I'll be blogging through the weekend because I haven't been blogging much this week. It's only fair.

Posted by liz at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Countering Schizophrenia by Finding Solace in Art [New York Times]

Posted by liz at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Andrew T. writes:

Thought you might find this interesting. I personally find it unsettling and paradoxically uninspirational. There's something really depressing about most of the artwork shown, and the Risperdal ad that flashes at the end makes it all seem so contrived.

And what's the message? If you take our medication, you'll be more creative? Somehow I doubt that's always the upshot.

Posted by liz at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Couple beat depression... by making dolls' houses!

[I had to put an image with a hamster in it, as I'm now all about the hamsters.]

Posted by liz at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Media coverage like the below makes me feel like we still have a long way to go.

Police Capture Mental Health Escapee

Posted by liz at 08:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brain scans 'may detect OCD risk'

Posted by liz at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks to FEB for letting me know that The Stranger, one of my fave papers, published a great story about depression (among other things) that's definitely worth a read. The first paragraph really could have been written by me.

The Long Winter

P.S. I know this blog has been super sparse of late, but I have no computer access for most of the day, a situation and that I hope is temporary. This week I'm in training, and will have absolutely no computer at all until 5:30 or 6 p.m., at which point I'll collapse in agony. So ... I don't really know what to do. Be patient please. I promise to be back soon.

Posted by liz at 07:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A little pick-me-up from muckraker extraordinaire Philip Dawdy over at Furious Seasons.

Posted by liz at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Matt S., who I hope (ahem) is nominating me!

Get on board for the Relaxation Ride! Be chauffeured by PhillyCarShare Ambassadors from place to place while listening to soothing sounds and enjoying calming products and healthy goodies.

At each location you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating experience in reiki, massage or yoga.

All you have to do is show up – we’ll take care of the rest!

Know someone who deserves a day of relaxation or want to ride yourself?

Here's what to do: Email Jason@phillycarshare.org the name of the person you're nominating, their email and phone number, your name (so we can tell them who nominated them), and the reason why you or they deserve to take the ride. Remember, you can nominate yourself.

Winners will be announced November 20th.

The Relaxation ride will take place Sunday, December 2nd, from 1-5:30pm.
*Brought to you by PCS and Key to The City Members Dhyana Yoga, The Reiki School and Clinic, and the Massage Arts Center

Posted by liz at 04:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This comes from Stephany. The issue of meds not being the answer -- especially in people with severe mental illness -- is a very real one.

I understand a few things based on my experience as a mother with an adult daughter who is taking an anti psychotic medication, and also walks:

1. The meds are not as efficacious as the general public is led to believe via NAMI and other groups.

2. Med-compliance is not a cure or guarantee for safety or mental wellness.[of the person taking the meds]

3. My daughter was recently missing for 4 hours in the dark, in an unfamiliar city, while medicated, and in care of a mental health outpatient residential home.[that requires med compliance].

This is the point where I can say, yes people like my daughter DO deserve the right to live in a least restrictive [unlocked] environment, and that medication is clearly not the entire answer here. What is the answer?-- is what we must all ask, because right now the mental health system across the United States is a malfuntioning system, based on a psychiatric medication paradigm--that clearly is not working. The terror of finding my daughter dead was unbelievable, and I am grateful she was found by police.

The article discusses eating food from dumpters, etc. as reason to tout forced medication--those same people can read here that med compliance didn't work in my daughter's case. What if you saw her wandering the road? lock her up for walking while medicated? She got lost in the dark.

Posted by liz at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

For reasons I can't go into, I now have more doubts about forced treatment than I ever have before. But I will continue to struggle with the issue, as it's not something I believe can be easily and absolutely decided one way or the other. However:

Bill mandates treatment for mentally ill

Posted by liz at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

TTWS reader Ellen says:

I saw the NBC report, which was, of course, difficult to watch. More so because it brought back memories of being a 14-year-old volunteer in the early '70s at a "training school" in Connecticut where conditions were every bit as bad as the ones depicted in the report, right down to the teens and adults who were the size of toddlers.

Having years later become the mother of a son with Down syndrome -- who's grown into a remarkably competent teenager with what we hope is a bright future -- I now know just how much potential was buried inside those urine-stained walls, full of barely verbal adults who were never taught to use a toilet properly, much less read and write and surf the Internet.

It's all very well to shake our heads about these conditions in a country still recovering from war, but how many people realize that their fellow Americans were treated just as badly within most of our lifetimes?

Posted by liz at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I've been trying to post about this for a long time, but haven't had the opportunity all day. Several people have alerted me about it, and I have no access to their emails. But the deal is this:

Mental Disability Rights International Accuses Serbia of Torture and Abuse Against Children and Adults with Disabilities

Associated Press Report: Disabled Kids Abused in Serbia

Serbia says allegations of abuse at mental institutions part of 'dark propaganda'

Posted by liz at 03:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From Joe, who can always be counted upon for pointed commentary:

"In August, [Florida Department of Children and Families] officials decided to ignore orders from judges that certain inmates be immediately transferred to a hospital. Officials say it wouldn't be fair to jump over others on the waiting list that often has more than 300 names statewide."

I guess ignoring a court order and failing to create a responsive mental health infrastructure is fair in Florida. So much for fairness.

System fails mentally ill inmates, families

Posted by liz at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Iraq Vets May Suffer Depression, Stress

Posted by liz at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

From NAMI:

Medicare Drug Benefit Update: 2008 Plan Year Enrollment Begins November 14, 2007

November 15 marks the start of the open enrollment period for the Medicare Part D drug benefit for 2008. During the “open season” period for 2008 drug plan enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to select prescription drug coverage that goes into effect on January 1, 2008. The open season ends December 31.

As the 2008 plan year approaches, NAMI is watching closely to ensure that beneficiaries with serious mental illness, especially low-income dual eligibles, are able to maintain continued access to drug coverage that meets their complex treatment needs. Of particular concern are the 2.1 million dual eligibles and low-income subsidy (LIS) Medicare beneficiaries that are being required to switch to different prescription drug plans (PDPs) on January 1.

For more information on the important issue of Medicare drug plan reassignment of dual eligibles and LIS beneficiaries for 2008, click here.

Web-Based Search Tools for 2008 Drug Plan Options
There are a number of important web-based tools to search available plan options, research whether or not a specific medication is on a plan’s formulary for 2008 – or is subject to an access restriction (placed on a tier requiring higher cost sharing, prior authorization, step therapy, quantity limit, etc.). Most can be searched by zip code to check on availability by geographic region.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CMS 2008 Plan Finder

CMS 2008 Formulary Finder

Access to Benefits Coalition

Medicare Rx Connect

Posted by liz at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A while ago I blogged about Christopher Ted Dye, a guy I knew in Austin, Texas, who turned out to be a serial rapist. In response to that post, I got the most remarkable piece of writing from one of his victims, which I should have published a few days ago, on Nov. 10, but am publishing today instead. It's one of the most incredible first-person accounts you'll read on this site. But be aware that it's graphic and disturbing. Thank you to author Cindy for sharing her story with us so we can have an understanding of what some rape survivors have been through.

It is coming up on the 14th anniversary (November 10, 1993) of my horrific experience with Mr. Dye. I was his 5th victim. I had just moved to Austin, which had been my lifelong dream. I was only here six weeks and had just begun to get settled into my new apartment (first floor). I had a brand new job, was making new friends and loving the cool crisp weather. Upon coming home from work that day I noticed smoke coming from my windows. All the neighbors were coming outside to see what was happening. I had a reptile aquarium in my bedroom and the heating element malfunctioned and had caused a small, but contained fire. There was no real damage, but the apartment was filled with black smoke and extremely strong fumes. I pulled up all the blinds and opened every window for most of the evening. I lit a fire in the fireplace and fell asleep on the couch. I woke around midnight and shut and locked all the windows and locked the sliding glass patio door. Then I went to bed. I distinctly remember the last thought I had....did I click the patio door lever up or down? Are you sure it is locked? I was sure I did and fell asleep.

In the dead of night and in the middle of a strange dream I felt a bump against the bed. I was awake in a flash, and panic set in. There was only one reason for that feeling...someone was there. I was lying face down, and in an instant a male was on top of me pushing my face in the pillow with one hand and trying to pull my arm behind my back with the other. I fought and struggled and screamed. He then grabbed both arms, his knee deep in my back, and I felt a cord being wrapped around my wrists. I fought the hardest at that moment and suddenly felt a sharp burning pain. He had a knife, and my fingers had just been slashed open, to the bone. I relented. After securing my wrists he flashed the bloody knife in front of my eyes and told me I would die if I didn't cooperate. I believed this was the end for me. He then stuffed a sock in my mouth and pulled the pillowcase off the pillow next to me and covered my head with it. It was the most humiliating and frightening moment of my life. I have never felt so helpless and hopeless.

I'll spare the play-by-play of the next three hours. He raped me 3 times, each time getting more and more frustrated because he couldn't "keep it up" anymore. He called me every disgusting name he could think of, blaming me for him not being able to perform. He ran the knife along my thighs, taunting me, laughing at me as I shivered in fear.

After some time, his mood (I was sure he was on drugs) seemed to change. He was more interested in robbing me than raping me. He began going through all my things, talking out loud to himself. He was pissed because I didn't have any cash in the house, and only modest jewelry, nothing that he felt was worthy. He then picked up my car keys and started jingling them around. He made me tell him which car was mine. I kept thinking...take it...just please leave. He finally sat down beside me on the bed and let out a long creepy sigh. He asked me "If you were me...would you let you live?" He leaned over pulled the sock out of my mouth through the pillowcase. I was frozen with fear. My hand had been bleeding constantly since the first initial cut. I couldn't feel or move my fingers. I needed medical attention and I wanted him gone.

I began to talk very passively to him. I even sounded somewhat like a friend, which utterly killed me inside. I said "Well, I haven't seen your face, I know nothing about you, what you look like or even if you are black or white. If you take my car they will be looking for it and that would be bad for you. You would get away much easier if you just slip back into the night. Even if the police come, there is nothing for me to tell. They will never find you and you know it".

He laughed pleasantly upon hearing this. He said "you know what...you are right. Tell you what...you count back from 100, very slowly. I'm going to walk out the front door and I'll be watching you from a distance to see if the police come. If they do, I will come back and kill you. You got that bitch?"

I agreed, and began to count backward from 100. He stood there for a moment, as if to be sure he could believe me, and then he said this..."next time, don't leave your patio door unlocked. That is why I picked you", and then he left. I counted down to about 80, then I took my chances and ran to the front door and locked it. I ran to the patio door and locked it. I called my best friend and broke down on the phone and asked her to come get me. I called the police from her house, though I had no real hope of them ever finding him. The police met me at the hospital, where the emergency staff sutured my fingers as best they could. My hand would require a specialist to repair the tendon and nerve damage. The rape exam took 9 hours. I was numb all over but felt good that the officers had said I had a lot of good information.

I realized that even though I didn't see him, I smelled him (he smelled of coffee, which was the key in catching him it turns out). I also knew he was no taller than me when he was lying next to me in bed. I could tell he was "on" something by his mood swings, which helped lead the police to investigate known drug users with a record. I saw the knife, which was unique in shape and style and only sold in a few shops. They found a dark hair on my bed, which helped with hair color. He spoke well and didn't seem like an uneducated person. As best as I could tell he was Caucasian, and had no accent be it foreign, northern or southern US. I suddenly felt hopeful in assisting the police in finding him. I went on Fox 7 news and did an interview, warning all women to be very careful, and no matter what…make sure your doors are LOCKED.

It took two more years, and 9 other women being raped, but they did finally catch him. I was at his trial. He tried to plead insanity. The 14 women in the courtroom who had been raped felt insane...with rage. His attorney finally buckled under the weight of the evidence and he then changed his plea to guilty. It was finally over.

I found this article doing a web search to see if there was any news on Mr. Dye. I was shocked over the above comments from people who actually knew him. I felt compelled to tell the only way I knew him. I have lain in bed many a night wondering if I really did leave that patio door unlocked or not. The police said he broke in, and he probably said that to make me blame myself. I guess I will never know. Knowing that so many of his friends, roommates, and associates could not tell what kind of monster he could be, seems almost impossible, but at the same time, makes me feel less guilty about anything I did or have ever blamed myself for. I was a victim, plain and simple. I survived, and that is all that matters now. Thank you for all of your comments. At least at some point in his life he was a normal, productive person, or at least seemed like it. Who knows what went wrong, I'm sure he had horror stories of his own. I just wish he would have found help and not taken it out on innocent women.

My hand has never regained all its use. I had surgery to try to repair the tendons in one of my fingers that suffered the most damage. I can no longer play the violin, but at least I can type, which is part of my livelihood. I would do it all over again. At least I tried to get away. I couldn’t live with myself if not.

Onward with life, I am a very adjusted and happy person now. The worst thing you can do is remain a victim. Then they have really won.

Thanks,

Cindy in Austin, TX (Nope, I never moved. This is MY town)

Posted by liz at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

TTWS reader Nancy B. says:

Thank you for sharing the Consumer Reports health blog/video ad. Until I read the article, I had no idea that the U.S. is one of only two countries in the world (the other is New Zealand) where pharmaceutical ads are legal. The following info contained in the article was also dismaying: "While Congress recently gave the FDA more authority to regulate ads, it rejected a measure that would have allowed the agency to place a moratorium on ads for new drugs that raise safety concerns."

Then listen to the NPR interview about the Vioxx settlement.

The executive editor of JAMA says in the interview: "The lesson is that you should not believe one thing--- not anything---that a pharmaceutical company says. That where you should start from...."

She goes on to say that it's all about marketing and not science anymore.

Wake up, America

Posted by liz at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Joe G. has alerted me to the fact that Consumer Reports has a health blog -- something I wasn't aware of. Though it seems the last post was on Nov. 1, the idea of such a blog makes me very happy. Check this post out (avec Flash):

Finally, an antidote to TV drug ads

Posted by liz at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No entries yesterday -- what kind of a blogger am I? That's for amateurs. Well, I confess to being a little strung-out, not on drugs, of course, but on exhaustion. I think I'm pushing myselft too hard and getting overwhelmed. I can't seem to say no to anyone or anything. I get an email and have to respond. I offer to do extra assignments at various workplaces. I come home from the 9-5 job and immediately go to the computer to try to do stuff for Philadelphia Weekly. It's too much. I'm breaking down. I have a cold and I can barely see straight. How many of you have sent me great tips for stories on this blog that I haven't posted? How many emails haven't I answered? You're just the tip of the iceberg.

The other night I was working on deadline on something for the paper that HAD TO BE DONE. And I realized: I can't jeopardize my health this way. I am taking some Benadryl, going to bed, and it will have to wait until tomorrow. Just making that decision -- and feeling like my life was my own, and that I was in control of it -- offered me immeasureable relief. My bed has never felt so comfortable. And I have to hand it to Benadryl: for a good night's sleep, you really can't beat it. Of course, your nose and mouth become dry and parched, but given my cold, that worked for me.

Here's something I'm reading when I have some down time. I recommend it.

If you're going through hell keep going

Posted by liz at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I forgot to tell you -- the lovely Therese Borchard featured me a couple days ago on her very cool blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet.com. Though Therese writes about spirituality, her writing will appeal to everyone, religious or not. Check her out:

Beyond Blue

Posted by liz at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Check out this press release from Eli Lilly. It really is too funny.

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eli Lilly and Company has received Program Design Certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its Tools that Empower(TM) Depression Care Management Program.

Tools that Empower(TM) Depression Care Management Program is designed for managed care organizations to assist in further driving the standard of patient care around Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Lilly created the program in response to the growing population of patients diagnosed with MDD.

The foundation of this program is based upon the APA Standards of Care for major depressive disorder, the HEDIS(R) measure for Antidepressant Medication Management, and several other related, peer-reviewed articles.

Lilly Receives NCQA Design Certification for Depression Care Management Program

Posted by liz at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Well, today is voting day, and my new polling place is Abbraccio restaurant, where I can do my civic duty while scarfing down ravioli. I'm voting for mayor today -- Al Taubenberger -- and there are ballot questions as well.

Tee hee. Just kidding. I probably will eat ravioli, but I won't be voting for Al. I'm voting for Michael Nutter because you would have to rip my fingernails out with fishing pliers before I'd vote for a Republican. I didn't always feel that way, but today's GOP is so radically divergent from my own views in every way, I can't imagine a Republican candidate who would appeal to me. But then again, I'm kind of a typical liberal: pro-choice, anti-death-penalty, pro-gay rights, pro-environmental protection, anti-gun, antiwar, anti-Iraq ... you could write the rest of the list. Liberals are just as predictable as conservatives. Yawn.

If you live in Philly and want to know where to go to vote for important judicial retention questions, ballot issues, City Council races, and more, go here. Also, read this City Paper article about a judge who made what an appalling decision, was rebuked by the Bar Association (see below), and who may end up having a tough time today because of it.

Jill Porter | Phila. Bar rips judge who nixed rape of hooker

Posted by liz at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Thanks to Simon for bringing this to my attention. A bright TV personality in Australia, Charmaine was obviously struggling with her new life in Sydney, which afforded her professional success but took her away from her family in Perth. Just read a little bit about Charmaine, and you'll be captivated by her beauty and charm, which I guess is how people get on TV to begin with. I'm sad that she couldn't find a way to make it through.

Her family released the following statement about Charmaine's death:

In such tragic circumstances there will always be a search for answers. While her death was defined by depression, her life was defined by love.

Charmaine fought a brave and private battle with depression. She was determined not to allow it to control her and because she cared so much for the people she loved most, she never wanted to burden them.

Despite her struggle Charmaine was the eternal optimist. She had an enthusiasm for life which was contageous and her friends couldn't help but get caught up in her vibrant nature.

She was like a ray of sunshine and everyone who knew her basked in her joyous glow.

Her optimism was evident in the plans she was making for the future. A lover of music she had bought concert tickets to Bjork on the morning of the day she died.

She was making plans with her future husband Simon, whom she had been with since the age of 16. The couple were planning on staging a surprise wedding at their joint 30th birthdays in March next year. The couple had also talked extensively about starting a family.

While she did find it difficult living away from her family in Perth, she was surrounded by a tight knit group of supportive friends in Sydney. She enjoyed Sydney, but there was no denying that Perth was her home.

Charmaine had also started making plans for her family to visit Sydney during the summer, and was looking forward to again spending time with them, especially her favourite nephew Ayden, showing them the sights of Sydney and Canberra.

It's important people know Charmaine wasn't a negative or needy person and never wanted to be the victim. If anything, her selfless interest in others and their lives is how many will remember her.
She's left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who loved her and not a day will go by where she won't be truly missed.

Posted by liz at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A dispatch from the other side, from Scotland's Sunday Herald:

Ron Coleman, diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1982 and treated with electro-shock therapy and drugs, has cited his own nightmare experience in the psychiatric system to call for the term to be dropped altogether.

The 49-year-old from Fife said: "I lived the schizophrenia label instead of living as a person. People treat you as if you're a piece of crap, talk to you like a non-person. I got people battering on the door, shouting psycho' and throwing things at the window. I spent 10 years in a drug-induced, zombied haze.."

advertisement"I still hear voices, but I've found a way of living with them. It was only when I turned away from psychiatric medication that my life totally turned around. Since then I've got married, had kids, got a house and love going to work every day."

Calls to end stigma of schizophrenia ‘label’

Posted by liz at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is an entry from TTWS reader Nancy. For some reason, identifying information wasn't posted for her earlier, for which I apologize.

All I can say is that what the commentator wrote fits my 24 year old daughter to a tee. With a gene pool on the both sides of her family tree that includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, major depression and anxiety disorders, she remembers as early as 4th grade feeling worthless and suicidal, unbeknowst to me and her late father.

She was a much loved and wanted child who had an extremely stable/normal childhood. From day one, though, her father and I knew she was "wired" differently and because of disabling, irrational fears, hyper-reactivity and sensitivity, she/we saw a family therapist & a renowned child psychologist at 3 different times in her childhood. No drugs, just talk therapy. It helped a bit but she still struggled with anxiety & over-reactivity. We went to parenting classes, read books about "the difficult child, the underachiever and the tempermental child" and yet nothing seemed to change to help her with low self esteem and anxiety issues.

She was/is a wonderful, creative and intelligent human being, who despite our love and acceptance, didn't feel that she was a "good daughter." When her beloved Dad died suddenly & unexpectedly, she was a fragile 14 and his death was the kindling that plunged her into what first appeared to be a major depression/grief reaction, with suicide attempts, self-injury, etc. Our genetic/family history wasn't as obvious then as it is now and when she was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder several months later, we were all shocked. High school was hell, even with meds, but she graduated and went off to a local university and eventually discontinued all meds, w/o my knowledge.

She dropped out of school, made some extremely bad lifestyle choices that still affect her health today----she even did sword swallowing in a local anarchist show. The daughter who used to be terrified of weapons, knives, risk of any kind was engaged in self-destructive behavior I never could have imagined. Alcohol and pot became her meds of choice and after a couple of awful years for her and for me (I was doing this all alone,while grieving the loss of my husband, parenting partner and soulmate and being scared beyond words that I'd lose her, too), she found herself in an ER, depressed and drunk after a plunge from a manic high.

It proved to be an opportunity for her to 1) accept that her brain needed some sort of prescribed mood stabilizer and 2) work with a great psychiatrist who listened to her and very slowly and with great caution, started one med at a time. She has been alcohol and pot-free for 18 months and is currently on Lamictal and a tiny dose (2mg) of Abilify.She states that this is the most stable she's EVER felt, even going back to childhood. She advocates for herself and says "No" to her doctor if she doesn't agree with his suggestions. She is fully aware of the short-term and long-term risks of the meds she is on. She still wishes that she didn't have to take them ---she has had to deal with weight gain, acne and other body issues that would be difficult for any woman in our culture. But she knows that w/o them, her life would deteriorate again. She is even more accepting of this than me!I grieve for all she's lost. I wish she didn't have to be on meds---period.

She takes vitamins, fish oil and other supplements; she doesn't have a car and walks everywhere; she eats well and makes sure she gets enough sleep.

Working with our state's department of vocational rehab, she recently participated in the META peer support training program, got certification and will actually begin a part-time job next week in the mental wellness field. Her intelligence, empathy, personal experiences & training should be huge assets in this position.

After a decade of loss and numerous crises, our relationship is stronger than ever and I am so proud of her courage and resilience. She is wise beyond her years and is more hopeful than ever. I am, too.

Posted by liz at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I like a post I saw today on the blog bipolar chicks blogging. I know it'll get people hot and bothered (and not in a sexy way), but I must quote from it:

I have come to one conclusion. LISTEN UP ALL OF YOU WHO THINK YOU DON’T NEED THE MEDS. AND THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK PYSCH MEDS ARE AN UNNECCESSARY LUXURY FOR EITHER YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY MEMEBER. Psych meds are just as important as cancer meds, blood pressure meds, or any other med. Bipolar and all of it’s psych cousins IS a real mental and physical illness. It is not the condition that you see portrayed in the press. It cannot be cured by a few weeks in an expensive rehab setting. The celebrities that you see packing their Gucci bags and heading into a posh resort either don’t have bipolar or are not “cured” when they come out. They may have learned to manage their bipolar and/or been put on meds. But, once bipolar, always bipolar. You do not outgrow it. You do not get cured of it. And, most of all, it is not an illness of convenience.

In other words, bipolar is not a label to be slapped on a person for a defense in court then removed on down the road.

One final thought……if you or your loved one is bipolar, please seek treatment. The manic high is absolutely the most fantastic feeling in the world to the BP who is experiencing. BUT, a crash always follows sooner of later. Then, the BP is left in a dark hell-hole of black depression. This is no way to live. This is no way for your loved one to live. Treatment does help. Talk therapy does help. Don’t just ignore it and think it will go away. IT WILL NOT.

You go, girl(s)!

Posted by liz at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Documentary filmmaker/poet/artist/homeless advocate Lorian Elbert (pictured) died a couple weeks ago, I'm sad to report. I was told she killed herself in Los Angeles. She made two films about people living in poverty and with mental illness: Dignity 1: A Study of Schizophrenia, and Dignity 2: The Human Side of Mental Illness. She was, by all accounts, deeply committed to making the world better for those less fortunate.

In an interview about her work, Lorian was asked what she was hoped poeple would get from seeing her work. She said:

I want them to be moved. Maybe they'll volunteer at a halfway house or maybe they'll be nice to somebody on the bus.

So that's your job. Be nice to someone for Lorian's sake and for the sake of the people she chronicled.

Dignity project homepage

Posted by liz at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)