portuguese and I have not enough prove to say that Andy is a anything of this kind. I only use this expression for those who really deserve it unfortunately it's becoming more and more ease to use it.
Philip Dawdy wrote this post, "Ex-Abilify Spokespatient Unfairly Criticized", and raised many issues.
I have visited John MaCMan's site. I'm sorry but I couldn't read all the two posts he did about Andy Behrman. The accusations are far beyond Andy's work and are done in that way that I have no stomach to read. I took a glimpse at the few comments and found nothing of note.
I've just copied the comment Andy Behrman wrote:
Andy Behrman said...

I'd like to set the record straight. I'd like to explain what was not mentioned in the article in the Wall Street Journal. I'd like to explain that WHILE i was still employed by
Bristol Myers Squibb, I spoke at a DBSA convention in Sacramento and to an audience of hundreds of people and disclosed the fact that I suffered from side effects - - akathasia and cognitive impairment - - from Abilify (and this was at an event at which BMS was a sponsor). But until then, even after I complained about my side effects to my doctor, Dr. Mark Frye, a BMS consultant, I was begged not to discuss my side effects and that "we'll prop you up on other meds until things 'even out.'" They tried. It didn't work. I ultimately told a BMS employee at the time (now at Otsuka) that I suffered from side effects and was no longer taking the drug. I was told that it wasn't "necessary to bring this up." So finally, I spoke up about my situation - - in public - - and then wrote about it - - on about.com/bipolar - - and BMS made sure that those statements were removed. I was convinced by my own doctor and several BMS employees that it was "normal to have side effects and that there was no reaason to go off Abilify." I disagreed. I finally came off Abilify and went public with the story. I was constantly reminded by more than 15 people managing me, that "it was all fine." I told the truth. I wasn't re-hired. Curiously, even after BMS/Otsuka knew that I had side effects and was NOT on the drug, I was asked to speak - - six months later - - as a successful patient for a 50th Anniversary Celebration for Otsuka in L.A. I was offered $50,000. I turned down the invitation. I was also told that it was "okay" to speak for Otsuka, because it was a separate company from BMS. I have always told the truth about my experience with Abilify. But more importantly, BMS made every effort to cover up the truth. And now, because I'm blowing the whistle on them, they don't even have a real comment, except for, "we didn't know." They knew EVERYTHING. It's curious that my doctor and their medical director, Dr. Mark Frye, is no longer employed by them. I think people will be curious to see his medical records which he kept of my treatment and perhaps to learn more about media training that BMS gave to me. Or to see the speeches that they wrote for me. There's a lot that was not reported in a 3,000 word front page story. But I think the real story here is that companies like BMS not only hide side effects (like akathasia), but do whatever they can do when they see that they spokesman, the guy who launched their big drug, is failingt on it. - - Andy Behrman, LA, CA

According to Philip Dawdy:

"But then consider my case: it's taken me two decades to get to where I am now in my understanding and criticism of the mental health industry. Does anyone want to kick me around because I wasn't saying the same things in print in 2004? Or 1999?

We all get to our own truths in life at our own speed--Behrman, me and you.

And I'll tell you something else: if the Nemeroffs, Kellers and Biedermans of the world renounced their pharma monies, conflicted research and so on and mended their ways, I'd forgive them. Chances of that happening are pretty much zilch, but if they did, I would."

Now it's my turn:
I decided to laundh my T-Shirt in a separate post.

English - the language of science (repost)

I decided to repost this not only because English gives legitimacy to many theories but also because if a doctor has any connection with no matter what US or European university or institution s/he is seen as more competent.
On this testimony it is strange that even when the drug was still on trial the Dr. Olavo was sure that "it was the best" for a patient.
Good trial because she said she keeps taking the drug.

"From time to time a Brazilian patient's book appear on the library shelves telling their lives and recovery from depression and bipolarity.

I've translated this excerpt from the book of the journalist Maria Rezende "The Journal of a bipolar" to show the importance of any information from US:

"Olavo, who is my psychiatrist, prescribed me Lamitor because he knew that it would be the best for me. Although it was for sale it was still being on trial by psychiatrist but he had access to informations because he worked in California University. This is the med I take till today."

As people are not fully informed about what is going on in US whenever someone points out an American research, FDA drug approval or informations of any kind it's taken as the most reliable scientific truth.
English is the language of science and legitimates any kind of theory or hypothesis. Physicians who are from any American university or linked to any institution are much more competent than those who aren't."

Monday, May 18, 2009

SSRI and SSNI's induce suicide - this is a fact Medline Search

It's amazing that despite all the data institutions don't prevent suicides caused by antidepressants. With all the data available I don't know what to think about those who are still denying drug-induce suicidal ideation (and violent behavior). Wishful thinking?

SSRIs and Suicide

Results of a MEDLINE Search by Ivan Goldberg, M.D.
"Some behavioral side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants have been known for a long time. Since the introduction of these
drugs in the 1990s, publications have regularly reported behavioral side effects in children and adolescents, including excitation, motor restlessness, social disinhibition, and above all self-injurious ideation and behavior. Clinical trials provide only limited data. Although these data suggest that some self-injurious and suicidal behavior may indeed occur in children and adolescents receiving SSRIs, they are too disparate to specify the frequency of these acts. Clinical trials provide useful data about drug efficacy, but their methodology is inappropriate for determining the frequency of such side effects. SSRI and suicidality: the data are difficult to read. Although some epidemiologic data suggest that SSRIs may increase the risk of occurrence of self-injurious and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents, other epidemiologic data show that the rate of suicide mortality in children and adolescents has decreased since the introduction of SSRIs. No known mechanism explains how SSRIs might increase the risk of these behavioral side effects. It is clear, however, that these effects are not particular to children and adolescents but may also be observed among adults. SSRIs must be used rationally and carefully in children and adolescents. They should not be administered routinely in youth with obsessive-compulsive or depressive disorders. Their use should be reserved for severe disorders or when psychotherapy alone has been shown to be inadequate, and when they are used, efficacy and side effects must be monitored carefully and frequently." (emphasis mine)
continue reading...

Patrick Leer, CaregivinglyYours.Org - great work

Patrick Leer's wife has multiple sclerosis since 1989 and in 2004 he entered for this project.
He created this blog to talk about his wife's problems and how he is helping her. There is an association of caregivers
"The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age."
What Patrick did was unite people in blogs, exchange informations and make the concept "caregiver" that is already known and has some institutions spread. There is already the autism caregiving linked to CaregivinglyYours. This is an inspiration to talk about health problems. It's amazing how little is done and said about those who are not healthy.
I want to thank and congratulate Patrick for this amazing work.

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive - Part 1


I was lucky to find it at YouTube. Lets see how long will it stay available.
This is the first program. There are twelve.
I have already homage him at this post.
I believe many people have seen it. It's amazing how he shows all treatments totally unbiased. Great work!

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive


Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

"This two-part documentary investigates the reality of living with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression.


Comedian, actor, author and film-maker Stephen Fry meets celebrities and members of the public who talk frankly about the impact the condition has on their lives.

During the two programmes, Stephen Fry talks in detail about his own experience of having bipolar disorder. He recounts his suicide attempt after walking out of the West End play Cellmates in 1995, and the continuing severe mood swings he has to endure.

Stephen Fry with Richard Dreyfus

Stephen interviews other celebrities with bipolar, including Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, Hollywood star Richard Dreyfus and British comedians Tony Slattery and Jo Brand.

He also meets ordinary people and their families coping with the condition and talks to them about some of the possible triggers. They all speak candidly about how bipolar disorder has affected their day-to-day lives.

At a recent seminar on bipolar disorder at St Andrew's University, Stephen was asked by an audience of psychiatric students and practitioners about his reasons for making the programme.

Q: Why did you make the programme?

Stephen: I'm in a rare and privileged position of being able to help address the whole business of stigma, and why it is that the rest of society finds it so easy to wrinkle their noses, cross over, or block their ears when confronted with an illness of the mind and of the mood - especially when we reach out with such sympathy towards diseases of the liver or other organs that don't affect who we are and how we feel in quite such devastating complexity.

Q: What's your own experience of having bipolar disorder?

Stephen: I approach it from the point of view of one who suffers, according to a psychiatrist at least, from cyclothymia which is sometimes called 'bipolar light'.

I take that to mean I have most of the benefits of hypomania, a slightly less psychotic form of energy, vitality and exuberance and some, one hopes, creativity.There are certainly spending sprees but happily very little promiscuity. That's just my good fortune in this regard.

Q: Do you take medication?

Stephen: I'm fortunate enough not to be medicated or, so far as I can tell, need medication. But the idea that once you start on medication and each time you go off it you seem to get worse is a very grim one. It really is a very serious condition.

Q: What's covered in the programmes?

Stephen: We've tried to approach the condition from all kinds of angles. We've looked at the issue of self-medication. How so many people try and do the one thing they can in our culture that allows them to control their moods, however detrimentally in the end, with street drugs and alcohol.

We've looked at the whole aspect of sectioning and visited hospitals in some of the most deprived areas in Europe, such as Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

One of the most important things we've discovered is just how common a condition it is, and how it seems to affect everyone throughout our society, both here and in the US.

"It's rather splendid to think of all those great men and women who appear to have presented symptoms that allow us to describe them as bipolar, whether it's Hemingway, Van Gogh, Robert Schumann has been mentioned ... Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath ... some of them with rather grim ends."

Research into bipolar

During the documentary Stephen Fry participates in a bipolar mood disorder study. He talks to Professor Craddock and his research team at the universities of Cardiff and Birmingham. It's the largest study of individuals with bipolar disorder in the world. You can find out more about the research and how to take part on the Cardiff University website.

You may also be interested in the National Bipolar Twin Study being carried out at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London. This research is looking at the genetic and environmental factors that influence bipolar disorder. It's currently looking for more twin volunteers to take part."

This is from BBC. As always I like to show good things and people who are of great value beyond any doubt.

I'm tired of being lied











Graffiti stickers by Heath Bunting
Irational.org
Guess I'll spend this week at my other blog.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Andy Behrman talking about Abilify - go to his site to buy the book, a Bipolar T-Shirt or pay $ 225 for his services



This is one of the videos that shows Andy, author of "The Electroboy", saying wonders about Abilify.
You can go at his site and buy the book, a Bipolar T-Shirt and even ask his services as a consultant to people with mental health - he charges a hourly fee of $ 225 according to what is written at his site - and is available by phone, e-mail or in person. Just go to his site and schedule an appointment.
I'm having difficulty finding Stephen Fry's documentary.

Update 9/28/2013
I changed the video because Andy's was auto-starting and I could not fix the problem.
Five people talks about their experience with bipolarity.


Peta is at Second Life - didn't find any Humans Rights advocate center


I'm visiting Second Life. It's hard to understand it all and I travel blindly.
I'm amazed that walking and being teletransported randomly I've found this Peta place.
I just took this picture but there are to much information and that was the first place I've found with lots of people working.
This is great but I always have the feeling that humans right is neglected. Of course it does not put a smile on my face but I guess we all are already used to this situation. Mental Rights advocacy seems to be a dream of some people.
Why Second Life? Because it seems that all those young people there will do a lot in the future at Second Life. I don't have patience and find a little bit strange "buy" a house, shoes, food to eat at the virtual world. But institutions are already there...
I guess it will be the place to do business and some good stuffs. There are already people making money just selling clothes to these avatar. You can see that I didn't buy anything and didn't pay for the hairstylist either.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Andy Behrman comments at Furious Seasons

Philip Dawdy has made many posts about Andy Behrman, the electroboy. In May, 14, 2009 he did this article and Andy has left a comment today:

"There's too much to address here.

But for starters, I experienced side effects from Abilify after one month. I told my doctor, Dr. Mark Frye, who happened to be a medical consultant for Abilify for BMS. There are no records of my complaints of side effects in his notes. More concerning, he doesn't even mention in his notes that he has prescribed Abilify. He knew from the beginning that I was having side effects. So did BMS. I even spoke openly about it - - while under contract with BMS - - at a DBSA event in Sacramento. I told the truth from the beginning. What no one has read - - and you will soon - - is what BMS did to cover up my side effects (when I had become so ill) - - and how they kept me quiet. Does it surprise you that a pharmaceutical company like BMS with so much to lose from their spokesman having a bad experience on the drug that they were launching may have gone to these efforts,"

Posted by: Andy Behrman at May 16, 2009 06:47 AM

Let's see what the discussion bring us.

Andy Berhman's video speaking about Abilify side effects


This is Andy Berhman's, the Electroboy, one minute video. I first saw it at Susan's blog and decided to publish it so that people can see that there are people who says good things about a drug because they were payed.

"Ask your doctor if Abilify is wrong for you."
Thank you for the advise Andy!
Of course doctors will taper the drug.

Withdrawal hell - Gianna's experience at a not traditional detox place

I remember that during the time I was tapering off 6 drugs and later during nineteen months I spent tapering Effexor I thought that I should be either in hospital or in a place surrounded by people that understood the process I was through. When I reached the end of Effexor withdrawal I had so many withdrawal symptoms that I had to have people in my house during one month.
Living was impossible and I had to go back to Effexor. I felt extremely sad and a failure.
My mistake, now I can see, was taking away the last dose of Effexor instead of keep on it for a longer period of time since it was the most difficult dose to withdraw.
Gianna, who has withdrew 6 drugs during the last five years, was feeling so bad that she went to a detox place.
Read the post she has written about the first day she was there:
"Okay. I’ve arrived. I actually came in yesterday as the trip here–two days in the car, was rough. I feel a bit like I’m in the twilight zone. In some good ways, and some not so good."

"They got me started on a blend of IV nutrients and amino acids. Was hoping for so me quick relief, was told I might get quick relief. No such luck. I felt much worse throughout the IV. I got really scared as a result of that. Will it work? Can it work? Will I come out worse than I came in?

"It’s not that I don’t know it works for some people, I do know that. But I have always been trickier and stranger than “most people” and here I was feeling worse and worse as their concoction went into my vein.

All the horrible stories about detox experiences started flooding my mind. I’ve heard hundreds of them. They are ALL about traditional detox centers. Not places like this. I am afraid though that for me it won’t be different that I might end up worse off."

I did want to say that the level of respect I’m being treated with is astonishing. No psych ward I’ve been in or detox center I’ve visited (as a professional social worker I spent time in detox and rehab centers from time to time) treat people so well. So in that respect, at least, I am being treated humanely and kindly.

Medically, on the other hand, I simply don’t know yet if they know what the fuck they are doing. But really I knew that coming in.

I’m so wasted right now I have to stop. Hope I can say more later, but frankly, have no idea what direction this is going to move in. My tendency is to go silent on my personal shit when things are dark and ugly.

Peace out."
This is from one comment she did:
"The horror stories about detox that I’ve heard of are ALL from traditional detox centers that use hard core drugs to get you off of hard core drugs…doesn’t make much sense… and what I’m doing hasn’t been being done for all that many years and there aren’t that many facilities in the country that do it, so I’m learning by experience."
This is not a good place to be but I truly hope that Gianna can forget psychiatric yards and traditional detox experiences. What she is doing can be of great help for many people in the future.
Be at peace Gianna!

Friday, May 15, 2009

The "drug-cocktail" concept - prescribing multiple drugs and it's consequences

We are already familiar with the term "cocktail of drugs" also described as "polipharmacy:
According to the site Pendulum ( a Non-profit source for bipolar disorder with numerous ads of Seroquel and AstraZeneca at their pages*):
"With "polypharmacy", patients who do not respond to one medication alone take several treatments that target different brain chemicals or the same parts of the brain with drugs that act slightly differently."

"According to S. Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatrist who wrote a book on polypharmacy, a large amount of evidence exists that supports the effectiveness of the treatment in patients with bipolar disorder. A government-funded study that involves patients with depression scheduled for release in 2005 also could provide evidence of the effectiveness of polypharmacy" (emphasis mine)
It looks perfect but anecdotal - by anecdotal understand you, me and all patients experiences with the drugs - testimonies keeps on telling that this approach is harmful. I have already been in many of these cocktails and than came a time when I felt terrible and didn't know which drug was causing an specific side effect.
If one drug has already so many terrible side effects imagine two, three, four...
Many people have been or witnessed a family member taking one of this cocktails.
This is Stephany's experience with her daughter:

"One hospital had her on 40!mg of Zyprexa, and Haldol at the same time, one place had her on Haldol and Seroquel at the same time...one hospital trialed 11 drugs in 13 weeks. She's lucky to be alive is how I feel."
It's quite scientific putting a patient on a trial and error process. I took Zyprexa and slept-walked the first night. I called the psychiatrist and he told me to keep on taking that it would go away. Stupid me followed his instructions and spend another night sleepwalking something that never happened in my life. He changed for Seroquel.

* There is an advertisement of Seroquel XR at all pages of the site.

Update:
I've just read at Furious Seasons the word "monotherapy" said by a psychiatrist. So if only one drug is used it's "monotherapy". Conclusion: "politherapy" is the rule.
Amazing!

Andy Behrman who once was payed to speak about Abilify now talks about side effects

Stephany at Soulful Sepulcher has just publish this post I'm just copying. Why copy? Because she did a great post and knows the drug seeing the effects of it and Clorazil in her daughter. I never took any of these two. I'm amazed!
The other reason is that I believe that to raise awareness we have to write testimonies in many posts as possible. She said it all at this post and if someone finds it in another blog it will be of great help. It's a way of working together. Validating other's blogger work is a way to make it more valuable to those who are not aware of what is going on with mental health psych-drugs.




"Abilify spokesperson Andy Behrman speaks out against the drug

Andy Behrman, author of the book based on his life, "electroboy" was a spokesperson for the antipsychotic Abilify. While on the drug and being a paid to speak about it, he suffered side effects and now has gone up against Bristol-Myers Squibb by speaking candidly about Abilify.

The one minute long video is worth watching, and can be found on the mental health news site Furious Seasons HERE.

From Furious Seasons:

"Andy Behrman, author of "Electroboy," was a spokespatient for Bristol-Myers Squibb's Abilify for a time and, according to yesterday's Wall Street Journal piece on him and his broken relationship with BMS, he made upwards of $400,000 speaking on behalf of the drug. Ironically, Behrman was suffering severe side effects from the drug during much of that period."-Philip Dawdy

~
I've said it before and I shall say it again--take some time to consider what this drug can do to your body, and remember this is an antipsychotic being re-marketed as an add-on for use for depression treatment. Abilify is yet another drug the doctors trialed on my daughter while she was in psych wards. One doctor even had her on Abilify and Clozaril at the same time, as a matter of fact that's what she was on when I got her out of that hospital. The doctor who cares for her now removed Abilify immediately, saying 2 antipsychotics were dangerous used in tandem, and Abilify actually is charted in her chart over the last 3 years as increasing agitation, and severe insomnia.
~
*my photograph of a DTC ad on a Seattle phone booth in March 2007"

If you are considering taking any psych-drug you have better make a research on side effects and withdrawal symptoms. These drugs are dangerous. Most of the people who are at my blog list are doing the same work I'm trying to do. There are others.
Please take good care of yourself. Don't trust ads!

The Vioxx case - when the side effect is physically noticeable and lethal

I'm reposting it because not everybody knows about Vioxx scandal. I've just realized that Many people are still unaware of Merck's Vioxx lethal side effect.

The Withdrawal of
Vioxx

"In September 2004, Merck announced a voluntary withdrawal of its blockbuster drug Vioxx (a cox2 inhibitor used to treat pain and inflammation) from the market due to concerns of an increased user risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke. As a result, over 6,000 lawsuits were filed in the US and elsewhere by people claiming that they or their family members had suffered heart attacks as a result of taking Vioxx. Subsequently, it was revealed that Merck had known about the risks associated with Vioxx as early as 2000.
Furthermore, the company was accused of manipulating a study in The New England Journal of Medicines, whereby researchers who were sponsored by Merck deliberately erased a table with information about cardiovascular effects before sending it for publication. During the lawsuits two medical professionals testified that they were pressured by Merck not to publish test results that showed increased rates of cardiovascular disease. In early 2005 a study calculated that Vioxx caused between 88.000 and 140.000 cases of heart disease in the US.
In the first US lawsuit, which Merck lost, the jury demanded US$ 229 million in punitive damages. The amount was based on an internal document of Merck that estimated that the company could make US$ 229 million in profits if the publication of warnings on the product could be delayed for four months. Merck did spend about US$ 160 million on marketing for Vioxx annually." p. 11

Source: "Branding the Cure A consumer perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility, Drug Promotion and the Pharmaceutical Industry in Europe"
Published by Consumers International in June 2006.
© Consumers International, June 2006.
This study is available on the site and shows how pharmaceutic industry works. The companies studied included: Abbott, AstraZeneca, Admirall Prodesfarma, Bayer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson) (J&J), Lilly (Eli), Lundbeck, Menarini, Merck Sharp Dohme, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Nycomed, Orion Pharma,
Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventi, Schering AG, Schering-Plough and Wyeth.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

For Stephany

Dufy, The three umbrellas, 1905.
She knows why!

The two kinds of courage - from a Hiroshima's survivor

I saw a documentary about Hiroshima and an old lady said the following and it is still on my mind:

"I have discovered that there are two kinds of courage: the courage of living and the courage of dying.
My sister did choose the courage of dying. I have chosen the courage of living."

I don't think I need to say anymore but you are not seeing the woman and I have her image on my mind and all the story she told so I did my little discoveries:
I've discovered that we all have the two courages and also that sometimes we can say "the courage of happiness" and the "courage of sadness".
Hope it makes some sense.

Stop E.C.T. Protest in Montreal - Mark was there

Mark was at the protest and he had his own sign as you can see at this post of him where he tells about being approached by the police because of the sign.
I've copied the post he wrote about the protest. I wish I was there. I wish I will be alive to go to any protest on any mental health issue. I fear I will not be alive to be part of any around here.

"Filed under: Uncategorized — markps2 @ 5:00 PM

I met Ghislain, Céline and Hélène.

may9th 2009 017

Ghislain and Céline may9th 2009 018

Hélène Grandbois

Hélène Grandbois

may9th ect 2009 001

may9th ect 2009 003

It was all in francais, so I didn’t understand too much.

A couple of professional photographers were about.

Update : Remembering the event.

Attendance: About fifty (constant) people. The combined total of the speeches came to about an hour, during which people on the street came and went.

The first photo of the woman in a yellow jacket is somebody important in Quebec, I didn’t catch the name/write it down.

The focus of the protest was obviously to get the public to think of our mothers and grandmothers getting brain damage, which was the main theme.

They did mention Ran Sandford getting involuntary E.C.T. in the U.S.A.

“My” Hospital Lakeshore General apparently gives out an even number of 420 E.C.T. a year.

The psych ward where I watched the victims wait on gurneys in the morning for their E.C.T. in front of the nurses station."

Yes, Lakeshore General Hospital gave 420 E.C.T. in 2006. I'll translate the French material later. Thank you Mark for being there! I wish I was there with you.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Ramblings on pain and Holly by Floriano

I don't live with Nell's mom. She likes cats but not at home. I know Nell is a great dog but I'm a great cat too that's why my daddy loves me so much. Meow, meowww!
I've talked to Nell over the phone while her mom was sleeping and she told me that her mom in doing fine and that today she will have someone helping her with the messy house.
I'm not a kitty any longer. I'm eight years-old. I would love to visit Holly. She is so pretty and smart that I think I'm already in love with her but I don't think she will want me. That's life. We have to learn to deal with rejection. It aches but it's pain my least favorite word. Any pain. I wish that there was no pain and it seems to me that human beings suffer too much for numerous reasons. It was not supposed to be like this. People should be always in a good state of mind, not happy, but centered to live the good and the bad. Bye.

Meow, meow, Bark... (I've learned that).

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Xenophobia... Vanessa Redgrave (repost)

I've first published it in June, 12, 2008 and felt like reposting it. I did a little association with mental illness.

Xenophobia...
That was the word Vanessa Redgrave did answer James Lipton for the question "What is your least favorite word?" on the famous "Inside Actor's Studio".
I admire this woman immensely. Julia is one of my favorites movies and she told how she came up producing and acting. She was on a theater and a cinema usher showed Lillian Hellman's book. As she didn't had read he lend it to her.
She did read it in one night and decided to make the movie. I saw an interview where Lillian said she hated the scene when Jane Fonda throw away the typewriter through the window for she loved her machine and would never consider doing something like that.
And Vanessa is right. Xenophobia comes from the
Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "someone with whom you are not acquainted", and φόβος (phobos), meaning "fear".
In the beginning of this century while the word globalization conveys a sympathetic image but covers the worst face of the capitalistic system, whose sole aim seems to be producing money and it's values are spreading all over the world, xenophobia hears it's ugly head in many different ways.
I would think twice spending one year in Paris while on the eighties I was received with great hospitality. Perhaps because I was around people linked to arts but I'm not sure. I was treated well by French people everywhere I went. I speak the language and it helps.
But I'm not sure if it would be the same.
I've received a six month visa in UK although I was just spending a week before returning home.
But from the news I've been reading it seems that things would be very different.
Some Americans uses a backpack with a Canadian flag while abroad. Neo-nazists are on Germany and in other countries denying holocaust and beating people.
In South-Africa another kind of racism is going on.
I will not raise the whole faces of xenophobia for I would have to make a long list.
What does it has to do with mental health?
A silly association that was planted in my brain.
(xenos), meaning "someone with whom you are not acquainted"
I don't know the Greek word for
"something with which you are not acquainted". However it seems to me that the stigma crazy people suffer has something to do with lack of knowledge of what are the feelings of a depressed person and all others conditions that are not under the normal umbrella.
It's about time people acquainted themselves with other people's feelings.
We don't fear what we know although some people choose to hate what they know.

Xenophobia, globalization economic interests and Internet - Hulu and Veoh

Yesterday I've tried to see a video at Susan's blog and got this message:

We're sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States. For mor information on Hulu's international availability, click here.
If you're inside the United States and believe you've received this message in error, please click here.

I've just tried to see a video at Fiddaman and got this message:

Veoh is no longer available in BRAZIL. If you are not in BRAZIL or think you have received this message in error, please go to veoh.com and report the issue.

I know it's due to economic reasons but it aches. I aches because I start thinking about some of my fellow citizens has to endure, and all those below the Equator.
I have a lot to say but I have been treated so well by US citizens here, at blogosphere, that I'll respect them not writing a long post on something I'm sure they have nothing to do.
If you are Brazilian and having any problem I urge you to come back home. If you are trying to have a Visa and it takes days and any disrespectful act, please stay here.
To my blog friends I'm sorry but you cannot imagine what it means to be in a long queue side by side with a little one separated by poor and rich countries. Even if you receive a 6 months Visa like I did in UK.
I will never forget it. There are many stories of....

Still bored but hopeful by Nell

No. This is the old computer. She has a better one now. She wrote a post and I'm glad because she could pay attention at what she was reading.
Now she is trying to focus on the good things she used to do and trying to visualize doing it again. I hope taking me out is one of this things. She is tired physically.
Yesterday she thought about writing something about her and all of the humans that she knows here on the computer - she likes you all a lot:
"no matter what don't ever forget that we are all amazing people with great power, strength and will. Even if others just see what we don't have..." than she stopped fearing it would become very pathetic. I hate this photo. I don't know why they did not used to cut my hair. I looked like an old lady although I was younger. My mom don't like her hair short because when she was a little girl her mother - that strange woman I never met and don't want to - forced her to have her hair cut very, very short. Strange people. She will be fine. She always does at the end. She is trying to visit her blog friends.
Bark bark Bark... Koda... aff awfff... meowwwww Holly (I've learned that!). Wooofffffffff.